Philippines morning news for June 29, 2020

Rise of COVID-19 cases in Philippines fastest in W. Pacific region -WHO data
The Philippines has the fastest-growing number of new COVID-19 cases among over 20 countries and territories in Western Pacific Region, based on the data of World Health Organization since June 16.
— GMA Network

Doctors in remote barrios protest sudden reassignment to Cebu City
Doctors under the government’s Doctors to the Barrios (DTTBs) program were not informed about what they called an “abrupt exploitative order” to assign them to private hospitals in Cebu City.
— Philippine Star

DOH-CHD Ilocos records 44.1% decrease in dengue suspected cases
The Department of Health – Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) in Ilocos recorded a 44 percent decrease in dengue suspected cases in the region as of June 16.
— Philippine Information Agency

Philippine COVID-19 cases breach 35,000; death toll at 1,244
The number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the Philippines breached the 35,000 mark on Sunday after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 653 more infections–485 “fresh” or newly validated and 168 reported late–bringing the total to 35,455.
— GMA Network

AirAsia announces new domestic-flight schedules for July
AirAsia on Saturday said it would increase the frequency of domestic flights following the resumption of its services in early June.
— ABS-CBN News

COVID-19 cases in Philippines may reach 60,000 by July 31 –UP experts
The number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines may reach more than 60,000 by July 31, according to a study made by a group of experts from the University of the Philippines.
— GMA Network

POGOs start to exit PHL — regulator
TWO Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) have exited the country, according to the industry regulator, with more expected to follow suit as they face difficulties in securing tax clearance from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
— BusinessWorld

Unauthorized disclosure of COVID-19 patients’ identities continues
As the number of coronavirus cases in the Philippines steadily increased from mid-March to late May, the National Privacy Commission (NPC) had been investigating 22 complaints of privacy breaches involving more than 150 COVID-19 patients, as well as suspected and probable cases.
— Rappler

‘Duterte will still exercise powers to defeat COVID’
Despite the expiration of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, President Duterte will continue to exercise necessary powers to ensure public safety and health are not compromised amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
— Philippine Star

Something is very wrong says Sotto as Philippines has fastest rise of COVID cases in region
Lawmakers over the weekend called on the administration to step up its game as the Philippines was identified as the country with the fastest-growing number of new coronavirus cases in the Western Pacific region.
— GMA Network

Duterte urges Asean leaders to find ‘innovative’ ways to end sea disputes
President Rodrigo R Duterte enjoined the other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to look for “innovative” ways to resolve the long-standing disputes in the resource-rich South China Sea.
— Gulf Times

Philippines drops multinational rice purchase as Vietnam resumes exports
The Philippine government has dropped a plan to import up to 300,000 tonnes of rice from various governments as its traditional main supplier, Vietnam, has resumed selling grains, the agriculture department said late on Saturday.
— Successful Farming

Nurses’ union calls for mass hiring as Cebu City grapples with COVID-19
There are enough nurses in the Philippines to help meet health care demands during the COVID-19 pandemic, a nurses’ group said, as it reiterated the call for mass hiring — with adequate salaries, benefits, and protection.
— Philippine Star

Anti-hunger program launched in Central Luzon
The government is set and ready to implement its Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) program in various provinces in Central Luzon after the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and farmers’ groups entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) through “virtual signing” at Clark, Pampanga last Friday.
— Philippine News Agency

Number of Filipinos abroad with coronavirus now at 8,433
The Department of Foreign Affairs reported only one new case of the coronavirus among Filipinos abroad, bringing the total number of confirmed cases overseas to 8,433 as of Sunday, June 28.
— Rappler

Solon calls on DepEd to extend enrollment until July 15
ACT-CIS party-list Representative Jocelyn Tulfo on Sunday called on the Department of Education (DepEd) to extend its online, remote, and dropbox enrollment until July 15.
— GMA Network

DOLE: Remains of 301 Saudi Arabia OFWs home by July 4
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is working on the return of the remains of 301 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who died in Saudi Arabia by July 4, the department announced on Sunday, June 28.
— Rappler

