Philippines morning news for May 22

Philippines morning news for May 22
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Philippines morning news

PAL ‘not in immediate danger of bankruptcy’ — company president
Philippine Airlines is not yet on the brink of financial collapse, the company said Thursday as the aviation industry reels from travel barriers meant to stem the spread of the new coronavirus.
— Philippine Star

Conflicting gov’t claims on coronavirus state slammed
SENATORS on Thursday hit conflicting government information about the coronavirus situation in the country, which he said would erode state credibility to contain the pandemic.
— BusinessWorld

Bayan Bayanihan brings food and hope to the poorest of the poor
When a Philippine Army soldier brought food packs to Rowena P. dela Cruz’s doorstep one Saturday afternoon in April, tears streamed down her face.
— AEC News Today

Senators question Duque credibility after flip-flop on COVID second wave
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III’s remarks that the Philippines is experiencing its second wave of COVID-19 infections–and his subsequent apparent reversal–did not sit well with several senators on Thursday, with several casting doubt on his leadership amid the pandemic.
— GMA Network

COVID-19 recoveries in PHL climb to 3,000 as cases reach 13,434
The number of coronavirus disease 2019 cases in the country has climbed to 13, 434, with the addition of 213 cases, the Department of Health said on Thursday, May 21.
— Eagle News

More Filipino families go hungry amid COVID-19 crisis – SWS
More Filipino families experienced hunger in the past 3 months, according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey released Thursday, as the coronavirus crisis raged across the country and brought economic activities to a standstill.
— ABS-CBN News

Philippines’ total agriculture trade amount to 21.22 bln USD in 2019
The total value of agricultural trade of the Philippines amounted to 21.22 billion U.S. dollars, or 11.6 percent of the total trade in 2019, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed.
— Xinhuanet

DoF says stimulus package, AMC bills urgently needed
FINANCE Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III urged legislators to pass “as soon as possible” a stimulus package bill and a bank bill facilitating the transfer of banks’ bad loans to asset Management Companies (AMCs).
— BusinessWorld

Farmers, fisherfolk sold P5 billion worth of produce amid COVID-19 pandemic
Farmers from Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya, and other provinces have sold over P5 billion worth of their produce to consumers amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Agriculture Secretary Willam Dar said Thursday.
— GMA Network

Mayor places Concepcion town in Tarlac under 24-hour ‘extreme’ GCQ
The mayor of Concepcion town in Tarlac placed his municipality under a 24-hour extreme general community quarantine after a second coronavirus case was recorded there on Wednesday, May 20.
— Rappler

DILG mulls localized lockdowns
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año on Thursday said that localized lockdowns may also be enforced in neighborhood, sitios and even subdivisions to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19).
— Tempo

Int’l body tells Duterte, NTC: PH a signatory of UN press freedom pact
As ABS-CBN’s broadcasts remain shut, an international rights body has reminded President Rodrigo Duterte and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) that the Philippines is a signatory of the United Nations’ covenant on press freedom.
— Inquirer.net

FIST law to boost investors’ confidence in PHL
THE pending law on the strategic transfer of soured assets from banks to other asset management companies will eventually protect the country’s viability to become a bright investment destination in the post-coronavirus disease (Covid-19) world, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) chief said on Thursday.
— Business Mirror

Philippines explores options to buy BrahMos missile from India
India and the Phillipines are in talks for the purchase of a number of defence platforms from India including the Brahmos missile, India’s ambassador to the Phillipines Jaideep Majumdar has said.
— Livemint

PHL still faces ‘last mile’ challenges in meeting SDGs–Unescap report
WHILE the Philippines has a “good track record” in its efforts to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the country is encountering many “last mile” challenges, according to the United Nations and Asian Development Bank (ADB).
— Business Mirror

Testing of teachers sought before classes resume
A teachers’ group has urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to conduct widespread testing on workers in the education sector before they are required to work.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer

Many Boracay establishments continue to violate government’s easement rules
TWO years after the closure of Boracay Island, many establishments continue to be noncompliant with easement regulations promulgated by the government.
— Business Mirror

DFA: 468 Filipinos repatriated from Singapore, Qatar
Over 400 Filipinos were repatriated from Singapore and Qatar, the Department of Foreign Affairs reported on Thursday, May 21.
— Eagle News

