Medical expert urges use of rapid antibody testing in PH
A medical expert urged the Department of Health (DOH) to consider the use of rapid antibody testing to expedite the monitoring of novel coronavirus cases in the Philippines.
— Rappler
PAL, Cebu Pacific, 2Go cancel trips until April 30
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL), budget airline Cebu Pacific, and shipping and logistics provider 2Go Group Inc. (2Go) have canceled their passenger trips up to April 30.
— BusinessWorld
COVID-19 cases in PHL rise to 3,870, says DOH; deaths climb to 182, recoveries to 96
The Department of Health (DOH) said that 106 new cases were added to the tally of COVID-19 cases in the country, bringing the total to 3,870.
— Eagle News
Philippine health workers barred from leaving amid pandemic
THE government of President Rodrigo R. Duterte has barred Filpino health workers from leaving the country while it battles the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic that has sickened almost 4,000 people.
— BusinessWorld
Philippines seeks to boost COVID-19 war chest to breach P1 trillion
The government is currently sourcing funds to finance its coronavirus response.
— Philstar
Trade deficit narrows in February as virus fears keep factories shut
A sharp pull back in imports narrowed the Philippines’ trade gap in February, the government reported Wednesday, an indication that coronavirus fears are already crippling the country’s growth engines amid falling demand and tepid economic activity.
— Philstar
152 doctors, 63 nurses with coronavirus in PH – DOH
The Department of Health (DOH) said on Wednesday, April 8, that 252 health workers have been infected with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the Philippines.
— Rappler
Philippines to know in mid-April if it’s winning war vs. COVID-19, says DOH
The Philippines will know in mid-April whether it’s winning the war against COVID, the Department of Health said on Wednesday.
— GMA Network
Coronavirus: Towns, cities will get one-time grant equivalent to 1 month of IRA
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Wednesday, April 8, announced a P30.824 billion new allocation to help cities and municipalities fight the novel coronavirus disease.
— Rappler
NegOcc, Bacolod City extend ECQ until April 30
The ongoing 14-day enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Negros Occidental and this capital city has been extended for 16 more days, or until April 30, as part of intensified efforts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
— Philippine News Agency
Nearly 600 Filipinos abroad positive for coronavirus
The number of Filipinos abroad infected with coronavirus climbed to nearly 600 as of Wednesday, April 8.
— Rappler
Nat’l TF on Covid-19 boosts mass testing capacity
The National Task Force (NTF) against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) continues to closely monitor the status of Covid-19 referral hospitals, testing centers, and quarantine facilities in Metro Manila in the heels of the President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to extend the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine.
— Philippine News Agency
BFAR to quarantined residents: Observe shellfish ban
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has issued a stern warning against the consumption of shellfish harvested from red tide positive bays in the region amid a deemed shortage in food supply due to ongoing health crisis.
— Philippine News Agency
Exports rise 2.8% ahead of Luzon lockdown
Exports rose for the second straight month in February ahead of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine imposed by the government in mid-March to contain the spread of coronavirus disease 2019.
— Manilastandard.net
COVID-19 crisis could last up to two years, says Duterte
President Rodrigo Duterte called on the public to not rush in solving the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis, saying it could last for two years.
— Inquirer.net
Gov’t must address supply, price issues amid Covid-19: NEDA
The government must be proactive in addressing supply bottlenecks and implementing price control measures on necessities following the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said.
— Philippine Canadian Inquirer
No flights in April for CebuPac, AirAsia
Cebu Pacific Airways (CebuPac) and AirAsia Philippines have joined Philippine Airlines (PAL) in canceling flights for the rest of April following the extension of the Luzon-wide lockdown.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer
PH has ‘low’ number of COVID-19 cases despite limited testing – Duque
The number of confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the Philippines, despite limited testing, is relatively “low” compared to other countries, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said on Thursday in a briefing led by President Rodrigo Duterte.
— Inquirer.net
NEA backs indefinite extension to settle EC power bills amid COVID-19 crisis
The National Electrification Administration (NEA) endorsed the appeal of electric cooperatives (ECs) to extend the deadline of their payment of dues and remittances to power generation and transmission companies indefinitely, or until the state of their business operations normalizes.
— Manilastandard.net
Duterte to sell gov’t assets as ‘a last resort’ to fund COVID-19 fight
President Rodrigo Duterte raised the possibility of selling government assets as last resort should funding for efforts to fight the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) be exhausted.
— Inquirer.net
Most Luzonians follow mandatory home quarantine, but 93,000 violated curfew
Majority of the people in Luzon have complied with the mandatory home quarantine during lockdown in Luzon by day, but some of them may have attempted to violate it by night.
— Business Mirror
P1.5 billion ready for OFWs affected by Covid-19
Overseas Filipino workers (OFW) who were affected by the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) will finally be able to get cash aid from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
— Business Mirror
Duterte warns landlords: Don’t pressure tenants, defer collection of rent
President Rodrigo Duterte warns lessors against pressuring tenants into paying their rent during the extended Luzon lockdown, saying that he will even “go against the law” to protect these tenants.
