Philippines Morning News For March 24, 2020

Congress gives Duterte authority over budget, operation of medical facilities in fight vs. COVID-19
Congress has given President Rodrigo Duterte the arsenal to fight the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), passing on late Monday a bill that allows him to realign the 2020 budget and direct operations of hospitals and medical facilities to address the health crisis.
— GMA Network

Over 100k workers displaced amid enhanced community quarantine -DOLE
Over 100,000 workers have been displaced amid the enhanced community quarantine implemented to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
— GMA Network

Eight more people die from Covid-19, toll up to 396
EIGHT new deaths were recorded for the Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) on Monday, bringing the death toll to 33 and making the country’s average of 8.3 percent higher than the Worl Health Organization’s 3.4 percent estimate.
— Manila Times

Get birth control pills, pregnancy tests through this online pharmacy
Filipinos now have the option to safely and discreetly buy reproductive and sexual health drugs online with the launch of Dima , an online pharmacy.
— Rappler

3 hero doctors die from COVID-19
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III yesterday confirmed that three doctors, who were in the frontline in the fight against the novel coronavirus disease-2019, have passed away.
— Tempo

BARMM identifies 196 Filipino attendees to Malaysia Tabligh gathering
One hundred ninety-six (196) of the 215 Filipino-Muslims who attended a Tabligh (Islamic preachers) gathering in Malaysia has now been identified by the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19 (BARMM-IATF).
— Philippine Information Agency

Economists to gov’t: Spend P300 billion or more vs coronavirus
Filipino economists urged the government to spend at least P100 billion to P300 billion or even more on social protection and economic recovery programs to avert a recession amid the novel coronavirus pandemic .
— Rappler

Will the Philippine-US military alliance survive Duterte and Trump?
In mid-March, Philippine and American military officials met at Camp Aguinaldo in Manila to confront the biggest question currently facing their alliance: What to do after Aug. 9?
— Spratly Islands

COVID-19 through the eyes of a child
I’m a journalist by profession and everyday, my daughter has to live with the reality that I need to go out while most people stay home. Everyday, I walk to the door with heavy steps as I hear her cries.
— GMA Network

Now overcapacity, The Medical City tells patients to ‘look for other hospitals’
The Medical City on Monday, March 23, asked patients seeking treatment at the hospital to look for other hospitals, as it has already exceeded its capacity due to the novel coronavirus outbreak in the country.
— Rappler

DavOr to apprehend residents loitering without passes
Anyone found loitering outside their houses with no Home Quarantine Pass (HQP) shall be apprehended by personnel of the provincial Interagency Task Force on COVID-19 (IATF COVID-19).
— Philippine Information Agency

PRRD’s ‘additional powers’ to stay within bounds: Go
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Monday assured that President Rodrigo’s request for Congress to grant him additional powers to respond to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic in the country will stay within bounds.
— Philippine News Agency

1st Davao COVID 19 positive patient recovers
The first COVID positive patient in Davao Region identified as PH130 has recovered and is set to be discharged today, March 23, 2020.
— Philippine Information Agency

Crime volume in NegOcc, Bacolod City down by at least 20%
Crime volume in Negros Occidental and this capital city decreased by at least 20 percent after the enforcement of general community quarantine and border control across the province as a precaution against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
— Philippine News Agency

No hoarding in NegOr amid Covid-19 threat
There is no hoarding of basic commodities in Negros Oriental even as other areas report about panic buying due to the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
— Philippine News Agency

Fitch Solutions slashes ’20 growth forecast for PH
Economic impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) on the Philippine economy is expected to slow down domestic expansion, with Fitch Solutions cutting its 2020 growth projection from 6 percent to 4 percent.
— Philippine News Agency

San Juan coronavirus cases surge to 45
San Juan City now has 45 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus as of 4 pm Monday, March 23 – the highest number per capita among local territories in Metro Manila.
— Rappler

Over 20 at Heart Center exposed to COVID-19 after patient withheld info on China travel
We were acting like crazy dito nang nalaman na positive siya. So we did a massive contact tracing, anybody, Philippine Heart Center executive dirtector Dr. Joel Abanilla said.
— GMA Network

Why does Duterte need special powers for faster procurement?
Bannered as a way to enable the government to respond to coronavirus problems much quicker, bills providing special powers to President Rodrigo Duterte are being heard now in both chambers of Congress.
— Rappler

Businesses appeal to Congress: Limit Duterte powers if granted
The country’s biggest business groups called for the immediate passage of a bill addressing the coronavirus pandemic , but added that it should still be well within the boundaries of the Philippine Constitution.
— Rappler

Congested jails vulnerable to COVID-19, says rights group
The Philippines’ congested jails are in no way safe from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), a human rights group said as it called for the release of political prisoners, especially those who are elderly, sick with chronic conditions, pregnant, and due for parole or pardon, amid the threat of the deadly virus.
— GMA Network

Father, son arrested for selling fake coronavirus medicine in Navotas
A father-and-son tandem was arrested by agents of the Philippine National Police (PNP) for selling fake medicine that they claimed could cure the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
— Rappler

