Philippines Morning News For January 15, 2020

POEA imposes total OFW deployment ban to Iraq
The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has ordered the total deployment ban of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Iraq amid tensions between the United States (US) and Iran.
— Philippine News Agency

40,000 people bear brunt of Taal eruption
More than 40,000 people or about 9,500 families living near Taal Volcano in Batangas and the nearby province of Cavite who depend on fishing, farming, and livestock for a living are among the hardest hit by the renewed volcanic activity that began Sunday.
— Manilastandard.net

Lawmaker seeks deliberations on ABS-CBN franchise renewal
A lawmaker yesterday asked the House of Representatives to start deliberations on measures seeking renewal of the ABS-CBN franchise.
— The Philippine Star

‘Uncertainty on contracts, red tape still hounding FDI’
THE government’s failure to honor its contracts with investors, as well as bureaucratic red tape in local governments continue to prevent the Philippines from attracting more foreign investments, according to a local think tank.
— Business Mirror

South China Sea: Putin moves to support the Philippines and Vietnam against Beijing’s plan
The development will frustrate China’s attempts to secure ownership of the lucrative zone within its nine dash line, the proportion of the sea bed that Beijing has allocated for itself.
— Express.co.uk (video)

Int’l Criminal Court: Probe of drug war continues even with Sabio ‘withdrawal’
The preliminary examination into the drug war and human rights situation in the Philippines will not be affected by the withdrawal of communication by lawyer Jude Sabio, the International Criminal Court (ICC) said on Tuesday, January 14.
— Rappler

Drugs, communism slowing down PH economy: PRRD
The Philippine economy’s growth is losing steam because of the perennial problems of illegal drugs and communism in the country, President Rodrigo Duterte said on Tuesday.
— Philippine News Agency

2 PH Navy ships Mideast-bound to bring home OFWs
Two of the Philippine Navy (PN)’s most capable ships, the landing dock BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602) and the Del Pilar-class offshore patrol vessel, BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-16), on Tuesday formally started their mission to bring home overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from the tensions-hit Middle East.
— Philippine News Agency

Consumer, catch-up infra spending seen to drive growth in 2020
Analysts at First Metro Investment Corp. (FMIC) and the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) expect the Philippine economy growing by 6.2 percent to 6.6 percent this year, as consumer spending rebounds and the national government infrastructure spending accelerate.
— Philippine News Agency

Duterte wants simultaneous build of strong evacuation centers done before 2022
President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday reiterated his plan to build durable evacuation centers in areas vulnerable to natural disasters following the eruption of Taal Volcano in Batangas.
— GMA Network

“Very high concentration” of suspended particulates in Batangas due to Taal eruption; danger to health noted
The total suspended particulates (TSP) in the air in Batangas province have reached “very high concentration” and way above the standard for public health due to the Taal Volcano’s eruption as of Monday, Jan. 13, according to data released by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
— Eagle News

PH welcomes China Coast Guard officials for ‘historic’ Manila talks
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has officially welcomed China Coast Guard (CCG) officials into the country, kicking off days of “historic” talks and exercises seen to project cooperation amid murky relations of the two organizations in the West Philippine Sea.
— Rappler

PHL won’t hit growth goals till 2022, must stop fixation on ‘A’ rating
THE Duterte administration will not be able to hit the growth targets it has set until 2022, which will also prevent it from achieving an “A” credit rating status, according to a local think tank.
— Business Mirror

Duterte gives stalled China projects big new push
Keen to vindicate his Beijing-leaning foreign policy, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is fast-tracking long-delayed major China-backed projects, with potentially dire long-term consequences for the Southeast Asian country.
— Asia Times

‘Philippines one of the worst countries to live for minimum wage earners’
The Philippines is one of the worst countries to live for minimum wage earners, a new report by e-commerce firm Picodi released Tuesday found.
— The Philippine Star

Duterte to leave P1.4-T infrastructure projects to successor as ‘legacy’
THE Duterte administration will likely leave an estimated P1.4 trillion worth of infrastructure projects in the pipeline that will be up for implementation by the next administration, according to the Department of Finance (DoF).
— BusinessWorld

Enhanced intel gathering pushed to quell Sinulog threats
The presiding officer of the City Council here on Tuesday underscored the need to enhance the capability of police authorities in intelligence gathering to quell threats during the Sinulog 2020 on January 19.
— Philippine News Agency

Air quality in Metro Manila back to normal after Taal ashfall – report
The air quality in Metro Manila has gone back to normal as of 12 pm on Monday, January 13, following Taal Volcano’s phreatic or steam-driven eruption the day before, the Manila Observatory said.
— Rappler

