Philippines President Extends Manila’s Coronavirus Lockdown to May 15
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has extended until May 15 a lockdown in the capital Manila, his spokesman said on Friday.
— Chiang Rai Times
Remnants of virus possibly detected in COVID-19 recoveries who tested positive anew –DOH
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that there is no sufficient evidence yet to make conclusions on the possible reinfection of recovered COVID-19 patients.
— GMA Network
Manila realigns P611-million infra budget to food, financial assistance
The Manila City government realigned P611 million of its budget originally set for infrastructure to fund its financial assistance and food subsidies for over 600,000 residents.
— Rappler
Philippines’ COVID-19 cases rise to 7,579 with 862 recoveries, 501 deaths
The Philippines reported 285 new cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on Sunday, bringing the total number of infections to 7,579 as Luzon marks its sixth week under quarantine.
— GMA Network
Off-label drugs may now be used in PH coronavirus clinical trials – DOH
The Department of Health (DOH) announced on Sunday, April 26, that off-label drugs may now be used in clinical trials in the Philippines to test possible cures for the coronavirus .
— Rappler
PAL cancels domestic, international flights until May 15
The Philippine Airlines has canceled its flights until May 15. In an advisory, PAL said the cancelation that applies to both domestic and international flights was in light of the extension of the enhanced community quarantine in selected areas to May 15.
— Eagle News
Coronavirus song: Filipinos outraged over Chinese embassy’s South China Sea ‘propaganda video’
A music video the Chinese embassy in Manila says is aimed at celebrating a “new era of partnership” between the Philippines and China amid the coronavirus outbreak was lambasted on Saturday by outraged Filipinos.
— South China Morning Post
Tarlac town mayor bars residents from shopping in public market, grocery stores
Concepcion, Tarlac Mayor Andres Lacson has prohibited residents of all the town’s 45 barangays to go to the public market, supermarkets, and grocery stores to get necessary and essential goods.
— Rappler
PRRD to declare martial law if lawless elements continue attacks
President Rodrigo Duterte clarifies that he had never announced that he would declare martial “since martial law is only to be implemented for the rebels and communists but might do so if lawlessness done by the New People’s Army will continue.”
— Philippine Information Agency
BSP: Economy may shrink by 0.2%
THE Philippine economy would probably shrink by 0.2% this year, central bank Governor Benjamin E. Diokno said at the weekend, a day after President Rodrigo R. Duterte again extended the lockdown for Metro Manila by two more weeks to contain a novel coronavirus pandemic.
— BusinessWorld
DOH on alert for return of dengue during COVID-19 pandemic
The Philippines faces a struggle on two health fronts in the coming rainy season, with the return of dengue compounding efforts to drive away the new coronavirus.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer
Lacson bares P989-billion ‘idle’ budget for ‘19
Senator Panfilo Lacson said he wants an explanation on the need for a supplemental budget to address the COVID-19 crisis when there’s still an unused P989 billion from the 2019 budget during last year’s third quarter.
— Manilastandard.net
Post-ECQ stimulus plan to need P1.2T; infra cuts nixed
THE stimulus package needed to prime an economy gutted by the prolonged lockdowns forced by the battle to stop the deadly coronavirus disease (Covid-19) will require from P1 trillion to P1.2 trillion, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian estimated over the weekend.
— Business Mirror
Inflation for poorest 30% slows to 2.3% in Q1 on cheaper rice
CHEAPER rice prices in the first three months of the year slowed the inflation experienced by the poorest 30 percent of the population, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
— Business Mirror
ADB: $1.5-B loan on top of existing fund support
Despite extending the largest budgetary assistance to the Philippines, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) assured there won’t be any changes in its Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) on account of its coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic response.
— Business Mirror
Pandemic displaced more than 2 million workers – DOLE
More than two million workers have already been displaced by the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said on Sunday.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer
Navy ship arrives in China, picks up 23k boxes of PPEs procured by DBM
A Philippine Navy ship arrived in Xiamen, China on Saturday and picked up 23,385 boxes of personal protective equipment procured by the Department of Budget and Management for use in the government’s COVID-19 response.
