Philippines morning news for June 11, 2020

Gordon appeals for blood donation as supply in danger of running out
More blood donors in the Philippines are needed to ensure that blood banks would not run out of supply in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Philippine Red Cross chairperson and Senator Richard Gordon on Wednesday.
— GMA Network

Korean Air cancels Incheon-Manila flights June 11 to July 31
Korean Air (KE), South Korea’s flag carrier, on Wednesday announced the cancellation of its Incheon to Manila flights from June 11 to July 31, except on June 21.
— Philippine News Agency

Difficult for Philippines to achieve New Zealand’s zero COVID-19 feat -Palace
It will be difficult for the Philippines to achieve New Zealand’s feat of having zero COVID-19 cases, Malacañang said on Wednesday.
— GMA Network

COVID-19 spending reckoned at P355 billion
GOVERNMENT spending on its coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) containment effort totaled P355.084 billion as of Tuesday, June 9, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
— BusinessWorld Online

46 more health workers in PH contract COVID-19; total cases rise to 2,787
The number of health workers in the Philippines infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, went up by 46 to 2,787, the country’s health department said Wednesday.
— ABS-CBN News

India to supply PHL with hydroxychloroquine – Palace
India has assured the Philippines of continued supply of medicines, including hydroxychloroquine, which is being tested as a potential treatment for COVID-19, Malacañang said Wednesday.
— GMA Network

PSG remains on ‘high-alert’ over PRRD’s health, safety
The Presidential Security Group (PSG) will stay on “high-alert” status over the health and safety of President Rodrigo R. Duterte despite the easing of quarantine restrictions in Metro Manila.
— Philippine News Agency

Coronavirus cases in the Philippines top 23,000, deaths at 1,027
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has already sickened over 23,000 people in the Philippines more than four months after the Department of Health first detected an infection in the country.
— Philippine Star

DOH still does not recommend spraying, misting disinfectants vs. COVID-19 –Vergeire
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Wednesday said the Department of Health (DOH) and even the World Health Organization (WHO) do not recommend spraying and misting disinfectant as an effective measure against the spread of COVID-19.
— GMA Network

Poor Filipino children are planning to drop out of school because of ‘blended’ learning
Schools in the Philippines typically re-open in June, but this year is different.
— Coconuts Philippines

Philippine journalist Ressa scared but strong ahead of verdict
High-profile Philippine journalist Maria Ressa says the libel charge that could see her jailed next week is a government ploy to intimidate all critical voices, but she refuses to be silenced and still holds out hope of winning.
— CNA

Trade deficit shrinks to 5-year low as exports, imports plummet the most on record
A record pullback in both imports and exports dramatically shrank the Philippines’ trade gap to the lowest in more than five years in April as a shutdown of economies to stem the spread of coronavirus infections inadvertently strangled the flow of goods.
— Philippine Star

PAL releases planned international, domestic flights in June 2020
Philippine Airlines on Wednesday, June 10, released its list of operational flights for the month.
— Eagle News

Actual number of jobless Filipinos only 69K: DOLE
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Wednesday clarified that the actual number of unemployed Filipinos is only a little over 69,000 from companies that have closed due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
— Philippine News Agency

DENR eyes mining, river dredging to spur economic recovery amid COVID-19
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is planning to launch mining and river dredging as part of the Philippines’ economic recovery response amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to its officials on Wednesday.
— GMA Network

Financial system may face $505M in credit losses
THE Philippine financial system may face as much as $505.3 million (P25.2 billion) in incremental credit losses and “collateral damage” caused by distressed banks, as credit and contagion risks rise amid the pandemic, the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) said on Tuesday.
— BusinessWorld Online

P6-billion business eyed in new ecozones
PRESIDENT Duterte’s approval of 12 new economic zones in the first half of the year is seen to have secured for the economy more than P6 billion worth of investments at a time the government is struggling to attract capital to the Philippines.
— Business Mirror

Undervalued rice imports cost government P890 million–farm group
THE Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) on Wednesday claimed that undervaluation of rice imports continues with at least P890 million in lost tariff revenues from over 766,000 metric tons of staple imported from January to April.
— Business Mirror

