COVID-19

SWS: 4 out of 5 Filipinos went out for essentials only 1 to 3 times in the past week
Majority of Filipinos appeared to be following the stay-at-home protocols as four out of five went outside their houses only once, twice, or thrice in the past seven days for essentials, the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey revealed.
Manila Bulletin

Cases

PH COVID-19 cases rise to 15,049; labs to operate 7-days per week
The Department of Health (DOH) announced that 380 more people have contracted coronavirus disease (COVID-19), raising the total number of confirmed cases to 15,049.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News, Philippine Daily Inquirer

COVID-19 cases among Filipino health workers reach 2,437; over 1k have recovered
The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday reported that 17 more healthcare workers contracted the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), raising total infections to 2,437.
GMA News, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Confirmed COVID-19 cases in Bilibid, CIW now at 194
The number of confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases among prisoners and employees under the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has now reached 194, consisting of 161 prisoners and 33 employees, including six deaths and 11 patients who have recovered.
Manila Bulletin

161 PDL with COVID-19 in BuCor prisons
A total of 161 persons deprived of liberty (PDL) in prisons under the Bureau of Correction (BuCor) have been infected with the deadly 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Department of Justice (DOJ) Undersecretary Markk Perete disclosed on Wednesday, May 27.
Manila Bulletin

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DFA reports 29 new COVID-19 cases among Filipinos abroad
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday (May 27) reported 29 new confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases among Filipinos across four major geographical regions in the world.
Manila Bulletin

PH consulate lauds Filipino frontliners’ heroism
The Philippine Consulate in Dublin has paid tribute to Filipino frontline workers in Ireland for their heroism and for making a difference amid the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic to their own safety.
Manila Bulletin

Department of Health

DOH: Sudden surge in new COVID-19 cases due to returning OFWs’ test results
The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday said the sudden increase in new COVID-19 cases is due to the inclusion of the positive test results of returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DOH: Solidarity Trial of hydroxychloroquine continues; says WHO stopped only new allocations for drug use
The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday clarified that patients who were already given the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine, in the ongoing Solidarity Trial of the World Health Organization, will still continue to undergo the said treatment scheme, a day after it announced that they will stop using the said drug.
Manila Bulletin

DOH asks LGUs for help to hire 95-K more contact tracers
The Department of Health (DOH) said it is looking for at least 95,000 more contact tracers amid the country’s fight against COVID-19.
Manila Bulletin

NCR curve appears to be flattening –UST study
A University of Santo Tomas (UST) epidemiological model for the COVID-19 pandemic in the National Capital Region (NCR) showed that the curve appears to be flattening in the region.ed.
Manila Bulletin

Premature to relax quarantine in NCR, other high-risk areas due to high virus transmission rate – UP experts
Experts from the University of the Philippines Diliman are urging the government to continue with the imposition of significant restrictions in Metro Manila and other high-risk areas for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as the rate of transmission remain “high.”
Manila Bulletin

PH marine sediments source of antibiotics — expert
The abundance of actinobacteria in the Philippines’ marine sediments is found to be a valuable resource of antibiotics that can treat secondary bacterial infections as a result of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), according to an expert from the University of San Agustin (USA) in Iloilo.
Manila Bulletin

‘Walang katumbas:’ Duque grateful for Duterte’s trust
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Wednesday expressed appreciation of President Rodrigo Duterte’s continued trust amid calls for his ouster due to his poor handling of the COVID-19 crisis.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

IATF

Regions

Davao region records 20 new COVID-19 cases; regional total now 273  
The Department of Health (DOH)-Davao Region reported 20 new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in Davao Region on Tuesday, bringing to 273 the total as of 5 p.m. on Tuesday, 249 of these in Davao City.
Mindanews

Keeping count in Quezon: 2 more recover from COVID-19
Two more patients had beaten COVID-19 In Quezon, bringing to 68 the total number of recoveries in the province.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

18-year-old patient is Zamboanga City’s 4th COVID-19 death
The city’s task force COVID-19 announced late Tuesday night the death of an 18-year-old male from barangay Baliwasan here, the fourth coronavirus disease (COVID-19) case to have died in this city.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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South Cotabato will soon start testing COVID-19 cases using GeneXpert machine
South Cotabato will soon start conducting polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases using a GeneXpert machine, Gov. Renaldo Tamayo Jr. said.
Mindanews

SOCCSKSARGEN gets rapid test kits, PPEs from national gov’t
The national government delivered some 9,000 units of rapid test kits and personal protective equipment to Region 12 or Soccsksargen to facilitate the testing for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) of returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and residents stranded in other areas.
Mindanews