— GMA Network
Gov’t tax haul plunges in first half of April
GOVERNMENT TAX collections plunged in the first 15 days of April, mainly as tax payment deadlines were deferred due to lockdown measures implemented in Luzon and other parts of the country.
— BusinessWorld
PHL seeks another $500-M WB loan for coronavirus response
THE Philippine government is seeking another $500-million (P25.4-billion) loan from the World Bank (WB) to fund programs that will assist poor households and small businesses amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
— BusinessWorld
Philippine forex buffer projected at $90 billion
The country’s foreign exchange buffer is expected to hit a record high of $90 billion this year as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas continues to beef up its reserves to protect the economy from external headwinds.
— Philstar
2021 GAA to be first COVID-19 budget –Palace
The Philippine budget for 2021 will be mainly to support government efforts against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its aftermath, Malacañang said Sunday.
— GMA Network
‘Bodies wrapped in plastic bags’: Coronavirus panic spreads across provinces
Residents of Magalang town in Pampanga panicked when they read claims on social media that an elderly woman who passed away was wrapped in a plastic body bag before it was buried at the municipal cemetery.
— Rappler
PHL Customs bureau reports return of 2,676 tons of waste materials to South Korea
The Philippines’ Bureau of Customs said that it has returned to South Korea more than 2,600 metric tons of waste materials which have been in the country since 2018.
— Eagle News
Toby Tiangco donates salary until 2022 for Navotas families
Navotas City Mayor Toby Tiangco announced on Sunday, April 26, that he will donate his salary from April 2020 until the end of his term in June 2022 for families who are not part of the national government’s emergency subsidy program during the coronavirus pandemic .
— Rappler
Filipinos abroad with coronavirus now at 1,343
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported that the total number of coronavirus cases involving Filipinos abroad is now at 1,343 as of Sunday, April 26.
— Rappler
DOH-10 implements mandatory reporting of notifiable diseases
The Department of Health (DOH)-10 and the local government units (LGUs) are implementing mandatory reporting of notifiable diseases and health events of public health concerns in cooperation of public and private doctors, and other allied medical personnel to gather data and impede the spread of communicable diseases within the region.
— Philippine Information Agency
Trade fairs’ scuttling on Covid cost PHL P3B
THE cancellation of trade fairs in the first half of the year cost the Philippines nearly P3 billion in export sales, and this is expected to shoot up should organizers decide to call off events for the second half, a likely possibility if the coronavirus pandemic worsens.
— Business Mirror
Taiwan awaiting 4K PHL workers in May
AT least 4,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are expected to be deployed to Taiwan after the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila is lifted by next month.
— Business Mirror
Philippine hotels seek tax relief
The tourism industry is in need of government support in the form of tax relief measures as well as subsidies to help the sector recover from the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 pandemic, according to a survey conducted by Tajara Hospitality and Horwarth HTL.
— Philstar
Banks told to augment digital channels
Banks and financial institutions were ordered to augment the existing capabilities of their digital channels as the enhanced community quarantine in the National Capital Region and nearby provinces has been extended to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
— Philstar
SMC to pay nearly P12-B gov’t dues to help virus fight
SAN MIGUEL Corp. (SMC) will continue to pay P11.67 billion to the government in tax, concession and contractual payments to support the national fund in addressing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
— BusinessWorld
37 clashes recorded since start of ECQ
The military recorded 37 armed clashes with New People’s Army guerrillas, Abu Sayyaf bandit group and other lawless elements since the enhanced community quarantine was implemented nationwide.
— Philstar
Quarantine violators drop by 45 percent – PNP
The number of people accosted for quarantine and curfew violations went down by 45 percent after the police intensified its crackdown on individuals defying guidelines of the national government to curb the transmission of the coronavirus disease 2019.
— Philstar
VP Robredo urges gov’t to increase funding for science and technology
Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday urged the executive and legislature to increase the funding for the science and technology sector, underscoring the importance of scientists amid crises like the coronavirus pandemic.
— GMA Network
DA-X rounds up RFFA, to administer another P5k cash subsidy to rice farmers
The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office (DA-RFO) X capped its distribution of Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) here Friday, April 24.