Philippine-Japan trade fell by more than half in April amid pandemic
Trade between the Philippines and Japan has been walloped by the coronavirus pandemic, with both exports and imports falling by more than half in April compared with the previous year, government figures showed Wednesday.
— ABS-CBN News

DICT rules allow telcos to build common towers
THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) finally released on Monday evening the long-awaited rules governing the shared use of telecommunications towers.
— BusinessWorld Online

70,000 workers permanently lose jobs in five months–DOLE data
NEARLY 70,000 workers were permanently displaced in the first five months of the year amid the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) crisis, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said on Wednesday.
— Business Mirror

PH maintains strong fundamentals despite virus shock: World Bank economist
The Philippines has maintained its strong economic fundamentals despite the “shock” caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, a senior economist with the World Bank said on Wednesday.
— ABS-CBN News

ADB approves $500 million loan to support 4Ps
The Asian Development Bank said Wednesday it approved a $500 million (P24.9 billion) loan to support the Philippines’ conditional cash transfer program and to keep children healthy and in school.
— ABS-CBN News

DFA repatriates 329 Filipino seafarers from US
Over 300 Filipinos from a cruise ship off the United States were repatriated recently by the government.
— Eagle News

5,430 Filipinos abroad positive for coronavirus; deaths at 382
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported that 29 more Filipinos abroad were infected with the coronavirus , bringing to 5,430 the total number of confirmed cases among overseas Filipinos as of Wednesday, June 10.
— Rappler

ADB 2020 lending to PHL at record $2.6B
THE Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) lending to the Philippines has hit a record $2.6 billion so far this year, exceeding the 2019 level of $2.5 billion.
— BusinessWorld Online

BOI approves tax perks to help tourism enterprises in upgrade
THE Board of Investments (BOI) has approved fiscal incentives for tourism enterprises which are looking to upgrade their facilities to conform with health and safety standards amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
— Business Mirror

DOST program to help returning OFWs in starting businesses
Thousands of Filipino migrant workers have returned to the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
— ABS-CBN News

Tax incentives for tourism firms approved: DOT
The Board of Investments (BOI) has recently approved tax incentives for tourism enterprises that shall modernize and upgrade their facilities for safety and health purposes, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said on Wednesday.
— Philippine News Agency

USAID, DOH hold orientation on Revised National TB Program Manual
About 73 provincial health officers, hospital chiefs and advocacy partners in Central Luzon attended the Training of Trainers on the Revised National Tuberculosis Program’s Manual of Procedures (NTP MOP).
— Philippine Information Agency

Palace checking number of health workers with severe COVID-19 cases
Malacañang said Wednesday it would verify the number of health workers with severe cases of COVID-19 as these individuals are qualified to receive compensation from the government.
— GMA Network

Lawyers of ‘Cebu 8’ to sue cops who arrested protesters
The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers Cebu said it will countersue police involved in arresting the eight people during an anti-terrorism bill rally last week.
— Philstar

Dumaguete expands contact tracing to determine Covid-19 source
A joint expanded contact tracing is now underway to determine the source of transmission of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), which has afflicted a 39-year-old woman from Barangay Bagacay here.
— Philippine News Agency

CHR urges PNP to enforce social media regulations amid ‘baseless accusations’ against activists
The Commission on Human Rights urged the Philippine National Police to enforce its own social media regulations Monday.
— Philippine Star

Customs generates P18.69M from auction of overstaying containers
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Wednesday said it has generated P18.693 million from the auction of 19 overstaying containers in the Ports of Manila and Davao.
— GMA Network

Canada bares P44.5-M pandemic assistance to PH
The Canadian Government on Wednesday announced CAD$ 1.1 million (approx. PhP44.5 million) in additional COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) assistance to the Philippines.
— Manila Bulletin

DOH’s Vergeire warns against substandard face masks sold online
Department of Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Wednesday warned the public against substandard face masks available online.
— GMA Network

