COVID-19

Cases

DOH: 211 new COVID-19 cases bring total to 7,192, with deaths at 477 and recoveries at 762
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the Philippines has surpassed the 7,000 mark, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on April 24, Friday. The DOH reported 211 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, raising the country’s total to 7,192.
Manila Bulletin, Rappler, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Bilibid inmate dies of coronavirus disease
A Bilibid inmate has died of COVID-19, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) announced Friday evening, April 24. The inmate died April 23 while confined at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), the BuCor added.
Rappler

Total of 22 BuCor convicts have coronavirus, isolated in Bilibid
The number of convicts in Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) facilities who tested positive for the coronavirus increased to 22 with most of them isolated at a facility inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) despite opposition from the Muntinlupa local government.
Rappler

Cebu City Jail reports 17 new coronavirus cases
The Cebu City Health Department on Friday, April 24, confirmed 17 new coronaviruses cases in the Cebu City Jail.
Rappler

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Another 63 Filipinos get coronavirus overseas; total at 1,185
Sixty-three Filipinos abroad tested positive for the coronavirus, pushing the total number of Filipinos confirmed to have the deadly virus overseas to 1,185 as of Friday, April 24.
Rappler

Department of Health

DOH to focus on improving critical care facilities
The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday said that it will not build new hospitals in the country. It will focus on improving the processes in existing medical facilities to ensure adequate health care for those afflicted by illness, including those suffering from ailments other than COVID-19.
Manila Bulletin

Metro Manila ICU capacity nears 'maximum' limit
The intensive care unit (ICU) capacity of Metro Manila hospitals is nearing its limit, said health undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Friday, April 24, in a Malacañang briefing.
Rappler

Philippine Genome Center is country’s 18th coronavirus testing hub
The Department of Health on Friday, April 24, confirmed that the Philippine Genome Center (PGC) is the country's 18th testing center for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Rappler

IATF

Confused between general and enhanced community quarantine? Here’s the difference
President Rodrigo Duterte placed the areas considered moderate and low-risk of novel coronavirus infections under “general community quarantine” (GCQ) until May 15, aside from extending the standing quarantine measure in Luzon.  
Interaksyon

NEDA chief Chua explains basis of ECQ, GCQ in several provinces
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) acting secretary Karl Chua on Friday detailed how the Inter-Agency Task Force  arrived at its recommendations to place several areas under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and general community quarantine (GCQ).
GMA News

LGUs need go signal from IATF to impose lockdowns
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año on April 24, Friday, clarified that local chief executives (LCE) are no longer allowed to impose their own lockdowns without the go signal of the national government.
Manila Bulletin, Rappler

Government assures supply of food, essential goods; urges public not to panic as quarantine is extended
The government has appealed to the public “not to panic” over supply and cost of food and other essential goods as it promised to keep these at stable levels during the extended enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila and other areas.
Manila Bulletin

Regions

Sampaloc residents to be screened for COVID-19 after ‘hard lockdown’
The Manila City government will start screening about 1,000 residents in Sampaloc, Manila to determine who among the residents were affected by COVID-19 during the 48-hour “hard lockdown” from 23 to 25 August.
Manila Bulletin

32 Davao derby-goers from Agusan Sur negative of virus in rapid test
All 32 cockfighting aficionados here who went to the six-cock derby in New Davao Matina Gallera last month tested negative of coronavirus based on the results of the rapid testing by the Provincial Health Office.
Mindanews

CDO village placed under strict quarantine
The city government has placed a village here under "strict quarantine measures," after a resident in the area died of 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
Philippine News Agency

Dagupan records add’l 4 new Covid-19 cases
The city government here confirmed on Friday an additional four new coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) patients, bringing the total cases in the city to 11.
Philippine News Agency

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Malacañang lockdown order preempts Davao plan to scale down quarantine
Mayor Sara Duterte said on Friday, April 24, she would follow the lockdown order from Malacañang, abandoning the plan she announced earlier to ease the community quarantine rules currently in place.
Rappler

Duterte extends ECQ in 3 areas of Davao Region
Three “high-risk areas” in Mindanao, all in Davao Region, will remain under enhanced community quarantine until May 15, President Duterte ordered Thursday.
Mindanews

