Philippines morning news for April 16

Philippines morning news for April 16
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Philippines morning news

PH ready for trial of Japan flu drug for coronavirus treatment
The Philippines is ready to participate in the clinical trial of Japanese anti-flu drug Avigan as possible treatment for coronavirus, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said on Wednesday, April 15.
— Rappler

Philippines COVID-19 recoveries overtake deaths as cases leap to 5,453
The number of patients who have recovered from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the Philippines overtook the death toll on Wednesday as the Department of Health (DOH) reported that cases nationwide jumped to 5,453 with 230 new infections.
— GMA Network

‘Anti-body’ treatment vs. COVID-19 still under study, says DOH
The effectiveness of anti-body treatment against COVID-19 is still under study, the Department of Health said on Wednesday.
— GMA Network

CDC tells gov’t to slow coronavirus infections
THE Philippines should try to temper the rise in coronavirus infections to better prepare its health system pending global efforts to come up with a vaccine, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
— BusinessWorld

Philippine maker commits 1-M medical chips a week to meet rising demand
High demand for ventilaors, thermal scanners and other medical supplies is pushing Cirtek Holdings Philippines to boost supply.
— Philstar

Economists to Bangko Sentral: Print money for coronavirus response
Faculty of the University of the Philippines School of Economics urged the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to study printing more money and do whatever it takes to combat the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic .
— Rappler

Zambo City to issue color-coded quarantine pass
The city government is set to issue passes to control the number of people going out of their homes amid the enhanced community quarantine due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
— Philippine News Agency

BOP swings to $839-M surplus in February
The Philippine balance of payments (BOP) was back in the black in February as the amount it earned from its transactions with the rest of the world outpaced the amount of dollars it spent, according to the latest data from the central bank.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer

2021 budget to tackle virus impact
THE House of Representatives will work with the Executive branch in planning next year’s national budget, which will take into account the government’s post-coronavirus response.
— BusinessWorld

PH tops ASEAN countries with most number of COVID-19 cases; possible underreported recoveries: data experts
The Philippines has surpassed Malaysia this week as the Southeast Asian country with the most number of cumulative coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases.
— ABS-CBN News

Coronavirus may cost PHL up to P2.5 trillion in economic output
THE Philippine economy may lose between P276.3 billion and P2.5 trillion, depending on how the coronavirus pandemic develops in the next few months, according to a state-run think tank.
— BusinessWorld

Manila releases P19 million aid, face masks
The Manila city government has approved the release of an additional P19.941 million in cash assistance for the city’s indigent families.
— Philstar

Hospitals must still provide essential services amid pandemic, says DOH
The Department of Health (DOH) reminded hospitals that they are still required to provide essential healthcare services amid the coronavirus pandemic.
— GMA Network

San Juan offers free cremation services for COVID-19 deaths
The San Juan City Government is offering free cremation services and urn packages to San Juan residents who succumbed to COVID-19 and other diseases during this time of enhanced community quarantine.
— Philippine Information Agency

Total lockdown for villages with ECQ violators pushed
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary for Barangay Operations Martin Diño strongly pushed Wednesday for a total lockdown of barangays whose residents remain stubborn and have continuously violated the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) policies. “
— Tempo

PH now has 16 certified Covid-19 test labs
The Philippines now has 16 certified laboratories capable of testing specimens from coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) patients, a Department of Health (DOH) official reported on Wednesday.
— Philippine News Agency

DOJ needs ‘one more week’ to decide on release of low-risk convicts
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said on Wednesday, April 15, that the Department of Justice (DOJ) needs one more week to study proposals to release low-risk convicts amid the coronavirus pandemic.
— Rappler

[ANALYSIS] Duterte’s coronavirus aid: Too little, too slow, too politicized
Just like many COVID-19 patients fighting for their lives, what the Philippine economy needs right now is a sturdy ventilator for life support.
— Rappler

Thunderstorm advisory hoisted over Bulacan, other areas
A thunderstorm advisory has been hoisted over Bulacan and other areas. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said moderate to heavy rainshowers with lightning and strong winds are expected over Rizal as well within the next one to two hours.
— Eagle News

32 Filipinos overseas get coronavirus; total at 736
Another 32 Filipinos abroad tested positive for the coronavirus disease, bringing the number of those with COVID-19 from 704 to 736 as of Wednesday, April 15.
— Rappler

NFA assures enough rice supply amid extended ECQ
The National Food Authority (NFA) on Wednesday assured enough supply of rice amid the extended Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to contain the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak.
— Philippine News Agency

Gov’t, World Bank sign $500-m loan agreement
The government signed a $500-million (P25-billion) loan agreement with the World Bank to augment urgent financing requirements arising from the crisis created by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
— Manilastandard.net