Complaint filed vs employer of OFW in Saudi Arabia who may have died of COVID-19
The Philippine government has filed a complaint against the employer of Overseas Filipino Worker Marcelo Tanyag III who is suspected to have died of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia last week.
— Philippine Star

DICT urges lawyers, IBP staff to use digital signatures
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has urged lawyers and key staff of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) to use digital signatures as they practice law online.
— GMA Network

Court clears activists in quarantine case, use of ‘broad’ law improper
A Bulacan court has cleared activists, including former Anakpawis representative Ariel Casilao, of charges relating to violation of lockdown rules, and for the first time this quarantine, offered an interpretation of the broad public health law – Republic Act 11332.
— Rappler

Testing capacity for COVID-19 still ‘not enough’ — Palace
After 85 days of strict quarantine rules due to the novel coronavirus, the Philippines’ capacity to test for the new pathogen is still unequal to the task of detecting enough COVID-19 cases, the Palace said.
— Philippine Star

Recto urges gov’t to rush creation of ‘Google-like’ database for arrest warrants
A lawmaker called on government agencies to fasttrack the creation of a “Google search-like” justice system database for fast verification of arrest warrants.
— Philippine Star

Pagcor: Gambling to help economic future of PH post-coronavirus
Casinos and gaming stations will help the Philippine economy recover from the coronavirus pandemic , said Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) chairperson and chief executive officer Andrea Domingo.
— Rappler

Anita Linda, once the oldest living Filipino actress, dies at 95
Acclaimed veteran thespian Anita Linda, the oldest known living actress in Philippine cinema, died today for unknown reasons.
— Coconuts Philippines

DOJ employees with COVID jump to 59
Sixteen more employees of the Department of Justice tested positive yesterday for the coronavirus disease 2019, bringing to 59 the number of DOJ personnel infected with COVID-19.
— Philstar

More firms shut down over COVID impact
Reeling from the impact caused by the coronavirus disease 2019, more companies nationwide are opting to shut down or retrench workers.
— Philippine Star

Manila to hire 2,000 drivers for food delivery
The Manila city government yesterday entered into an agreement with Grab Philippines to provide jobs to tricycle and motorcycle drivers displaced by the coronavirus pandemic.
— Philstar

56 labs now licensed for COVID-19 testing –DOH
The latest institutions to be certified were the Bataan General Hospital and the Oriental Mindoro Provincial Hospital.
— GMA Network

Labor dep’t to give subsidy to employers who won’t fire workers during pandemic
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is prepared to give 25 percent to 50 percent subsidy to employers who will retain their present employees, or even hire more people, amid the COVID-19 crisis.
— Eagle News

Gov’t fast-tracks approval of crematoriums amid health crisis
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said Wednesday it is fast-tracking the documentation, permits, and approval of crematoriums in the country.
— Philippine News Agency

Contract killers tagged in Manila slays
The killings in Manila days after the National Capital Region shifted to the more lenient general community quarantine were believed to be the handiwork of contract killers who halted their activities during the enhanced community quarantine, police said yesterday.
— Philstar

Hundreds of wild animals being sold on Facebook recovered in Bacolod
Hundreds of wild animals were recovered in an operation to entrap poachers at Barangay Alijis in this city on Friday, …
— Rappler

Duterte’s meeting with IATF moved to June 15
President Rodrigo Duterte has postponed his scheduled meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) in Davao City on Thursday, Malacañang announced on Wednesday.
— Philippine News Agency

3 more city bus routes up by June 10: DOTr
Three more city bus routes are set to be launched on Thursday (June 11) as part of the government’s planned gradual resumption of public transportation in Metro Manila.
— Philippine News Agency

Pay rules for June 12, Independence Day
The Department of Labor and Employment on Wednesday released an advisory on the payment of wages for Independence Day on Friday, once again allowing employers to indefinitely defer payment of holiday pay due to the local coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis.
— Philippine Star