76 OFWs from Davao Region return home
A total of 76 returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) originally from the Davao Region arrived at the Macabalan Port in Cagayan de Oro City on Tuesday and were immediately brought to Davao City using transportation arranged by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
Mindanews

Dagupan starts mass testing of frontliners for COVID-19
The City Health Office started a four-day risk-based testing of Dagupan’s frontliners battling the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on Wednesday, beginning with 144 medical frontliners at the Dagupan Astrodome.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Surge in COVID-19 cases in Davao City expected next week – Mayor Sara
An increase in the number of confirmed positive cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is expected to be seen in the next coming weeks, Mayor Sara Duterte said on Tuesday.
Mindanews

DOST CALABARZON produces, provides PPE to hospitals
The Department of Science and Technology in CALABARZON together with the Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU) San Pablo, through their Ideation, Design, and Development (IDD) produced a total of 1,240 personal protective equipment (PPEs) in its efforts to help fight COVID-19.
Manila Bulletin

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Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector 

Vietnam PM praises Philippines’ ‘strong measures’ vs COVID-19
Vietnam has praised the Philippines’ handling of the COVID-19 outbreak as the two countries pushed for bilateral and regional cooperation to address the global health crisis.
GMA News

Incidents and Violations

Medical waste from building lead cops to illegal COVID-19 clinic in Makati
Medical waste collected by housekeepers from a building in Makati City led police officers to an illegal clinic that allegedly treats Chinese patients who contracted the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the chief of the Makati City police said Wednesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Chinese names in list of OFWs tested for COVID-19 stump Filipinos
A group of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were repatriated amid the pandemic were baffled to find out that several Chinese names were on the list of repatriates who tested negative for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
GMA News

Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features

Is the National Capital Region ready to lift the lockdown?
The Philippines has in place one of the longest community quarantines in the world as part of local efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. 
ABS-CBN News

The multiple efficacies of coronavirus testing
It has been over two months since the fateful “lockdown,” and testing remains as contentious as ever. To make sense of the roles of — and demand for — “mass testing” in the country, we can look at its “multiple efficacies” not just in terms of its effectiveness and utility as a biomedical tool, but also with its latent, emergent, roles in the pandemic, from the personal to the political.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

World

Coronavirus spread ‘still accelerating’ in Brazil, Peru, Chile—WHO
International health authorities expressed concern Tuesday over signs the spread of the new coronavirus is still accelerating in Brazil, Peru and Chile.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Virus expands grip in many areas, as US nears 100,000 deaths
South Korea reported its highest number of new coronavirus infections in weeks on Wednesday, and India saw another record single-day jump of more than 6,000 cases, as the pandemic expanded its grip across much of the globe.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

France halts hydroxychloroquine for coronavirus treatment
The French government on Wednesday banned treatment of COVID-19 patients with hydroxychloroquine, a controversial and potentially harmful drug that US President Donald Trump has said he is taking preventively.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

With test results lost, an Afghan family fell to virus
As in many Afghan households, dinner at Dr. Yousuf Aryubi’s home meant the whole family — his mother, his siblings, their children — sitting on the floor together around a mat laid with food on the carpet.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

South Korea may reimpose social distancing rules
South Korea’s top infectious disease expert said Wednesday the country may need to reimpose social distancing restrictions it eased in April, with coronavirus transmissions creeping up in the populated Seoul metropolitan area and elsewhere in recent weeks.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

South African bans on tobacco, liquor amid virus stir debate
A soccer mom in one of Cape Town’s posh suburbs dropped off a cardboard box of blankets to a neighbor. Inside the box are several bottles of red wine.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Hong Kong relaxes more social distancing measures, as schools prep for reopening
Hong Kong will loosen more social distancing measures, with higher secondary school students resuming classes this week as the coronavirus pandemic stabilizes.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

S, Korea: New virus cases spike on steady rise in club-linked infections, another looming cluster
South Korea’s new virus cases spiked by the most in nearly two months on Wednesday as the country grapples with a steady rise in club-linked transmission and yet another cluster infection looms.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Malaysians in Singapore allowed to return to home for funerals but only for 3 hours
Malaysians in Singapore are allowed to return to Malaysia to attend the funerals of their respective immediate family members without having to undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine period as it is considered an emergency.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