Survivor’s fight vs COVID-19 took 18 days, cost over P1M
Jorge “Jojy” Azurin, a 56-year-old health technology entrepreneur and father of five, considers himself lucky despite the grueling 18 days he was confined at The Medical City (TMC) battling the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
— Philippine Daily Inquirer

Rice imports hit 6-month high at 229,416.65 MT in March–data
OVER 130 rice traders and importers used 853 sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances (SPS-IC) to import nearly 600,000 metric tons (MT) of rice from January to April 3, Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) data showed.
— Business Mirror

MMDA to lead disposal of bodies for Covid-19 cases
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has been designated as the coordinating agency for the proper disposal of the remains of those who died from the Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
— Philippine News Agency

Duterte’s visitors required to undergo rapid test for Covid-19
Government officials and other individuals who wish to visit President Rodrigo Duterte at Malacañan Palace in Manila are now required to undergo rapid testing for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced on Wednesday.
— Philippine News Agency

Postponing barangay polls a mistake as COVID-19 crisis shows some execs incompetence –solon
For ACT-CIS party-list Representative Jocelyn Tulfo, postponing the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections to December 2022 was a mistake as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis only exposed the incompetence of some incumbent officials.
— GMA Network

Davao City gets P462M worth of aid from national gov’t to fight COVID-19
Davao City has received at least P462 million worth of assistance for food and personal protective equipment from the national government to help it address the fight against COVID-19 and its impact on the people.
— GMA Network

Leyte extends quarantine period to April 30
Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla on Tuesday has announced the extension period of the General Community Quarantine for the province from April 17 to April 30.
— Philippine Information Agency

Imee insists moratorium on paying gov’t debts a ‘necessity’ amid COVID-19
Senator Imee Marcos on Wednesday reiterated her call for the government to consider a moratorium on paying the national government’s debt obligations as the country grapples with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) despite Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III’s refusal to take such measure.
— GMA Network

Trikes, pedicabs back on road in NegOCC starting April 20
Tricycles and trisikads (pedicabs) will be back on the road in all towns and cities in Negros Occidental, excluding Bacolod City, this coming April 20 as part of the adjustments in the ongoing enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the province.
— Philippine News Agency

What to do if COVID-19 hospital bill exceeds PhilHealth s rate package
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) will first assess if patients have the capacity to pay if they exceed the rate package for the treatment of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), its president Ricardo Morales said Wednesday.
— GMA Network

DOT vows aid to travel, hospitality sectors
The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Wednesday vowed to help the travel and hospitality sectors hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
— Philippine News Agency

Cayetano instructs House leaders to work with Palace on 2021 budget responsive to post-2019-COVID situation
Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano has instructed House leaders to work with Malacañang in crafting the proposed 2021 national budget that would contain “provisions on a post-COVID-19 situation.”
— GMA Network

Supreme Court to hold first-ever virtual session on prisoner release, Duterte health
The Supreme Court will hold its first-ever virtual en banc session on Friday, April 17, to tackle petitions for the release of sick and elderly prisoners and the disclosure of the state of President Rodrigo Duterte’s health.
— Rappler

Taiwan turns over 300,000 face masks to Philippines
Taiwan on Wednesday turned over 300,000 face masks to the Philippine government to help the country fight the deadly coronavirus.
— GMA Network

Income tax filing deadline extended anew to May 29
The Bureau of Internal Revenue is giving taxpayers more time to settle their dues.
— Philstar

Filipinos consuming less than 50 kw/hr don’t need to pay March-April bills, says IATF
Filipino households consuming less than 50 kilowatts per hour of electricity do not need to pay their electricity bills for the “March to April billing period,” the Philippine government announced on Wednesday, April 15, 2020.
— Eagle News

1 dead, 2 hurt as truck rams 2 houses, 5 vehicles in Bataan
A truck driver died while two others were injured after the truck they were riding lost its brakes, hitting two houses and five parked vehicles along the side of the Gapan-Olongapo road in this town Monday afternoon.
— Tempo

‘Kadiwa on Wheels’ market rolls off in Kidapawan
A government initiative to boost food supply amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) crisis rolled out in Kidapawan City on Wednesday, offering fresh fruits and marine products on mobile stores to residents.
— Philippine News Agency

PLDT, Smart offer 6-month installment program for bills payment
PLDT is introducing an installment program for bills payments, following last month’s 30-day postponement for the payment of PLDT and Smart bills in reaction to the coronavirus lockdown.
— Rappler

PNP directed to inspect private vehicles, do stricter checpoints as ECQ violators reach more than 108,000
More than 108,000 people have violated the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine protocols, according to the Philippine National Police.
— Eagle News