DFA: 59,000 overseas Filipinos repatriated since COVID-19 global spread
Some 59,000 overseas Filipinos have been repatriated since COVID-19 raged across the world in February, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Saturday.
— ABS-CBN News

Another rate cut still on the table — analysts
THE surprise policy rate reduction from the central bank may not be the last, as it takes an aggressive and accommodative stance while waiting for the fiscal stimulus measures to catch up, according to analysts.
— BusinessWorld

Government, farmers’ groups sign agreement addressing hunger
Government agencies and farmers’ groups have signed an agreement that seeks to address hunger by increasing the income of farmers.
— Philippine Star

Pigs culled due to ASF hit 300,000 mark
African swine fever (ASF) continues to spread in the country, with culled pigs breaching the 300,000 level even as the government said the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has helped slow the movement of the fatal hog disease.
— Philippine Star

Imee wants work-from-home arrangement to be mandatory
Senator Imee Marcos is proposing to make the work-from-home arrangement mandatory as the country battles COVID-19.
— GMA Network

NFA stocks continue to dwindle
Farmers are speculating that the current inventory of the National Food Authority is dwindling and that it may not be able to respond if calamities hit the country again.
— Philippine Star

GOCCs subsidies surge 469% in May
Subsidies granted to state-owned corporations rose by almost six-fold in May as the government continued to release support for the second tranche of the Small Business Wage Subsidy (SBWS) program, according to the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr).
— Philippine Star

Solon to authorities: Allow people to cross borders using health clearance
Quezon City Representative Precious Castelo on Sunday urged authorities to let people cross borders with simply presenting a health clearance instead of a travel pass issued by the Philippine National Police.
— GMA Network

House to set aside funds for COVID-19 vaccine in 2021 budget
The House of Representatives will allocate funds for COVID-19 vaccine procurement in the proposed P4.3-trillion budget for 2021.
— Rappler

Gov’t creates task group to bring home 5,300 Filipinos from Sabah
The newly-created Inter-Agency Task Group Western Mindanao – Management of Returning Filipinos from Sabah (IATGWM-MREFS) buckles down to work by facilitating the repatriation of about 5,300 Filipinos from Sabah, Malaysia amid the coronavirus pandemic .
— Rappler

OWWA fund depletion alarms govt, experts
IF the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) fund dries up, migrant workers’ benefits will be cut short starting next year, according to experts.
— Business Mirror

Senators: Gov’t ‘mishandling’ led to fast rise in PH virus cases
The World Health Organization (WHO) report that the Philippines had the fastest rise in new coronavirus cases in the Western Pacific region in the past two weeks was the result of the government’s “mishandling” of the pandemic, several senators said on Sunday.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer

No more home quarantine for COVID-19 positive residents of Cebu City: DILG
The government will no longer allow residents of Cebu City who tested positive for COVID-19 to go on home quarantine.
— ABS-CBN News

Filipinos now allowed to enter 26 countries
Twenty-six countries have so far lifted their border restrictions on Filipinos arriving from the Philippines, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
— Philippine Daily Inquirer

P45.6 billion small business qage subsidy 99% completed
The government has already distributed P45.6 billion in subsidies to more than three million beneficiaries under the Small Business Wage Subsidy (SBWS) program, the Department of Finance (DOF) said yesterday.
— Philippine Star

Berries for a cause: Women-led initiative connects Cordillera farmers to the city
The start of the coronavirus lockdowns in the Philippines, to many, meant suddenly finding their movements restricted, with work taking place at home. For farmers, particularly those in the Cordilleras, it meant income lost.
— Rappler

DOTr: New passenger terminal building at Clark airport 99% complete
The new Passenger Terminal Building at Clark International Airport is now 99% complete.
— Eagle News

Pandemic unravels Duterte’s 2016 promise of decisive leadership
“I can tell you now that I will provide leadership.”
— Rappler

Cebu City to get more doctors as health system gets swamped
HEALTH authorities will send doctors to Cebu City, which has reverted to a strict lockdown, to help control a spike in coronavirus infections, according to the Department of Health (DoH).
— BusinessWorld

