‘Foreign travel unlikely this year’
Plans to travel abroad after the two-month enhanced community quarantine will have to wait until next year, according to the Department of Tourism.
— Philippine Star
PH virus cases hit 8,212, deaths 558
The number of people who tested positive for COVID-19 has reached 8,212 as 254 new cases were confirmed Wednesday.
— Manilastandard.net
China flexes muscles in South China Sea as world battles pandemic
While most of the world is preoccupied attempting to reign in the galloping COVID-19 pandemic, Beijing is using every opportunity available to flex its muscle internationally, including in the South China Sea.
— AEC News Today
Coronavirus turbulence: Cebu Pacific loses P1.18 billion in Q1 2020
Cebu Air, the operator of budget airline Cebu Pacific, posted a net loss amounting to P1.18 billion in the 1st quarter of 2020, as the coronavirus pandemic restricts domestic and international travel.
— Rappler
WB sees dim PHL growth outlook
THE Philippine economy may contract by as much as two percent this year as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis persists, a World Bank (WB) economist said on Wednesday.
— BusinessWorld
DOLE realigns budget to aid additional 300,000 workers displaced by COVID pandemic
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has realigned its 2020 budget to provide financial assistance to around 300,000 workers displaced by the COVID-19 pandemic.
— Eagle News
Lockdown cuts off gov’t aid for vendor suffering from diabetes
When Danilo Zabala felt the symptoms of diabetes in 2013, he started to self-medicate, taking the medicine his mother used to take.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer
Call to DILG: Grant trash collectors hazard pay during pandemic
An environment and health watchdog has appealed to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to authorize local governments to grant hazard pay to garbage collectors during the pandemic out of their development funds.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer
COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila to reach peak in May, says UP expert
Metro Manila’s COVID-19 cases are expected to reach their peak in either mid or late May, an expert from the University of the Philippines (UP) said today.
— Coconuts Philippines
DOH: 9,500 COVID-19 tests per day seen once Pampanga lab launched
The testing capacity of the Philippines for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is expected to increase to more than 9,500 tests per day once a laboratory in Pampanga becomes operational, a health official said Wednesday.
— GMA Network
Number of Filipinos abroad positive for virus rises to 1,644, deaths at 199
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday, April 29, announced 40 more Filipinos living overseas were infected with the coronavirus , pushing the total number of confirmed cases to 1,644.
— Rappler
OFW asks Duterte to order probe on PHL consulate in Jeddah for alleged slapping, verbal abuse
An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Saudi Arabia has called on President Rodrigo Duterte to order an investigation on members of the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah for allegedly slapping and verbally abusing him.
— GMA Network
UN calls out Duterte administration for ‘highly militarized’ response to lockdown violators
The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has called out the Philippines for implementing a “highly militarized response” towards those who have violated its COVID-19 lockdown.
— Coconuts Philippines
Albay mayors oppose IATF move to place province under general quarantine
Two city mayors in Albay on Tuesday, April 28, opposed the decision of the government’s coronavirus task force to lift the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the province.
— Rappler
Coronavirus effect:Land values in Metro Manila to decline
LAND VALUES in Metro Manila are seen to drop 5-15% by the fourth quarter as rents and selling prices decline due to the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
— BusinessWorld
No June opening for grade school, August likely for all
Classes for grade school students will not begin in June due to the prevailing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) which, as of Wednesday infected 8,212 and killed 558, Malacañang said.
— Manilastandard.net
Philippines inks $100 million WB loan for COVID action
The Philippine government officially finalized on Tuesday a $100-million loan agreement with the World Bank to strengthen the country’s capacity to respond to the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Finance said yesterday.
— Philippine Star
Shops covered in plastic to be part of new normal
Several shops have begun placing a plastic sheet barrier between the establishment and their customers as an added precaution against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
— GMA Network
‘Keep the lockdown’: Anxiety sweeps provinces as coronavirus quarantines ease
Anxiety has swept provinces nationwide as coronavirus quarantines begin to ease.
— Rappler
DOH: PH may miss April 30 target of 8,000 coronavirus tests per day
The Philippines is likely to miss its target of 8,000 coronavirus tests per day by the end of April, as the Philippines’ current testing capacity stood at just more than half of that number, the Deparment of Health (DOH) said on Wednesday, April 29.