With one ferry full of passengers, COVID-19 cases spike in Indonesia’s remote east
On April 7, the same day Jakarta shuttered its schools and non-essential businesses and told its residents to stay home, the ferry KM Dorolonda steamed into the port city of Baubau, in Southeast Sulawesi province in Indonesia’s far east.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Bali fights coronavirus same way it attracts tourists – with local customs
Indonesia’s most popular tourist destination, Bali, has its local customs to thank for what officials tout as success in containing the COVID-19 outbreak, as the central government mulls reopening the resort island.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

PRRD cites in-kind donations for COVID-19 response from other countries
Australia, China, Vietnam, Thailand and United Arab Emirates are among the countries that donated medical equipment and supplies to the country to battle the coronavirus pandemic in recent weeks based on President Duterte’s latest weekly report to Congress.
Manila Bulletin

Duterte calls on FDA to expedite registration of traditional meds vs COVID
President Duterte has called on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expedite the registration process for traditional medicines that can help in the efforts to fight the new coronavirus disease.
Manila Bulletin

Duterte says gov’t will raise incentives for medical, health R&D
The government is considering scaling up the incentives and subsidies for the research and development on innovative medical equipment, vaccines, and health capacity enhancement under its recovery plan.
Manila Bulletin

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Roque: Spike in new COVID-19 cases expected with gradual reopening of economy
The sudden spike in the number of new COVID-19 cases is expected with the government’s move to gradually reopen the economy, Malacañang said Wednesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

3-month extension of Bayanihan Act ‘ideal’ to sustain COVID efforts — Palace
The proposed extension of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act (Republic Act No. 11469) for another three months will be “ideal” to sustain the government’s efforts in containing the coronavirus, Malacañang said on Wednesday.
Manila Bulletin

Palace: Formal learning to resume August 24 but not face-to-face
Malacañang said formal learning of students will definitely resume on August 24 but it may not be in the form of fully residential or face-to-face classes.
Manila Bulletin

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AFP soldiers not mercenaries — Duterte
The country’s soldiers are “not mercenaries” who work for money but are loyal troops who render service out of “love for country,” President Duterte declared last Tuesday night.
Manila Bulletin

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Nation awaits next quarantine policy from Duterte
President Duterte will announce before the weekend whether or not to shift Metro Manila to general community quarantine, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Wednesday.
Manila Bulletin

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

‘Don’t be complacent’: Robredo warns public of COVID-19 danger amid GCQ
Vice President Leni Robredo reminded the public of the health and safety protocols to be followed should Metro Manila shift to a general community quarantine (GCQ) by June 1.
Manila Bulletin

VP remembers late husband on his 62nd birthday
Vice President Leni Robredo remains grateful to the people of Naga City who continue to visit the grave of her late husband and former Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo almost eight years after his death.
Manila Bulletin

OVP expands online market service to Pasig City
Vice President Leni Robredo’s office has expanded its e-market project to cover 12 areas in Pasig City amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

ELECTION RELATED

DISASTER

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

LEGISLATIVE

Senate of the Philippines

Senate will extend Bayanihan Act for COVID-19 response
The Senate will be extending the validity of the “Bayanihan to Heal as One” Act which gives President Duterte the necessary powers to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

Sotto bats for P548 B economic stimulus package
Senate President Vicente Sotto III has proposed an “economic stimulus strategy” worth at least P548 billion to help the Philippines recover from the COVID-19 pandemic’s social and economic impacts.
Manila Bulletin

Revilla: National govt should fast track resumption of public works
As the National Capital Region (NCR) prepares to transition to a general community quarantine (GCQ), the government should fast track the resumption of public works and other priority infrastructure projects that were temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 crisis.
Manila Bulletin

Recto urges gov’t to finalize policies, guidelines before making announcements
Government officials should first finalize all policies and guidelines before making any pronouncements to avoid confusing the public. Recto, in a statement, warned that any tentative rules, like traffic guidelines, could only create confusion if they are still being discussed.
Manila Bulletin

Lapid wants telcos to provide free internet for educational purposes
Senator Manuel “Lito” Lapid today sought an inquiry, in aid of legislation, to determine the feasibility of mandating telecommunications companies (telcos) to provide free internet access to online learning portals, educational websites and similar digital platforms.
Manila Bulletin

Marcos touts clear legal protection for health workers
Senator Imee R. Marcos has called for clearer legal protection for health care workers who might be falsely accused of malpractice, even as they risk their very lives to fight coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

Bato trends on Twitter because of ‘sarap ng buhay’ remark
Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa became a trending topic on Twitter on Wednesday after he made a joke during the end of a Senate regular session.
Manila Bulletin