‘PHL to reclaim global standing in geothermal energy generation’
The Department of Energy (DOE) wants the Philippines to overtake Indonesia and reclaim its pervious title as the world’s second-largest geothermal producer.
— Business Mirror

PHL secures P18.5-B loan from WB to process individual farm titling
THE Philippines secured the World Bank’s approval for a $370-million (around P18.5 billion) loan for a project that would award individual titles to farmers covered by the collective land ownership awards (CLOAs) previously issued to agrarian reform beneficiaries under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (Carp).
— Business Mirror

Businesses that donate online learning tools to get tax perks
The chair of the House basic education committee on Sunday urged top corporations to donate online learning tools for public school students—and receive up to a 150-percent tax deductible — under the Adopt-a-School program (ASP).
— Philippine Daily Inquirer

DOH urged to rethink transfer of rural doctors to Cebu City
Physicians in the Doctors to the Barrios program cannot be reassigned without prior consent from the program and the local government unit that they are assigned to under a memorandum of agreement, the Association of Municipal Health Officers of the Philippines said Sunday.
— Philippine Star

Filipino fishermen missing after boat allegedly collided with Hong Kong vessel
Several Filipino fishermen were reported missing after their boat allegedly collided with a Hong Kong-flagged cargo vessel off the waters of Occidental Mindoro on Sunday.
— ABS-CBN News

Duterte seeks more roles for women in Asean
RECOGNIZING that the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic “aggravates existing gender inequalities,” President Rodrigo Duterte pushed for a “gender-responsive recovery plan” for the Southeast Asian region to “ensure more women’s active participation as we go into the new normal.”
— The Manila Times

PHIVOLCS: 31 quakes, moderate plume steaming monitored at Kanlaon; volcano still on alert level 1
Thirty-one earthquakes and moderate emission of plumes were monitored at Kanlaon, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said on Sunday, June 28.
— Eagle News

PNP COVID-19 cases reach 632; recoveries climb to 334
The number of coronavirus disease 2019 cases in the Philippine National Police has reached 632. The PNP said recoveries also rose to 334.
— Eagle News

600 OFWs arrive from Saudi, Panama and HK
MORE THAN 600 Filipinos from Saudi Arabia, Panama and Hong Kong came home amid a global coronavirus pandemic that has sickened 10.1 million and killed half-a-million people worldwide.
— BusinessWorld

Health workers with COVID-19 now at 3,360; recoveries up to 2,515
The Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday reported that the number of healthcare workers who have contracted the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) climbed to 3,360 as of June 27.
— GMA Network

DOH: Five more labs licensed for COVID-19 testing, total now at 69
There are now 69 laboratories nationwide licensed to conduct independent testing for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) after five more received accreditation, the Department of Health (DOH) said Sunday.
— GMA Network

Anti-plastic pollution group welcomes adoption of reusable packaging system
A group advocating against pollution from disposable plastic lauded the position of 115 health experts from 18 countries vouching for the safety of the reusable packaging system by employing basic hygiene.
— Business Mirror

GOCC budgetary support remains elevated due to SSS wage subsidy program
BUDGETARY support to state-owned firms released in May rose nearly 467% after the release of the second tranche of the wage subsidy program, the Bureau of the Treasury said.
— BusinessWorld

National ID system a boost to digital economy — NEDA C
The acceleration of the Philippine Identification System(PhilSys) is seen to unlock the country’s digital economy’s potential and aid in the transition to the “new normal,” the chief of the National Economic and Development Authority(NEDA) said.
— Philippine Star

Patrolman kills cop in mistaken identity shooting
A police officer who pretended to pull out a gun when challenged by a patrolman on duty ended up dead in Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay on Saturday night.
— Philstar

Cebu City community holds religious festival despite ECQ imposition vs. COVID-19
A public religious festival was held Saturday in a community that is part of one of 12 barangays in this city classified as COVID-19 hotspots, prompting authorities to deploy more policemen in the area for the implementation of strict quarantine measures.
— ABS-CBN News

