Airlines seek P 8.6B in monthly subsidy
The country’s three largest airline groups are asking lawmakers for financial aid of about P8.6 billion per month, including wage subsidies, as they prepare to restart operations amid uncertain demand.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer
Senators seek ABS-CBN provisional franchise till June 2022
Thirteen senators on Monday filed a bill seeking to grant ABS-CBN Corporation a provisional franchise until the end of June 2022.Senate Bill No. 1521 aims to amend Section 1 of Republic Act No. 7966, which granted ABS-CBN a 25-year franchise that expired last May 4.
— Philippine News Agency
PH coronavirus cases breach 11,000, deaths now at 726
The Department of Health (DOH) announced 292 more Filipinos were positive for the coronavirus , raising to 11,086 the total number of confirmed cases in the country as of Monday, May 11.
— Rappler
Philippines to import 300,000 tonnes of rice
The Philippines is looking to import another 300,000 tonnes of rice to boost state stockpiles while battling the coronavirus pandemic, ahead of a lean third-quarter harvest, a senior official said on Monday.
— Bangkok Post
‘We feel like guests’: More than 5,000 Filipino seafarers from abandoned cruises wait out quarantine in Manila Bay
In the past few weeks, Manila Bay in the Philippines has been transformed into the world’s biggest parking lot for cruise ships, none of which have any guests.
— CNA
Virus Spread Stalls Philippine Goal of Free Health Care for All
After decades of underinvestment in medical care, the Philippines finally was moving to expand health insurance for its citizens. Then coronavirus happened.
— Bloomberg
Groups want rights-based coronavirus measures for post-lockdown PH
Groups on Monday, May 11, urged the Philippine government to include a comprehensive human rights agenda in its proposed post-lockdown measures.
— Rappler
Coronavirus: Philippines exposed after plans to expand health insurance derailed by pandemic
After decades of underinvestment in medical care, the Philippines finally was moving to expand health insurance for its citizens. Then coronavirus happened.
— South China Morning Post
DOH achieves target of 8,000 tests daily
The Department of Health (DOH) was finally able to conduct more than 8,000 tests for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in a day after it missed that original target by 10 days.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer
Budget deficit rose to P59.5b in March
The government incurred a budget deficit of P59.5 billion in March, up by 1.83 percent from the P58.4-billion deficit recorded in the same month last year, data from the Treasury show.
— Manilastandard.net
Bank sector to book P557-billion bad loans in 2020
THE Philippine banking industry may need to beef up protection against credit losses because nonperforming loans (NPLs) are seen rising to as much as over half a trillion pesos this year, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said.
— Business Mirror
PCCI plea to banks: Give firms 1-year reprieve on loans
THE country’s largest business group on Monday appealed to banks to extend for at least one year the deadline payment for loans availed of by firms to help them survive the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
— Business Mirror
Taxi, ride-hailing apps to resume with ‘no mask, no ride’ policy on May 16: LTFRB
Taxis and transport network vehicle services (TNVS) will be allowed to resume operations on May 16 provided that they will abide by the government’s new normal rules, including a “no mask, no ride” policy, transport officials said on Monday.
— ABS-CBN News
Estimated P8.8-billion fuel subsidy for PUV operators approved by IATF — DOTr exec
The proposed 30% fuel subsidy for operators of public utility vehicles affected by strict quarantine protocols has been adopted by the country’s inter-agency task force handling the COVID-19 response, according to a Department of Transportation (DOTr) official on Monday.
— GMA Network
House panel issues show cause order vs NTC over ABS-CBN shutdown
The House committee on legislative franchises issued a show cause order against the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), directing it to explain why it should not be held in contempt for ordering the closure of media network ABS-CBN.
— Rappler
Budget deficit narrows when pandemic response should widen the gap
The Duterte administration’s budget deficit barely widened in March and fell remarkably below limit for the entire first quarter, a sign that the government has so much catching up to do in spending to counter the impact of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
— Philippine Star
All arriving Filipinos and foreigners to undergo mandatory testing, quarantine
Filipinos and foreigners arriving in the Philippines will be required to undergo testing and quarantine in government-supervised facilities as part of efforts to quell the spread of the coronavirus .
