Strong Earthquake Strikes Philippines, Killing at Least 5
A powerful earthquake shook the northern Philippines on Monday, leaving at least five people dead in collapsed buildings, disaster relief officials said.
— The New York Times
Clark International Airport shut down after quake
All flights in Clark International Airport were canceled following a magnitude 6.1 tremor that jolted parts of Luzon on Monday afternoon.
— The Nation
Holy Week death count pegged at 55
The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported on Monday that 55 people died during the observance of the Lenten season, with most of the deaths attributed to drowning.
— Business Mirror
Philippines, China to sign 5 agreements in Beijing
The Philippines and China would sign five bilateral agreements during President Rodrigo Duterte’s attendance to the second Belt and Road Forum in Beijing from April 25 to 27, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday.
— Inquirer.net
Philippines warns journalists out to ‘destroy’ Duterte
Philippine government on Monday (Apr 22) warned the press against plotting to “destroy” President Rodrigo Duterte’s government, as his spokesman accused journalists of spreading fake news.
— CNA
Growth to hit target despite H1 dip
Philippine economic growth could marginally accelerate this year, to 6.3 percent from 6.2 percent in 2018, on the back of higher household spending, an ING Bank Manila economist said.
— The Manila Times
No settlement ending up with China allowing Philippines to protect clams, Locsin says
The Philippines’ top diplomat said he would not allow a settlement of the South China Sea dispute that would put China at an advantage in connection to giant clams in Scarborough Shoal.
— The Philippine Star
Hanjin liabilities now pegged at $1.71B
CLAIMS against Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Philippines, Inc. (HHIC-Phil) now total about $1.71 billion, according to a recent interview with the firm’s rehabilitation receiver who cited latest assessments and said she has yet to receive a “firm” business proposal.
— BusinessWorld Online
BRP Andres Bonifacio to join ASEAN maritime exercises
The Philippine Navy (PN) will deploy the BRP Andres Bonifacio (PS-17), one of its most capable offshore patrol vessels, to the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus Maritime Security Field Training Exercise 2019.
— PTV News
Duterte calls out China again for building on PH-claimed reefs
President Rodrigo Duterte has called out China again for building structures on Philippine-claimed reefs in the South China Sea but said he would stick to “talking” with Chinese leaders to avoid a military confrontation.
— Inquirer.net
NCRPO urges public to prepare for possible aftershocks
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) urged residents in Metro Manila to prepare for possible aftershocks after a magnitude 6.1 earthquake hit parts of Luzon on Monday afternoon.
— Inquirer.net
Philippines: Duterte Might Discuss South China Sea during China Visit
President Rodrigo Duterte, who is expected to attend a two-day forum in China this week, could raise the issue of Beijing’s encroachment in Philippine-claimed areas in the South China Sea during a meeting with his counterpart Xi Jinping, an official said Monday.
— Benar News
QC allots P3.11 billion for ‘19 investment plan
The Quezon City Council has approved a resolution adopting the Annual Investment Plan for 2019 to fund various programs and projects of the city, and the local government’s maintenance and other operating expenses.
— Manilastandard.net
Philippine rate cut on the table this May, says BSP chief Diokno
The Philippines central bank is on course to cut its key interest rate as inflation cools, and policy easing will be on the table as soon as the May 9 meeting, governor Benjamin Diokno said.
— Panay News
Govt set to claim taxes from 23,961 foreign workers in the Pogo sector
Over 20,000 foreign nationals working in the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogo) sector could soon be subjected to tax assessment from the government after being validated by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
— Business Mirror
Weak export growth seen to continue in Emerging Asia
Weakness in export sales is expected to continue in emerging Asian economies throughout the year on the back of weaker global demand and high inventory of electronic products, London-based Capital Economics said.
— The Philippine Star
P339B steel projects to create 300K jobs
Some P339-billion worth of investments in the steel industry are expected to create 300,000 jobs but these investments and jobs could be hampered if red tape and substandard imports are not addressed.
— Malaya
Pampanga town declares state of calamity due to quake
The municipality of Porac in this province on Monday night declared a state of calamity following the fatalities and damages caused by the powerful earthquake that hit some parts of Luzon.
— Philippine News Agency
NUPL: “Revelation” of “oust Duterte plot” merely “lays groundwork for more attacks vs independent media”
The National Union of People’s Lawyers on Monday, April 22, said the matrix story on a supposed plot to oust President Rodrigo Duterte merely “lays the ground for more attacks against independent media.
— Eagle News
Regulator urges prompt release of P10-B rice fund
A REGULATOR in charge of licensing agriculturists called on the government to immediately release to farmers the P10-billion Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), saying that if this component of the Rice Tariffication Law is not implemented, it would “sabotage” the law.
