Philippines Morning News For March 12, 2020

Filipino COVID-19 patient dies at Manila hospital, says DOH
The Department of Health on Wednesday night confirmed reports that a Filipino COVID-19 patient has died in Manila.
— GMA Network

DoH confirms 16 new coronavirus infections
HEALTH authorities on Wednesday reported 16 new cases of novel coronavirus infections, bringing the total in the Philippines to 49.
— BusinessWorld

Philippines opposes Malaysia, China claims in disputed South China Sea
The Philippines has rejected Malaysia’s petition to extend the limits of its continental shelf in the South China Sea, invoking a landmark ruling that invalidated China’s sweeping claims in the disputed waters.
— ABS-CBN News

Philippines may impose ‘localized lockdown’ under Code Red Sublevel 2
The government can impose “localized lockdowns” due to the novel coronavirus only when the alert is raised to Code Red Sublevel 2, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said.
— Rappler

PhilHealth to shoulder coronavirus test costs – Malacañang
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles on Wednesday, March 11, said the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) will shoulder costs for the testing of the novel coronavirus disease called COVID-19 in hospitals.
— Rappler

Officials allay COVID-19 fears after Chinese vessel allowed to dock in N. Iloilo town
A local government official and an official of the Department of Health (DOH) are allaying fears of the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) after a Chinese-flagged vessel was allowed to dock in Ajuy, a coastal town in northern Iloilo province.
— Manila Bulletin

Duterte to get tested for coronavirus
President Rodrigo Duterte will get tested for the novel coronavirus, his former presidential aide and now Senator Bong Go confirmed on Thursday, March 12.
— Rappler

Malacañang partially closed for disinfection, says PSG official
The main palace in Malacañang will be closed to give way to disinfection as part of precautionary measures amid the threat of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), says Presidential Security Group Commander Jesus Durante III.
— GMA Network

Duterte backs out of Boracay visit over coronavirus threat
President Rodrigo Duterte will no longer attend his scheduled event in Boracay after health officials reported additional cases of the novel coronavirus, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said on Wednesday night, March 11.
— Rappler

PHL seen ‘insulated’ from virus fallout
THE PHILIPPINES is still relatively more “insulated” to risks arising from the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) compared with its regional peers, despite a recent spike in the number of local transmission cases, according to S&P Global Ratings.
— BusinessWorld

Senate ordered locked down after guest tests positive for COVID-19
The Senate will be locked down on starting march 12, Thursday, after a resource person who attended a recent hearing was found positive for the coronavirus disease 2019, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Wednesday.
— GMA Network

House pushes for lower required capital for foreign retailers
The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved on final reading a measure that seeks to open up the country’s retail trade to foreign competition by lowering the capital requirements for foreign retailers.
— Philippine News Agency

DOH sends off 442 repatriates from Japan cruise ship after completing 14-day quarantine period
The Department of Health said on Wednesday, March 11, that it had already sent off 442 Filipinos repatriated from the Japan cruise ship, the MV Diamond Princess, after completing the 14-day quarantine period.
— Eagle News

P400-B uncollected power charges show ‘dead end’ in energy laws
Congressional hearings have exposed a dead end in energy laws and other relevant codes as the government chases a 2026 deadline to collect over P400 billion worth of uncollected power charges.
— Rappler

Ex-DOH chief Garin warns vs. use of UP-developed testing kits sans FDA evaluation
Former Health Secretary and now House Deputy Minority Leader Janette Garin has cautioned the Department of Health (DOH) against the mass purchase of testing kits for COVID-19 that was developed by scientists from the University of the Philippines (UP) pending further findings on its merits.
— GMA Network

Senate hands over to NTC resolution asking provisional authority for ABS-CBN
The Senate handed over to the National Telecommunications Commission Wednesday a resolution expressing the sense of the chamber that ABS-CBN Corporation and its subsidiaries should continue operations pending the deliberation of their franchise renewal.
— GMA Network