— Rappler
Iloilo City gears for May 1 GCQ
Iloilo City is now preparing to shift from the current enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to the general community quarantine (GCQ) starting May 1, Mayor Jerry Treñas said on Wednesday.
— Philippine News Agency
DOF chief: Pass Citira, it’s the best stimulus
AMID lawmakers’ proposals to pass a stimulus package in Congress to prime the economy, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III instead pushed for the passage of the pending Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Rationalization Act (Citira), saying that this will provide a needed boost to industries and businesses gouged by the pandemic-induced lockdowns.
— Business Mirror
Davao City LGU implements 22 area lockdowns
Davao City has a total of 22 street, house and compound lockdowns as the city intensifies the control measures against the spread of the Corona Virus-19 infection.
— Philippine Information Agency
DOH: Not all workers need testing
With thousands of workers expected to return to their jobs as quarantine rules are loosened next week, the Department of Health (DOH) reiterated on Wednesday that testing is not recommended for those who have not been exposed to anyone suspected or confirmed to have contracted the new coronavirus.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer
Taguig opens BGC drive-thru testing site; completes first round of barangay-based testing in all 31 health centers
After launching its groundbreaking COVID-19 drive-thru testing initiative at the Lakeshore Hall a week ago, the Taguig City local government opened on Wednesday a second site for drive-thru testing in its business district in Bonifacio Global City.
— Business Mirror
Quarantine restrictions based on age slammed
Lawmakers and employers on Wednesday blasted as “arbitrary” the Department of Health (DOH) guidelines barring teenagers and senior citizens from going out of their homes even after the easing of quarantine measures in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon, which are currently on lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer
Solons seek to modify ECQ, GCQ ‘ban’ on senior citizens
Lawmakers on Wednesday appealed to the national government to reconsider banning everyone over 60 years old from going outside their homes during the imposition of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and general community quarantine (GCQ).
— Business Mirror
Government sets P170 billion domestic borrowing program
The government is planning to borrow P170 billion from the domestic market next month through the issuance of government securities, according to the Bureau of the Treasury.
— Philippine Star
Technology use hastens food delivery — DA
The government continues to adopt technology to combat the possible threat of food security amid the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 pandemic.
— Philippine Star
Baguio General Hospital may soon run out of test kits
The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday, April 29, said that the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center has already conducted 5,335 unique individual tests, the third biggest number of tests done after the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Muntinlupa City and the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City.
— Rappler
40 new COVID-19 cases reported among overseas Filipinos, total now at 1,644 with 434 recoveries,199 deaths
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported 40 new COVID-19 cases involving overseas Filipinos, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 1,644 as of Wednesday, April 29.
— Eagle News
Senior citizens urge gov t to allow them to leave home during GCQ
Senior citizens have urged the government to rethink its decision not to allow people aged 60 and older to leave their homes in areas placed under general community quarantine.
— GMA Network
Taiwan slams Roque for saying China will have a say on deportation of anti-Duterte OFW
Taiwan on Wednesday rejected the statement of Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque that China should have a say on whether or not a Filipina caregiver critical of President Rodrigo Duterte should be deported.
— GMA Network
SEC warns investors against more easy money schemes
THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has found more groups offering easy money schemes to the public without the government authority to solicit investments.
— BusinessWorld
Bomb threats hit Bataan hospital, banks
Operations in a hospital, three banks and two supermarkets in this city were interrupted by bomb threats on Monday.
— Philstar
DepEd asks for parents’ help in teaching school children under ‘new normal’
The Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday urged parents to supervise their children s learning amid the quarantine imposed to curb coronavirus transmission.
— GMA Network
CHR: No justification for hospitals turning away patients
There’s no justification for hospitals to reject patients, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said.
— GMA Network
Practice family planning amid ECQ, couples urged
Following the warning of the United Nations Population Fund that the lockdowns may result in seven million unwanted pregnancies worldwide, the Department of Health yesterday reminded couples to practice family planning during the enhanced community quarantine.
— Philstar
DA to release initial P23.7-M cash aid to rice farmers in NegOcc
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to release a total of PHP23.65 million in cash assistance for the first batch of small rice farmers in Negros Occidental, who are beneficiaries of the Financial Subsidy to Rice Farmers (FSRF) program.
