Philippines Morning News For January 21, 2020

Red faces: Senate tongue lashings sees LTFRB backflip on habal-habal trial (video)
Road traffic bureaucrats in the Philippines have performed a dramatic backflip on a decision announced earlier today (Jan 20) to abruptly cancel a pilot motorcycle taxi (habal-habal) programme more than two months ahead of its scheduled end.
— AEC News Today

NEDA pushes bill protecting maritime territories in a bid to tap P1-T ‘blue economy’
The Philippine government is looking into tapping the country’s P1-trillion “blue economy” by pushing for a bill that will establish sea lanes to protect the country’s maritime territory.
— The Philippine Star

Evacuation crackdown ordered as Philippine volcano seethes
Philippine officials ordered a crackdown Monday on people being allowed daily visits to the homes they fled after Taal volcano erupted, citing threats it could still explode at any time.
— CNA

‘Deployment ban to cost $250 million in OFW earnings’
At least $250 million in remittances is seen to drop should the Philippines continue to ban the deployment of Filipino workers to Kuwait, which will also result in the displacement of 270,000 workers, mostly household helpers, who may lose their jobs, an expert said Monday.
— Manilastandard.net

Media groups mount drive to ‘save’ ABS-CBN from attacks, shutdown
MEDIA groups have cried foul against what they call the Duterte administration’s “Marcosian game plan” to derail the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN Corp., calling it a blatant attack to suppress press freedom marred with “putrid motives.”
— Business Mirror

Poe to motorcycle taxi TWG: Expect more lawsuits
Following the decision of the inter-agency technical working group (TWG) to end the motorcycle taxi pilot run , Senator Grace Poe is now encouraging the public and private sector to file cases against the termination.
— Rappler

Rody assures victims P30-billion will be made available to them
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday assured the victims of Taal Volcano’s eruption that the national government would provide funds to help them recover after the explosion destroyed P3.2 billion worth of agricultural products and livestock.
— Manilastandard.net

BOP posts $7.8-billion surplus, the highest since 2012
THE country’s balance of payments (BoP) strongly recovered from being in the reds in 2018, as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported a strong surplus in 2019’s end on Monday.
— Business Mirror

Alert Level 4 stays as Taal Volcano unrest enters 2nd week
As the Taal Volcano unrest entered its second week, state volcanologists reiterated that evacuees are strongly encouraged to stay out of the danger zone since Alert Level 4 remains raised.
— Rappler

Nearly 3K ‘overweight’ Soccskargen cops have to slim down
About half of the nearly 6,000 police personnel in Region 12 (Soccsksargen) have been advised to slim down within the next few months after being found overweight and obese, an official said on Monday.
— Philippine News Agency

REIT IRR revisions seen to boost PH infra program
Investments in Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) are expected to increase substantially following the amendments to rules and regulations which will protect small investors and boost the Duterte administration’s infrastructure program.
— Philippine News Agency

President Duterte to Congress: Pass P30-billion supplemental budget in Taal relief funds
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, Jan. 20, urged Congress to pass a P30-billion supplemental budget as additional aid for those affected by Taal volcano’s activity.
— Eagle News

Tagaytay Sky Ranch still vulnerable to ‘heavy ashfall’ – NDRRMC
The Tagaytay Sky Ranch and other businesses that are outside but still near the Taal Volcano’s danger zone for a possible base surge are still vulnerable to heavy ashfall, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) chief Ricardo Jalad said on Monday, January 20.
— Rappler

3 Chinese bound for Boracay quarantined for mystery virus
Three Chinese nationals bound for world-famous Boracay Island were quarantined for the mysterious Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-like virus from China after arriving separately at the international airport in Kalibo, Aklan.
— Tempo

2 Maguindanao massacre suspects face jail transfer; arraignment set
A local court has ordered the transfer of two recently-arrested Maguindanao massacre suspects to Camp Bagong Diwa, a court document obtained by ABS-CBN News showed.
— ABS-CBN News

EO signed modifying in part duty on goods from Hong Kong
President Duterte has signed an executive order (EO) modifying the import duty rates on imported goods from Hong Kong in line with a free trade deal signed in 2017.
— The Philippine Star