UP Mindanao eyes opening of COVID-19 test lab by June
Mindanao will have its second COVID-19 testing laboratory by June this year, University of the Philippines Mindanao said in a press release Friday.
Mindanews

South Cotabato develops app for COVID-19 contact tracing
The provincial government of South Cotabato is developing a mobile application that will help speed up the tracing of people who might be exposed to persons infected with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Mindanews

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Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector 

INC to conduct COVID-19 rapid testing
The Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC)-run New Era General Hospital (NEGH) in Quezon City has announced that it will begin using its own rapid test kits for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) tomorrow, April 25, 2020, in a bid to help curb the spread of the pandemic in the country.
Manila Bulletin

DTI FabLabs produce PPEs for healthcare frontliners
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its Shared Service Facility (SSF) Fabrication Laboratories (FabLabs) has produced and distributed face shields and aerosol boxes in various hospitals nationwide.
Manila Bulletin

foodpanda provides free food to frontliners
To show foodpanda’s appreciation and gratitude in keeping the community safe and healthy, the food delivery services worked with local government units and restaurant partners such as Cafe Cueva in Baguio, Sisig Bar, Ron’s Tea Shop, Infuso Coffee Outlet and Little India Healthy Cuisine in Cebu, SeaCakes Sweet Treats, Gabby’s Café PotsiCat & Co., and Echostore in Cagayan de Oro to bring warm meals to hundreds of healthcare frontliners in hospitals and checkpoints across 13 cities.
Rappler

Incidents and Violations

2,446 persons apprehended in Muntinlupa for ECQ violations
A total of 2,446 persons in Muntinlupa were apprehended by the Philippine National Police (PNP) for violating rules and ordinances implemented under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from March 15 to April 24.
Manila Bulletin

7 nabbed in Pangasinan for gambling, drinking
Authorities here have arrested seven persons, three of whom are village officials, for gambling and drinking liquor amid the extremely enhanced community quarantine in the province.
Philippine News Agency

Angkas driver arrested for delivering beer in Quezon City
Police arrested a motorcycle driver working as an Angkas courier for carrying two boxes of beer believed to be for delivery, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) said on Friday, April 24.
Rappler

Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features

COVID-19 Lawsuits Against China
I have an op-ed in today’s Washington Post entitled "Suing China Over the Coronavirus Won't Help: Here's What Can Work" about the spate of class action lawsuits against China relating to the novel coronavirus and legislation proposed by Senators Tom Cotton and Josh Hawley (among others), apparently based on the 2016 Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), to strip China of its sovereign immunity.
Lawfare Blog

Extended ECQ for the safety of all — prelate
Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco believes the decision of the government to extend the enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila and other high-risk areas is for the safety of everyone.
Manila Bulletin

How much hunger is there now?
The straightforward way to answer this important question is to do a scientific survey on it. Unfortunately, such research is severely hampered by the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) lockdown.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Thousands of Filipinos in UK suffer in silence over COVID-19
Imagine living in a wealthy country like the United Kingdom but finding yourself locked in a room, watching a loved one die because you could not bring him to a hospital for fear of a hefty bill or, worse, deportation.
Rappler

[OPINION] Just a little nudge: Debunking the 'lack of discipline' narrative
Despite the lockdown, many public markets remain jampacked on any given day. Some residents – and local barangay officials – have been caught gambling. Cockfighting, even. There has even been a boxing match.
Rappler

[OPINION] A letter from Kit Belmonte to late community leader Helen Tolentino
I write this in tears. I lost a friend, and the last words I could understand her saying to me were, “Ikaw ha, bakit mo ako pinabayaan?”
Rappler

World

ICRC calls on world authorities to plan ahead for mass casualties of COVID-19
As the number of deaths caused by COVID-19 could overwhelm a nation’s capacity to properly handle bodies of the deceased, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has urged authorities all over the world to plan ahead for mass casualties.
Manila Bulletin

Boris Johnson’s spin doctors were no match for the coronavirus
I’ve known Boris Johnson for 30 years. He is the most fiercely competitive of men. He plays tennis like a gorilla. Using a warped wooden racket, he leaps in the air with a fearsome grunt and smashes the ball past you.
Rappler

Italy to ease virus lockdown over 4 weeks – report
Italy is to ease its coronavirus lockdown, the toughest and longest in Europe, over the next 4 weeks, media reported on Friday, April 24, although there was no official confirmation.
Rappler