— Philippine News Agency
Geothermal power firm aids host communities in Bicol
The Energy Development Corporation (EDC) has given more than PHP2.5 million worth of in-kind donations to host local government units (LGUs) in Bicol to help in the ongoing fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
— Philippine News Agency
NCCA provides P63.8-M pandemic fund for artists
THE Board of Commissioners of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) approved a cumulative budget of P63.8 million for an assistance fund for arts and culture workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
— BusinessWorld
PNP admits intrusions into ECQ violators’ privacy
The Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday admitted there were cases wherein police officers have intruded on the privacy of citizens in the enforcement of the enhanced community quarantine.
— Philippine Star
Ex-DSWD chief: Revive small businesses to help poor long after lockdown
With the future of the coronavirus pandemic uncertain, the government has scrape together funds to add to its war chest against the virus.
— Rappler
Yield of 7-day term deposits eases further
The yield of seven-day tenor eased anew with banks swarming the term deposit auction facility yesterday as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas ramps up efforts to help soften the blow of the coronavirus pandemic.
— Philippine Star
56,896 families receive SAP cash assistance in Sarangani
AA total of 56, 896 families out of the 59,874 target beneficiaries of the Special Amelioration Program (SAP) emergency assistance for Sarangani, receive their respective payouts as of Wednesday, April 29, according to Racquel Panal, Officer-in-charge, of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO).
— Philippine Information Agency
Gov’t, communist rebels urged to support UN body’s 90-day humanitarian pause
Bayan Muna party-list Representative Carlos Zarate on Wednesday called on the government and the communist rebels to support the plan of the United Nations (UN) Security Council to call for a 90-day humanitarian pause on worldwide conflicts amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
— GMA Network
New lawyers urged to serve the people in uncertain, daunting legal landscape
The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers on Wednesday encouraged the country’s newest lawyers to serve the people amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the breakdown of the rule of justice they said is seen in the alleged increase of human rights violations.
— GMA Network
Abu Sayyaf bandit slain in Sulu
An Abu Sayyaf bandit was killed in an encounter with government troopers in Indanan, Sulu on Monday.
— Philstar
QC suspends officials who mauled fish vendor during arrest
The Quezon City local government suspended its officials caught on video mauling and dragging fish vendor Michael Rubuia for failing to wear a face mask and not bringing a quarantine pass while outside.
— Rappler
Villanueva urges all HEIs to end semester on April 30, use pass, drop grading system
All higher education institutions (HEIs) in the country should end their semester on April 30 and make adjustments on the grading system amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation, according to Senator Joel Villanueva.
— GMA Network
Globe at Home Prepaid Wi-Fi customers get extra data until May 15
Globe will continue to give their home prepaid Wi-Fi customers extra data, the company announced Monday, April 27.
— Rappler
PSC: No coronavirus vaccine, no PH sports events
The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) announced on Wednesday, April 29, that the country will not hold sports activities until a coronavirus vaccine becomes available. ( EXPLAINER: What happens under general community quarantine? ).
— Rappler
Spokesman Roque says fate of anti-Duterte overseas worker in Taiwan up to ‘China’
Taiwan is part of China- or at least that’s what Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque publicly asserted today.
— Coconuts Philippines
Cagayan de Oro equips TB center to qualify for coronavirus testing
The city government of Cagayan de Oro purchased two Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) machines to equip a local tuberculosis testing center that is undergoing assessment for coronavirus testing.
— Rappler
[OPINION] What PH jails should do to deal with the coronavirus
The number of COVID-19 outbreaks in prisons and jails around the world are showing how vulnerable inmate populations can be.
— Rappler
2 NegOcc mayors condemn CPP-NPA atrocities, laud gov’t troops
city mayors in Negros Occidental have condemned the atrocities perpetrated by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) against government troops amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) crisis.
— Philippine News Agency
Smart launches data package for work, delivery, video conference apps
Smart has a new data package designed around apps of necessity during the lockdown.
— Rappler
Comelec suspends overseas registration until June 30
Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said overseas registration had been suspended until June 30 due to the extension of the enhanced community quarantine.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer
You can now text Maynilad, Manila Water for bills
Manila Water and Maynilad Water Services launched text service facilities for consumers to check water bills in light of the coronavirus lockdown in Metro Manila.
— Rappler
Private schools seek gov’t aid for teachers during coronavirus pandemic
Private schools have asked the government to help teachers affected by the coronavirus lockdown throughout the country.
— Rappler
Feature photo WWF Philippines
This week’s Philippines morning news feature photo focuses on World Tuna Day, May 2.
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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Governance, not government; policies not politics.
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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