Water disconnections to resume by August, September 2020
Customers of Manila Water and Maynilad Water Services will have to start paying up their bills to avoid disconnection, as the coronavirus lockdown eases in Metro Manila.
— Rappler

Online sexual exploitation of children in PH tripled in 3 years – study
A new study revealed that within 3 years, the estimated prevalence rate of online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC) in the Philippines more than tripled – from 43 out of every 10,000 Internet Protocol (IP) addresses linked to child sexual exploitation in 2014, to 149 out of 10,000 in 2017.
— Rappler

Nope, No Second Wave: Palace refutes Secretary Duque, says PH still riding first wave of infections
The Philippines is still riding its first wave of COVID-19 infections, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said today, contradicting Health Secretary Francisco Duque, who said yesterday that the country’s second wave of infections had already started.
— Coconuts Philippines

Duque backpedals: PH in ‘1st major wave of sustained community transmission’
After taking the heat for making such a claim, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Thursday, May 21, backpedaled on his statement that there was a second wave of coronavirus cases in the country.
— Rappler

DA 12 allots P608M to sustain food production amid COVID-19
The Department of Agriculture (DA) in Region12 has allocated more than P608 million to ensure continuous food production in the region.
— Philippine Information Agency

BoI-approved investments plunge
THE Board of Investments (BoI) saw pledges sink by 71% in the first four months of 2020 as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disrupted economic activity in the country.
— BusinessWorld

Inflation impact on poor picks up in April
INFLATION, as experienced by low-income families, accelerated in April as lockdown measures were implemented to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Philippine Statistics Authority reported on Thursday.
— BusinessWorld

1,152 quarantine violators arrested
Up to 1,152 people were apprehended by police for breaching quarantine protocols, after President Duterte defended Metro Manila police chief Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas from criticisms he received for supposedly violating lockdown measures during his birthday gathering on May 8.
— Philippine Star

COVID displaces 400,000 arts, culture workers
Some 400,000 workers in the country’s arts and culture sector have been left jobless as the government restricts mass gatherings amid the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
— Philippine Star

DTI: Philippines can now locally produce PPEs
The Philippines is now able to locally produce personal protective equipment (PPEs) for frontliners amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Department of Trade and Industry said Thursday.
— GMA Network

172 buses allowed to ply routes in GCQ provinces in C. Visayas
At least 172 public utility buses are now allowed to travel in some provinces of Central Visayas that are under the general community quarantine (GCQ), the top transportation regulatory official in Region 7 said on Thursday.
— Philippine News Agency

ERC to extend bill payment moratorium for poor households
THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) will order power utilities to further extend the moratorium on bill payments for poor households in areas that continue to be under lockdown.
— BusinessWorld

DOLE tightens requirements for POGO workers
The Department of Labor and Employment has tightened the requirements for the issuance of permits for foreign nationals intending to work in Philippine offshore gaming operations.
— Philippine Star

‘Cha-cha effort dead in the water’
Nearly two years before President Duterte steps down, efforts to amend the 1987 Constitution and push for a federal system of government may now be dead in the water.
— Philippine Star

Iloilo online barter trade eases hardships due to Covid-19
A growing online barter community in Iloilo has shown another side of the Filipino’s bayanihan spirit as it helps Ilonggos obtain their needs without spending cash.
— Philippine News Agency

No classes till no Covid-19 vaccines: solon
Deputy House Speaker and Pampanga 3rd district Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales has proposed the suspension of the reopening of both public and private schools until a vaccine against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is developed.
— Philippine News Agency

House panel wants clinics in public schools
A committee of the House of Representatives has consolidated three measures aimed at putting up clinics in all public schools nationwide, especially following projections that the threat of coronavirus disease 2019 will remain for quite some time.
— Philippine Star

Bicam not needed for ‘fiscally sound’ Senate CITIRA
Congressmen do not have to meet senators in a bicameral conference committee meeting on the proposed Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Rationalization Act if they are convinced the Senate’s version of the measure is “fiscally sound.”
— Philippine Star

PH in 1st Covid-19 wave by local community transmission: DOH
The country is still in the first wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic driven by local community transmission, a health official said Thursday.
— Philippine News Agency

AMC law useful if banks encounter worst-case NPL scenario — Diokno
A BILL PROPOSING the transfer of banks’ bad loans to asset management companies (AMCs) will come in handy should the financial sector’s position deteriorate further, but for now non-performing loan (NPL) levels remain low, the central bank said.
— BusinessWorld

