Philippines morning news for May 18

8 areas back on strict quarantine as virus cases keep rising
Cebu City and Mandaue City opted to remain under restrictive lockdown even as six other areas were allowed to stay under enhanced quarantine to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer

Airlines losing P150-b revenues
Philippine airlines are expecting revenue losses of P150 billion in the second quarter of the year due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
— Manilastandard.net

PH coronavirus cases rise to 12,513, death toll at 824
The number of coronavirus cases in the Philippines went up to 12,513 on Sunday, May 17.
— Rappler

Typhoon Ambo damage to fisheries estimated at P185.53M -DA
Cyclone Ambo, which continues to accelerate north of Luzon, has so far caused an estimated P185-million damage to the fisheries sector, the government reported Sunday.
— GMA Network

Over 70,000 people evacuated due to Ambo; measures vs. COVID-19 observed –NDRRMC
More than 70,000 people evacuated from their homes due to the threat of Ambo, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said on Sunday.
— GMA Network

Coronavirus threatens Philippines’ ‘economic lifeline’ of OFW remittances
A flotilla of 17 cruise ships arriving in Manila Bay would normally gladden the hearts of Philippine officials, but not when they are filled with thousands of Filipinos who have lost their jobs abroad because of the coronavirus pandemic.
— South China Morning Post

Questions on cash aid remain as Congress expects Duterte’s 8th report on special powers
Questions from some lawmakers on cash aid for poor families are still lingering ahead of President Rodrigo Duterte’s eighth weekly report to Congress on his special powers to tackle the COVID-19 crisis.
— CNN Philippines

Philippines urges COVID-19 vigilance as shoppers ignore safety protocols
The Philippine government on Sunday (May 17) called for vigilance against COVID-19, a day after hordes of people trooped to shopping malls and ignored safety protocols, as authorities began loosening a two-month lockdown.
— CNA

Malls to be closed if physical distancing not observed
Failure of mall security managers to implement safe physical distancing will result in the closure of their establishments, Joint Task Force Covid Shield commander, Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said Sunday.
— Philippine News Agency

All cyclone warning signals lifted as ‘Ambo’ weakens into LPA
Tropical depression Ambo has weakened into a low pressure area as it continues to move away from the Philippine area of responsibility, state weather bureau PAGASA said Sunday.
— ABS-CBN News

Reckless COVID-19 patients should be denied health coverage -solon
PBA party-list Representative Jericho Nograles on Sunday urged the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to exclude COVID-19 patients who are found to have been infected with the disease due to irresponsible and reckless behavior from coverage.
— GMA Network

Prices of goods revert to SRP after end of price freeze
Prices of basic necessities reverted to their suggested retail prices (SRPs) effective Saturday after the end of the 60-day nationwide price freeze, as earlier announced by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
— Philippine News Agency

PH listed 7th best country to do biz in: CEO magazine
The Philippines was ranked as the seventh best country in the world to invest in or do business for 2020, according to CEO Magazine.
— Philippine News Agency

PHL economy may lose up to P1.2T
THE Philippines could now suffer up to $24 billion (P1.2 trillion) in economic losses if the coronavirus crisis lasts for six months, according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
— BusinessWorld

House panel to probe ABS-CBN violations
A key leader of the House of Representatives served notice to the Lopez-owned ABS-CBN that the chamber will still look into alleged violations of the TV giant’s legislative franchise even if a new franchise is already underway.
— Philippine Star

Malacañang: Lockdown eased for economy, not because we’re safe
Following reports of people flocking to malls as soon as lockdown restrictions were eased, Malacañang called on the public not to be complacent and to follow health protocols set by authorities.
— Rappler

Govt to lose P667B from CIT rate cut
THE government’s losses due to the reduction in corporate income tax (CIT) may reach at least P667 billion between 2020 and 2027, according to the Department of Finance (DOF).
— Business Mirror

Covid-19 delays PHL-China talks on oil, gas deal
ENERGY Secretary Alfonso Cusi said the Philippines and China continue to discuss joint exploration for an oil and gas deal but nothing definite has been arranged yet.
— Business Mirror

