2020 in review: Social issues we may have forgotten, but shouldn’t

From the Taal Volcano eruption all the way to COVID-19 and the dolomite issue, 2020 did not hold back. While the year is (thankfully) coming to a close, a lot of the social issues we’ve dealt with have decided to come along—unasked, unbidden—into the new year. 

In case you’ve forgotten, here are most of the articles we’ve written on government, as well as social and health issues in the past year: 

January

Taal Volcano erupts, island declared off limits

New coronavirus strain detected in Cebu City

February

Senate passes Anti-Terrorism Bill

Rice Tariffication Bill signed into law

The PNP issues memorandum circular ordering updated list of Muslim students in Metro Manila

March

Luzon placed under quarantine

Koko Pimentel  breaks quarantine guidelines, and other stories of privilege

Metro Manila hospitals declare full capacity due to COVID-19 cases

The government gets a budget, but offers no concrete COVID-19 plans

April

Lockdown unleashes police brutality

ECQ breach seen in  Chinese vessel’s coal shipment

Rising trend in domestic abuse cases

Martial Law threats issued amid overflow of COVID cases

COVID-19 funds “fall short” and some petty squabbles

May

Congress pushes ABS-CBN shutdown 

Rise in mental health cases noted 

Sky-high electricity bills receive public furor

Anemic response to COVID-19 crisis slammed 

The public calls for transparency in COVID-19 funds

The mañanita saga begins

Anti-Terror Bill gains traction in the Congress

June

A bill seeking to rename NAIA filed amid pandemic

Cebu docs thumb down Gwen Garcia’s “tuob” reco

Congress approves Duterte’s “urgent” Anti-Terrorism Bill

Fake Facebook accounts flourish

Rappler’s Maria Ressa and Rey Santos Jr. are convicted of cyber libel

On the rise: red-tagging, unlawful arrests and even more police brutality

Jeepney phaseout seen but Robredo asks “What of traditional jeepney drivers?”

July

Philhealth corruption scandal is exposed

Anti-Terrorism Law takes effect

The ABS-CBN shutdown and the press freedom issue

Mañanita cop leads harassment of retired police’s family

Senate passes Bayanihan Heal as One 2, adds to COVID-19 budget

President urges use of gasoline to disinfect virus away

DOH endorses case against Koko Pimentel for quarantine violation 

August

More government inaction on COVID-19 hit

QC ostrich’s escape try goes viral

AFP: Anti-Terror Law to include social media posts

September

2021 mental health budget mowed down

“Life’s a (dolomite) beach” trends

Dictator’s birthday to become a holiday in Ilocos

Philhealth controversy refuses to die down

October

Duterte’s SALN remains a secret

DENR official berates UP scientists on “dolomite beach” issue 

November 

Typhoons Quinta, Rolly, and Ulysses wreak havoc

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas gets (unnecessary) new logo

December

Cop shoots unarmed mother and son after altercation 

Duque denies “dropping the ball” on COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccine updates

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