Netizens slam Duterte’s bid for ’emergency powers’ in coronavirus outbreak
As the number of confirmed coronavirus cases continued to swell in the Philippines, some netizens rejected granting President Rodrigo Duterte’s request for emergency as solution to the outbreak.
— Rappler

DOH not recommending use of rapid test kits for coronavirus
As public calls for mass testing grow, the Department of Health (DOH) rejected the use of rapid test kits, saying these are not accurate enough to check for the novel coronavirus in patients.
— Rappler

P1.6M hoarded face masks seized in Manila
A total of P1.6 million worth of face masks were seized in Tondo, Manila, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported on Monday.
— Manila Times

PH Council for Foreign Relations president Alan Ortiz dies of coronavirus
Philippine Council for Foreign Relations president Alan Ortiz died in Paris, France early Monday morning, March 23, due to COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. He was 66 and would have turned 67 this August.
— Rappler

Senators seek P1-M death benefit for health workers who succumb to COVID-19
Families of doctors, nurses, and other health workers who died in the line of duty amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation in the Philippines should be entitled to P1 million benefit each, according to senators on Monday night.
— GMA Network

Big business groups raise P1.5B for poor
SOME of the Philippines’ big businesses raised P1.5 billion to give out P1,000-worth of grocery vouchers to urban poor residents in Metro Manila amid the enhanced community quarantine.
— BusinessWorld

Cebu City gives out PPE to frontliners vs. Covid-19
Mayor Edgardo Labella on Monday distributed 2,000 personal protective equipment (PPE) to the frontliners in the fight to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) here.
— Philippine News Agency

PNP 6 exec reminds personnel to take care of their health
Western Visayas Police Regional Director Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan has reminded their personnel in the region to take good care of their health.
— Philippine Information Agency

EBC Exclusive: Filipina patient recovering from COVID-19 in Spain tells story to give hope to others
A Filipina who has been living in Spain for eight years and who was recently confirmed to have been infected with coronavirus was interviewed by Eagle Broadcasting Corporation in Barcelona after she had been discharged from the hospital to recover at home.
— Eagle News

Panabo to deny biz permits for failure on social distancing
The City Mayor of Panabo is stepping up measures on Community Quarantine to check compliance to safety measures against COVID-19. Panabo City Mayor Jose Relampagos warned owners of businesses and entrepreneurs based in the city to seriously observe “social distancing” and other protocols.
— Philippine Information Agency

SEC Davao warns public on investment scams amidst COVID crisis
There are illegal investment schemes which prey upon the unwitting public amidst the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis, warns the Securities and Exchange Commission Davao Extension Office.
— Philippine Information Agency

Marikina to DOH: Don’t just impose rules, be local government’s partner
Mayor Marcelino Teodoro on Monday, March 23, called on the Department of Health (DOH) to be more responsive to initiatives by local government units (LGUs), and not just impose rules that may derail their response to the coronavirus outbreak.
— Rappler

DavSur town undertakes strict preventive measures in public market
Bansalan Mayor Quirina Sarte has issued Memorandum No. 167 today which imposes stringent social distancing in the public market and temporary closure of establishments not essential to providing basic needs in the municipality.
— Philippine Information Agency

Diosdado Macapagal hospital to cater to suspected COVID-19 cases
Provincial government has designated Diosdado P. Macapagal Memorial Hospital (DPMMH) in Guagua town as center intended for persons under investigation (PUI) or those showing mild symptoms of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
— Philippine Information Agency

Sara appeals to public to stop spreading rumors, fake news
Mayor Sara Duterte has appealed to Dabawenyos to refrain from spreading fake and unverified information related to the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in any social media platforms.
— Philippine News Agency

NegOcc adds personnel, supplies to Covid-19 designated hospital
The Negros Occidental provincial government is deploying additional personnel and providing more medical supplies and equipment to Cadiz District Hospital, which has been designated as the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) center for the province.
— Philippine News Agency

Several establishments closed in Dumaguete
Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo has ordered the closure of all internet cafés, massage parlors, fitness gyms, spas, and other establishments where clients have person-to-person contact to stem the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
— Philippine News Agency

3 arrested for hoarding, selling overpriced alcohol in Bulacan
Authorities arrested on Sunday three suspects for hoarding isopropyl alcohol and selling them beyond the regular price in an entrapment operation in Barangay Caingin in San Rafael town, this province.
— Philippine News Agency

PH Army marks 123rd anniversary on frontlines vs coronavirus
The Philippine Army canceled festivities to mark its 123rd founding anniversary originally set for Monday, March 23, to focus efforts on humanitarian assistance and disaster response amid the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.
— Rappler

PBA extends break from practices until further notice
The PBA ordered teams to extend the break from all activities amid the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.
— Rappler

First coronavirus case confirmed in the Eastern Visayas
The Department of Health (DOH) in the Eastern Visayas confirmed its first positive coronavirus case in a press conference on Monday, March 23.
— Rappler

PH coronavirus watch: Confirmed cases per hospital, as of March 23, 2020
MANILA, Philippines – Health authorities continue to ramp up efforts to detect possible cases of the novel coronavirus in the Philippines.
— Rappler