Pompeo says China may have known of virus in November
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo charged Thursday, April 23, that China may have known of the new coronavirus as early as November, renewing accusations that Beijing has not been transparent and again drawing ire from China.
Rappler

Japan mayor under fire for 'women dawdle at shops' remark
The mayor of Japan's Osaka has come under fire for suggesting men should do grocery shopping during the coronavirus outbreak because women are indecisive and "take a long time."
Rappler

Tiptoeing back to normality, Germany gears up for 2nd virus wave
Left empty as the coronavirus pandemic forced events to be cancelled, Berlin's exhibition center Messe is getting a makeover with the help of German soldiers – to reemerge as a hospital in a few weeks' time.
Rappler

Indonesia bans air, sea travel until June over coronavirus fears
Indonesia will ban all air and sea travel until June, officials said Thursday, April 23, in an apparent effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus during the holiest period on the Islamic calendar.
Rappler

France testing whether nicotine could prevent coronavirus
Nicotine could protect people from contracting the coronavirus, according to new research in France, where further trials are planned to test whether the substance could be used to prevent or treat the deadly illness.
Rappler

Pakistan using intelligence services to track coronavirus cases
Pakistan is using a contact tracing system - developed by its intelligence services to combat terrorism - to fight the coronavirus, the country's prime minister has said, as COVID-19 cases continue to spike in the South Asian country.
Aljazeera

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Duterte extends quarantine in NCR, other places until May 15
resident Duterte has approved the recommendation of the Inter-agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to extend the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) only in high-risk administrative regions, provinces, or areas across the country until May 15.
Manila Bulletin

PRRD may seek supplemental budget to augment funds for COVID-19 response
President Duterte may ask Congress to pass a supplemental budget to augment the government’s resources in fighting the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Malacañang said Friday.
Manila Bulletin

President turns to God for inner strength in fighting the pandemic
As the coronavirus pandemic upended the way of life of many people, President Duterte admitted having difficulty in carrying the “load” of the country.
Manila Bulletin

PH running low on funds for COVID-19 response — Duterte
President Duterte said the government will continue giving assistance to poor Filipino families amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic despite the government already running low on funds to address the outbreak.
Manila Bulletin

P50-M reward offered for scientists who can develop COVID-19 vaccine
Concerned the new coronavirus may stay “until kingdom come,” President Duterte has offered a bigger reward for the highly anticipated discovery of a vaccine for the dreaded COVID-19 disease.
Manila Bulletin

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Palace not happy with leak of IATF recommendation on ECQ extension
The government is not happy with the leak of the supposed Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases recommendation to extend the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) only in high-risk administrative regions, provinces, or areas across the country until May 15.
Manila Bulletin

No more cash aid to families in areas under general quarantine
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced a shift in policy in the government's cash aid program, where it will now only prioritize poor families in areas under total lockdown.
Rappler

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Duterte endorses ‘Balik-Probinsya’ plan of Senator Go
President Duterte has endorsed the proposed “Balik-Probinsya” (back to the province) program and directed authorities to extend transportation aid to people willing to move out of Metro Manila once the quarantine measures are lifted.
Manila Bulletin

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Duterte cuts down Trillanes: You’re no better than a driver
President Duterte hit former Senator Antonio Triallnes IV for taking a swipe at him last week, saying he will order his driver to slap his staunchest critic because Trillanes was no better than a driver.
Manila Bulletin

KMP wants Duterte to answer the hard questions on gov’t response to pandemic
Militant group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) on Friday appealed to President Duterte to publicly divulge the total cash and food aid the government has provided to 57-million people in Luzon who will be under lockdown until May 15.
Manila Bulletin

Online outrage drowns out Duterte propaganda machine
Against the royal blue and rich red of the Philippine flag, President Rodrigo Duterte stood behind a podium bearing the presidential seal, eyes focused on the camera as its lens zoomed in slowly, closing in for a tighter shot.
Rappler

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

Robredo gives COVID-19 test kits to 4 hospitals
The Office of Vice President (OVP) Leni Robredo has purchased a total of P14 million worth of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) test kits, which were developed by the University of the Philippines scientists.
Manila Bulletin