Alert Level 1 up over restive Mt Kanlaon — Phivolcs
ALERT Level 1 was raised over Mt. Kanlaon in Negros Occidental after it showed signs of unrest, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Wednesday said.
— Manila Times

At least 6 foreigners tested positive for COVID-19 after travel to Philippines –DOH
At least six foreign nationals who traveled to the Philippines have tested positive for coronavirus or COVID-19 upon returning to their home countries, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Wednesday.
— GMA Network

Philippines: Davao firm to open direct banana route from Mindanao to Middle East
Reefer Express Line of the Filipinas Inc. (Reefer Filipinas), based in Davao, has announced it will launch a direct shipping route between Mindanao and the Middle East.
— Fresh Plaza

Tugade under self-quarantine after ‘exposure’ to coronavirus patient
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade will undergo self-quarantine after an exposure with a person who tested positive with coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
— Rappler

Don’t panic: DTI assures supply, sets price freeze
The Department of Trade and Industry on Wednesday implemented a 60-day price freeze on basic goods following the declaration of a state of public health emergency by President Rodrigo Duterte and as consumers began panic buying as a result of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) scare.
— Manilastandard.net

Tax relief not on government tool kit for virus-hit business
THE government is not considering any form of tax relief for businesses as the administration aims to cushion the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
— Business Mirror

BIR prods public to pay tax online to cut virus risks
THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is now using its new online system to beat the tax payment problems caused by the local spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
— Business Mirror

Government eyes more borrowings to plug budget gap
The country is planning to borrow more from domestic and foreign debt markets to plug the wider budget deficit this year arising from lower revenue collections amid the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19, according to the Department of Finance.
— The Philippine Star

Muntinlupa fights coronavirus with citywide disinfection drive
To reduce the risk of coronavirus outbreak in Muntinlupa City, the local government through the City Health Office conducted a citywide disinfection of public schools and government buildings starting Tuesday.
— Manilastandard.net

DOH-Bicol calls for intensified preventive measures vs. Covid-19
Despite having no confirmed new coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases and patients under investigation (PUIs), the Department of Health (DOH) regional office here has called on all stakeholders, local government units, hospitals, health care providers, schools, agencies, members of the media and health partners to intensify efforts to prevent Covid-19 from entering Bicol.
— Philippine News Agency

Simplify trade processes amid virus outbreak – NEDA
THE government should implement measures that streamline processes to facilitate trade amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) outbreak to ensure that the country’s external sector would rebound quickly, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said on Wednesday.
— Manila Times

PHL remains among weakest in rule of law
PHILIPPINE rule of law has remained one of the weakest in East Asia and the Pacific, according to an annual survey of the World Justice Project (WJP).
— BusinessWorld

House Minority says NCR lockdown to fight COVID-19 to spell doom on local economy
The House Minority bloc has opposed the proposed lockdown of the National Capital Region (NCR) to prevent the spread of coronavirus or COVID-19, saying it would bring more harm than good.
— GMA Network

Private construction value shrinks 8.8% to P111.6 billion in Q4 2019
THE value of private construction contracted 8.8 percent in the last quarter of 2019, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
— Business Mirror

PHL ships on foreign routes compliant with IMO rules on emissions, Marina reports
The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) bared on Wednesday that Philippine ships plying foreign routes are compliant with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2020 standard on sulfur emissions.
— Business Mirror

One-hour test to detect ASF hurdles pilot evaluation
THE Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) said a test kit for African Swine Fever (ASF) co-developed with Central Luzon State University has become available, promising more rapid detection of the disease in hogs suspected of being ill.
— BusinessWorld

CSC adopts 4-day workweek, shift work amid Covid-19 scare
The Civil Service Commission (CSC) on Wednesday issued a memorandum circular (MC), adopting the interim guidelines for alternative work schemes in government amid the threat posed by coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
— Philippine News Agency

Retailers call for rationing of rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer
A SUPERMARKET association official said its members need to consider capping individual purchases of rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizers and face masks, in order to stem panic-buying following a rise in domestic cases of coronavirus (Covid-19).
— BusinessWorld