LIST: Medicines, medical supplies under price control in areas affected by Taal eruption
The Department of Health (DOH) has ordered a price freeze on 218 essential medicines and medical supplies as affected communities in the provinces of Batangas and Cavite reel from Taal Volcano’s eruption on Sunday, January 12.
— Rappler

Lorenzana urges Duterte: Declare Taal ‘no man’s land’
With the Taal Volcano’s hazardous eruption still possible within days to hours, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana urged President Rodrigo Duterte to declare the island volcano off limits to inhabitants.
— Rappler

Ashfall destroys P578 million in coffee, other cash crops, livestock and infra
The damage from Taal Volcano’s eruption has reached P577.59 million in crops and livestock, with coffee growers hardest hit at P74 million in damages, the Department of Agriculture estimated Tuesday.
— Manilastandard.net

No more need for special session to augment fund for Mideast repatriation
PRESIDENT Duterte has dropped his call to Congress to hold a special session to grant concerned government agencies an additional budget for the repatriation and evacuation of Filipinos in the Middle East.
— Business Mirror

NGCP allots P132 billion to build new power transmission projects
Grid operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines said it is spending P132 billion to build new power transmission projects.
— Manilastandard.net

More pigs in Pangasinan with ASF culled
At least 21 pigs in Barangay Linoc in this town were culled yesterday to contain the spread of African swine fever (ASF).
— The Philippine Star

Lawyer withdraws ICC request to probe Duterte, says rap part of LP propaganda
THE communication filed by a lawyer before the International Criminal Court (ICC) seeking investigation of the alleged crime against humanity committed by President Duterte as a result of his war on drugs is set to be withdrawn.
— Business Mirror

NEDA confident on halving poverty incidence by 2022
The National Economic and Development Authority said Tuesday it expects poverty incidence to be halved by the end of the Duterte administration’s term in 2022.
— Manilastandard.net

Munti donates P3M to 3 Batangas towns
The local government of Muntinlupa is set to donate P3 million in financial assistance to Batangas towns affected by Taal Volcano’s eruption and has started packing relief goods to be distributed to evacuees.
— Manilastandard.net

NEDA: Government has good chance of cutting poverty rate to 11%
THE National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) on Monday expressed confidence that the Duterte administration will be able to halve the number of poor Filipinos by 2022, particularly if social programs are better targeted.
— Business Mirror

Think tank: Limit on rice imports more damaging to local farmers
President Duterte’s latest pronouncement to limit rice imports during harvest season is actually more disastrous to local farmers, according to a think tank.
— The Philippine Star

SC orders Shangri-la Properties to pay construction firm almost P100 million in claims
THE Supreme Court has ordered Shangri-La Properties, Inc. (Shangri-La Properties) to pay BF Corporation (BFC) almost P100 million representing the latter’s claims for the construction of EDSA Plaza Project.
— Business Mirror

DepEd: ‘Ursula’ damaged 861 classrooms in E. Visayas
A total of 861 classrooms in Eastern Visayas were damaged by Typhoon “Ursula” (“Phanfone”) which crossed the region on Christmas Eve, the Department of Education (DepEd) reported on Monday.
— Manilastandard.net

Lawmaker pushes passage of underground cable system bill
TO ensure uninterrupted supply of power and telecommunications service during disasters, a deputy majority leader has pushed for the passage of the proposed Nationwide Underground Cable System Act.
— Business Mirror

Business optimism in Philippine among top 10 globally
Business optimism in the Philippines dropped 17 percentage points in the second half of last year, but the country remains one of the 10 most optimistic worldwide, according to a report by Grant Thornton.
— The Philippine Star

Navy begins crash course on submarine operations
The Philippine Navy is beefing up its stock of knowledge and skill in submarine operations, in preparation for its planned procurement of such vessels for the first time.
— Business Mirror

More cops sent to Taal as residents try to return
MORE policemen will be deployed in Batangas province to maintain order, as some residents reportedly tried to return to their houses to save their livestock amid Taal Volcano’s continued restlessness, the country’s local government chief said on Tuesday.
— BusinessWorld

New fissures, cracks in several areas in Batangas appear as Taal volcano shows signs of imminent explosive eruption
New fissures or cracks on the land surface were observed in several towns in Batangas as Taal volcano showed more signs of a hazardous or explosive eruption in the next few hours or days.
— Eagle News

Duterte wants to speed up gov t processing of paperwork
After lamenting the “universal complaint” about the “long, winding road” before requests and other paperwork are processed by the government, President Rodrigo Duterte said he plans to cut down their processing time to two or three days.
— GMA Network