— Philippine Information Agency
Governance report deadline extended
PUBLICLY listed companies are given a two-month extension to file their Integrated Annual Corporate Governance Report (I-ACGR) amid the enhanced community quarantine in Greater Metro Manila.
— BusinessWorld
SEC: Get-rich-quick schemes on the rise amid COVID-19
The Securities and Exchange Commission has warned that predatory get-rich-quick schemes are on the rise amid the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 pandemic.
— Philstar
Villafuerte renews call for Build, Build, Build reboot amid ECQ
Deputy Speaker Luis Raymund Villafuerte on Sunday reiterated his proposal to reboot the government’s Build, Build, Build infrastructure program and declare construction activities as an essential service even as the enhanced community quarantine was extended anew in some areas.
— GMA Network
Malacanang says ‘Iisang Dagat’ video covered by free speech
Malacanang on Sunday defended the release of “Iisang Dagat” video which screened the supposed assistance of China to the Philippines against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
— GMA Network
Cayetano insists beef with DBM chief over infra budget not about pork barrel
Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano denied that alleged pork barrel-like insertions in the infrastructure allocations under the P4.1-trillion budget in 2020 is the root cause of his “brewing disagreement” with Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado.
— Rappler
Donors to six priority projects get tax breaks
The National Economic and Development Authority has identified six priority development projects that will enable its individual or corporate donors to avail of income tax breaks.
— Philstar
Woman dies after being refused by 6 hospitals
A woman who gave birth died of blood loss on Friday after being turned away by six hospitals.
— Philstar
No need for additional budget given Duterte’s authority to realign -Sotto
There was no need for Malacañang to ask Congress for a supplemental budget to augment funds for the country’s COVID-19 response as President Rodrigo Duterte was given the power to realign the budget under the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Sunday.
— GMA Network
DOLE asks Taiwan to deport OFW with Facebook posts criticizing Duterte
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said it is working to have a Filipina caregiver deported from Taiwan for her alleged attempts to “discredit and malign” President Rodrigo Duterte and “destabilize the government.”
— Rappler
Palace denies hand in deportation of OFW over anti-Duterte post
Malacanang on Sunday denied any involvement on the planned deportation of an overseas Filipino worker in Taiwan for supposedly posting nasty and malevolent materials against President Rodrigo Duterte.
— GMA Network
Comparing the Philippine economic package to fight COVID-19 to the response of other countries
The COVID-19 pandemic has crippled economies all over the world, with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicting the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression nearly a century ago.
— BusinessWorld
‘Philippines to bounce back better than neighbors’
The Philippine economy is in a better position to survive the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis than its neighbors in Southeast Asia, an economist-lawmaker said yesterday.
— Philstar
‘Biodiversity protection needed to prevent future pandemics’
Environment advocates are pushing for stronger biodiversity protection measures to prevent the spread of infectious diseases in the future.
— Philstar
PH biotech group to launch COVID19 treatment by Q3 2020
IG Biotech Group, a coalition of biotech and pharmaceutical experts, aims to bring to the Philippines an antibody-based prevention and treatment for COVID-19 by the third quarter of 2020.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer
‘Congestion not reason:’ Calida blocks petition to release vulnerable prisoners
Solicitor General Jose Calida is blocking the petition to release on humanitarian grounds sickly, elderly and low-risk prisoners, saying that the congestion of Philippine jails is not among the grounds to release inmates.
— Rappler
Mati City opens first patient care center
Mati City in Davao Oriental opened on Sunday its first patient care center for suspected cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
— Philippine News Agency
IATF to discuss guidelines on ‘new normal’ under quarantine system -Roque
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) is scheduled to discuss the guidelines of the general community quarantine (GCQ) scenario on Monday, April 27, 2020.
— GMA Network
POGO operations remain suspended in areas under GCQ
The temporary suspension of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators’ (POGOs) operations stays in areas that will be placed under a general community quarantine (GCQ) beginning May 1, Malacañang said on Sunday.
— Philippine News Agency
Solon seeks psychological training for cops following Ragos shooting
ACT-CIS party-list Representative Niña Taduran on Sunday proposed that law enforcers undergo comprehensive psychological training in order to properly address situations involving distressed persons and those suffering from mental illness.