Telcos told to roll out mobile number portability law in 2020
TELECOMMUNICATIONS companies Globe, Smart and third player Dito were reminded Monday to fulfill their commitment to roll out the awaited Mobile Number Portability Act (MNPA) in phases within the year.
— Business Mirror

Motorbike taxis can get going past test run, Go says
Ride-hailing motorcycle taxis can continue operating despite a Department of Transportation order to terminate their pilot program and to arrest drivers who ply their routes next week, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said Monday.
— Manilastandard.net

Economic losses reach P4.3 billion, agri-fishery worst hit—NEDA
The eruption of Taal Volcano last week has caused P4.3 billion in economic losses in the affected towns within its 14-kilometer danger zone, the National Economic and Development Authority said Monday.
— Manilastandard.net

Pangasinan eyes stricter measures vs ASF
The task force on African swine fever in this province has been ordered to intensify measures to prevent the spread of ASF.
— The Philippine Star

DA bans pork imports from Indonesia; allows entry of meat products from US, Germany
The Philippines has temporarily banned the importation of domestic and wild pigs and its products from Indonesia in a bid to control the spread of African swine fever.
— The Philippine Star

TWG, motorcycle taxi stakeholders to meet this week to thresh out issues on pilot study
Members of the Technical Working Group studying motorcycle taxis and stakeholders are set to hold a series of meetings this week to iron out issues on the pilot study, which the TWG had recommended terminated.
— Eagle News

DOTr eyes completion of MRT-3 rehab by third quarter of 2021
The Department of Transportation is targeting to complete the rehabilitation of the Metro Rail Transit 3 by the third quarter of 2021.
— Eagle News

Groups seek probe on Makabayan over minors’ recruitment
Members of Hands Off our Children and League of Parents in the Philippines (LPP) on Monday appealed to the House of Representatives to look into ethical violations and moral culpability of the progressive Makabayan bloc for its involvement in the alleged communists’ recruitment of minors.
— Philippine News Agency

PHL agri infra backlog pegged at P535 billion
THE country’s farm infrastructure backlog, estimated at more than half a trillion pesos, is a major stumbling block to improving farmers’ productivity, as the lack of warehouses and cold-storage facilities has made it difficult to minimize postharvest losses.
— Business Mirror

DTI assures public of adequate supply of N95 facemasks
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) yesterday assured the public that it is working to have constant supply of N95 facemasks and N88 surgical masks following a commitment from the country’s sole medical mask manufacturer.
— The Philippine Star

Makati extends tax deadline by 5 days
The Makati City Council has approved a measure extending the Jan. 20 deadline of the assessment and payment of business and realty taxes in the city.
— Manilastandard.net

NCRPO cracks down on cops using stolen cars
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) yesterday launched a crackdown on policemen using stolen vehicles recovered in operations for personal use.
— The Philippine Star

Government prepares euro-bond sale to avail of low interest rates
The government is preparing to issue benchmark-size euro-denominated bonds this month to take advantage of favorable interest rates and diversify funding sources.
— Manilastandard.net

Senators push ‘greater benefits’ for solo parents
Two senators on Monday urged the passage of proposed measures seeking to amend Republic Act (RA) 8972, or the Solo Parents’ Welfare Act of 2000, to provide solo parents with greater benefits.
— Philippine News Agency

PRRD vows to solve Metro Cebu’s traffic woes
Cebuanos on Sunday welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte’s promise to help provide funds for above-ground infrastructure projects to improve the traffic condition in Metro Cebu which, experts say, has cost PHP1.1 billion in daily productivity.
— Philippine News Agency

Angry Batangas locals defy, lash out at cops enforcing Taal lockdown
The situation was tense at an Agoncillo, Batangas checkpoint on Monday after several locals were caught entering the town even though the area was locked down over fears of a massive Taal Volcano eruption.
— GMA Network

Phivolcs ready to face probe into Taal warnings
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology Seismology (Phivolcs) on Monday said it is ready to face the House of Representatives for a probe into its alleged lapses in issuing timely warnings on the Taal Volcano eruption.
— Philippine News Agency

