Philippines morning news for April 2, 2020

‘Shoot them dead’: Duterte orders troops to kill quarantine violators
Facing unrest from Filipinos running out of resources, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered police and soldiers to shoot residents causing trouble during the government’s lockdown put in place to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.
— Rappler

Philippines’ COVID-19 death toll up to 96, cases now at 2,311
The Philippines death toll from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) climbed to 96 on Wednesday after the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed eight more fatalities.
— GMA Network

PHL manufacturing lowest in March
THE Philippine manufacturing sector contracted to its lowest on record in March, as demand fell and delays hounded the sector amid the Luzon enhanced community quarantine during the period.
— Business Mirror

No memorial, no urn for COVID-19 dead at Baesa crematorium
Families of COVID-19 fatalities do not even have time to say goodbye to their loved ones, who are immediately bought to crematorium, like the one in Baesa in Quezon City, to be cremated.
— GMA Network

PhilHealth to cover expenses of coronavirus patients until April 14
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) on Wednesday, April 1, said that it would continue to cover expenses of patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) until April 14.
— Rappler

Over 600K workers displaced due to Covid-19: DOLE
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported on Tuesday that over 630,000 workers have been displaced either by temporary closure or flexible work arrangements due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
— Philippine News Agency

Imports needed for COVID-19 fight declared tax-exempt
IMPORTED GOODS, supplies and equipment, including test kits and protective equipment needed for containing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, as well as imported materials needed to manufacture these products have been declared exempt from all taxes, duties and fees, the Bureau of Customs said.
— BusinessWorld

33 more Filipinos abroad get coronavirus; total at 401
Another 33 Filipinos tested positive for the novel coronavirus overseas, bringing the total number of cases aboard to 401 as of Wednesday, April 1.
— Rappler

Mass testing, using unregulated kits and sans professional advice, may worsen impact of Covid-19 crisis – DOH
THE Department of Health (DOH) has warned against mass testing using rapid antibody-based test kits without the supervision of health professionals.
— Business Mirror

Virus sparks food shortage in the Philippines
The Philippines reported 538 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 2,084 as of 31 March 2020 – the highest overnight jump recorded in ASEAN.
— The Asean Post

Philippines gets nearly $4-M health assistance from US amid COVID-19 outbreak
The Philippine government received nearly $4 million or approximately P200 million in health assistance from the US in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
— The Philippine Star

DOF issues regulations on 30-day grace period
The Finance Department said Wednesday it released the implementing rules and regulations on a provision in the Bayanihan To Heal As One Act directing all lenders to grant a 30-day grace period or extension for the payment of all loans, including credit card payments and pawnshop loans, falling due within the enhanced community quarantine period, without interest or additional charges.
— Manilastandard.net

Fitch Solutions reduces PHL consumer spending 2020 growth outlook
FITCH SOLUTIONS Macro Research said it reduced its 2020 consumer spending growth estimate for the Philippines to 6.7% from 7% due to the lockdown imposed on Luzon to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak.
— BusinessWorld

Last 80 Filipino crew from virus-hit Japan cruise ship now back in PH
All 80 Filipinos infected with the novel coronavirus aboard the MV Diamond Princess cruise ship are now back in the Philippines.
— Rappler

Social distancing measures to remain even after Luzon-wide quarantine –Nograles
Social distancing measures aimed at curbing the spread of the deadly coronavirus disease (COVID-19) will remain in place even after the end of the Luzon-wide quarantine, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said Wednesday.
— GMA Network

Gov’t eyes seizure of abandoned cargo at congested Manila port
A draft circular shows the government is planning to declare overstaying foreign shipments at the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) as abandoned and for seizure.
— Rappler

BSP eases rules on rediscount loans for banks
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has relaxed the guidelines on the availments of rediscounting loans to help banks tap the facility to meet their temporary liquidity needs amid the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 pandemic.
— The Philippine Star

Going ‘off-air’ for COVID-19: Coca-Cola Philippines cancels all commercial advertising
Coca-Cola Philippines has opted to halt all of its commercial advertising activities and turn the original funds for these towards supporting COVID-19 frontliners and vulnerable communities.
— Foodnavigator-asia

First batch of Philippine Hass avocados arrive in China
On March 31, 7,656 tons of avocados which departed from the Port of Davao, the Philippines, arrived at the Port of Shanghai, China.
— Fresh Plaza

Bongbong Marcos says he’s slowly recovering from COVID-19
Former Senator Bongbong Marcos on Wednesday said he is slowly recovering from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
— GMA Network

Duterte asks Filipinos not to challenge gov’t amid delayed relief
President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday night asked the public to refrain from challenging the authorities amid the uncertainty brought about by the community quarantines meant to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
— GMA Network

Duterte vows to defend health workers from attacks
President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday night vowed to defend health workers in the front line against the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) amid reports of discrimination and attacks.
— Philippine News Agency

Immunization program to continue amid quarantine –DOH
The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday assured the public that the government’s immunization program will continue amid the enhanced community quarantine.
— GMA Network

Medical ‘brain drain’ comes back to haunt virus-stricken Philippines
WELLA, a 20-year-old fresh nursing graduate, chose to stay and work at a private hospital in Manila that’s caring for several of the more than 2,000 coronavirus-stricken patients in the country.
— BusinessWorld