Villar bats for passage of refiled coco levy bill
Senator Cynthia Villar on Wednesday lobbied for the approval of a refiled bill seeking to establish the coco levy trust fund, over a year after it was vetoed by President Rodrigo Duterte in the 17th Congress.
GMA News

House of Representatives

House bill outlawing COVID-related discrimination passed on 2nd reading
A bill seeking to ban discrimination on persons, including health workers and repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), who are either confirmed, suspected, or deemed probable cases of the coronavirus disease 2019, was approved on second reading by the House of Representatives on Wednesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Solon eyes additional funding for SAP 2
La Union 2nd district Rep. Sandra Eriguel said on Wednesday, May 27 that additional funding may be needed to ensure that the second tranche of Social Amelioration Program (SAP) cash subsidies will be given not only to household-beneficiaries in areas which are under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), but also those under the general community quarantine (GCQ).
Manila Bulletin

Solon bats for loans for teachers, school employees
Deputy Speaker and Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. on Wednesday urged government to launch subsidy and loan programs for teachers and other school personnel in public and private schools.
Manila Bulletin

House OKs Bangko sa Baryo Act, deployment of ‘cash agents’ to remote areas
The House Committee on Banks and Financial Intermediaries unanimously approved on Wednesday a bill allowing banks to deploy”cash agents” to cater to the banking needs of people living in remote areas.
Manila Bulletin

House set to approve legislative package to cushion COVID-19 impact
The House of Representatives has set its sights at passing before next week’s adjournment three legislative proposals that the Defeat Covid 19 Ad Hoc Committee (DCC) said would cushion the adverse economic, financial and social impacts of the Covid 19 epidemic on Filipinos.
Manila Bulletin

‘Better Normal’ bill clears subpanel, assured priority in House plenary session
The House Defeat COVID-19 Committee-New Normal Cluster passed on May 27, Wednesday, a substitute bill establishing policies, regulations, and public health safeguards for the better normal in the workplace, public space, and communities for the next three years.
Manila Bulletin

House panel okays reduced work hours
Private sector workers will be entitled to a reduced maximum 35 hours of work per week yet enjoy their usual salaries and benefits under a bill that the House Committee on Labor and Employment approved on Wednesday.
Manila Bulletin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DILG cracks down on barangay officials behind SAP anomalies
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on May 27, Wednesday, assured that it will continue to relentlessly pursue investigations to put corrupt barangay officials behind bars until not a single one of their kind are left.
Manila Bulletin

LGUs prepare for homecoming of OFWs
Some local government units would add quarantine facilities in their localities amid the return of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in their home provinces, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said Wednesday.
Manila Bulletin

Medical certificates for stranded persons should be given for free, DILG tells LGUs
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya on May 27, Wednesday, appealed to local government units to issue medical certificates for stranded individuals for free.
Manila Bulletin

DILG to LGUs: Home quarantine, not isolation for returning OFWs
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Wednesday that all local government units (LGUs) should impose home quarantine on the returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) instead of isolating them away from their homes.
Manila Bulletin

Provinces request advance notice on returning OFWs
The League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) appealed to the government on Wednesday to give local officials an advance notice on the arrival of overseas Filipino workers in the provinces.
Manila Bulletin

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Guevarra warns local officials refusing to accept returning OFWs
Local government officials will face administrative and criminal charges for if they refuse to allow to return home any of the around 24,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were earlier placed under quarantine, warned Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Wednesday, May 27.
Manila Bulletin

NBI prepares more raps vs. online personality
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has prepared more charges against online personality and businessman Francis Leo Marcos, whose real name is Norman Mangusin.
Manila Bulletin

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

2 PH Navy ships stranded in India on way home
Two Philippine Navy vessels delayed in coming home from India by different reasons have already left the port of Cochin, India on Wednesday (May 27) and are on their way to the Philippines.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Armed Forces of the Philippines

PH Army sends off 453 new lieutenants
The Philippine Army (PA) has commissioned into service 453 new second lieutenants (2LT) who are expected to boost the troops’ force in the fight against various threats on the ground, including the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the military said on Wednesday (May 27).
Manila Bulletin

Philippine National Police

PNP launches helpline for COVID-19 concerns
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has strengthened its capability to respond to quarantine-related complaints and calls for assistance after it received a donation of communication equipment.
Manila Bulletin

BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION

Dominguez offers ‘special briefing’ to Imee Marcos on her ‘valid points’
Saying Sen. Imee Marcos raised some “valid points” at last week’s Senate briefing from the Duterte administration’s economic team, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III offered to hold a special briefing just for her.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Bureau of Customs disposes 1,317 containers
Bureau of Customs- Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group (AOCG) recorded a total of 1,317 disposed containers constituting 23% of the total abandoned or overstaying containers recorded from January, 2020.
Manila Bulletin

3 deadlines for filing quarterly income tax returns – BIR
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has set three deadlines in the filing of the 2020 quarterly income tax returns by corporations, partnerships and other non-individual taxpayers.
Manila Bulletin

Fake BIR stamps found inside Pagadian warehouse
Fake Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) documentary stamps with the same serial numbers were discovered inside the recently raided warehouse in Barangay Kawit here.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

Peso retreats on weak spending data
The Philippine peso retreated against the greenback on Wednesday, following the release of weak data on local spending.
GMA News

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

West Philippine Sea

PH, Vietnam agree to peaceful settlement of territorial disputes with China
The Philippines and Vietnam have agreed to settle their respective territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea through peaceful means.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News

LABOR

Bello: No intention to inconvenience OFWs with prolonged quarantine; testing not under OWWA’s control
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the government did not intend to inconvenience thousands of returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) with their prolonged quarantine and delayed test results.
Manila Bulletin

OFWs restless at NAIA: Para kaming basurang itinapon lang
Like garbage.  This was how an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) described the treatment she and other repatriated workers got at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) as they await their flight home.
GMA News

Over 7,000 OFWs now safely back home to their provinces, says OWWA
More than 7,000 overseas Filipino workers are now back in their respective home provinces and regions.
Manila Bulletin

After 2 months, 300 seafarers in Europe finally repatriated
After over two months of waiting due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, more than 300 Filipino crew members of MV Sea Chefs and TUI Cruises were finally repatriated to the Philippines on Monday, May 25, 2020, via a chartered TUI Airlines flight from Hamburg, Germany.
Manila Bulletin

Villanueva: Inform and get consent of workers on any wage adjustment
Employers should inform and get the consent of workers before implementing any wage adjustment schemes amid the COVID-19 outbreak, Senator Joel Villanueva said on Wednesday.
Manila Bulletin

TRANSPORTATION

Commercial aircraft operations in NAIA resumes June 1
The Commercial aircraft operating in Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) will strictly implement social distancing to all passengers International and domestic airlines due to COVID-19.
Manila Bulletin

Immigration offices prepare to resume full operations under ‘new normal’
Bureau of Immigration (BI) offices nationwide are prepared to resume full operations as it issued guidelines that its personnel and stakeholders will observe under a “new normal” environment once the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) is lifted.o.
Manila Bulletin

DOTr backs passage of economic stimulus bill for recovery of transport sector
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is pushing for the immediate passage of the proposed P1.3 trillion economic stimulus package which aims to provide urgent financial assistance and help revive workers and businesses affected by the global pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

PayMaya provides cashless option for drivers and operators
While transport officials continue to push for contactless transactions on public transit as part of the “new normal,” the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) welcomed on Wednesday the move of mobile wallet app PayMaya to provide drivers and operators with more cashless payment options.
Manila Bulletin

Only 153 passengers per trip in MRT 3 under GCQ
Only 153 people per trip will be allowed to board the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT) should Metro Manila shift to general community quarantine (GCQ) next week, an official said Wednesday.
Manila Bulletin

Poe to DOTr: Allocate budget for walking, cycling infra under ‘new normal’
Senator Grace Poe on Wednesday asked the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to include in its budget some funding for walking and cycling infrastructures under the “new normal” amid the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

Rejected, resurrected
In March last year, some 50,000 motorcycle riders staged an impressive rally at the People Power Monument in Quezon City against the then recently passed Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act, otherwise known as Republic Act No. 11235 or the “Doble Plaka” law authored by Sen. Richard Gordon.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

HEALTH

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

Vietnam pledges long-term supply of rice to PH
Vietnam has pledged to provide a long-term supply of rice to the Philippines “at competitive prices” even in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News

NFA to boost rice stocks in preparation for ‘lean months’
The National Food Authority (NFA) has started to boost its rice buffer stocks across the country in preparation for the so-called lean months beginning in July and lasting until September.
Manila Bulletin

Bong Go urges govt to intensity support for agriculture sector
Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on May 27, Wednesday, renewed his call for the government, particularly the Department of Agriculture (DA), to intensify its support in providing livelihood, food security, and in boosting economic activities in the countryside.
Manila Bulletin