ELECTION RELATED

DISASTER

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

LEGISLATIVE

Senate of the Philippines

Senate eyes teleconferencing, virtual sessions
The Senate is eyeing to conduct sessions via teleconferencing in light of the further extension of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and the continuing high rate of COVID-19 infection in Metro Manila.
Manila Bulletin

Senate open to approving a supplemental budget for COVID-19 response — Sotto
The Senate will be ready to do its part in approving a supplemental budget to augment the government’s resources for COVID-19 response, said its leader Friday.
Manila Bulletin

Fast-tracking relief aid necessary with ECQ extension, says Grace Poe
Senator Grace Poe on April 24, Friday, appealed to authorities to fast-track the delivery of relief and other forms of assistance to poor and vulnerable sectors, as the national government extended the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila and in other high risk areas for COVID-19.
Manila Bulletin

Senators in full support of further extension of ECQ
Senators have supported the extension of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila and other regions in the country that are at a high risk for COVID-19 outbreak.
Manila Bulletin

ECQ extension welcome and necessary — Angara
Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara on Friday welcomed President Duterte’s decision to extend the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to another 15 days as this could finally help put an end to the coronavirus or COVID-19 crisis in the country.
Manila Bulletin

Pimentel says lockdown extension ‘reasonable’
A political ally of President Duterte said today the 15-day extension of the lockdown is “reasonable and understandable.’’
Manila Bulletin

Senator Lacson backs two-week extension of ECQ
Senator Panfilo M. Lacson, chairman of the Senate national defense and security committee, today supported the decision of President Duterte to extend the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdown to May 15.
Manila Bulletin

Extending ECQ most cautious decision — Gatchalian
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Friday said he supports President Duterte’s decision to extend the enhanced community quarantine as lifting it prematurely can disrupt the government’s efforts at stopping the spread of the coronavirus or COVID-19.
Manila Bulletin

Villanueva urges gov’t to prioritize health care, easing of restrictions on key economic sectors
A senator believes that imposing martial law will not help the country in effectively containing the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

Pangilinan urges adoption of key measures to complement new ECQ extension
Opposition Senator Francis N. Pangilinan said today he supports the extension of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) for another 15 days as recommended by experts.
Manila Bulletin

Senator Go touts ‘Balik Probinsiya’ program at IATF meeting
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said today (April 24) that the national government should learn from the experiences encountered during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis in order to provide long-term solutions that would put a stop to the current public health emergency and avoid the further spread of such diseases in the future.
Manila Bulletin

Lacson: Urban decongestion only possible if gov’t can create livelihood opportunities in rural areas
The proposed decongestion of Metro Manila could only happen if national government creates opportunities in the rural areas.
Manila Bulletin

House of Representatives

House likely to hold virtual sessions once it reconvenes on May 4
The House of Representatives will reopen session on May 4 as scheduled, despite the extension of the lockdown in Metro Manila until May 15.
Rappler

Reserve medical corps pitch gains traction
House leaders have supported proposals to create a “reserve medical corps” as an increasing number of health care workers have fallen ill from the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

How were COVID-19 funds spent? Gabriela asks
Where did the money go? This is the multi-billion peso question, according to Gabriela Party-List, as the militant group slammed the Duterte administration for claiming once again that government coffers were running dry in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

Solon urges DA, DOLE to expedite release of cash aid to farmers, displaced OFWs
The financial aid to farmers, who are credited with ensuring the country’s food supply during the COVID-19 crisis, and displaced overseas Filipino workers should be expedited by government agencies assigned to extend the assistance, said a lawmaker.
Manila Bulletin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DILG Sec. Año: cash aid will still be handed out even after April 30
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año on Friday, April 24, guaranteed that all qualified beneficiaries will receive their cash aid even in areas where the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) will end on April 30.
Manila Bulletin

Wanted: healthier, younger barangay tanod
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya on Friday has expressed preference to hire healthy and younger “barangay tanod’’ (community security officer) for the strict enforcement of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), which was extended anew to May 15 in Metro Manila and several other areas.
Manila Bulletin

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

DOH commits 10,000 test kits for BuCor
The Department of Health (DOH) has committed 10,000 test kits to be used by the Bureau of Corrections, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Thursday, April 23.
Manila Bulletin

