Philippines morning news for March 31

Philippines morning news for March 31
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Philippines morning news

FDA warns against use of Prodex-B drug to cure COVID-19
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned against the use of Prodex-B, a drug combination that has recently been making the rounds in social media as a possible cure for COVID-19.
— Eagle News

President Duterte unveils P200-billion assistance plan for low-income families
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night unveiled a P200-billion assistance plan for low-income families affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
— Eagle News

Total COVID-19 cases in PHL rise to 1,546 with 128 new cases; fatalities rise to 78
The total number of coronavirus cases in the country reached 1,546 on Monday afternoon, March 30, with the addition of 128 new cases.
— Eagle News

Duterte threatens to send to jail officials who fail to deliver coronavirus aid
President Rodrigo Duterte threatened government officials tasked to deliver emergency assistance that he would throw them in jail if they divert funds and goods allocated for Filipinos affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
— Rappler

COVID-19, Luzon lockdown seen to pull GDP growth down to lowest level since 2009
The Philippine economy could decelerate to its slowest clip since the aftermath of the global financial crisis as the new coronavirus global pandemic and drastic containment measures meant to stem the contagion threaten to disrupt growth, Japan-based Nomura said on Monday.
— The Philippine Star

PH kits for 120,000 coronavirus tests available by April 4
Locally-made kits that can accommodate 120,000 tests for novel coronavirus infection will be available by Saturday, April 4, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said.
— Rappler

Philippines plans 300,000 tons rice import amid lockdown
The Philippines plans to import 300,000 metric tons of rice through state deals to boost supply amid the month-long lockdown due to the Covid-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said on Monday (March 30).
— The Star Online

BSP ready to raise stimulus above P500 billion
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is ready to raise its stimulus package to more than P500 billion to counteract the economic disruption from the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 pandemic.
— The Philippine Star

P31 billion allocated for food sufficiency measures
THE government is allocating P31 billion for measures that would ensure there is enough food supply during the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine.
— BusinessWorld

Halfway through quarantine, banks say cash adequate, interest rates ‘reasonable’
Big and medium-sized banks are pulling out all the stops to keep the country’s financial sector running halfway through the month-long Luzon lockdown by ensuring there’s enough cash in automated teller machines and loan interest rates are kept “reasonable.”
— The Philippine Star

Duterte issues order detailing powers of Cabinet members under COVID-19 response act
President Rodrigo Duterte has issued an order laying down the responsibilities of each department under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, the law that gave him additional powers to fight COVID-19 and its effects on the country.
— GMA Network

Marikina reveals new location for proposed coronavirus testing center
Days after the Department of Health (DOH) disapproved the location of the Marikina City COVID-19 Testing Center , Mayor Marcelino Teodoro on Monday, March 30, announced that a newly-built two-story building will house the city’s proposed testing facility.
— Rappler

Manila seeks Chinese help in fight versus novel coronavirus
THE Philippines has sought China’s help in battling a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak that has sickened more than 1,500 people and killed 78 mostly in Manila, the capital.
— BusinessWorld

ASF outbreaks spread on Luzon; nearly 42,000 hogs culled
THE AFRICAN Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak has widened with an additional 41,953 hogs culled, according to the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).
— BusinessWorld

‘Please, my son is sick’: Desperate pleas for Filipinos onboard ‘virus ship’
Relatives of Filipinos onboard the coronavirus-stricken cruise ship Zaandam are getting desperate by the day, hearing stories of crewmen falling sick as days go by without a clear plan to evacuate them from the sea.
— Rappler

DOH asks for respirators, ventilators amid rising coronavirus cases in PH
The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday, March 30, asked for additional medical equipment such as ventilators and respirators as the cases of the novel coronavirus in the country continue to rise.
— Rappler

Gov’t procures P1 billion worth of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers
The Department of Health has announced the procurement of P1 billion worth of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers who are in the frontlines in the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019.
— Eagle News

8 perish as plane explodes during takeoff at NAIA
A medical evacuation (medevac) plane bound for Haneda, Japan exploded while taking off at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Sunday night.
— Philippine News Agency

13 more Filipinos abroad positive for coronavirus, 5 new deaths recorded
The Philippines on Monday, March 30, counted 13 more Filipinos who tested positive for the novel coronavirus abroad, bringing their total number to 348 from 335 .
— Rappler

7 more, including 13-year-old girl, recover from COVID-19
The number of people who have recovered from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the Philippines rose to 42 on Sunday after the Department of Health (DOH) reported seven more recoveries
— GMA Network