PATAFA finds ways to help athletes after allowance cut
As uncertainty continues to loom over the Philippine Sports Commission’s (PSC) ability to shell out the monthly allowances of national athletes and coaches, the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) tries its best to help its own athletes.
— Rappler

Data shows high price of fertilizer prior to centralized bidding
Prior to the centralized bidding of fertilizers, government data showed that the average price of urea in the country’s 14 regions was higher than PHP1,000 per 50-kilogram (kg) bag.
— Philippine News Agency

DoE considering major commitment to developing geothermal
THE Department of Energy (DoE) is planning to draft an order promoting the development of geothermal energy, in a bid to regain prominent position for the Philippines among global producers.
— BusinessWorld

NBI arrests 21-year-old for allegedly hacking university website
The National Bureau of Investigation has arrested a 21-year-old IT student for allegedly hacking a university website.
— GMA Network

LGUs’ share from tobacco tax can reach P21 billion
TOBACCO-PRODUCING provinces may receive up to P21 billion in 2022, as their share in collection of excise taxes on tobacco products this year, the Budget department said.
— BusinessWorld

Waste management, recycling a priority during pandemic — Villar
Waste management and recycling should not take a backseat during the pandemic but should be prioritized to prevent the spread of diseases, Sen. Cynthia Villar said yesterday.
— Philippine Star

Bus firm lays off 400 workers
A major bus company in Luzon has laid off 400 workers due to financial losses that resulted from the enhanced community quarantine.
— Philstar

SEC warns against two fraudulent investment operators
THE SECURITIES and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued warnings to the public against investing in groups named E-Work Online Digital Marketing Services (Ework) and Quick Options.
— BusinessWorld

PRC: June-August licensure exams moved to 2021
All licensure examinations originally scheduled from June to August 2020 are postponed and will be moved to 2021, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) said in an advisory Friday.
— Philippine News Agency

Weaker job market to pressure home loan approvals, condo lessors likely to sell
REAL ESTATE loans will likely cool in the second quarter after the pandemic left many jobless and eroded job security for the rest of the workforce, making loan applicants less likely to be approved, Colliers Philippines said.
— BusinessWorld

Public urged to use online transactions with CSC
The Civil Service Commission (CSC) urged the public to transact with its newly launched web-based Online Registration, Appointment, and Scheduling System (ORAS) to maintain physical distancing amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
— Philippine News Agency

Tobacco growers start integrated rice farming
The government has released P50 million to tobacco growers to start their integrated rice farming as part of efforts to further boost supply of the country’s main staple.
— Philippine Star

IPOPHL urges MSMEs to protect intellectual property
The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) is calling on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to protect their intellectual property (IP) rights in order to gain or maintain a competitive edge even amid a crisis.
— Philippine News Agency

NCIP pushes for connectivity in indigenous communities
The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) is slowly pushing for internet connectivity among indigenous communities amid the prevailing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) health crisis.
— Philippine News Agency

Robredo urges DepEd not to insist on class resumption if not feasible
Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday appealed to the Department of Education (DepEd) not to insist on an August 24 resumption of classes it was not feasible.
— GMA Network

House bill seeks monthly P1,500 internet allowance for public school teachers
A measure has been filed at the House of Representatives seeking to grant public school teachers an amount of P1,500 monthly as Internet allowance to help them meet the requirements of the blended mode of learning proposed by the Department of Education (DepEd) for the upcoming school year.
— GMA Network

Bulacan airport project seen to affect endangered, vulnerable migratory birds
The proposed international airport in Bulacan province may adversely affect thousands of waterbirds, including several endangered and vulnerable species, a bird-watching group said.
— Philippine Star

Robredo calls for thorough study on suspension of LSIs’ trips to provinces
Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday called for a thorough study on the suspension of trips of locally stranded individuals (LSIs) to their respective provinces.
— GMA Network

UV Express drivers, operators ready to resume ops, want more units back
The Coalition of Drivers and Operators of UV Express Atbp. (Codex) said Sunday they are fully ready for the resumption of operations, but appealed to the government to allow more units on the road.
— GMA Network