2 more CIW prisoners test positive for COVID-19
Two more prisoners at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) announced today.
Manila Bulletin

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Travel restrictions remain under ECQ
Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Friday that the travel restrictions set in place during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) shall remain during its extension.
Manila Bulletin

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

AFP, PNP vow to implement quarantine measures more effectively
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday vowed to effectively implement President Duterte’s order to extend the enforcement of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) measures in Metro Manila and other high-risk regions, provinces, and cities and a general community quarantine (GCQ) in low-risk areas until May 15.
Manila Bulletin

Armed Forces of the Philippines

AFP Chief calls for calm after death of ex-soldier at policeman’s hands
General Felimon Santos Jr., Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), on Friday appealed for calm after the death of a former soldier suffering from a mental illness during a confrontation with a police officer manning a quarantine checkpoint in Quezon City.
Manila Bulletin, Rappler

AFP builds emergency quarantine facilities to aid COVID-19 hospitals
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has built emergency quarantine facilities (EQFs) to support hospitals attending to patients of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), it said on Friday.
Manila Bulletin

Philippine National Police

It's just exercise, PNP-SAF says of viral video of cop shooting lockdown violator
A video of what appears to be an apprehension of a lockdown violator by an officer in fatigue uniform along a highway in Camarines Sur is only a simulation, said the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Action Force (SAF) on Friday, April 24.
Rappler

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Napolcom vows full investigation on Ragos killing
The National Police Commission (Napolcom) vowed on Friday to look at every conceivable angle as the probe on the checkpoint shooting incident in Quezon City where an ex-Army soldier was killed by a policeman has started.
Manila Bulletin

Napolcom says SOCO should have secured crime scene after ex-army soldier was shot dead at checkpoint
National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Vice-Chairman and Executive Officer Rogelio Casurao stressed on Friday that the pieces of evidence at the crime scene are “less credible’’ if gathered by the cops who are involved in the shooting and killing of an ex-military man at a checkpoint in Quezon City.
Manila Bulletin

Homicide charge filed vs cop in Ragos shooting
The police officer who fatally shot a former soldier near a quarantine checkpoint in Quezon City has been charged with homicide in relation to the incident.
Manila Bulletin

Police should be trained to understand PTSD: psychologist
Policemen should be trained on how to understand post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following the shooting incident that resulted in the death of a former military man who was suffering from it.
ABS-CBN News

Excessive force
After promising an investigation into the shooting incident last Tuesday in Barangay Pasong Putik, Quezon City, that led to the death of a former soldier, Winston Ragos, the QC Police District has filed a homicide complaint against Master Sergeant Daniel Florendo Jr. who, backed up by four police trainees, had shot and killed Ragos.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION

Belt-tightening: DBM slashes gov't expenses by 35%
The Department of Budget and Management issued orders Wednesday, April 22, calling on government agencies not part of the coronavirus response to cut down spending not related to the pandemic.
Rappler

'Brewing disagreement' between House, DBM as funding for select infra halted
Another clash is brewing between the House of Representatives and the Department of Budget and Management after the DBM moved to temporarily stop funding for some infrastructure projects due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Rappler

PPA provides 30-day reprieve for rent, concession dues
The Philippine Port Authority (PPA) announced on Friday that qualified lessees and port operators would be given a 30-day reprieve in payment of rental and concession fees because of the enhanced community quarantine.
Manila Bulletin

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS

DPWH to convert shipping containers into mobile health facilities
After converting sports arenas and conference venues into quarantine sites for possible COVID-19 cases, shipping containers are now also being converted into mobile health facilities for isolation and treatment of patients, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) bared.
Manila Bulletin

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

'Largest budget support ever': ADB lends PH $1.5 billion vs coronavirus
The Philippines and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a loan agreement that would enable the government to access $1.5 billion for the coronavirus crisis.
Rappler

AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

Locsin to US: Continue protecting our nurses and doctors
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. has asked the United States to continue protecting Filipino health care workers who are risking their lives serving as frontliners in various hospitals in the U.S. in the face of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

Pimentel praises DFA for helping OFWs affected by global lockdowns
Senator Aquilino Pimentel III on April 24, Friday, lauded the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for its successful efforts and continued assistance to Filipinos abroad amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

