Philippines Morning News For January 6, 2020

DOH tightens screening amid ‘mysterious’ virus outbreak in China
Travelers will face tighter screening following reports that Chinese authorities are investigating a “mysterious illness” amid concerns that the flu-like virus is linked to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), the Department of Health (DOH) said on Sunday.
— Philippine News Agency

Prepare air, naval assets for MidEast evacuations, AFP ordered
In the wake of rising tension between the United States and Iran, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has been ordered by President Rodrigo R. Duterte to prepare it’s air and naval assets which could be used in the evacuation of overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East should hostilities erupt in the region.
— Philippine News Agency

ADB projects approved in Duterte time nearly doubled
PROJECTS approved by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in the first three years of the Duterte administration nearly doubled compared to those approved in the previous administration.
— Business Mirror

Mangudadatu warns QC court vs. Ampatuan transfer request, raises suspicion over possible escape
Maguindanao Representative Esmael Toto Mangudadatu has cautioned the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (QCRTC) against the request of former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao governor Zaldy Ampatuan to be transferred to the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) infirmary due to health reasons.
— GMA Network

Bato to push for Senate hearings on revival of death penalty
Senator Ronald Bato dela Rosa on Saturday revealed that 2019 went by without the Senate conducting a single hearing on proposed measures to revive the death penalty.
— GMA Network

Fire in Cebu City barangay burns down 40 houses
A fire broke out in Cebu City on Saturday night, January 4, destroying 40 houses in Sitio Bucog, Barangay T. Padilla and damaging some P500,00 worth of properties.
— Rappler

Palau bans ‘reef-toxic’ sunscreen as environment gets a hand around Asean (video)
Palau is setting the environmental protection bar high for other countries as it kicks off the new year, implementing a ban on “reef-toxic” sunscreens.
— AEC News Today (video)

De Lima submitting list of ‘persecutors’ to U.S. State Department
Opposition Senator Leila De Lima will submit to the US State Department a full list of her so-called persecutors “complete with a summary and citation of references justifying their inclusion.”
— Rappler

Forex reserves rise to record $87 billion in 2019
The Philippines beefed up its dollar buffer, with gross international reserves hitting a record high last year, more than enough to meet the country’s foreign exchange demand.
— The Philippine Star

ADB to aid internet infrastructure in PH, Asia-Pacific
The Asian Development Bank has signed a $50 million loan agreement to spur internet use in the Asia-Pacific region, with half the financing coming from a fund supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
— ABS-CBN News

Inflation target at risk if oil reaches $90 a barrel — Diokno
BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas estimates oil prices will have to surge and persist at $90 a barrel for it to impact the central bank’s inflation forecast, Governor Benjamin E. Diokno said.
— BusinessWorld

No mention of West Philippine Sea in new military chief’s speech
The new military chief, Lieutenant General Felimon Santos Jr , vowed to defend the government against communist rebels, in his assumption speech that covered the range of the Philippines’ security concerns except China’s incursions in the West Philippine Sea.
— Rappler

De Lima wants Senate probe into China-funded surveillance project
Detained opposition Senator Leila de Lima wants the Senate to investigate the China-backed Safe Philippines project , which will install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in select cities in Metro Manila and Davao City.
— Rappler

New AFP chief Santos assumes post, vows pro-action vs. local terrorists, drug problem
New Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Lt. Gen. Felimon Santos on Saturday vowed to be pro-active against local terrorist groups and promised to support the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.
— GMA Network

Boracay Island still recovering from Typhoon Ursula
Over a week after Typhoon Ursula (Phanfone) swept through Central and Eastern Visayas on Christmas Day, Boracay Island is still beset by 3 major problems – power outages, uncollected garbage and limited fuel supply.
— Rappler

More security, safety measures for Traslacion
There will be more security and safety measures for this year’s Traslacion of the image of the Black Nazarene in Manila on January 9, as the procession will be going through a different route, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said on Saturday, January 4.
— Rappler

SC junks Antonio Sanchez’s petition vs Guevarra over new GCTA rules
The Supreme Court has junked the petition of heinous crime convict Antonio Sanchez and other inmates against Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra over the revised implementing rules on the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) law.
— Rappler

Win urges regulators to prod telcos to comply with portability law soon
REFLECTING the growing impatience of mobile company customers, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian prodded telecommunication service providers to fast-track mobile number portability services now mandated by law, stressing they should not be made to wait for two more years.
— Business Mirror

EO 70 to end insurgency’s ‘treacherous life cycle’: new AFP Chief
Lauding the significant gains of the National Task Force to End Local Communist (lNTF ELCAC), the newly-installed Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is confident that the multi-pronged approach of Executive Order 70 will put an end to the treacherous life cycle of the more than five decades of insurgency.
— Philippine News Agency