DOH to help LGUs expedite COVID-19 lab accreditation process
With various local government units (LGUs) pushing for the establishment of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing laboratories in their respective areas, the Department of Health (DOH) has been providing the necessary assistance to speed up the accreditation process of the said laboratories.
— Philippine Information Agency

League of mayors, bus firm offer free transport for locally stranded individuals
The League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) and Partas Transportation Co. has launched a free transportation program for locally stranded individuals amid the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
— GMA Network

Anti-terror bill critics not ‘disinformed,’ they ‘woke up’–De Lima
Senator Leila De Lima on Wednesday dismissed claims that critics of the anti-terror bill were being disinformed as she pointed out that they simply chose not to turn a blind eye on the issue.
— GMA Network

Tuition fee hike in private schools should be justified – DepEd
Education Secretary Leonor Briones on Wednesday, June 10, said tuition fee increases in private schools should be approved by the Department of Education’s (DepEd) regional directors, and should be justified.
— Rappler

Baguio couple who claimed 7-year-old nephew died by suicide face murder charges
The Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) is set to file murder complaints against the guardians of a 7-year-old boy who they had claimed died by suicide last May 30.
— Rappler

Año: No issue on governance, abuse of authority on Zamora convoy s alleged disregard of protocols in Baguio
There is no need so far unless the current investigation on the PNP escorts would implicate Mayor Zamora that he intentionally ordered not to stop at the checkpoint, Año said in a message sent to reporters.
— GMA Network

Finally! Elderly jeepney driver Elmer Cordero freed from Caloocan City jail
After days of intense media scrutiny, 72-year-old driver Elmer Cordero was freed last night from his jail cell in Caloocan City, a week after he was arrested for protesting against the government’s decision to ban jeepneys in Metro Manila while it is under partial lockdown.
— Coconuts Philippines

DENR fast-tracks processing of permits for crematoriums amid deaths due to COVID-19
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources on Wednesday said its Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) is streamlining the process to expedite the opening of more crematoriums in the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
— GMA Network

Duterte, Modi vow cooperation to fight Covid-19
President Rodrigo Duterte and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have sought strengthened bilateral cooperation to address the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic that continues to grapple both the Philippines and India.
— Philippine News Agency

DENR reminds households anew to segregate ‘suspected hazardous wastes’
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Wednesday appealed to the public to practice responsible waste disposal, especially of items which may be hazardous to the health of garbage collectors.
— GMA Network

Duterte approves bill creating National Academy of Sports
President Rodrigo Duterte has signed the National Academy of Sports Act, which would establish an educational facility designed for student-athletes, Malacañang said Wednesday.
— ABS-CBN News

Recto balks at chicken importation amid sufficient supply
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto on Wednesday questioned the government’s importation of chicken as he stressed that local chicken growers must be prioritized amid the pandemic.
— GMA Network

Philippine officials visit disputed South China Sea island
The Philippines’ defence minister and military officials have made a trip to a disputed South China Sea island just a few miles from a base built by China, a visit that could draw criticism from Beijing.
— CNA

De Lima says she’s now allowed to receive limited visitors in Camp Crame
Senator Leila De Lima on Wednesday said the strict visitation policies in Camp Crame for COVID-19 prevention have already been relaxed, more than a month after she was barred from receiving any guests.
— GMA Network

Duterte urged to call for special session for passage of P1.3-T economic stimulus package
Cagayan De Oro City Representative Rufus Rodriguez on Wednesday urged President Rodrigo Duterte to call for a special session of Congress for the approval of the P1.3-trillion stimulus package to help address the economic impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis in the country.
— GMA Network

Meralco to start charging P47 again for online payments
After committing to waive the P47 convenience fee for payments made online during the coronavirus lockdown, the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) said it will …
— Rappler

PSC execs hail enactment of PH sports academy law
The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) expressed elation after President Rodrigo Duterte finally signed a law establishing the long-awaited National Academy of Sports (NAS) of the country.
— Philippine News Agency

Feature photo Philippine Information Agency
This week’s Philippines morning news feature photo focuses on Philippines Independence Day, June 12.

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 June 11 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on June 11, 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.