Cebu City councilor dies from COVID-19
Former congressman and incumbent Cebu City Councilor Antonio Cuenco died due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
— Tempo

Duterte urged to do more against gender-based violence
President Rodrigo Duterte’s remarks on gender-based violence seem incongruous with his track record on women’s issues, musician and student Frankie Pangilinan, said over the weekend.
— Philippine Star

After #MCHSDoBetter goes viral, other schools urged to act on sexual harassment
As many come forward with their stories of sexual assault using viral hashtags like #HijaAko and #MCHSDoBetter, students and alumni from different schools have one plea in the protection of safer spaces for the youth: “Do better”.
— Rappler

Gov’t suspends bringing back stranded individuals to Western, Eastern Visayas
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Sunday, June 28, that the repatriation of locally-stranded individuals (LSIs) to Western and Eastern Visayas will be suspended for two weeks to help lessen the spread of the coronavirus in those areas.
— Rappler

Authorities foil attempt to smuggle Malaysian cigarettes into Maguindanao
Authorities foiled Saturday an attempt by boatmen to smuggle into seaside Datu Blah Sinsuat town 100 boxes of cigarettes from Malaysia.
— Philstar

Filipinos turning to bank savings
More Filipinos have realized the need to have an emergency fund amid the coronavirus pandemic as seen in the surge in deposit volume and new deposit account openings, according to Bank of the Philippine Islands.
— Philippine Star

CamSur farmers receive land titles despite pandemic
A total of 260 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) received hope for a better life as the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) awarded them Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) on June 24 amidst the crisis due to coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
— Philippine News Agency

DOH-CHD Ilocos encourages residents to participate in contact tracing activities
With the aim to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the communities, the Department of Health – Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD1) in Ilocos encouraged residents in the region to participate in contact tracing activities.
— Philippine Information Agency

Strict protocol, compliance crucial in curbing Covid-19
While a vaccine against coronavirus disease (Covid-19) has yet to be developed, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go stressed the importance of strict enforcement of measures and proper compliance as “crucial” in curbing the deadly disease.
— Philippine News Agency

SSS opens online applications for jobless benefits
Members of the state-run Social Security System (SSS) who lost their jobs due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may now apply for the pension fund’s unemployment benefits online.
— Philippine Star

28 Abu Sayyaf bandits killed for first half of 2020 – AFP
The Armed Forces of the Philippines said that 28 members of the Abu Sayyaf Group have been killed from January to June this year.
— Rappler

P150 million worth of car parts smuggled from China seized
Philippine authorities on Friday, June 26, seized P150 million worth of smuggled car parts from China that were mislabeled as Made in Japan.
— Rappler

Harvest festival showcases hybrid rice production technology
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MAFAR-BARMM) spearheaded Sunday the opening of a harvest festival at a 15-hectare model farm in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.
— Philippine News Agency

Army to pursue remnants of NPA front in Agusan Norte
A top official of the Army has ordered government troopers to pursue the remaining members of Guerrilla Front (GF) 4A of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) operating in the provinces of Agusan del Norte and parts of Misamis Oriental.
— Philippine News Agency

CENRO Nagtipunan donates P99,000 worth of common hard lumber, food packs
The Community Environment and natural Resources (CENRO) here reported that a total of Php 99,480.00 common hard lumber and food packs had been donated for the construction of COVID-19 isolation units and as assistance for the frontliners manning the inter-agency checkpoints.
— Philippine Information Agency

Soldier killed in clash with Reds in Iligan CIty
A soldier belonging to the Philippine Army’s 4th Mechanized Infantry Battalion died during an encounter with New People’s Army (NPA) members in Barangay Kalilangan here at 12 noon on Saturday, the military reported.
— Tempo

Agrarian reform beneficiaries warned vs selling land titles
Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones has warned agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) against selling land titles awarded to them under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).
— Philstar

German held for killing Filipino wife
A German citizen was arrested on Friday for allegedly killing his Filipino wife in Pagbilao, Quezon.
— Philstar

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Philippines morning news for June 29 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on June 29, 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.