ADB approves $5-M emergency grant for PHL fight vs virus
THE Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $5-million emergency grant for the Philippines’ fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Department of Finance (DoF) said on Sunday.
— BusinessWorld

Energy dep’t clears country’s first offshore wind energy projects
THE PHILIPPINES will soon be powered by new wind energy sources, as the Department of Energy has awarded a contract to develop the country’s first offshore wind energy projects.
— BusinessWorld

As world is on edge over COVID-19, it’s ‘business as usual’ for China in West Philippine Sea
A Chinese military transport plane has been spotted on Kagitingan (Fiery Cross) Reef, a Philippine-claimed territory but now being occupied by China in the West Philippine Sea.
— CDN

PHL may go into recession — Diokno
THE Philippine economy could go into recession this year, central bank Governor Benjamin E. Diokno said on Sunday, as the coronavirus pandemic brings everything to a standstill.
— BusinessWorld

Banana exporters Philippines want uniform guidelines on cargoes
Local Mindanao governments need to issue uniform guidelines concerning cargoes amid the enforcement of lockdowns across the island so as not to hamper the shipment of export Cavendish bananas, Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) executive director Stephen Antig said.
— Fresh Plaza

Nomura eyes add’l 75 bps cut in BSP rates this ’20
Nomura forecasts another 75-basis-point reduction in the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) key policy rates this 2020 on back of the need to help lift domestic growth from another global economic crisis.
— Philippine News Agency

DPWH eyes converting 4 convention, sports centers into health facilities
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) recommended 4 public buildings to be used as temporary health facilities to deal with the coronavirus pandemic .
— Rappler

GenSan deploys rolling stores to barangays
The city government has deployed rolling stores to bring food and other essential supplies closer to local communities amid the ongoing enhanced community quarantine.
— Philippine News Agency

NGCP to donate P1 billion to anti-Covid drive
THE National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) will donate P1 billion to support the country’s medical staff.
— Business Mirror

Japan bank sees PH economy contracting 1.9% in 2020
A Japanese bank said the Philippine economy could contract as much as 1.9 percent this year, following the 5.9-percent expansion in 2019, if the lockdown would be extended until May and expanded nationwide to contain the spread of coronavirus.
— Manilastandard.net

Senior citizens to be given priority in food, medicine purchases
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is calling on supermarkets, drug stores and other businesses that continue to operate to give priority to senior citizens in food and medicine purchases through exemption from lines for entry as well as providing a “Seniors Only” shopping hour and express lanes for payment.
— The Philippine Star

DENR to probe ‘discoloration’ of Manila Bay after Luzon ECQ
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will look into the reported discoloration of the waters of Manila Bay last week once the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) over Luzon is lifted by Malacañang.
— Business Mirror

N. Vizcaya sets aside P12.5M in fight vs COVID-19
The provincial government has set aside P12.5 million as assistance to the province’s 275 barangays in mitigating the effects of the Enhanced Community Quarantine brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
— Manilastandard.net

GOCCs remit P36.2 billion in dividends as of March 24
The national government has collected P36.2 billion in dividends from state corporations as of March 24, according to the Department of Finance (DOF).
— The Philippine Star

TESDA distributes 83 improvised face shields to frontliners in Bataan
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) distributed 83 improvised face shields to frontliners in Bataan.
— Philippine Information Agency

DoLE urged to suspend overseas nurse deployments
A LEGISLATOR asked the Department of Labor and Employment to suspend the overseas deployment of nurses for the duration of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) containment effort.
— BusinessWorld

FDA approves 5 COVID-19 rapid test kits
THE PHILIPPINE Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Monday said it had approved five rapid test kits for the coronavirus disease 2019 to be used by health professionals.
— BusinessWorld

San Miguel to buy P500 million worth of protective wear for health workers
Ramon Ang’s San Miguel Corporation will be buying P500 million worth of personal protective equipment (PPEs) for doctors, nurses, and health care workers battling the coronavirus pandemic .
— Rappler

Grant COVID-19 frontliners discounts, use of express lanes -solon
Frontliners responding to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) threat should not only be allowed to use special or express lanes in supermarkets, convenience stores, and groceries, but they should also be given store discounts, Agusan Del Norte Representative Lawrence Fortun said in a Monday statement.
— GMA Network

Swiss, German travelers reportedly enter Cebu despite province-wide lockdown
Around 38 Swiss and German tourists, who came from different parts of the Philippines, were reportedly allowed to land at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport via private flights despite a province-wide lockdown ordered by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.
— Rappler