— BusinessWorld Online
Boracay group seeks silence in bat habitat
Helicopter tours and boats blaring music on Boracay Island should be regulated to avoid disrupting the bats’ natural habitat, according to a group advocating the protection of endangered fruit bats.
— Inquirer.net
Palace suspends gov’t work in Metro Manila due to earthquake
Malacañang suspended work in government offices in Metro Manila Tuesday, April 23 in the wake of a 6.1-magnitude earthquake that rocked parts of Luzon.
— ABS-CBN News
3 foreign firms keen on Hanjin’s assets
THREE foreign investors are in the advanced stages of acquiring the country’s largest shipyard, operated by bankrupt Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Philippines (HHIC-Phil), and no Chinese firm is on the list.
— Business Mirror
Luzon grid on red alert after quake
THE National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) raised a red alert in the Luzon grid following a 6.1 magnitude earthquake that hit most of Luzon on Monday afternoon.
— The Manila Times
Manila Water payment waiver to reach P500 M
Ayala-led Manila Water Co. Inc. is expecting to return nearly half a billion to east zone customers following the recent supply mess that will likely take a toll on the firm’s bottomline for the year.
— The Philippine Star
PH to resume onion export to Indonesia
The Philippines is now all set to export onion to Indonesia as part of efforts to address its falling prices.
— Manila Bulletin
The burden of being a public health worker in the Philippines
On a good day, Miguel* is already in the hospital at 5 a.m., doing rounds of his ward patients. If it’s a bad day, he clocks out at 12 midnight and starts work again at around 3 a.m.
— CNN Philippines
Gov’t urged to probe disparity in sugar prices
The government was urged to investigate the rising gap between retail and millsite prices of sugar, with Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) suspecting that “there are sectors profiting largely” at the expense of local sugar farmers, workers, and producers.
— Manila Bulletin
Lacson prods Senate panel to scrutinize AFP’s multibillion-peso procurements
The Senate Defense and Security Committee was prodded on Monday to open an inquiry into the multibillion-peso allocations for the acquisition of military hardware under the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Law as soon as Congress reconvenes regular sessions next month.
— Business Mirror
Zambo City allots P16-M for student employment program
The city government has allocated PHP16.7 million for this year’s Summer Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) here.
— Philippine News Agency
Napoles refuses to enter plea in Malampaya Fund scam case
Pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles was finally arraigned on Monday in connection with the P900-million Malampaya Fund scam.
— Inquirer.net
MIAA: NAIA runways safe for landing, take-off following 6.1-magnitude quake
It’s business as usual at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport following a 6.1-magnitude earthquake that struck Zambales on Monday, April 22, and that was felt in parts of the country, airport authorities said.
— Eagle News
China told to ‘lay off’ Philippines’ islands shows SHIFT in Manila-Beijing relationship | World | News
As the midterm elections in the Philippines approach, President Rodrigo Duterte is attempting to overturn his “soft” approach with China over the territory, by engaging in talks with US President Donald Trump to increase their joint military efforts.
— Spratly Islands
‘Human chain’ formed in Negros Occidental to oppose coal-fired power plant
At least 7,000 members of the religious sector and the youth formed a “human chain” on Monday (Earth Day) to oppose the construction of a 300-megawatt coal-fired power plant in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.
— Inquirer.net
Japanese gov’t opens scholarship application for Pinoys
The Japanese Embassy in Manila is now accepting scholarship applications from Filipinos aspiring to study in Japan.
— Philippine News Agency
Senators call for review of 4Ps fund disbursements, performance
SENATORS on Monday said the implementation of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) should be subject to Congressional review.
— BusinessWorld Online
Class suspensions on Tuesday, April 23
Classes on Tuesday, April 23, were suspended following the 6.1-magnitude earthquake that struck Pampanga, Zambales and was felt in several parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila.
— Eagle News
Senators plan inquiry into conditional cash transfer program
Senators plan to conduct an inquiry into the administration’s conditional cash transfer program for the poorest of the poor families to determine how its funds have been used and to see if it has met its objectives.
— Inquirer.net
LRT-2 operations to resume on Tuesday, April 23
-Light Rail Transit-2 operations will resume on Tuesday, April 23.
— Eagle News
7 hurt as ceiling collapses at Clark International Airport
Seven persons were reported injured after part of the ceiling at Clark International Airport in Pampanga collapsed during a strong quake that shook parts of Luzon on Monday.
— Inquirer.net
No reported damage at NAIA after quake – Monreal
The management of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) reported no damage on all of its runways and taxiways following a strong quake that shook several parts of Luzon on Monday.