— GMA Network
New local quarantine rule shuts Zamboanga City down every Sunday
With no vehicles and people on the street and all establishments–including food services, supermarkets and market outlets–closed, Zamboanga City was quiet and deserted.
— Philstar
China gives PH priority in medicines
The Philippines will be given priority access to supply of medicines in China as part of the bilateral cooperation to combat the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a Chinese diplomat.
— Tempo
DOST in search of designers of respirators, ventilators to be used in fight vs COVID-19
The Department of Science and Technology is looking for individuals willing to design ventilators and respirators for use in the country’s fight against COVID-19.
— Eagle News
Philippine Red Cross’ 3rd COVID-19 laboratory underway –Gordon
The Philippine Red Cross is set to open a COVID-19 laboratory in Manila in addition to two facilities that are already taking in patients for testing, its chairman and CEO, Senator Richard Gordon, said Sunday.
— GMA Network
Business group pushes relief plan for MSMEs, agriculture workers
The Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. is pushing for emergency relief measures including increased lending for micro, small and medium enterprises in a bid to help alleviate the adverse impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19.
— Philstar
National ID vs the “greatest” poverty
P200 billion divided by our population equals P1,800 for every Filipino.
— Philstar
Group champions inclusive food supply chain during lockdown
The Bayanihan Musikahan Coalition of individuals and organizations has been campaigning for food security for the poor families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns in many parts of the country.
— Rappler
Reds shouldn’t expect another truce extension: Palace spox
Malacañang on Sunday told the communists not to expect President Rodrigo Duterte to declare another unilateral ceasefire amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic in the country.
— Philippine News Agency
San Miguel employees to receive full pay during lockdown
San Miguel Corporation (SMC) assured all of its employees that they would continue to receive their full-time pay during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), which is in place in Metro Manila and select areas until May 15 to stop the spread of the coronavirus .
— Rappler
DILG orders LGUs to set up local coronavirus task force
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) ordered every local government unit (LGU) to set up a coronavirus task force in their respective areas.
— Rappler
Senior Abu Sayyaf leader surrenders in Sulu
The simple surrender rite, held at the municipal government building of Parang, was witnessed by officials from the Army’s 1102nd Infantry Brigade and the Sulu provincial police office.
— Philstar
DILG: No infant formula milk donations amid ECQ
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) reminded local government units of the ban against including infant formula donations in the distribution of emergency food packs to their constituents.
— Eagle News
Reinventing way of doing business
What this six-week period of enhanced community quarantine so far has given individuals and businesses alike is time to reflect and come up with strategies to cope with the limited resources at their disposal and to think of ways moving forward to adapt to what they call the “new normal” of doing things.
— Philstar
Quezon City allows loan facilities for poor to operate during lockdown
Loan facilities and credit cooperatives catering to the poor will be allowed to operate in a limited capacity in Quezon City during the lockdown.
— Rappler
Comelec extends suspension of voter registration to June 30
The Commission on Elections has again extended the suspension of voter registration to June 30, 2020, due to the coronavirus outbreak.
— Rappler
4 Reds slain in Negros clash
Four New People’s Army rebels were killed while two soldiers were wounded in an encounter in Barangay Gawahon, Victorias City, Negros Occidental on Friday.
— Philstar
Lopez Group, MetroTent house The Medical City workers temporarily
The Lopez Group and MetroTent Convention Center in Pasig City have partnered to provide a temporary home for The Medical City employees on the frontline in the fight against the spread of the coronavirus disease.
— Philstar
DOLE approves 45,000 applications for OFW cash aid
The government has approved some 45,000 applications for the one-time P10,000 financial assistance for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who lost their jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic.
— Rappler
LGU certification required for groups conducting coronavirus relief ops
Private organizations who want to distribute relief goods or other forms of assistance must secure a certification from the local government unit they are going to, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Saturday, April 25.
— Rappler
Feature photo WWF Philippines
This week’s Philippines morning news feature photo focuses on World Tuna Day, May 2.
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).
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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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