Rice inventory increases 10.9% in February
THE NATIONAL rice inventory rose 10.9% year-on-year to 2.375 million metric tons (MT) in February, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said, following a substantial increase in holdings by the National Food Authority (NFA).
— BusinessWorld

MPC irked by Philippine organisers
The Malaysian Paralympic Council (MPC) are unhappy that hosts, the Philippines, have set a new date for the Asean Para Games (APG) without going through the proper procedures.
— New Straits Times

Duque: Hospitals refusing suspected coronavirus patients may face sanctions
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said any hospital that will refuse to admit suspected cases of COVID-19 without valid reasons may face sanctions.
— Rappler

Duque: ‘Problems’ in reporting system delayed disclosure of coronavirus cases
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said on Wednesday, March 11, that problems in the Department of Health’s reporting system caused the delay in the disclosure of new COVID-19 cases in the country.
— Rappler

NEDA ICC-CABCOM approves customs modernization project
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board’s Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee (ICC-CabCom) has approved the Philippine Customs Modernization Project.
— Philippine News Agency

House OKs creation of Department of Filipinos Overseas
With 173 voting in the affirmative and 11 in the negative, the House of Representatives passed on third and final reading yesterday the proposed Department of Filipinos Overseas and Foreign Employment.
— Tempo

Philippines to borrow more than planned to combat coronavirus impact
The Philippine government will be borrowing even more this year, as revenue collection is expected to drop by as much as P91 billion due to the economic slowdown triggered by the novel coronavirus .
— Rappler

3 more Filipinos in Singapore hit by coronavirus
Three more Filipinos, all of whom recently visited the Philippines, were diagnosed with the novel coronavirus in Singapore on Wednesday, March 11.
— Rappler

CA confirms appointments of Sara Duterte, 21 AFP officers, 12 DFA execs
The Commission on Appointments confirmed Wednesday the nominations and ad interim appointments of Navy Vice Admiral Giovannie Carlo Bacordo, presidential daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, Davao City Representative Isidro Ungab, and 19 other senior military officers.
— GMA Network

DENR reminds Cebu LGUs to check hazard maps for landslide prone areas
Local government units should make use of geohazard maps available for free to better prepare for disasters, the Central Visayas’ geosciences head reminded mayors again.
— Rappler

Liberia asks travelers from PH to self-monitor for coronavirus
The Liberian government has asked all travelers from the Philippines to monitor themselves for symptoms of the novel coronavirus disease to help quell the spread of the virus in the African country.
— Rappler

Gatchalian to quarantine self after Senate resource person gets COVID-19
A resource person who attended a recent hearing of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture has tested positive for COVID-19, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has said.
— GMA Network

Economist cites measures vs. economic impact of coronavirus
Coordinated efforts among governments around the globe will ensure that the negative economic impact of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) will be limited.
— Philippine News Agency

Bill on lockdowns filed at Senate
A SENATOR has filed a bill allowing the Bureau of Quarantine to impose lockdowns in selected areas amid the threat of a novel coronavirus outbreak.
— BusinessWorld

Albay sets up Mayon Skyline Hotel as coronavirus quarantine center
The provincial government of Albay is fast-tracking the rehabilitation of the Mayon Skyline Hotel in Tabaco City to set it up as quarantine center for cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
— Rappler

Ex-DOH chief Garin warns vs. kissing amid COVID-19 spread
Love in the time of COVID-19 means doing away with kissing one’s spouse or partner when showing such symptoms as cough, colds, sore throat or fever, a former Secretary of Health said on Wednesday.
— GMA Network

Medical City changes tune, says will ‘remain open to all patients’
The Medical City (TMC), an upscale private hospital, said it “will remain open to all patients for as long as the hospital can accommodate them, following the leakage of an internal memo telling its staff to “temporarily stop admitting” confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients.
— Rappler