— Inquirer.net
In photos: Four storey building collapses in Porac, Pampanga after 6.1 magnitude quake
These series of photos showed the four-storey building in Porac, Pampanga that housed a grocery store, Chuzon Supermarket, which collapsed after the 6.1 magnitude quake that shook the island of Luzon in the Philipppines on Monday, April 22, 2019.
— Eagle News
NGCP monitoring transmission facilities after Luzon quake
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has intensified its monitoring of transmission facilities following the earthquake that shook a wide area of Luzon, causing power outages in some provinces.
— Philippine News Agency
Philippines earthquake: Video shows rooftop swimming pool water pouring down skyscraper
Water from a swimming pool on the roof of a skyscraper cascaded off the side of the building after a powerful earthquake rocked the Philippines.
— The Independent
Gasoline prices up anew effective on Tuesday
OIL companies announced a P0.10 per liter increase in the price of gasoline effective on Tuesday. Caltex, Eastern Petroleum, Flying V, Petro Gazz, Petron, Phoenix Petroleum, Pilipinas Shell, PTT Philippines …
— The Manila Times
Quake also rocks Cavite, other provinces
The powerful earthquake that shook a wide area of Luzon at 5:11 p.m. Monday was felt as a magnitude IV in Tagaytay City, while only as a magnitude III in the cities of Dasmariñas, General Trias, Cavite and the town of Indang, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported.
— Philippine News Agency
PNP deploys vehicles to aid stranded Metro Manila commuters
OIL companies announced a P0.10 per liter increase in the price of gasoline effective on Tuesday.
— Inquirer.net
Lawyer who sued Duterte at ICC questions disqualification from Senate race
The lawyer who first accused President Rodrigo Duterte of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Monday asked the Supreme Court to allow him to seek a Senate seat in the May 13 elections.
— GMA News
MRT, LRT, PNR suspend operations after Luzon earthquake
The Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3, Light Rail Transit (LRT) Lines 1 and 2, and Philippine National Railways (PNR) suspended operations after an earthquake hit Luzon on Monday afternoon, April 22.
— Rappler
New residents: Kadamay raises voting power of Bulacan town
Candidates in the May 13 elections have been giving this town a serious look due to 18,000 newly registered voters composed of resettled families from Metro Manila, many of them belonging to urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay).
— Inquirer.net
Malacañang: Gov’t monitoring effects of Luzon quake
The government, through the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), is closely monitoring the situation after a 6.1-magnitude earthquake hit Zambales and affected other parts of Luzon, said Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo.
— GMA News
Mindanao Container Terminal to get upgrade
INTERNATIONAL Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) is upgrading its port terminal in Mindanao, with significant improvements expected as early as this year.
— BusinessWorld Online
DOST pushes ISO certification for testing labs in Western Visayas
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is working to assist at least five laboratories in Western Visayas in acquiring International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certification in the next three years.
— Philippine News Agency
Ilocos Norte schools division establishes DRRM office
The Schools Division of Ilocos Norte (SDOIN) is the first to establish its own Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) office among all schools division in Region 1.
— Philippine News Agency
Malacañang bars Rappler reporter from tuberculosis event
Malacañang again refused to accredit Rappler to cover an event which President Rodrigo Duterte is set to attend, this time the launch of the Philippine initiative to end tuberculosis, scheduled for Tuesday, April 23.
— Rappler
NAIA consortium to submit proposal by end-April
THE CONSORTIUM proposing to rehabilitate Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) said it is committed to the Department of Transportation’s (DoTr) timeline for submitting the project proposal, which has an April 30 deadline.
— BusinessWorld Online
Luzon earthquake triggers power outages
Several areas in Luzon experienced power outages, as the island region was hit by a magnitude 6.1 earthquake on Monday, April 22.
— Rappler
IPOPHL lobbying for revival of special courts for IP cases
THE Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) said it will seek to revive courts specializing in Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) cases, amid a surge in counterfeiting and with regular courts busy prosecuting illegal drug cases.
— BusinessWorld Online
Bello appeals to public: Be kind to Chinese workers
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III on Monday appealed to the public “to be a little kind” to Chinese workers amid mounting concerns that these foreigners were already taking away jobs from Filipinos.
— Inquirer.net
Intense heat good for Dagupan’s ‘bangus’ industry
Street performers launched this year’s Bangus Festival under biting summer heat, which people normally avoid but which has been beneficial to this city’s main product.
— Inquirer.net
‘No obligation’ to explain 6-fold increase in wealth, says Sara Duterte
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte refused to explain her 6-fold increase in wealth reported by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ).
— Rappler
‘Smartmagic’ in May polls?
With Holy Week over, the unholy election cheaters and manipulators are back at their dirty work, prompting voters to ask, will we have accurate vote counting this time?