Bayan hits Duterte’s threats vs. Reds: Problems are not solved by shooting
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) on Wednesday evening criticized President Rodrigo Duterte for his threats against left-leaning parties, saying that problems are not solved by shooting people.
— GMA Network

NegOr guv signs EO on enhanced community quarantine
Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo has signed Executive Order No. 2020-26 placing the province under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) for 14 days to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
— Philippine News Agency

Transportation woes amid COVID-19 quarantine pushing prices of goods up
The difficulty in transporting rice and vegetables amid the enhanced community quarantine has led to higher prices in markets.
— GMA Network

DSWD allocates P3-B emergency fund for Region 11
Some PHP3 billion is allocated for the Davao Region in line with the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) social amelioration program (SAP).
— Philippine News Agency

How low-income families can receive cash aid from the government
Thousands of families remain waiting for the cash assistance promised by the Duterte administration to help them cope with the quarantine, which halted jobs and economic activities, to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
— GMA Network

DOLE allows firms to defer giving holiday pay for Holy Week
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) allowed employers to defer giving holiday pay during Holy Week, as the country faces the coronavirus crisis .
— Rappler

Boracay waste down to about 50% amid coronavirus lockdown
Tourist island Boracay in Aklan province has been generating about half of its usual waste since lockdown measures were put in place to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus disease.
— Rappler

6.3K repatriates expected in 2 weeks amid Covid-19 fears: DOH
The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday said over 6,300 Filipinos are expected to return to the Philippines amid growing fears over the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) worldwide.
— Philippine News Agency

U.P. scientists making ventilators – DOH
Scientists at the University of the Philippines-Manila National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH) are developing ventilators to help augment the local demand as coronavirus cases continue to rise in the country.
— Rappler

Thousands could be asymptomatic Covid-19 cases in NegOr
While there are no new confirmed cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-2019) in Negros Oriental as of Wednesday, health authorities in the province are saying the number of suspect cases could be “bloated” as the scenario has already shifted to “local transmission”.
— Philippine News Agency

Navotas to hire 1 thousand displaced workers under DOLE’s TUPAD program
The City Government of Navotas has started hiring 1,000 jeepney and tricycle drivers, ambulant vendors and other workers in the informal sector whose livelihoods are affected by the enhanced community quarantine.
— Philippine Information Agency

Palay output estimate for first quarter slashed by 6.7%
PRODUCTION of palay, or unmilled rice, in the first quarter of 2020 is now estimated at 4 million metric tons (MT), 6.7% lower than the previous projection, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.
— BusinessWorld

QC extends property tax deadline by one month
QUEZON CITY has extended the deadline for the payment of annual and first quarter real property taxes to April 30 from March 31 after an enhanced community quarantine was imposed on Luzon.
— BusinessWorld

COVID-19 patient Sonny Angara checked into hospital over the weekend, says staff
Senator Sonny Angara has checked into a hospital over the weekend, a member of his staff told reporters on Wednesday.
— GMA Network

Closed for business: As lockdown grinds on, small restaurants worry about staying afloat
On most night, Tadeo, a small Filipino-Mexican restaurant along Tomas Morato in Quezon City, is packed with foodies hankering for its famed sinigang burrito.
— Rappler

DOH distributes first batch of PPEs to COVID-19 referral hospitals
The Department of Health (DOH) announced on Wednesday that the first batch of the one million personal protective equipment (PPE) sets it procured has been distributed to COVID-19 referral hospitals in Luzon.
— GMA Network

For LGUs that disobey national govt, NBI will probe without complaint
For local government unit (LGU) officials who will disobey the guidelines set by the national government, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will exert its full powers and investigate without the need for a complaint.
— Rappler

House leader slams DSWD for bureaucratic rules delaying release of COVID-19 cash subsidy
Deputy Speaker Luis Raymund Villafuerte on Wednesday slammed the Department of Social Welfare and Development for its cumbersome set of rules that delayed the release of the cash subsidy for low-income households affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation.
— GMA Network

POGO slowdown amid pandemic to hurt property sector
The spread of the novel coronavirus is expected to slow down office space demand from Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) , effectively hurting the property sector.
— Rappler

Digital rights advocates seek repeal of Bayanihan law provision punishing “fake news” peddlers
Digital rights advocates pushed Wednesday for the repeal of a provision in the Bayanihan Law punishing “fake news” peddlers, saying it curtails free expression, including constructive criticisms.
— GMA Network

Lorenzana condemns alleged NPA attempt on military in Rizal
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Wednesday, April 1, condemned a recent alleged attempt by communist-led guerrillas to attack government troops despite reciprocal ceasefires amid the coronavirus pandemic .
— Rappler

Pampanga mayor bars 4,500 city employees from taking relief packs
Mabalacat City Mayor Crisostomo Garbo barred all employees of the city government from taking their share of relief food packs distributed house to house by city social workers, an order that drew mixed reactions from netizens and city employees.
— Rappler

‘No ceasefire’ in delivery of support to front-liners: Army
The support for front-liners in the government’s fight against the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) must remain unhampered, an Army official said Wednesday.
— Philippine News Agency

More Metro Manila LGUs to host mobile markets
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) will open more mobile produce markets sourcing directly from farmers to ensure sufficient food for the Metro Manila during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
— BusinessWorld

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Philippines morning news for April 2 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on April 2, 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.