BJMP suspends jail visits to contain Covid-19
THE Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) announced on Wednesday that visits to inmates in at least three regions were suspended to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), Chief Insp. Xavier Solda, BJMP spokesman, said.
— Manila Times

Duterte’s confident Russia, US, Japan can develop vaccine vs Covid-19
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has expressed confidence that powerful countries such as Russia, the United States (US) and Japan could develop a vaccine against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) “in a matter of days.”
— Manila Times

PBA to refund tickets amid indefinite league cancelation
Fans who had bought tickets for PBA games will get a refund after the league postponed its season indefinitely following the rise of confirmed novel coronavirus cases in the country.
— Rappler

PAGCOR to conduct ‘massive training’ of Chinese nationals working in POGOs
PAGCOR Chairman Andrea Domingo on Wednesday said they will soon implement a massive training of Chinese nationals employed in various offshore online gaming entities operating in the country to overcome the stigma caused by the racial and cultural differences between China and the Philippines.
— Manila Bulletin

If the Philippines banned waste imports, why is it still the world’s dumping ground?
Local laws are not enough to protect the Philippines from foreign waste dumping, and regulatory loopholes also persist in Thailand and Malaysia, two of Southeast Asia’s top plastic waste importing countries, according to a new report by environmental watchdog Greenpeace and two independent non-profits.
— Eco-Business

No suspension of classes in Davao amid Covid-19: DepEd
The Department of Education in Davao Region (DepEd-11) has reiterated that the agency is not encouraging the suspension of classes in the region amid the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
— Philippine News Agency

DOH assures readiness amid 3 confirmed Covid-19 cases in C. Luzon
The Department of Health-Central Luzon Center for Health Development (DOH-CLCHD) on Wednesday assured its preparedness against the new coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in the region.
— Philippine News Agency

‘I’ve always supported my father,’ says Sara Duterte
Donning an army service uniform, Sara Duterte faced lawmakers on Wednesday, March 11, not as Davao City Mayor, but as an army reservist whose promotion to the rank of colonel has to be confirmed by the powerful Commission on Appointments.
— Rappler

DepEd says proceeding with graduation ceremony ‘up to school’s discretion’
The Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday, March 11, said that it would be up to public schools to decide on whether or not to push through with graduation ceremonies amid the novel coronavirus outbreak.
— Rappler

UP to implement protocols on faculty members suspected of Covid-19 infection
THE University of the Philippines will implement protocols after two of its faculty members were declared patients under investigation (PUIs) for coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
— Manila Times

Customs fast tracks release of face masks amid demand surge due to Covid-19
THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) has fast tracked the processing and release of face or surgical masks as demand surged following President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of a public health emergency and rising incidents of confirmed coronavirus cases in the country.
— Manila Times

Vico Sotto: Stay calm, don’t resort to panic buying
Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto called for calm and cautioned against panic buying, as his local government responds to the threat of the novel coronavirus .
— Rappler

DoH urged to balance privacy with public information
THE National Privacy Commission (NPC) urged the government to do its best to uphold patient privacy while keeping the public informed on the Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
— Manila Times

7 of 33 coronavirus cases in PH are from San Juan
Mayor Francis Zamora said on Wednesday, March 11, that 7 of the 33 confirmed coronavirus cases in the Philippines are from San Juan City.
— Rappler

Sister Dory Villanueva dies at 73
Sister Adoracion Dory Villanueva, a prominent figure in the rise of the Jesus Is Lord (JIL) church, died on Tuesday, March 10.
— Rappler

NegOr reports 4 Covid-19 PUIs, 13 PUMs
Provincial government officials and health authorities in Negros Oriental are strengthening measures against the new coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of a nationwide state of a public health emergency.
— Philippine News Agency

Nueva Ecija LGUs implement precautionary measures vs. Covid-19
The city government here has allocated PHP2 million from its quick response fund for cleaning and disinfecting vital and public places as a preventive measure against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
— Philippine News Agency