— Rappler
Over 14k OFWs repatriated, tested for COVID-19, says Duterte
More than 14,000 repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have so far undergone testing for COVID-19 upon return to the country, President Rodrigo Duterte’s seventh weekly report to Congress stated on Monday.
— GMA Network
Over 1,900 PH health workers positive for coronavirus
The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday, May 11, announced there were now 1,991 workers who tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
— Rappler
Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila records 21 as highest single-day recovery
At least 21 patients infected with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have recovered and were finally discharged in a converted quarantine center at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila over the weekend, marking the biggest single-day tally of survivors released from the facility.
— Manila Bulletin
NTC execs may be detained at House if they can t explain ABS-CBN shutdown order –Alvarez
House lawmakers may be forced to detain NTC officials inside the Batasang Pambansa premises if they are not satisfied with the latter’s explanation in issuing a cease and desist order against ABS-CBN, the chair of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises said.
— GMA Network
ADB, DOH to team up for $125-M project to scale up COVID-19 response
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Department of Health (DOH) were in talks for a $125-million project that would scale up the Philippines response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
— GMA Network
Senate adopts resolution calling on NTC to ‘reconsider’ order vs ABS-CBN
The Senate on Monday adopted a resolution calling on the National Telecommunications Commission to reconsider its cease and desist order against ABS-CBN.
— Philippine Star
Philippines needs ‘sizable’ new COVID-19 budget fast: Nomura
The Philippines needs to deploy a “sizable” supplementary budget fast to counter the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, an analyst said Monday.
— ABS-CBN News (video)
PH to receive 400,000 tons of Vietnam rice
The Philippines expects to receive 400,000 metric tons of rice from Vietnam which reaffirmed its commitment to resume rice exports to Southeast Asian countries.
— Manilastandard.net
PH toilet paper price shoots up by 17.76%
While inflation is trending down in the Philippines, there’s one household item that has seen price spikes due to robust demand: toilet paper.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer
Wilt, drought, virus seen to slash PHL banana exports 40% in 2020
FILIPINO exporters expect banana shipments to drop by as much as 40 percent in terms of volume this year as output is drastically reduced by Fusarium wilt and climate change, with the aggravating impact of Covid-19 on trade.
— Business Mirror
Alternative work schemes for gov’t to take effect May 22
Government agencies may adopt alternative work arrangements for their employees starting May 22 to help prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, according to Commissioner Aileen Lizada of the Civil Service Commission (CSC).
— Philippine Daily Inquirer
Philippine province turns to online initiatives amind COVID-19
Due to the closure of schools and several establishments in response to the Coronavirus disease, it is without a doubt that the youth are not spared from the difficulties amid the COVID-19 pandemic, an official release said.
— OpenGov
Pandemic lockdown gives Philippine province time to rethink planned split-up
A landmark vote on dividing the biodiverse Philippine province of Palawan into three smaller provinces has been put on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s given critics of the move a chance to press their case that splitting up the province could prove harmful to natural resources management and the welfare of indigenous groups.
— Mongabay
PhilHealth released P12.32-B for COVID-19 response – Duterte
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation released P12.32 billion to accredited hospitals and other healthcare institutions to cover expenses for the COVID-19 response, President Rodrigo Duterte told Congress on Monday.
— GMA News
10th Asean Para Games officially canceled
The Asean Para Sports Federation (APSF) called off for good the 10th Asean Para Games (APG) as host country Philippines is still reeling from the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
— Philippine News Agency
Over 2M commuters seen to use public transport in Metro Manila under GCQ – LTFRB
Over two million commuters are expected to avail themselves of public transportation in Metro Manila once the government lifts the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and paves the way for the metropolis’ transitions into a general community quarantine (GCQ), a transport official said on Monday.
— Inquirer.net
ADB eyes two more laboratories to scale up efforts against COVID-19
The Asian Development Bank said it is looking at putting up two more COVID-19 laboratories to help the country reach its target daily testing capacity of 30,000 and curb the spread of the dreaded virus.