6 hospitals to be probed for allegedly rejecting asthmatic patient who died at home
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will probe six hospitals in Nueva Ecija after they allegedly rejected a 65-year-old asthmatic patient due to overcapacity.
— Coconuts Philippines

‘Education with compassion’: U.P. community urges mass promotion, early end of semester
University of the Philippines (UP) students and faculty members called for an early end of the second semester for academic year 2019-2020 as the country continues to fight the coronavirus outbreak.
— Rappler

IATF: Gov’t working on recovery plan as expected lifting of ECQ nears
The government is working on a recovery plan with the expected lifting of the enhanced community quarantine on April 30, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said on Tuesday.
— Eagle News

Police, military now in charge of some major national quarantine facilities
The police and military have officially taken charge of a number of large venues that have been converted into national quarantine facilities for coronavirus cases who are asymptomatic, or with mild to moderate symptoms.
— Rappler

Crame-based cop from San Carlos tests positive for Covid-19
Authorities here have conducted tracing of people who had close contact with a policeman based in Camp Crame, Quezon City who went home and stayed here while waiting for his coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) test result that later turned out positive.
— Philippine News Agency

Reassignment of NCMH exec not related to COVID-19 ‘exposé’ -DOH official
The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday said the reassignment of National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) chief administrative officer Dr. Clarita Avila has nothing to do with her exposé on the COVID-19 situation in the facility.
— GMA Network

Netizens debate mass promotion of students amid coronavirus pandemic
Filipinos were divided when the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said it would be up to universities and colleges to decide whether to implement mass promotion of students during the coronavirus pandemic.
— Rappler

Irrigation project seen to benefit thousands of farmers in Sumisip
The NIA and the provincial government had earlier partnered in constructing multimillion-peso irrigation facilities in Basilan’s adjoining cities of Lamitan and Isabela.
— Philstar

DSWD asks LGUs to fund emergency subsidies for families not on gov’t list
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has requested local government units (LGUs) to fund emergency subsidies for poor families who were not included in its list.
— Rappler

Cops to issue traffic tickets vs drivers with unauthorized passengers
The national government warned on Wednesday, April 15, that traffic cops will conduct a stricter inspection of vehicles after it was observed that many cars have been plying roads lately even as Luzon remains on lockdown.
— Rappler

No need to be a voter to receive Pasig City aid amid COVID-19 crisis, Vico Sotto says
“We will not be selective… You do not have to be a voter. No such requirement. If you are a resident of Pasig, you will be given aid,” Mayor Vico Sotto said.
— Philstar

3 governors, 2 mayors face show cause orders for violating lockdown rules
Three governors and two mayors are facing show cause orders from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for allegedly violating the national government’s quarantine rules.
— Rappler

DA eyes transport apps for delivery of vegetable seed packets
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is eyeing transportation service applications to deliver free vegetable seed packets to residents amid the enhanced community quarantine.
— GMA Network

FALSE: PH-developed COVID-19 cure already approved
Claim: A cure for COVID-19 called Fabunan Antiviral Injection has already been approved by the government. The drug was developed by a Filipino doctor in Zambales.
— Rappler

DPWH, private firm complete urgent anti-COVID-19 works in Lung Center
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and a private construction firm completed “urgent” works at the Lung Center of the Philippines in Quezon City way ahead of schedule, Randy Del Rosario, Public Information Division, Stakeholders Relations Service chief told PIA-NCR through email today.
— Philippine Information Agency

Military official urges starving Reds to surrender, avail gov’t aid amid COVID-19 crisis
The Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) on Wednesday urged starving members of the New People’s Army to surrender to authorities and avail the government’s assistance in this time of health crisis due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
— GMA Network

Authorities condemn killing of unarmed militiaman in Surigao Sur
The National Commission on Indigenous People in Caraga Region (NCIP-13) has condemned the killing of an unarmed militiaman believed to be perpetrated by the communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in the Surigao del Sur town of San Miguel.
— Philippine News Agency

Eager to assist: How funeral homes cope amid coronavirus outbreak
Ren (not his real name)* woke up on March 22 thinking it would be another day under lockdown, until his phone rang at almost 11 am.
— Rappler

COVID-19 survivor laments discrimination, harassment
The COVID-19 survivor said he was surprised to find out that his children’s photos were circulating on social media on the day that he found out about the illness.
— GMA Network

 

 

Feature photo Ministry for the Youth – SMAP Lobo
This week’s Philippines morning news feature photo focuses on COVID-19 in Asean.

 

Find our previous morning news feature photos in the AEC News Today Morning News Feature Photos gallery where you will find a pictorial display of daily life throughout the Asean Economic Community (AEC).

 

 

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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