West Philippine Sea

Locsin joins Asean foreign ministers in expressing concern over South China Sea developments
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. has joined his fellow foreign ministers in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United States in expressing their concerns over China’s “provocative behavior” in the South China Sea amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that is currently ravaging many parts of the world, including the Philippines.
Manila Bulletin

Carpio hits China's 'pure and simple bullying' in West Philippine Sea
Retired Supreme Court associate justice Antonio Carpio denounced the targeting of a Philippine Navy vessel by a Chinese warship in the West Philippine Sea, calling it a hostile act that heightened tensions and put Filipinos’ lives at risk.
Rappler

LABOR

POLO in Kuwait, Bahrain accepting applications for DOLE’s AKAP assistance program
The Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Kuwait has resumed accepting applications for the Department of Labor and Employment’s “Abot Kamay ang Pagtulong” (AKAP) program for overseas Filipino workers.
Manila Bulletin

5,156 private workers in Region 12 get financial aid from gov’t
A total of 5,156 private workers affected by the ongoing enhanced community quarantine in Region 12 or Soccsksargen have already received emergency financial assistance as of Friday from the national government.
Mindanews

DOLE grants P120-M aid to displaced workers in Davao
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 11 (Davao region) said Thursday it has granted more than PHP120 million in cash assistance under its three programs for employees/workers, in both formal and informal sectors, who have been affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) outbreak.
Philippine News Agency

TRANSPORTATION

PH Shipping lines seek gov’t support to sustain operations
Domestic shipping lines are seeking assistance from the government in order to dodge the possible drastic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to their operations.
Manila Bulletin

PAL, CEB cancel commercial flights May 1-15
Local carriers Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific (CEB) announced Friday that all their domestic and international flights would remain canceled until May 15.
Philippine News Agency

HEALTH

2-M Filipino children might miss vaccinations this year — Unicef
The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) expressed concern that at least two million Filipino children below two years old may miss out on vaccinations for this year because of the coronavirus disease pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

EDUCATION

DepEd says August still eyed for possible school opening
Citing results of consultation with its own officials and other stakeholders as well as the existing law on school opening, Education Secretary Leonor Briones on Friday said the Department of Education (DepEd) is still eyeing the month of August as school opening schedule for School Year (SY) 2020-2021.
Manila Bulletin

Proposed September school opening subject to compliance with the law
The Inter-Agency Task Force’s (IATF) recommendation to move the opening of classes for the next school year to September is still subject to compliance with the law.
Manila Bulletin

Youth organizations slam CHED for indecision to suspend classes until the end of the year
Youth and student organizations slammed on Friday the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for its stand on the proposal to suspend classes until December due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

Private schools on the ‘verge of closing down operations’ due to COVID-19 disruptions
If school opening is further delayed this coming school year, private schools nationwide are bracing for an estimated revenue loss of Php 55.2 billion, which may shoot up to P142.1 billion if classes do not open at all due to COVID-19 situation in the country.
Manila Bulletin

ENERGY

Ayala commits to growing RE assets
THE Ayala Group, through its power arm AC Energy Philippines Inc. (ACEPH), is helping to usher in a new era of low-carbon electricity by joining other major companies that are investing in nonconventional energy sources.
The Manila Times

POVERTY

SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT

HOUSING

TOURISM

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

[OPINION] Time for PH banks to withdraw from coal, invest in permanent solutions
“We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now, and not only that...we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies,” said the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines in its Pastoral Letter on Ecology released in July last year, which called for “ecological conversion [and] hope in the face of climate emergency.”
Rappler

‘Make healthy natural environment a right’
On Thursday, April 23, in an open letter to the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, the leading global conservation partnership, BirdLife International, marked the 50th anniversary of Earth Day by calling on the UN to take a bold and unprecedented step: declare a healthy natural environment a fundamental human right.
The Manila Times

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY  

PH startup Senti AI partners with Google, DOH for 'knowledge management' tool
A new "knowledge management" tool is currently being rolled out by Philippine startup Senti AI to help the Department of Health (DOH) provide smarter automated responses across all its channels.
Rappler 

Hackers can 'leak, modify, and delete' emails through iOS Mail exploit – firm
A bug on iOS's default Mail app can be used to get into users' email and devices, US-based cybersecurity firm ZecOps revealed, Monday, April 20.
Rappler