— CNN Philippines
Last-minute scramble on DSWD cash aid program fails
Government’s last-minute scramble failed to beat an already extended deadline to assist a record number of households, leaving nearly 2 million poor families still unassisted more than two months since a coronavirus health emergency was declared.
— Philstar
Paolo Duterte wants probe into probable violations by ABS-CBN of its franchise
Deputy Speaker Paolo Duterte and two other lawmakers are urging the House of Representatives to investigate the possible violations of ABS-CBN of its legislative franchise.
— GMA Network
Life can only return to normal if there s cure or vaccine for COVID-19 –Palace
Life can only return to normal if a cure or vaccine for COVID-19 is found, Malacañang said Monday, as it reminded people living in areas under looser restrictions not to be complacent.
— GMA Network
Off-duty laborers confined to quarters when construction work resumes
The government has approved safety guidelines for the resumption of work on infrastructure projects, including requiring workers to stay in their quarters for the entire duration of the project covered by the quarantine and limiting persons who may enter construction sites.
— Philippine Star
Nearly all 38 Filipinos positive for coronavirus in Australia now recovered
All but one of the 38 Filipinos in Australia who tested positive for the coronavirus have since recovered from the disease, Philippine Ambassador to Australia Ma Hellen De la Vega said on Monday, May 11.
— Rappler
Infra spending to address decline in gov’t expenditures
Government spending, which fell below target in the first quarter of 2020, is expected to recover once the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) is eased, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said.
— Philippine News Agency
DSWD field offices seek extension of deadline for filing cash aid liquidation reports
The DSWD has received requests to extend the deadline for the submission of liquidation reports by local government units tasked to distribute emergency cash aid for low-income households.
— GMA Network
Total COVID-19 cases among overseas Filipinos now at 2,195, with 260 deaths and 644 recoveries
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported 17 new confirmed COVID-19 cases involving overseas Filipinos, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 2,195 as of Monday, May 11.
— Eagle News
‘Government must allocate budget for Covid vaccine’
An ounce of prevention will always be better than a pound of cure, according to a lawmaker, who said the national government should set aside a certain amount of funds to be used for a vaccine against coronavirus disease 2019 in order to save more lives, supposing the medicine will indeed be out 18 months from now.
— Philippine Star
OWWA needs P2.5 billion for 45,000 returning OFWs
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) needs P2.5 billion to provide accommodation and other assistance for 45,000 returning displaced overseas Filipino workers.
— Philippine Star
Coronavirus patient sneaks out of Davao City isolation facility
Mayor Sara Duterte on Monday, May 11, said that a female COVID-19 patient has escaped from an isolation facility, prompting the city government to beef up the number of personnel securing these facilities for patients with confirmed and suspected coronavirus disease.
— Rappler
COVID cases in Zambo jail rise to 65
Fourteen more inmates and six personnel of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) at the Zamboanga City Reformatory Center (ZCRC) were tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
— Tempo
San Miguel backs out from Holcim Philippines takeover
San Miguel Corp. said Monday it junked its planned buyout of Holcim Philippines Inc., the country’s largest cement maker, after failing to secure the approval of antitrust regulators.
— Philippine Star
As BSP pauses, Diokno calls on gov’t to do more to temper crisis impact
Fresh from saying the central bank “has done a lot in so little time,” Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno took to task his former colleagues at the economic team to do more to salvage the economy from the coronavirus pandemic.
— Philippine Star
NTF-ELCAC ‘black propaganda’ vs Maria Ressa, ABS-CBN sparks outrage
Several journalists, academics, and media groups banded together, releasing a statement holding the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) accountable over its erroneous and irresponsible posts against social media giant ABS-CBN and Rappler CEO Maria Ressa.
— Rappler
Cebu City has highest number of coronavirus cases in Philippines
Cebu City now has the highest number of coronavirus cases in the country.