President Duterte’s performance and popularity: a contradiction?
Social Weather Stations’ (SWS) survey last December revealed that 76% of Filipinos see many human rights abuses in President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on illegal drugs.
— BusinessWorld

TF formed to probe slay of Bulacan ex-vice mayor, village chief
The Bulacan Police Provincial Office (PPO) created on Monday a special investigation task force (SITG) that will handle the killing of a former vice mayor and incumbent barangay chief of Pandi, Bulacan.
— Philippine News Agency

Limahong Channel hub to boost tourism, jobs in Pangasinan town
The tourism industry here is expected to receive a boost while the local residents have opportunities to work once the construction of the Limahong Channel Tourism Center (LCTC) is completed.
— Philippine News Agency

Strengthen policies to help achieve total electrification
RECENTLY, the Department of Energy (DoE) called for comments on the draft Qualified Third Party (QTP) Service Contract and Eligibility Requirement as per Department Circular No. DC2019-11-0015 “Prescribing Revised Guidelines for Qualified Third Party.”
— BusinessWorld

House to hold session in Batangas on Wednesday
The House of Representatives is set to hold its plenary session on Wednesday at the Batangas City Convention Center in a bid to listen “directly” to the victims of the Taal Volcano eruption.
— Philippine News Agency

Solon wants probe into ‘lopsided’ concession deal with LRMC
ACT-CIS party-list Representative Eric Go Yap on Monday filed a resolution seeking an investigation into what he described as a lopsided concession agreement between the government and the Ayala-Pangilinan consortium Light Rail Management Corporation (LRMC).
— GMA Network

PH accedes to cross-border paperless trade in Asia-Pacific
The Philippines has formally deposited the Instrument of Accession to the Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific before the United Nations headquarters in New York, the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement posted on its website on Monday.
— Manila Bulletin

The long road to legalizing motorcycle taxis
Every day after work, Jenlain Impat, 26, finds herself rushing to go home to take care of her one-year-old baby.
— Rappler

Awaiting payout, Ampatuan victim’s child struggles with heart disease
It has been a tough 10 years on widowed Argie Caniban ever since she lost her husband John in the 2009 Ampatuan massacre, and it’s not about to get any easier, even with the long-awaited guilty verdict on her husband’s killers.
— Rappler

DILG: Calamity funds almost depleted for most LGUs affected by Taal eruption
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) admitted it is running short of budget for calamity funds, particularly for many local government units affected by the Taal Volcano eruption as these LGUs already reported either “depleted” or nearly depleted risk reduction funds.
— Eagle News

Archie Gamboa takes oath as PNP chief before Duterte
The 23rd PNP chief took his oath and received his four-star rank before Duterte led the distribution of assistance to residents affected by the eruption of Taal Volcano in Sto. Tomas, Batangas.
— GMA Network

Sandigan denies Datu Andal Unsay Ampatuan Jr. s bid to stop graft trial
Convicted murderer Datu Andal “Unsay” Ampatuan Jr. suffered another legal setback in two months after the Sandiganbayan denied his bid to stop his trial over graft charges in connection with the P238 million worth of fuel lubricants purchased by the Maguindanao provincial government from gas stations owned by Ampatuan Jr.
— GMA Network

Taal Volcano’s economic impact minimal so far, says NEDA
As long as Taal Volcano won’t erupt violently, it won’t affect much of the Philippines’ economic growth, according to the country’s chief economist.
— Rappler

CHR calls for justice over killing of peasant leader in Northern Samar
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Monday, January 20, condemned the brutal killing of a local peasant leader in Northern Samar.
— Rappler

PH SEA Games team to be honored as Athlete of the Year in PSA Awards
Count on Filipino athletes to deliver when the going gets tough.
— Rappler

Duterte appoints officials at BTA, senior citizens commission
President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed several officials in government early this month, according to a list released to the media by Malacañang on Monday.
— GMA Network

Makati extends deadline for local tax payments
The Makati City government has extended the Jan. 20 deadline of the assessment and payment of local business and realty taxes in the city following the passage last week of City Ordinance No. 2020-001.
— Philippine Information Agency