Guimaras mango growers partner with online sellers to deliver mangoes in Metro Manila
The mango growers in Guimaras partnered with online sellers to deliver fresh mangoes in Metro Manila amid to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

EDUCATION

DepEd asked to ‘clearly convey’ information on school opening to avoid confusion
In order to avoid further confusion among parents and learners, a congressman on May 27, Wednesday, asked the Department of Education (DepEd) to provide “clearer” information and details on the upcoming school opening.
Manila Bulletin

DepEd launches first virtual ‘graduation-in-a-box’ program
As a response to the government’s community quarantine restriction across the country and the indefinite suspension of schools across all levels, DepEd has partnered with Microsoft to enact the #Hello2020Graduates program which is a virtual “graduation-in-a-box” solution powered by Microsoft 365.
Manila Bulletin

DepEd to seek LGUs’ help in distribution of learning materials
The Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday said it would seek the help of local government units in distributing printed learning materials to students who have no access to the internet as the agency prepares for distance learning amid the coronavirus crisis.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Teachers fear new normal will deprive students of education amid lack of internet, computer access
Teachers from government-run schools fear students will be deprived of access to education under a new normal setup—a method which combines face-to-face learning and online schooling amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
GMA News

Teachers urge DepEd to explain school opening and other related concerns amid COVID-19 crisis
A teachers group on Wednesday urged the leadership of the Department of Education (DepEd) to provide an explanation on the planned school opening in August as the country grapples with COVID-19.
Manila Bulletin

Not everyone can participate in online classes, ‘there’s much to be done,’ CBCP says
Although not against the idea of online classes, the head of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education (CBCP-ECCCE) believes only a small number of students have access to such mode.
Manila Bulletin

Teachers group says govt’s ‘discord’ on school opening puts educators in a state of limbo
A federation of teachers on May 27, Wednesday, expressed concern over “unclear” guidelines with regard to the opening of the school year, which leaves teachers in limbo as they prepare to report back to work in less than a week.
Manila Bulletin

Class reopening? Flatten curve first, say House leaders
As the “no vaccine, no classes” argument gains traction, two ranking House members have underscored what they believe is a more immediate requirement to the reopening of classes in the Philippines — the flattening of the curve.
Manila Bulletin

Class opening dilemma could have been avoided if mass testing was pursued — De Lima
The Duterte government’s dilemma regarding the opening of classes and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) could have been avoided had it aggressively pursued a systematic mass testing plan for COVID-19.
Manila Bulletin

Pamantasan prexy asks gov’t: Make internet, computers free for poor students, teachers
A president of a university in Manila has asked the government to work towards making internet connectivity and computers available for free for online classes as not all students and teachers could shoulder the expenses for such gadgets.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

ENERGY

Colmenares sees ‘impasse’ over unpaid power bills, seeks one-month condonation
There could be an impasse over the potential mass non-payment of electric bills during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) period, Bayan Muna Chairman Neri Colmenares warned the House energy committee on Wednesday (May 27).
Manila Bulletin

POVERTY

SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT

Recto urges DSWD to relax conditions for release of 2nd SAP
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto on Wednesday urged the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to relax its condition for the release of the second tranche of subsidies to indigent families.
Manila Bulletin

DSWD: Families in areas placed under ECQ on May 1 will get 2nd tranche of SAP
The Department of Social Welfare and Development assured on Wednesday the family-beneficiaries in Iloilo province and other regions, provinces and cities placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) on May 1 that they will receive the second tranche of emergency subsidies under the Social Amelioration Program (SAP).
Manila Bulletin

DSWD urges LGUs to speed up SAP validation
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has sought the “full cooperation” of the local government units (LGUs) to expedite its validation of all the family-beneficiaries who received the first tranche of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) cash subsidies.
Manila Bulletin

HOUSING and SETTLEMENT

DILG offers 2 programs: travel assistance, ‘Balik Probinsya’
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Wednesday cited the difference between the government’s “Balik Probinsiya, Bagong Pag-asa” program and travel assistance for local stranded individuals.
Manila Bulletin

100 Metro Manila workers return to Leyte under Balik Probinsya program
At least 100 workers in Metro Manila opted to return to Leyte and avail themselves of the national government’s Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-Asa Program, which aims to promote robust regional and rural development.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

TOURISM

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Environmental group issues reminder on open burning prohibition after COVID-19 patient’s items set on fire
Environmental group EcoWaste Coalition on Wednesday stressed the urgency to strictly observe the national ban on open burning stipulated in two major environmental laws amid the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

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