DOH urges LGUs to build community quarantine facilities for COVID-19 cases with mild, no symptoms
The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday urged local government units to establish community quarantine facilities for patients who are confirmed to have COVID-19 but only show mild or no symptoms to contain the spread of the respiratory disease.
— GMA Network

Gov’t has undue authority to decide truth under Bayanihan law -journos
A group of journalists raised the alarm over the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act which metes jail time and a fine on fake news purveyors, saying the law gives the government undue authority to determine what is true or otherwise.
— GMA Network

DOJ allows release of seized medical supplies to hospitals
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said on Monday, March 30, that he had allowed prosecutors to release seized medical items so they could be used by hospitals as they struggled with supplies in responding to the coronavirus outbreak.
— Rappler

PGH debuts 24/7 COVID Bayanihan Operations Center hotline
The University of the Philippines Manila-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) on Monday launched a dedicated 24/7 hotline number for its Bayanihan Operations Center that covers cases related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
— GMA Network

Over 17,000 coronavirus lockdown violators arrested in PH
Over 17,000 people have been arrested across the Philippines for coronavirus lockdown-related violations, data from the Philippine National Police (PNP) as of Monday, March 30, showed.
— Rappler

Ifugao town opens trading post to help farmers
The local government unit (LGU) opened the market facility at barangay Mabato-bato here to help farmers sell in the province their products after the closure of all gateways of the municipality amid the threat of the coronavirus 2019 or COVID-19.
— Philippine Information Agency

Pangasinan’s female artists hold online fundraising exhibit for medical workers
An all- female artist group in Pangasinan is dedicating their annual exhibit’s 3rd year to the female medical workers in the frontline battle against the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus.
— Rappler

Maguindanao LGU buys local vegetables for food ration
A local government unit (LGU) in Maguindanao has ordered municipal disaster workers to buy the vegetable products of local farmers and include these in food packages that the local government unit (LGU) is giving to its constituents amid the community quarantine due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
— Philippine News Agency

DA-8 distributes veggie seeds to boost home gardening
The Department of Agriculture (DA) in Easter Visayas has started the distribution of vegetable seeds to encourage residents to engage in home gardening during this time of travel restrictions.
— Philippine News Agency

TESDA gives free food to frontliners in Orion
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) gave free food to frontliners combating the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Orion town.
— Philippine Information Agency

Maguindanao cop injured in shootout with curfew violators
A policeman was injured after a group of curfew violators fired on them during a shootout in Datu Paglas, Maguindanao on Sunday evening.
— Philippine News Agency

Competition regulator approves Lotte Chilsung acquisition of Pepsi-Cola PHL
THE Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) has approved South Korea’s Lotte Chilsung Beverage Co. Ltd.’s acquisition of more than 57% of Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc. (PCPPI).
— BusinessWorld

Manila Water, Maynilad to extend bill deadlines during ECQ
METRO Manila water suppliers said they are providing relief to customers experiencing difficulties paying their bills during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) imposed on Luzon.
— BusinessWorld

Chinese aircraft spotted in Kagitingan Reef, says group
Routine operation of transport aircraft in the South China Sea area could indicate that the Chinese military is hardly affected by the country’s health crisis, the ImageSat International said.
— GMA Network

Senators ask gov’t about its plan after passage of special powers law
It’s been 5 days since a law granting President Rodrigo Duterte special powers took effect, but senators on Monday, March 30, said they have not seen a plan or report on how the national government is making use of those powers to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
— Rappler

CPP says ceasefire stands; claim that NPA will launch attack was ‘baseless’
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) on Monday said its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), would continue to observe the ceasefire so that its members could extend public health service to the people amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) threat.
— GMA Network

NPA arms stash recovered in Sarangani
Government troops recovered over the weekend a high-power firearm and assorted ammunition reportedly stashed by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in the upland villages of Malapatan town, Sarangani province.
— Philippine News Agency

UnionBank heads to the streets with 5G-enabled ‘Bank on Wheels’
Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) is a very go-getter type of bank when it comes to adapting technology for its processes, and in light of the coronavirus, it’s taking mobile banking in a slightly different direction by literally bringing the bank to its customers.
— Rappler

Inquests go online amid COVID-19 emergency –DOJ
Inquests will be done online among internet-capable law enforcement units and prosecution offices due to the COVID-19 emergency, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Monday.
— GMA Network

 

 

Feature photo Department of Public Works and Highways

This week’s Philippines morning news feature photo focuses on COVID-19 in Asean

 

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).

 

 

About Philippines morning news.

Philippines morning news roundup is the most comprehensive hand-curated selection of Philippines English language news headlines published. Each weekday we scour hundreds of local and international news sites and websites to find the most recent Philippines English language news today.

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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.

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