— Inquirer.net (video)
BSP trims smaller lenders’ liquidity ratio requirement
THE CENTRAL BANK has trimmed the minimum liquidity ratio (MLR) requirement of smaller lenders until the year’s end in a move to boost their stash of money amid the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) on the industry.
— BusinessWorld
SG-based app eyed as potential tool in contact tracing of COVID-19 patients
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is eyeing the use of a Singapore-based mobile app to help in tracing contacts of COVID-19 patients.
— Eagle News
Global Ferronickel suspends Surigao del Norte mining
The operating arm of Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc. (FNI) has temporarily suspended its mining operations in Surigao del Norte, amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
— BusinessWorld
Duterte urges COVID-19 survivors to donate blood ‘as gratitude to God’
President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday urged coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) survivors to donate their blood as an act of gratitude to God.’Yung mga nakalabas na sa lahat, mag-mabuting loob kayo, and I think kung ako, I should volunteer.
— GMA Network
Electronics exports unlikely to hit 5% growth target
Electronics exports are not likely to hit the projected five percent growth for 2020 amid the coronavirus crisis, the Semiconductors and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation Inc. said.
— Philstar
DOH asks smokers to quit to prevent coronavirus infection
Aside from staying at home, the Department of Health (DOH) asked smokers to quit as they are more vulnerable to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
— Rappler
Duterte suspends proceedings vs. gov t officials due to COVID-19
President Rodrigo Duterte has suspended the disciplinary proceedings against government officials due to travel restrictions as a result of the imposition of community quarantines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
— GMA Network
Political prisoners seek temporary release amid COVID-19 threat
MORE THAN 20 political prisoners who are considered vulnerable and at high risk of being infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) asked the Supreme Court to allow their temporary release during the quarantine period based on humanitarian grounds.
— BusinessWorld
Funds for emergency subsidies released to 9 Metro Manila LGUs
Nine local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila which have complied with the necessary requirements for the implementation of Social Amelioration Program (SAP) have receive their respective funding that will be used as emergency subsidies to poor households affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
— Philippine News Agency
All Filipino soldiers donate portion of salaries for coronavirus fight
The country’s soldiers will donate a portion of their May 2020 salaries to the government fund to fight the spread of COVID-19.
— Rappler
Victorias Milling gets permits for commercial alcohol production
Negros Occidental-based sugar producer Victorias Milling Company (VMC) has obtained permits from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) for the commercial production of ethyl alcohol amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) crisis.
— Philippine News Agency
Baguio willing to spend P20-M weekly to aid residents
Mayor Benjamin Magalong on Tuesday said the city government is ready to spend as much as PHP20 million a week to assure residents would cope with the impact of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
— Philippine News Agency
Philippines calls out China on ramming of Vietnamese vessel
In a rare criticism of China, the Philippines on Wednesday decried the sinking of a Vietnamese vessel by the Chinese coast guard off the South China Sea, calling it a provocative act that undermines peace and security in the disputed waters.
— GMA Network
Ayala Museum releases Philippine textile outfit codes for ‘Animal Crossing’
It’s a social simulation video game that’s taken Switch users – especially those under lockdown and in isolation – by storm.
— Rappler
P32-B needed for middle class cash transfers: solon
The chairman of the House ways and means committee on Wednesday recommended to allot around PHP27 billion to PHP32 billion to finance the proposed cash transfer for the middle class amid the enhanced community quarantine.
— Philippine News Agency
Coronavirus can go from 1.5M to 15,000 cases with better testing – forecasting tool
A tool developed by the Ateneo Center for Computing Competency and Research and the University of the Philippines Manila – National Telehealth Center is being used to predict outcomes for the spread of the coronavirus under different scenarios.
— Rappler
BARMM joins World Health Day, vows safety of front-liners
In line with the celebration of World Health Day on Tuesday, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s Inter-Agency Task Force (BARMM-IATF) on the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) honored doctors, nurses, and other front-line personnel in the fight against the dreaded disease.
— Philippine News Agency
Sarangani buying hospitals’ 6-month supply of drugs and medicines
The pronouncement of President Rodrigo Duterte to extend the enhanced community quarantine over Luzon until April 30 and a similar declaration of the Region 12 Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has prompted Sarangani Province to procure hospital supplies to cover requirements in the next six months.
— Philippine Information Agency
Coronavirus wipes out some wealth from 12 Filipino billionaires
Even the Philippines’ wealthiest were not spared from the brunt of the global coronavirus pandemic.
— Philstar
Iloilo realigns P270-M budget for Covid-19 response
The Iloilo Provincial Board has approved an appropriation ordinance granting the province the authority to use a PHP270-million fund for its response against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
— Philippine News Agency
Surigao City dads slammed over Covid-19 hospital limit
The Department of Health in Caraga Region clarified Wednesday that the Caraga Regional Hospital (CRH) in Surigao City is “a DOH-owned, managed health facility and under the jurisdiction of the national government”.
— Philippine News Agency
Duterte signs EO establishing social benefits program for troops, police
President Rodrigo Duterte issued an executive order (EO) that establishes a social benefits program for military and uniformed personnel who were wounded or killed in action.