Stop criminalizing distressed OFWs fleeing quarantine facilities –migrants group
A migrants group on Thursday denounced the criminalization of repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who escape from quarantine facilities, saying these workers are themselves by the COVID-19 pandemic.
— GMA Network

Health workers with COVID-19 now 2,330; no new deaths in 10 days
The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday reported that the number of healthcare workers infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has climbed to 2,330.
— GMA Network

Covid-19 testing of returning workers not mandatory
Returning workers must not be compelled to undergo rapid testing for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), Malacañang said on Thursday.
— Philippine News Agency

DOLE disburses P119-M for workers’ cash aid in W. Visayas
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 6 (Western Visayas) has disbursed more than PHP119 million in cash assistance to workers affected by quarantine measures amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) crisis.
— Philippine News Agency

6 more Filipinos abroad contract coronavirus; total at 2,461
Another 6 Filipinos abroad tested positive for the coronavirus , bringing the total number of confirmed cases overseas to 2,461, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Thursday, May 21.
— Rappler

DepEd urges donors to provide schoolkids with gadgets for distance learning
Instead of school supplies, the Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday encouraged donors to provide gadgets that students can use for distance learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
— GMA Network

Duque: No country has conducted COVID-19 testing for entire population
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Thursday said no country in the world has ever done COVID-19 for its entire population, but rather only a portion of it.
— GMA Network

DOJ: 117 inmates granted parole, to go home after mandatory quarantine
More than a hundred convicts may soon walk free under simplified guidelines for parole — crafted in response to the COVID-19 crisis — the Department of Justice said.
— Philippine Star

DOLE allows employers to defer holiday pay for Eid’l Fitr
The Department of Labor and Employment on Thursday said that employers may opt to defer holiday pay for this year’s observation of Eid’l Fitr, which marks the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
— Philippine Star

Besides private sex videos, child porn now peddled for as low as P100 on Twitter
A boy stares into the camera. The phone’s yellow flash illuminates his face, highlighting features that suggest he is barely in his teens.
— Rappler

Woman dies in Bacolod City fire trying to save 9 dogs
A woman died in a Bacolod City fire this morning after she tried to save nine of her pet Shih Tzus.
— Coconuts Philippines

U.P. Board of Regents approves appeals to give ‘pass’ marks to students
The University of the Philippines Board of Regents (UP BOR) approved on Thursday, May 21, all submitted appeals from more than 60 UP departments and colleges to be exempted from the enforced numeric grading system .
— Rappler

ICT department backs NEDA, says PHL needs to transition to digital economy
The Department of Information and Communications Technology backed the National Economic Development Authority’s statement there was a need to transition into a “digital economy” to better adapt to the “new normal.”
— Eagle News

Iloilo mayor: It’s up to parents if they want kids back to school
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas has nothing against the proposal of the Department of Education (DepEd) to open classes in August but he said the plan “is inviting disaster”.
— Philippine News Agency

Cha-cha to be shelved? Cayetano says House would rather do away with divisive issues
The House of Representatives would rather do away with discussing controversial issues that may cause division among lawmakers for now, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said Thursday.
— GMA Network

80% of indigent elderly in W. Visayas receive social pension
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Region 6 (Western Visayas) has reached 80 percent of its target beneficiaries for the payout of the first quarter social pension for indigent senior citizens.
— Philippine News Agency

19 more barangay officials face criminal cases over cash aid distribution
Nineteen more barangay officials are facing criminal cases after allegedly committing anomalies in the distribution of the government’s emergency subsidy program (ESP) intended for millions of poor and disenfranchised Filipinos under lockdown.
— Rappler

Another shooting incident in Bacolod City: Businessman in critical condition
A shooting incident happened in Bacolod City on May 21 A businessman identified as Roland Tan is in critical condition after a shooting incident happened on May 21 in Bacolod City.
— Philippine News

NCRPO chief Sinas may still be held liable for mañanita mess, Palace says
Cases against Police Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas, National Capital Region Police Office chief, will proceed even if President Rodrigo Duterte has justified quarantine violations at a birthday gathering for the senior police official.
— Philippine Star