‘Grave deficit’ in face masks forcing some private hospitals to use old linen
The lack of supply of face masks in the Philippines has reached “grave” levels that some private hospitals have been forced to improvise with old linen to help protect their health personnel from the novel coronavirus.
— Rappler

Duterte says POGOs ‘clean,’ but AMLC warns of dirty money
President Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly downplayed the alleged crime links of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), but a study by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) paints a different picture.
— Rappler

BARMM to create task force vs. Covid-19
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is set to create an inter-agency task force (IATF) that would formulate policies and measures to avoid the entry of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in the region.
— Philippine News Agency

Guv says no Covid-19 lockdown in Pampanga
Governor Dennis Pineda said on Wednesday that this province will not be declared under lockdown amid three confirmed cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in Central Luzon.
— Philippine News Agency

Regulator says there’s enough water supply in Metro Manila
THE National Water Resources Board (NWRB) on Wednesday said there was enough water supply in Metro Manila in the face of increased demand in the summer and amid a novel coronavirus contagion.
— BusinessWorld

Water under the bridge: Cayetano says criticism of Arroyo was never personal
Speaker Alan Cayetano–who once relentlessly accused then-President Gloria Arroyo of corruption–has now reached out to the former President during the ribbon-cutting ceremony of a bridgeway connecting two buildings on in the House of Representatives on Wednesday.
— GMA Network

More war materials, bomb-making components found in Maguindanao
Government forces found more war materials and bomb-making components in former lairs of the Islamic State-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in the peripheries of the province following the military’s week-long air and ground assaults.
— Philippine News Agency

Gov’t sets price freeze for kerosene, LPG until March 24
A price freeze for kerosene and household liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is in effect from March 10 to 24, said the Department of Energy (DOE) on Wednesday, March 11.
— Rappler

Duterte appoints retired military generals to Marina, ambassador posts
President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed two retired military generals to government posts, according to a list of appointees released by Malacañang on Wednesday.
— GMA Network

Manila’s top bishop ‘won’t dignify’ Duterte’s ‘irresponsible’ claims about Tagle
The Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Manila has described as irresponsible the claims made by President Rodrigo Duterte that Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle was removed by Pope Francis from his position as Manila archbishop for allegedly interfering in the country’s politics.
— GMA Network

PBA decision to indefinitely cancel games ‘unanimous’
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial and the board of governors all agreed to indefinitely suspend the ongoing season due to the threat of the novel coronavirus in the country.
— Rappler

Barangay assemblies nationwide canceled due to coronavirus scare
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has postponed barangay (village) assemblies nationwide as a precaution against the spread of the novel coronavirus .
— Rappler

City exec seeks to tackle issues on women, children
Dumaguete City Vice Mayor Alan Gel Cordova wants to specifically tackle issues on women and children during the celebration of National Women’s Month this March.
— Philippine News Agency

Partnership inked to improve market linkage for Caraga farmers
Various government agencies led by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Wednesday with private organizations to improve market linkage for the farm products of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) in Caraga Region.
— Philippine News Agency

DepEd: 586 students got pregnant in last 6 months of 2019 in Northern Mindanao
The Department of Education and the Population Commission (PopCom) here have raised the alarm over the steep jump in the number of young high school students who got pregnant in the first half of the school year in 2019.
— Rappler

Duterte to meet with Boracay’s tourism sector, rehabilitation team
PRESIDENT RODRIGO R. Duterte will meet tourism stakeholders and the task force overseeing the rehabilitation of Boracay when he visits the island on March 12, according to the Department of Tourism (DoT).
— BusinessWorld

‘Precursor’ service to Cebu Bus Rapid Transit launching next week
THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) said Wednesday that a bus service meant to serve as an interim form of transport ahead of the completion of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system will begin operations next week.
— BusinessWorld

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Philippines morning news for March 12 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on March 12, 2020
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Stella-maris Ewudolu

Journalist at AEC News Today

Stella-maris graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Education from Ebonyi State University, Nigeria in 2005.

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.