— Rappler
NPA rebel killed after clash in Davao de Oro town
A communist guerilla died following a 15-minute clash with government troops in the Davao de Oro town of Pantukan on Tuesday, a military official said.
— Philippine News Agency
Semirara under temporary lockdown
Semirara, an island barangay in the island municipality of Caluya, is currently on a temporary lockdown.
— Philippine News Agency
FALSE: Duterte warned about coronavirus threat ‘at the start’
Claim: In his late evening speech on April 6 , President Rodrigo Duterte said he warned Filipinos about the threat of the novel coronavirus “at the start.”
— Rappler
More than 7,000 delegates possibly exposed to Filipino official with COVID-19 clear quarantine
Some 7,074 delegates who were possibly exposed to a COVID-19 positive Department of Education (DepEd) official in events held in Isabela and Cagayan have cleared their two-week quarantine without displaying symptoms related to the coronavirus.
— Coconuts Philippines
More opportunities for BPO industry seen despite health crisis
Despite the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, there will be opportunities for the country’s business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, a real estate advisory firm said.
— Philippine News Agency
Bacolod to get P119-M aid from ‘Bayanihan’ grant for LGUs
The City of Bacolod is expected to receive PHP119 million in financial assistance from the national government through the “Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities”.
— Philippine News Agency
Gov’t urged to protect children as abuse cases arise amid community quarantine
The Child Rights Network has urged the government to protect children as abuse cases arise amid the enhanced community quarantine.
— GMA Network
Duterte institutionalizes social benefits program for uniformed services
President Rodrigo Duterte has institutionalized an assistance program for policemen, soldiers and other uniformed personnel who got killed or injured in the line of duty.
— GMA Network
Less than half of Metro Manila residents doing ‘good’ under lockdown
ILOILO City is extending its lockdown to April 30 following confirmed local transmission cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
— BusinessWorld
Agri chief cautions LGUs, consumers vs. panic buying
Agriculture Secretary William Dar on Wednesday advised consumers to continue with their usual trade and only buy food supply that would be enough for their weekly requirements to maintain balance in the food supply chain.
— Philippine News Agency
Solon pushes for wage subsidy for MSMEs
A party-list lawmaker on Wednesday proposed a wage subsidy for employees working at micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to help them cope with the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) crisis.
— Philippine News Agency
DepEd uncertain classes will start in June due to COVID-19
It is uncertain whether the next school year will start in June considering the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation in the country, the Department of Education (DepEd) said on Wednesday.
— GMA Network
Former transportation undersecretary Primitivo Cal dies
Former transportation undersecretary and University of the Philippines (UP) professor Primitivo Cal died at the age of 76.
— Rappler
Only 115 checkpoints nationwide authorized to inspect cargo vehicles –Eleazar
Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar on Wednesday clarified that only 115 dedicated control points (DCP) nationwide were tasked to check cargo vehicles amid the Luzon enhanced community quarantine.
— GMA Network
DFA welcomes 247 crew members repatriated from Germany
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said 247 crew members of two cruise ships for a Germany-based travel agency arrived in the country on Wednesday morning, April 8, 2020.
— Eagle News
Bulacan farmers group sells 4 tons of produce online since lockdown
Three weeks into the enhanced community quarantine, a farmers group in Bulacan has sold nearly 4 tons of vegetables to online customers mostly from Quezon City.
— Rappler
Cebu province opens ‘bagsakan’ centers for subsidized goods
The provincial government of Cebu has launched drop-off or bagsakan centers in 20 towns and cities that sell basic commodities at subsidized prices.
— Philippine News Agency
SEC warns vs. 5 more investment schemes amid Covid-19
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued advisories against five more groups soliciting investments from the public without the necessary licenses.
— Philippine News Agency
Angeles City gov’t distributes P1,000 extra cash to vulnerable residents
The Angeles City government on Tuesday, April 7, started distributing cash assistance to residents affected by lockdown measures put in place to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus disease.
— Rappler
U.P. Resilience Institute sets up coronavirus information chat bot
The University of the Philippines (UP) Resilience Institute announced Wednesday, April 8, it had set up a chat bot to help people seeking support or information on the coronavirus to get the information they need.
— Rappler
Key gov’t offices remain open during Holy Week
To continuously provide assistance to vulnerable sectors amid the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, key government offices will be working during the Holy Week.
— Philippine News Agency
DOLE begins processing of aid for OFWs
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Wednesday said it will start processing the release of financial aid for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
— Philippine News Agency
NCMH official ordered to stop issuing statements on COVID-19
The chief administrative officer of the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) has been ordered to stop issuing updates on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation inside the facility.
— GMA Network
Villar still the wealthiest Filipino with P283B net worth
Manuel B. Villar, Jr. remains the richest Filipino in 2020 based on Forbes Magazine’s latest list of world billionaires.
— BusinessWorld
DOJ to process complaint vs. Pimentel ‘as soon as possible’
Department of Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Tuesday said his agency will start processing the complaint against Senator Aquilino Koko Pimentel III as soon as possible.
— Philippine News Agency
Feature photo Pnp Abra Tayum
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).
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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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