— Rappler
After Dennis Uy’s buyout denial, ABS-CBN says network ‘not for sale’
Selling ABS-CBN Corp. is not an option, the broadcast network made clear as the fight for the media giant shifts to keeping its frequencies that allow it to air free TV and radio channels.
— Philippine Star
Distribution of aid to 400,000 PUV drivers across country slow –LTFRB chair
The distribution of cash assistance for thousands of affected public utility drivers across the country amid lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic is slow, according to Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman Martin Delgra III on Monday.
— GMA Network
Quezon City police camp shut down after 14 cops test positive of coronavirus
Camp Karingal, the police camp of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), has been shut down after at least 14 of its cops tested positive of the coronavirus, media reports said.
— Coconuts Philippines
‘Government needs to strengthen tech-voc, skills training’
Sen. Bong Go urged the government to reinforce technical and vocational education as well as skills training programs to help jobseekers after the COVID-19 crisis is over.
— Philippine Star
Sacked broadcaster claims ABS-CBN ‘using’ employees to gain public sympathy
Do some people’s honest opinions just court controversy, or do they spew out controversial comments for public attention?
— Coconuts Philippines
Davao City gov’t adopts procedures for sweeper flight passengers from Manila
Mayor Sara Duterte on Monday, May 11, announced that the city government has adopted procedures for the two scheduled “mercy flights” from Manila.
— Rappler
PCOO limits social media content after sharing wrong info on ABS-CBN franchise
The Presidential Communications Operations Office will limit the content that can be posted by its social media platforms after drawing flak for sharing debunked claims about ABS-CBN’s franchise.
— Philippine Star
60% of private schools ready to deliver education under flexible learning mode –COCOPEA
The Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) on Monday said around 60 percent of private schools in the country are ready to deliver education under flexible learning mode amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
— GMA Network
DA allocates P230 million to use ancestral lands for food production
The Department of Agriculture (DA) allocated P230 million to convert some idle ancestral lands into food production areas.
— Rappler
Residents Posting Complaints on Facebook For Not Receiving Cash Aid Get Jailed
Some Residents Get Jailed For Posting Complaints on Facebook After Not Receiving SAP Cash Assistance Several residents who were posting complaints on Facebook after not receiving SAP cash aid allegedly arrested and get jailed.
— Philippine News
No fare increase once ECQ lifted, LTFRB says
Transportation officials on Monday, May 11, said that increasing public transport fares is currently out of the question for now, as the country prepares to move to the relaxed general community quarantine.
— Rappler
Duterte: 129 indigent detainees released amid COVID-19 pandemic
The government has already released 129 indigent detainees amid the COVID-19 pandemic, President Rodrigo Duterte told Congress on Monday.
— GMA Network
Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center starts RT-PCR testing
The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) Testing Center at the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC) in Tacloban City starts its operation on Monday, May 11.
— Rappler
GenSan tells ineligible SAP recipients to return aid
The city government has advised residents here who received cash assistance under the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) despite being deemed ineligible to immediately return them voluntarily to avoid facing possible charges for misrepresentation and falsification of public documents.
— Philippine News Agency
Senate ratifies bicam report creating National Academy of Sports
The Senate on Monday, May 11, ratified the bicameral committee report creating the National Academy of Sports in the Philippines.
— Eagle News
DILG: 183 barangay execs under probe over alleged corruption in cash aid distribution
Some 183 barangay officials are under investigation over alleged corruption in the distribution of social amelioration program, the Department of the Interior and Local Government said Monday.
— Philippine Star
Bohol halfway to getting nod on Covid-19 molecular lab
Governor Arthur Yap on Monday said Bohol province’s determination to operate a molecular laboratory that can conduct polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is halfway to getting the nod.
— Philippine News Agency
Employment-creating program to boost economic recovery: Diokno
A quick-disbursing, employment-creating program will greatly help the economy recover from the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno said.
— Philippine News Agency
[ANALYSIS] Innovative responses to coronavirus in Manila City Jail
As prison and jail authorities around the world scramble to prevent the spread of COVID-19, there is one jail in Metro Manila – Manila City Jail (MCJ) – leading the way in preventing the disease spreading in their highly congested jail.