Human resources group calls for free COVID-19 testing for MSME employees
The People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) on Thursday called on the government to provide free testing to private sector employees, especially those working for the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
— GMA Network

DTI to study partial reopening of restaurants for dine-in
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez on Thursday, May 21, said the government will consider allowing restaurants to reopen for dine-in at 50% capacity.
— Rappler

OFW couple near yet far from each other under quarantine in cruise ship
A Filipino husband and wife who are both crew members of a cruise ship floating along the waters of Manila Bay lamented being so near yet so far from each other while they are under quarantine.
— GMA Network

Antique crime volume reduced by 27%
The total crime volume in Antique province dropped by 27 percent due to the strict implementation of the community quarantine in the past two months, the police said here on Thursday.
— Philippine News Agency

CL stakeholders discuss tuberculosis treatment amid COVID pandemic
About 312 government and private sector stakeholders participated Thursday in a webinar focused on ensuring continuous tuberculosis (TB) services amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
— Philippine Information Agency

House constitutional change proposals take backseat
THE HOUSE committee on constitutional amendments will suspend hearings on proposed changes to the 1987 Constitution pending the country’s battle against COVID-19.
— BusinessWorld

Lacson flags ‘pattern’ of DOH buying higher-priced equipment vs COVID-19
Sen. Panfilo Lacson on Thursday said the health department has repeatedly bought equipment needed to combat COVID-19 in the country at higher prices.
— Philippine Star

POGO work-permit applicants required to prove their firms are PAGCOR-registered
FOREIGN nationals working in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) applying for a work permit will be required to submit proof that their company is allowed to operate by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR).
— BusinessWorld

DOH probes couple allegedly manipulating sale of COVID-19 test kits
The Department of Health (DOH) is investigating a couple who was accused of jacking up prices of coronavirus test kits and blocking the entry of testing equipment into the country.
— Rappler

DOH apologizes for confusion over waves of COVID-19 infections
The DOH on Thursday apologized for the confusion over where the country is in its battle against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), clarifying that the Philippines is experiencing its “first wave of local community transmission.”
— GMA Network

NBI files new raps vs. Francis Leo Marcos
Internet personality Francis Leo Marcos faces new complaints over his supposed alias and a video where he dared his affluent neighbors to donate to people in need amid the COVID-19 crisis, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said Thursday.
— GMA Network

Nueva Ecija radio station risks raps for coverage of SAP distribution
A radio station in Nueva Ecija condemned the local government of Guimba town for allegedly harassing its staff and threatening to file charges against them.
— Philstar

Bohol plots post-Covid food security program
To stay afloat amid the coronavirus health crisis, Bohol province has put premium on people’s protection against infection and food security.
— Philippine News Agency

DSWD asks for ‘understanding’ as cash aid for May remains delayed
As millions of poor and vulnerable Filipinos await the second wave of cash aid for the month of May, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) asked for understanding due to the delayed decision of how and when the second tranche of the emergency subsidy program (ESP) would take place.
— Rappler

NCCA sets aside P76.8M to assist freelance artists during lockdown
The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) is devoting P76.8 million of its budget to helping freelance artists and cultural workers who have lost income because of coronavirus lockdowns.
— Rappler

Commentary: Pandemic bares digital divide in Philippine education
Both the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education have announced that online classes or distance learning will be central in their respective plans for a “new normal” for academic year 2020-2021 which is due to start by August.
— Philippine Star

Cambodia, IRRI ink agreement to promote rice
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries signed an agreement on Wednesday with the Philippine-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) with the goal of improving the rice sector by enhancing the analysis, productivity and resilience of value-chain networks.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Coronavirus lockdown aids in cleanup of filthy Baguio river
Balili River, which traverses the eastern part of Baguio into La Trinidad, has been classified as almost biologically dead for most of the year.
— Rappler

To cross coronavirus border, prostituted women abused by cops first
The police and prostituted women have a long, toxic history in this country. But the coronavirus pandemic has made it much worse for the women.
— Rappler

 

 

Feature photo City Government of Valenzuela
This week’s Philippines morning news feature photo focuses on feeding those impacted by COVID-19 #FeedThePeople

 

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About Philippines morning news.

Philippines morning news roundup is the most comprehensive hand-curated selection of Philippines English language news headlines published. Each weekday we scour hundreds of local and international news sites and websites to find the most recent Philippines English language news today.

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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.

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