Sotto wants traders selling overpriced face masks hanged
Hang them on trees.This is what Senate President Vicente Sotto III wanted to do to profiteering individuals who sell overpriced N95 masks.
— GMA Network

DOH to release suggested retail prices of N95 masks, medicines
The Department of Health will issue suggested retail prices for N95 masks and other medical devices and medicines to prevent profiteering in areas affected by the eruption of Taal Volcano.
— GMA Network

Prov’l gov’t to launch ‘Limpyo Iloilo’ convergence clean-up
The Iloilo provincial government will launch a provincewide convergence clean-up next month that aims to harmonize and strengthen local and national clean-up initiatives and waste reduction strategies.
— Philippine Information Agency

Batangas approves lockdown of Talisay after Taal eruption
Authorities in this province approved a request for a total lockdown of Talisay town after residents have been disregarding evacuation warnings following the eruption of Taal Volcano.
— Rappler

Over 300 flight arrivals, departures since flight ops resumed at NAIA
Over 300 flights have already left and arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport since flight operations there resumed on Monday, the Manila International Airport Authority said.
— Eagle News

PH Coast Guard: Talking with Chinese the only solution
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) chief Admiral Joel Garcia defended on Tuesday, January 14, their talks with the China Coast Guard (CCG), touting diplomatic meetings with the expansionist Chinese government as the sole antidote to end years of dispute in and over the West Philippine Sea
— Rappler

PRRD ‘very happy’ with gov’t response to Taal Volcano eruption
President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said he was “very happy” with how government agencies responded to the eruption of Taal Volcano
— Philippine News Agency

Duterte channels buddy Quiboloy, tells drug menace to stop
President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday channeled his friend and evangelist Apollo Quiboloy and ordered the illegal drugs menace to “stop.”
— GMA Network

Celebrities pull resources for donations to victims of Taal Volcano eruption
Filipino celebrities pulled resources together to help the victims of the Taal Volcano eruption.
— Rappler

5 Batangas towns without electricity due to Taal eruption
Electric power supply in two towns in Batangas were completely shutdown as part of the precaution brought about by the restive Taal Volcano, said the National Electrification Administration (NEA) Tuesday afternoon.
— Rappler

Kalinga dads enjoin public cooperation towards a progressive province
Political leaders in the province urged their constituents to join them in making 2020 and the coming years fruitful through efficient public service delivery for progressive Kalinga.
— Philippine Information Agency

Batangas ex-solon Edgar Mendoza laid to rest a day before his 70th birthday
Hundreds of family and friends of former Batangas congressman Edgar Mendoza gathered Tuesday afternoon, January 14, not to celebrate his birthday, but to say their final goodbye.
— Rappler

Other allegations vs. Duterte at ICC can stand on their own merits –NUPL s Olalia
Other allegations against President Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court (ICC) can stand on their own merits, a human rights lawyer said after one of the president’s accusers moved to withdraw his case.
— GMA Network

Lacson sees no need for disaster resilience department
A permanent office based in Malacañang is enough to take on the job envisioned for the proposed Department of Disaster Resilience, Senator Panfilo Lacson has said.
— GMA Network

3 cops involved in nightclub commotion suspended
The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO 6) has suspended the three police officers who were involved in the Club 88 KTV Bar commotion on June 25 last year.
— Philippine Information Agency

Expropriation case over Iloilo power remains with local court – Supreme Court
As the legal battle for Iloilo power heats up, the Supreme Court (SC) said the case to take over the assets of Panay Electric Company (PECO) will stay with the Iloilo Regional Trial Court (RTC).
— Rappler

PNP: Duterte misunderstood, ‘overpriced’ speed guns just on ‘wish list’
The Philippine National Police said on Wednesday, January 14, that President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to remove its procurement power stemmed from a misunderstanding over an item on the PNP wish list that the Chief Executive thought had been purchased already.
— Rappler

Cavite lawmaker wants House probe into gov’t response to Taal eruption
Cavite 4th District Representative Elpidio Barzaga Jr called on the House of Representatives to investigate how the government responded to the eruption of Taal Volcano, citing an alleged “lack” of warnings issued to the public ahead of the calamity.
— Rappler

Experts say Sotto’s cloud seeding proposal vs ashfall needs further study
Senate President Vicente Sotto III has proposed cloud seeding to solve the ashfall problem in parts of Luzon due to the Taal Volcano eruption, but experts said this should be studied well amid concerns about the proposal.
— Rappler

Feature photo @allainetan_

This week’s Philippines morning news feature photo focuses on the eruption of Taal volcano, Luzon, Philippines.

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 January 15 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on January 15, 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.