— Inquirer.net
PCC checks for collusion in power sector
THE PHILIPPINE Competition Commission (PCC) will check allegations of collusion among power plant operators amid recent outages “that may have contributed to price increases in the retail electricity market,” the watchdog said in a press release on Monday.
— BusinessWorld Online
Duterte orders Board of Investments to streamline steel industry projects
President Rodrigo Duterte instructed Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, who heads the Board of Investments (BOI), to coordinate all government efforts to streamline the formation of an integrated steelmaking industry.
— Rappler
DAR threatens sanctions for improper transfers of resettlement land
THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) said it warned employees not to process applications to transfer land designated by the department as resettlement areas to parties ineligible for such benefits.
— BusinessWorld Online
Magnitude 6.1 quake causes road, infra damage in Pampanga
The magnitude 6.1 earthquake that jolted parts of Luzon on Monday caused damages in several roads and other infrastructures in this province.
— Philippine News Agency
Gov’t wants better deal in $13.75-M settlement with Marcoses –DOJ
The Philippine government isn’t opposed to the distribution of $13.75 millions to the more than 6,500 victims of human rights violations under the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said on Monday.
— GMA News
Filinvest expands portfolio to logistics, industrial parks
Filinvest Land, Incorporated (FLI) will expand its portfolio by building its own logistics and industrial parks, as it aims to boost recurring revenues.
— Rappler
Digital currency sales in Philippines double in 2018
While some countries around the world are getting a little leery about digital currencies, the Philippines has embraced the new form of money, and that has resulted in them doubling the amount of virtual currency traded or acquired in 2018, going from about $190 million in 2017 to $390 million this last year.
— Coingeek.com
Slow start for dry run of Edsa bus ban
Only one provincial bus stopped at the recently opened Valenzuela Gateway Complex terminal in Valenzuela City on Monday, the first day of the dry run for a ban on provincial buses on the busy thoroughfare of Edsa.
— Inquirer.net
Implement EoDB law – biz groups
Last month’s water crisis has highlighted the need to immediately implement the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) law, business and industry groups said, with mandated transaction deadlines seen hastening the …
— The Manila Times
PCIJ: Those behind ‘matrix’ report may have committed crime, violated freedom
The people who came up with a matrix accusing several groups and individuals of a plot to oust President Rodrigo Duterte may have committed a crime and violated fundamental freedoms, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) said.
— GMA News
Duterte ‘not feeling well,’ skips Boao forum in Taguig
President Rodrigo Duterte skipped the Boao Forum for Asia Manila Conference on Monday because he was not feeling well, Malacaang said.
— Inquirer.net
Naga City buy-bust yields almost P18-M worth of shabu
An intensified campaign against illegal drugs has resulted in the seizure of nearly PHP18 million of shabu from two arrested Nigerian nationals in Naga City over the weekend.Police Maj.
— Philippine News Agency
8 dead in Pampanga after earthquake
Eight people died while 20 were hurt after a strong earthquake jolted Pampanga on Monday afternoon, an official from the Pampanga government said.
— Inquirer.net
IN PHOTOS: Evacuations follow after magnitude 6.1 earthquake hits Luzon
Following a magnitude 6.1 earthquake that shook parts of Luzon, evacuations of government offices, private offices, schools, and buildings were conducted as a precautionary measure on Monday, April 22.
— Rappler
Palace: Duterte studying MWSS report on water shortage
President Rodrigo Duterte is studying the report of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) on the water shortage that gripped parts of Metro Manila and Rizal province, Malacañang said Monday.
— GMA News
Bishop David: ‘Biggest lie’ to say drug war is against drugs
Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David denounced President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign on Monday, April 22, as he said it is the biggest lie to say the drug war aims to stop the illegal drug trade.
— Rappler
Labor Day job ‘caravan’ to offer 200,000 jobs
THE Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) said it will make available about 200,000 job openings during its Labor Day employment caravan.
— BusinessWorld Online
Feature photo Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines
This week’s Philippines morning news feature photo acknowledges World Intellectual Property Day, April 26.
Find our previous morning news feature photos in the AEC News Today Morning News Feature Photos gallery where you will find a pictorial display of daily life throughout the Asean Economic Community (AEC).
Philippines morning news by AEC News Today is your one stop source for Philippines news on matters of governance and policies affecting Asean business communities. It is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.
Stella-maris Ewudolu
Between November 2010 and February 2012 she was a staff writer at Daylight Online, Nigeria writing on health, fashion, and relationships. From 2010 – 2017 she worked as a freelance screen writer for ‘Nollywood’, Nigeria.
She joined AEC News Today in December 2016.
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