Businesses prepare to deal with worker shortage
BUSINESS GROUPS are preparing to deal with the looming shortage of construction workers, as the government continues to implement several big-ticket infrastructure projects this year.
— BusinessWorld

Stronger programs to counter HIV cases’ spike pitched by Win
AMID the spike in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases nationwide, Sen. Win Gatchalian is urging the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Education (DepEd), and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to strengthen interventions protecting the youth from sexually-transmitted diseases, as part of the full implementation of the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act of 2018 (Republic Act 11166).
— Business Mirror

DPWH says EDSA traffic congestion to ease 30% this year
The Department of Public Works and Highways expects the traffic situation in EDSA to improve by at least 30 percent this year with the completion of more expressway projects in Metro Manila.
— Manilastandard.net

IC to cap minimum capital requirement for insurance firms at P900 million
The Insurance Commission (IC) plans to cap at P900 million the minimum capital requirement for local insurance companies.
— The Philippine Star

PHL eyes demographic dividend with slowing population growth
VICKY MARIANO, 46, stretches her P12,000 monthly income from cleaning, washing clothes and cooking for another household as she tries to raise six children, all below 15 years old. She is always on the lookout for other income sources such as selling snacks.
— BusinessWorld Online

Pay taxes early, Navotas mayor asks residents
Mayor Toby Tiangco has urged business establishments in Navotas to settle their tax obligations early.
— Manilastandard.net

SEC to go after foundations, non-profit organizations
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued strict guidelines to ensure that foundations and non-profit organizations are not used by terrorists and other illegal organizations to launder money.
— The Philippine Star

Maynilad improves non-revenue water recovery
West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. has recovered some 979 million liters per day (MLD) of water under its non-revenue water management program.
— The Philippine Star

PHL shoots for rice output of 19.6 MMT
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is targeting to expand the country’s paddy rice output this year by at least 6.5 percent to a record-high of nearly 20 million metric tons (MMT).
— Business Mirror

Backlash feared over govt decision to import 35,000 tons of red onions
The government’s move to import 35,000 metric tons of red onions is seen to trigger a major backlash on local farmers expecting to sell their harvests in two months.
— Business Mirror

QC approves tax credits
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has given tax credits to private lot owners for helping the city’s socialized housing programs.
— Manilastandard.net

PCSO to introduce new games to raise funds
The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) is looking to introduce new games this year to raise more revenue for its charity projects and fund the Duterte administration’s universal health care (UHC) program.
— The Philippine Star

DOJ confident good conduct law IRR can hurdle future legal test
Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Sunday expressed optimism that the new Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 10592 on expanding Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) will hurdle future legal challenge.
— Philippine News Agency

DFA reiterates its appeal for Filipinos to leave conflict-ridden areas in Libya
The Department of Foreign Affairs has reiterated its appeal for Filipinos in Libya to leave areas where clashes between eastern Libya and the UN-recognized Government of National Accord are taking place.
— Eagle News

Creation of 50 judges-at-large posts hailed as ‘significant’ step
Senator Sonny Angara on Sunday welcomed the announcement of the Supreme Court (SC) on the creation of 50 judges-at-large posts as a significant step towards providing swift justice in the country.
— Philippine News Agency

Ursula wrath: P1.158 billion damage, 8 dead in Aklan
Typhoon Ursula (Phamfone) destroyed P1.158 billion worth of agriculture and infrastructure after displacing thousands of residents and destroying houses in the province of Aklan, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said.
— Rappler

10 mayors face charges for failing to comply with road clearing directive
Ten mayors are now facing administrative cases for failing to follow President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to clear main thoroughfares in their areas within 60 days.
— Rappler

12 Communist Terrorists yielded while on ceasefire
Localized Peace Initiatives in eastern Mindanao continuously take their gains after 12 members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) and six Miltiang Bayan in Eastern Mindanao surrendered in different instances while ceasefire is in effect.
— Philippine Information Agency

CTTMO implements pay parking scheme
The City Government of Davao through the City Transportation and Traffic Office (CTTMO) started on Jan. 2 the imposition of parking fees on seven major streets of the city.
— Philippine Information Agency

DOTr-TWG accuses Angkas of using commuter group in smear attempt
The Department of Transportation’s Inter-Agency Motorcycle Taxi Technical Working Group (TWG) on Saturday suggested that commuter advocacy organization Lawyers for Commuter Safety and Protection (LCSP) was not interested in commuters’ welfare, but was rather championing the interests of motorcycle taxi service Angkas.
— GMA Network

TUCP pushes for ‘early escape plan’ for 1.2M OFWs in Middle East
Amid rising tension in the Middle East, labor group Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) urged President Rodrigo Duterte to devise a government evacuation plan for the estimated 1.2 million overseas Filipino workers who might be affected by conflicts that may arise in the region.
— Rappler