Fire hits Barangay 130 in Pasay City
Emergency responders provide first-aid to a resident who suffered second degree burns after escaping a fire that gutted their community in M. Dela Cruz, Barangay 130 in Pasay City on Sunday.
— ABS-CBN News

Local governments issue guidelines for ‘new normal’
Metro Manila might be inching its way toward life after lockdown, but a spate of new guidelines issued by different cities for businesses showed that operations would be far from normal.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer

Despite potential higher deficit, House to push for P568-B spend
The House of Representatives will “strongly push” for the proposed P568-billion Philippine Economic Stimulus Act (Pesa) for 2020, even if it will result to an additional 3-percent deficit, a leader of the House of Representatives said on Sunday.
— Business Mirror

117 Filipinos now part of WHO trial in search for drugs to fight Covid-19
A TOTAL of 117 patients are now enrolled from 15 study sites as the country participates in the World Health Organization (WHO) Solidarity Trial in support of the Covid-19 global response, an official of the Department of Health (DOH) said on Sunday.
— Business Mirror

Lacson flags overpriced medical supplies for DOH
Billions of pesos in taxpayer money may have lined the pockets of corrupt public officials behind the procurement of allegedly overpriced medical supplies for the Department of Health (DOH), Sen. Panfilo Lacson said on Sunday.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer

Las Piñas donates P11M to city grads
The Las Piñas City government has announced that it will give financial assistance to 11,000 students who had graduated from public schools in the city this year.
— Manilastandard.net

Deeper budget cuts expected
SOME departments may face deeper budget cuts, as the government looks for more funds for its efforts to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak and its economic fallout.
— BusinessWorld

Cover all COVID hospitalization expenses, PhilHealth urged
All hospitals in the country, whether public or private, should make sure that bills of all coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients are covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. and should have “zero balance billings” when discharged, according to a lawmaker.
— Philippine Star

Makati establishments need to file ‘notice’ to resume operations
All business establishments in Makati that will resume operations during the implementation of the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) are required to submit a notice of reopening starting Monday.
— Philippine News Agency

NPC issues guidelines for personal data protection
The National Privacy Commission has issued guidelines for public and private organizations to ensure personal data protection under a work from home setup as part of the new normal given the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 crisis.
— Philippine Star

Philippines eyes 94% fish sufficiency
Even with the dismal performance in the first quarter, the Department of Agriculture is still hoping to achieve a 94 percent fish sufficiency level and increase it further next year.
— Philippine Star

Filipinos abroad with coronavirus now at 2,397
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported that the total number of coronavirus cases involving Filipinos abroad is now at 2,397 as of Sunday, May 17.
— Rappler

Senators thumb down DILG s Cha-cha signature drive amid COVID-19 crisis
Senators on Sunday objected to the reported move of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to continue gathering signatures showing support for introducing amendments to the 1987 Constitution even as the country struggles with the COVID-19 crisis.
— GMA Network

Palace: Cash aid for GCQ areas possible if Congress OKs more funding
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the existing budget for the SAP will not be enough to cover all areas that are under quarantine because of the coronavirus pandemic.
— Philippine Star

Soccsksargen region border lockdown extends until July 31
The Soccsksargen region will continue its border lockdown until the end of July, a decision that was reached on Thursday, May 14, with the approval of the regional Inter-agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases, according to Davao-based Mindanews.
— Rappler

Signal No. 1 still over Batanes as “Ambo” slightly accelerates
Signal No. 1 remains hoisted over Batanes as “Ambo” slightly accelerates while maintaining its strength.
— Eagle News

Supreme Court of the Philippines rolls out Microsoft 365, unveils virtual courtrooms
The Supreme Court of the Philippines has rolled out Microsoft 365 as the communications platform of choice amid plans to run virtual courtrooms in response to Covid-19.
— Channel Asia Singapore

P16.4-B subsidies released to 2.1M small business workers
The first tranche of a two-month wage subsidy package has been credited to the accounts of more than 2.1 million qualified beneficiary-workers of the Small Business Wage Subsidy (SBWS) program, jointly implemented by the Department of Finance (DOF), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and the Social Security System (SSS).
— Philippine News Agency

Angara pushes national digital careers bill
As work from home has become the new normal for most companies that continue to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic, Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara said he expects digital-related careers in the country to increase even after the global health crisis is over.
— Manila Bulletin