15% to 20% data traffic increase in 1st week of quarantine – PLDT
PLDT observed an increase in data traffic of 15% to 20% in the first week of the enhanced community quarantine for their fixed lines, the company said on Monday, March 23.
— Rappler

48 curfew violators in Manila freed
Forty-eight curfew violators in Manila, including an elderly street dweller, were released after days of being detained in police stations due to absence of court personnel to process their inquest.
— Tempo

LOOK: Angel Locsin brings sleeping tents for Taguig health workers, Philippine Coast Guard
After posting a call out for folding beds and pillows , Angel Locsin, fiance Neil Arce, and their group of friends and volunteers went to work setting up sleeping quarters for doctors, nurses, and other essential workers in the fight against the novel coronavirus pandemic.
— Rappler

Starbucks temporarily closes all Philippine stores
Starbucks Philippines announced on Monday, March 23 that it will be temporarily closing all of its stores, including those in the Visayas and Mindanao as the country battles the novel coronavirus pandemic.
— Rappler

Facebook goes down briefly in Philippines, some parts of Asia – Downdetector
Facebook on Monday, March 23, went down briefly in the Philippines, Vietnam, and Hong Kong, according to user reports on website downtime monitoring service Downdetector.com.
— Rappler

CHR reminds gov’t: Human rights not suspended in fight vs coronavirus
The Commission on Human Rights reminded the government that both human rights and the writ of habeaus corpus are not suspended even during the fight against the novel coronavirus outbreak in the country.
— Rappler

Give cash to urban poor during coronavirus lockdown – experts
Several experts in business and economics urged the Philippine government to give cash assistance to the poorest Filipinos immediately, rather than spending on infrastructure amid the novel coronavirus pandemic .
— Rappler

PNP to strictly impose police rotation
THE rotation of police manning checkpoints and the frontline to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) would be strictly imposed, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday.
— Manila Times

Duterte’s request to take over private business ‘merely standby power’
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea defended before lawmakers President Rodrigo Duterte’s request to be granted with powers to temporarily take over the operations of private business during the novel coronavirus outbreak .
— Rappler

RITM chief stays, but senior DOH official coming in to ‘assist’ testing gridlock
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III clarified he did not sack Dr Celia Carlos as director of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), the country’s main novel coronavirus testing center now grappling with a backlog issue.
— Rappler

‘Bagsakan centers’ for indigents, displaced workers to be set up in Cebu
Bagsakan centers, or shops offering basic commodities at the lowest possible prices, will open soon in cities and municipalities across Cebu province, catering exclusively to indigents and displaced workers during the coronavirus crisis.
— Rappler

Businesses raise P1.5 billion to feed the poor during coronavirus lockdown
The country’s top 20 business groups raised over P1.5 billion to feed urban poor residents in Metro Manila amid the lockdown triggered by the novel coronavirus pandemic .
— Rappler

Facemask warriors: ‘You need it, we sew it!’
In the middle of chaos where some of us are panicking to purchase facemasks to protect ourselves from the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19), there are people behind the scenes whom we can call the “Facemask Warriors”.
— Philippine Information Agency

South China Sea: How coronavirus could see China lose grip on region | World | News
Professor John Blaxland warns that while the region moves closer to conflict “than in generations”, a decelerating economy in China could see its stronghold on the South China Sea weaken.
— Spratly Islands

Davao de Oro shelters bus passengers from Manila, Leyte
A total of 33 passengers onboard a Philtranco bus based in Pasay City, Metro Manila, including a pregnant woman and a one-year old child, are now housed in a Davao de Oro Farm Training Center in Monkayo, after being held at the checkpoint of the said town.
— Philippine Information Agency

Surigao Sur volunteers make masks for Covid-19 frontliners
A group of women, youth, and members of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) in the Surigao del Sur town of Carmen are getting accolades from local residents for using their sewing skills to provide facemasks for the health frontliners in the fight against the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
— Philippine News Agency

PGH accepts DOH’s request to be coronavirus referral hospital
The University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (PGH) has accepted Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III’s request to be one of the country’s referral hospitals for coronavirus patients.
— Rappler

Patient 4: Battle vs COVID-19 is psychological, not physical
Patient 4, the country s first Filipino case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), said his battle against the disease was more psychological than physical.
— GMA Network

DOH seeks COVID-19 referral center, contact tracing volunteers
The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday called for volunteers to aid in efforts to combat the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
— GMA Network

Pasig gives food packs to poor residents, readies financial aid for workers
The Pasig City government has started distributing food relief packs to residents of poor communities, as it prepares financial aid for informal workers unable to earn during the coronavirus lockdown, Mayor Vico Sotto said on Monday, March 23.
— Rappler

Filipino family affected by flight suspension not losing hope that virus crisis will soon be over
A Filipino family affected by travel restrictions amid the coronavirus crisis is finding hope and inspiration in the little things that inspire them to go on.
— Eagle News

Tacloban kicks off daily street sanitizing
Firefighters have started on Sunday its daily disinfection drive while the city is under restrictive community quarantine to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
— Philippine News Agency

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Philippines morning news for March 24 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on March 24, 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.