P3-M agri, tourism landmark in MisOr to begin construction in Q1
More than PHP3 million from the proceeds of a power generator, which was shared to the Misamis Oriental provincial government, will be spent to build a tourism destination site in Claveria town.
— Philippine News Agency

DFA: Government ready to evacuate Filipinos in Middle East
IF THE US-Iran conflict escalates, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Sunday, January 5, assured that the Philippines is ready to evacuate Filipinos and President Rodrigo Duterte is capable of handling such crisis.
— Sun Star

No Christmas bonus yet for Filipino SEAG athletes without medals
Filipino athletes who didn’t win a medal in the Southeast Asian Games last month will have to wait a little longer before they could receive the P25,000 Christmas bonus the Philippine Sports Commission had initially been planning to give them.
— The Philippine Star

Visa requirement for Americans seen harming PH tourism, trade
Requiring Americans to get a visa to visit the Philippines might hold back an entire tourist market and discourage potential investors from entering the country, a potentially high price to pay over an issue that only affects a few but powerful politicians in the Duterte administration.
— Inquirer.net

Solon disagrees with SC dismissal of EDSA provincial bus ban petitions
Ako Bicol party-list Representative Alfredo Garbin Jr. on Sunday expressed his disappointment over the Supreme Court’s dismissal of three petitions challenging the ban on provincial buses and terminals along EDSA.
— GMA Network

Judges-at-large will speed up resolution of cases –Angara
The creation of judges-at-large posts will help speed up the resolution of cases in the country, Senator Sonny Angara said.
— GMA Network

Chinese kidnap victim rescued in Batangas
A CHINESE kidnap victim was rescued after his captors left him in Lobo, Batangas on Saturday, police said.
— BusinessWorld

Tail-end of cold front affects parts of Luzon, Visayas
The tail-end of a cold front (TECF) will be affecting southern Luzon and eastern Visayas while northeast monsoon will be affecting the rest of Luzon, the weather bureau said on Sunday.
— Philippine News Agency

Fire victims in Pasay, Tondo, Pandacan receive gov’t assistance
Hundreds of fire victms in Pasay, Tondo and Pandacan receive various assistance from the government as Senator Christopher “Bong” Go along with various government agencies visited them in their temporary shelters.
— Philippine Information Agency

Help efforts for typhoon-affected families continue
Relief assistance in various forms from rice to shelter kits have been provided by concerned member-agencies of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) in response to the needs of families and communities affected by typhoon “Ursula” which hit the northern portions of Panay Island at the height of the Christmas celebration.
— Philippine Information Agency

Duterte expresses confidence, support for new AFP chief
In his first public appearance in 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte said on Saturday that he had complete confidence and fully supported new Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Lieutenant General Felimon Santos.
— GMA Network

NAIA ready for influx of passengers returning to Manila after holidays
The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said Saturday it is prepared for the expected influx of passengers traveling back to Metro Manila at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) as the holiday season closes.
— GMA Network

Leila de Lima, the missed tipping point
Given our thing about signs, occasions, and fortuity, it should be convenient in the New Year, at least for the partisans of Senator Leila de Lima, to view the American ban on Philippine officials involved in her persecution as the preordained beginning of her rescue.
— Rappler

Gov’t help sought to find IP villager seized by NPA in Surigao
The Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) of the municipality of San Miguel in the province of Surigao del Sur appealed for help from the government to locate a Manobo tribe member abducted by the New People’s Army (NPA) in the area.
— Philippine News Agency

Andanar lauds China’s innovations in media sector
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar has hailed China’s initiatives to introduce reforms in its media and communications industry.
— Philippine News Agency

Stray bullet hurts 1, firecrackers injure 17 in NoCot
The Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) in North Cotabato on Saturday reported one stray bullet and 17 cases of firecracker-related injuries during the Christmas and New Year’s revelries.
— Philippine News Agency

JoyRide registers almost 3,000 bikers during pro-government rally
Motorcycle ride-hailing firm JoyRide joined a pro-government rally on Sunday, January 5, using the event to register almost 3,000 bikers in its goal to fill the 10,000-cap for Metro Manila imposed on motorcycle taxi providers.
— Rappler

Catriona Gray, Rachelle Ann Go, Jo Koy are getting stars at the Eastwood City Walk of Fame
A new set of celebrities will have their own star at the Eastwood Walk of Fame in Libis, Quezon City on January 12.
— Rappler

Blast of chilly amihan greets third wave of Yuletide tourists in Baguio
No one expected this third wave of Yuletide tourists in Baguio.
— Rappler

Feature photo Migrationology

This week’s Philippines morning news feature photo focuses on street food throughout 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).

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Philippines morning news for January 6 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on January 6, 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.