DA wants budget tripled next year
The Department of Agriculture is seeking to triple its budget for 2021 to boost the farm industry and ensure enough food in the country.
— Philippine Star

Palace hands off on arrest of critics
Malacañang officials yesterday distanced themselves from a series of arrests of individuals who openly criticized President Duterte and his allies on social media.
— Philstar

Disinfectant booths at Manila malls as COVID-19 lockdown eases
Manila’s malls set air conditioners to warm and switched off free Wi-Fi to stop people lingering as many of them cautiously reopened on Saturday, after a two-month lockdown that brought the sprawling hubs of community life to a halt.
— CNA

Battling The Pandemic With Relocation Strategy
In its fight to contain the novel coronavirus pandemic, the Philippine government’s move to decongest the National Capital Region (NCR) through its Back to the Province (Balik Probinsya) Program has become a key strategy.
— The Asean Post

Contractors’ license application may be filed online amid MECQ
Amid the modified enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to contain the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) continues to process Contractors’ License (CL) applications through electronic mail.
— Philippine News Agency

Lapid bill seeks monthly social pension for PWDs
Amid reports of lapses and discrimination in the rolling out of social amelioration funds for the disability community, a lawmaker is hoping to grant persons with disabilities (PWDs) a social pension of their own.
— Philippine Star

Bishop says IATF’s limitations on religious gatherings is ‘impractical’
Manila Archdiocese Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo on Sunday said the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases restrictions on religious gatherings in terms of the number of persons allowed is “impractical.”
— GMA Network

Mall management warned: Enforce physical distancing or face closure, charges
The quarantine enforcement arm of the government’s COVID-19 task force warned the public that they would oversee the closure of malls if social distancing and quarantine rules continue to be broken amid the easing of the enhanced community quarantine.
— Philippine Star

In MECQ, Metro Manila residents can’t go to home provinces yet
Can Metro Manila residents go to their home provinces using private cars while the entire region is under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ)?
— Rappler

During MECQ, tricycles in QC to operate during selected hours
Tricycles are allowed to ply Quezon City roads during the modified enhanced community quarantine but only during selected hours.
— Eagle News

PNP: Health measures missed in evacuation centers amid typhoon
The Philippine National Police said Sunday that implementing COVID-19 health measures, including social distancing, was a challenge in some evacuation centers during the onslaught of Typhoon Ambo.
— GMA Network

Media urged to be mindful of suspects’ rights during interviews
Media should be careful that they do not inadvertently deprive suspects of their rights after prosecutors ruled that the invalid arrest of a teacher over a social media post was made valid because of an interview given to media, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said.
— Philippine Star

Lacson: Only SC can rule if families in GCQ areas still get subsidy for May
Only the Supreme Court can determine whether low-income families living in areas already under general community quarantine (GCQ) should still receive the second tranche of the emergency cash subsidy under the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act, Senator Panfilo Lacson said Sunday.
— GMA Network

Landbank releases P993 million cash aid to rice farmers
Government-owned Land Bank of the Philippines has continued its cash aid distribution to rice farmers affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
— Philippine Star

Student death highlights need for mass promotion, groups say
Groups continued to urge the Commission of Higher Education (CHED) to suspend online classes and implement mass promotion in schools on Saturday, May 16.
— Rappler

Guidelines set for resumption of real estate, construction works
The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) released five mandatory requirements set for the developers before any resumption of construction works and other real estate activities during the implementation of the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).
— Philippine News Agency

4 NPA leaders, 11 fighters killed in Northern Mindanao
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Sunday, May 17, that 4 leaders of the New People’s Army (NPA) and 11 fighters were killed in a series of “surgical operations” by troops from the Eastern Mindanao Command from May 10 to 13.
— Rappler

Use technology, education sector urged
The education sector should innovate on the conduct of teaching and learning while adhering to physical distancing protocols and other measures set by the government to curb the spread of coronavirus disease 2019, Sen. Bong Go said yesterday.
— Philippine Star

Feature photo City Government of Valenzuela
This week’s Philippines morning news feature photo focuses on feeding those impacted by COVID-19 #FeedThePeople

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 May 18 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on May 18, 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.