— Rappler
CSC sets 5 alternative work arrangements for gov’t workers during quarantine
The Civil Service Commission (CSC) set interim guidelines on alternative work arrangements and safety protocols for government workers during the state of national emergency due to the coronavirus pandemic .
— Rappler
Single route allotted for commuter buses in EDSA under general community quarantine
Buses will traverse EDSA using a single route once Metro Manila cities are downgraded to general community quarantine (GCQ), a transport leader said today.
— Coconuts Philippines
DepEd: Private schools may open in June, but no face-to-face learning earlier than August 24
Private schools will be allowed to open the next school year between June to August, but no face-to-face classes will be allowed earlier than August 24.
— Philippine Star
Makati to give P5,000 per qualified resident under economic aid program
Every registered voter in Makati as well as holders of the Makatizen and Yellow health cards will be receiving P5,000 each from the city government as economic relief to cushion the effects of the coronavirus pandemic .
— Rappler
Tropical Depression Ambo to dump rains over Mindanao
The extension of Tropical Depression Ambo will bring light to heavy rains over Mindanao in the next 24 hours, state weather bureau PAGASA said Monday.
— Philstar
PCOO offers gov’t TV, radio stations to deliver lessons – Briones
Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Briones on Monday, May 11, said that Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar has offered government-run television and radio stations as platforms for delivering lessons during the pandemic .
— Rappler
PH Catholic Church pushes for resumption of masses during general community quarantine
A high-ranking member of Manila’s Catholic Church has appealed to the government to allow the resumption of masses in areas that have been put under the general community quarantine (GCQ).
— Coconuts Philippines
DA-Western Visayas allots P1.06-B for rice seeds, fertilizers
The Department of Agriculture in Western Visayas (DA-6) has allotted PHP1.06 billion in seed and fertilizer subsidies for the region’s rice farmers during the wet cropping season from June to November.
— Philippine News Agency
Robredo, QC gov’t launch app delivery service for market vendors
The office of Vice President Leni Robredo and the Quezon City government partnered to launch an app to help market vendors sell online and have their goods delivered by tricycle drivers.
— Rappler
[OPINION] OFWs and immigrants as milking cows
The way the Philippine government is treating overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), there is little to doubt that they (we) serve as mere milking cows.
— Rappler
Senior citizen representative wants all elderly to receive cash aid
Senior Citizens party-list Representative Francisco Datol Jr. on Monday called for a “second iteration” of the Social Amelioration Program where a separate aid will be given to all senior citizens, regardless whether they are already receiving pension or not.
— GMA Network
Camp Karingal placed on lockdown as coronavirus hits headquarters
Camp Karingal, the headquarters of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), was placed on lockdown after 14 personnel tested positive for the coronavirus .
— Rappler
Use of bicycles pushed in Baguio
The city government is encouraging the residents to use bicycles as a mode of transportation during the extended enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and its eventual downgrading to general community quarantine (GCQ) until such time that the mass public transport system returns to normal.
— Tempo
Pasig crematorium to be operational within the week
The newly-built Pasig City crematorium at the Pasig Cemetery is expected to be operational within the week after the Department of Health (DOH) inspected it on Monday morning, May 11.
— Rappler
Search continues for missing cop in Antique
The cap of a missing police officer found floating on the seawater near the island barangay of Semirara in this province could help in the ongoing search and rescue (SAR) operation.
— Philippine News Agency
Palace urges Church to present physical distancing measures to LGUs
Malacañang on Monday urged Catholic Church officials to brief local government units on the physical distancing measures they plan to implement should the government lift the ban on religious gatherings.
— GMA Network
Metro Manila Pride 2020 to go online amid coronavirus pandemic
Organizers of Metro Manila Pride, the biggest annual gathering of the LGBTQ community in the country, on Monday said that the event is set to go online amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.
— ABS-CBN News
Feature photo Seed Quest
This week’s Philippines morning news feature photo focuses on World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, May 17.
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 May 12 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on
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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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