COMELEC to conduct simulation of voting for PWDs
More or less 100 persons with disability (PWDs) will be participating in the simulation of voting which will be conducted by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) on January 21, 2020.
— Philippine Information Agency

NegOcc guv welcomes creation of program for sugar dev’t fund use
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has welcomed the proposal to create a national sugar program that will manage the use of the PHP2-billion annual development fund for the sugar industry.
— Philippine News Agency

Humanitarian mission from Bicol arrives in Batangas
A humanitarian mission team sent by the Bicol Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) to assist victims of the Taal Volcano eruption arrived in Batangas province on Monday afternoon.
— Philippine News Agency

Mayor admits drugs still a problem in Talisay City
Talisay City Mayor Gerard Anthony Gullas Jr. admitted on Monday that President Rodrigo Duterte was right in saying that the problem on illegal drugs has persisted in his area of jurisdiction.
— Philippine News Agency

JBC opens application to SC, CA slots
The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday announced that the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) is now accepting applicants for the position of SC Associate Justice and Court of Appeals (CA) Presiding Justice.
— Philippine News Agency

Maasin City implements fish price ceiling ordinance
City Mayor Nacional Mercado has resolved to fully enforce the price cap of fishes sold in the city’s wet market, following widespread clamor on sky-high cost of this marine resource, the city’s Information Officer announced.
— Philippine Information Agency

Tumauini youth show support to gov’t’s war on drugs, terrorism thru mural painting
High school students in Tumauini, Isabela rallied their support to government’s campaign against illegal drugs and terrorism through their mural painting masterpieces on January 17.
— Philippine Information Agency

Healthiest places in Mt. Province recognized
The provincial government recently recognized winners of the 2019 Provincial Search for the Healthiest Places.
— Philippine Information Agency

Gamboa formally assumes post as PNP chief
Police Lieutenant General Archie Francisco Gamboa formally assumed post as the new chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday.
— GMA Network

Motorcycle taxis can continue operating sans law legalizing them – solon
As far as Marikina City Representative Bayani Fernando was concerned, motorcycle taxis like Angkas could continue to operate in the absence of a law that would legalize their operations.
— GMA Network

Tacloban extends biz permit renewal deadline to Jan. 31
The city government here has extended the deadline for all business permits and licenses transactions from January 20 to January 31, 2020.
— Philippine News Agency

DSWD-12 steps up watch on minors traveling abroad
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Region 12 (Soccsksargen) has stepped up its monitoring on overseas travels of minors from the area in a bid to prevent possible cases of human trafficking and exploitation.
— Philippine News Agency

Lawmaker questions how power firm with P7,000 capital got P100-M deal
How did a power company dubiously created just two years ago bag the contract to manage the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), earning P100 million worth of profits even with its measly capital of P7,000?
— Rappler

New PNP chief Gamboa sets aside VP’s drug war assessment
Newly-designated Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police Lieutenant General Archie Francisco Gamboa on Monday said he was no longer paying any heed to Vice President Leni Robredo’s assessment of the government’s campaign against illegal drugs.
— GMA Network

PNP eyes establishing Chinese desks to address crimes involving Chinese nationals
The Philippine National Police is eyeing to establish Chinese desks to address the increasing number of crime incidents which involve Chinese nationals, its new chief said on Monday.
— GMA Network

Textbooks should underscore Marcos dictatorship atrocities – Robredo
Textbooks should be changed to underscore the atrocities committed by the martial law regime of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos, rather than make light of these violations and rehabilitate the Marcos’ reputation as proposed by former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Vice President Leni Robredo said Monday.
— GMA Network

Filipinos find it hard to move up the social ladder – WEF
The Philippines is 61st out of 82 countries in social mobility or the ability of an individual to move up from one’s socioeconomic strata, according to the maiden study on the matter by the World Economic Forum (WEF) .
— Rappler

Help continues to pour out for Taal evacuees
Aid continues to come from all directions for Calabarzon residents affected by activity of Taal Volcano.
— Philippine Information Agency

Philippine Coast Guard still searching for 7 fishermen lost at sea
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) remains on the lookout for 7 fishermen who went missing on January 14 while near the waters off Barangay Hermosa, Dasol, Pangasinan.
— Rappler

Gov’t agencies to address sanitation in Taal evacuation centers
Line government agencies are set to augment sanitation and comfort room facilities in evacuation centers in the Province of Batangas.
— Philippine Information Agency

Relief stocks sufficient even if Taal unrest drags on
The government is more than ready to help evacuees who might be affected by the prolonged unrest of Taal Volcano in Batangas.
— Philippine News Agency

17th IB’s new chief urges stakeholders’ support to end insurgency
The newly installed battalion commander of the 17th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army embarked on partnership and collaboration with the civic organizations, local officials and other government officials towards his quest to end insurgency in this province and in Apayao.
— Philippine Information Agency

DILG chief orders stop to ‘window hours’ implementation for Taal evacuees
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Monday ordered to stop the implementation of window hours for Batangas residents who want to get their belongings and feed their pets following the eruption of Taal Volcano last week.
— GMA Network

AFP eng’g units ready to build latrines for Taal evacuees
All military engineering units are ready to build latrines to prevent a possible health disaster in various evacuation centers housing thousands of families severely affected by the eruption of Taal Volcano on Jan. 12.
— Philippine News Agency

Solon wants sustainable dev’t, resilience studies included in K-12 curriculum
A lawmaker on Monday filed a measure seeking to incorporate Sustainability and Resiliency Studies (SRS) in the curriculum of the K-12 program to equip students with the knowledge on how to adapt to climate change and how to deal with natural disasters.
— GMA Network

DILG insists no commercial establishment should operate within Taal danger zone
Commercial activities within the 14-kilometer danger zone around Taal Volcano remain prohibited, a government official said Monday, after several businesses reopened in Tagaytay City despite the threat of a major eruption.
— GMA Network

Revise history books, but only to emphasize Martial Law atrocities – Robredo
Vice President Leni Robredo said if there is anything that needs to be changed in history textbooks, it is to put more focus on the atrocities committed by the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
— Rappler

WATCH: Vendors clean People’s Park in Tagaytay in hopes of quick reopening
A dozen vendors were back at Tagaytay’s People’s Park in the Sky Monday morning, January 20, but they were there not to sell.
— Rappler

Año orders stop to ‘visiting hours’ to Taal Volcano danger zone
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año on Monday, January 20, ordered a stop to visiting hours to danger zones around the restive Taal Volcano.
— Rappler

4 ASG ‘cohorts’ killed in Tawi-Tawi clash
Four drug personalities with alleged ties with the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) were killed while a soldier was wounded in a clash in the province of Tawi-Tawi, military officials said Monday.
— Philippine News Agency

Construction of new access road to C6 in full swing
A new access road project that will shorten the route between South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and Circumferential Road-6 (C6) is now being fast-tracked by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
— Philippine Information Agency

RTF-ELCAC to bring caravan of services to Isabela town
The Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) in Western Visayas is set to deliver various government services to the people of Isabela town, Negros Occidental on January 21.
— Philippine Information Agency

DOH extends ‘Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio’ campaign
The Department of Health extended its Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio (SPKP) campaign to ensure that no child is left unvaccinated and to boost protection for those already vaccinated.
— Philippine Information Agency

Hilarious Conversation of Pinoy and Foreign National Co-worker Goes Viral
Video of Hilarious Conversation of Pinoy and Foreign National Co-worker Went Viral A hilarious conversation of a Pinoy worker and his foreign national co-worker went viral on social media and brings good vibes to netizens.
— Philippine News

50 ARBO members in E. Visayas complete training on product dev’t
About 50 members of four agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) in Eastern Visayas have completed training on improving the design of their products.
— Philippine News Agency

NPA member abandons movement, yields to Army in NoCot
An armed member of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) operating in North Cotabato decided to abandon his comrades and surrendered to military authorities Sunday.
— Philippine News Agency

ATI offers free agri seminars for metro folks
To continuously promote agriculture in the metropolis, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) releases its schedule of free seminars for this year.
— Philippine Information Agency

Feature photo Jerome Austria Abuan

This week’s Philippines morning news feature photo focuses on the Taal volcano eruption.

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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Philippines morning news for January 21 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on January 21, 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.