COVID-19

Cases

PH records highest single-day increase in COVID-19 cases
The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday said that 539 more people have been stricken by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) – the highest number of cases reported in a single day since the dreaded illness was first detected in January.
Manila Bulletin

Health workers with COVID-19 now 2,452; recoveries up to 1,228
The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday reported that the number of healthcare workers who have contracted the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has climbed to 2,452.
GMA News

COVID-19 cases within the PNP rise to 302
The number of COVID-19 cases within the Philippine National Police (PNP) increased to 302 on Thursday with four new infections.
GMA News

--------------------------------------

No new fatality among Filipinos overseas; spike in total cases noted, mostly from Middle East
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday recorded 157 new confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases among Filipinos abroad, spiking the total number of infections among overseas Filipinos to over 2,800 mark.
Manila Bulletin

Filipino seaman sues cruise line in the US for delays in repatriation plans
Having been languishing on a cruise ship for more than two months since the outbreak of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a Filipino crewmember of MV Celebrity Millennium docked in San Diego, California filed a lawsuit last week asking a United States federal court to send them home immediately.
Manila Bulletin

Department of Health

P11.7B needed for 3 months for contact tracers, says DOH
The government would need to shell out a whopping total of P11.7 billion budget for three months for the hiring of contact tracers to achieve the ideal ratio of one contact tracer per 800 people.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

COVID-19 case-doubling time in PH slows to seven days — DOH
The doubling time of coronavirus cases, or the time it takes for newly-reported cases to increase two-fold, has slowed to seven days, according to the Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DOH targets zero-backlog in processing of COVID-19 tests
Laboratories handling coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) tests are aiming to eliminate backlogs by Thursday night.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DOH confident NCR, when it transitions to GCQ, can keep COVID-19 cases at manageable levels
The Department of Health (DOH) expressed optimism that the National Capital Region will be able to “mitigate the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19)” if ever the government puts it under a relatively relaxed general community quarantine (GCQ).
Manila Bulletin

Poor contact tracing blamed as COVID-19 cases rise
One of the brains behind the proposed P1.29-trillion Philippine Economic Stimulus Act (PESA) has assailed the Department of Health’s (DOH) spotty contact-tracing efforts in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

Over 7,000 positive COVID-19 cases not yet in DOH list – UP experts
There are still 7,119 individuals nationwide who have tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) but have not yet been logged in the official count of the Department of Health (DOH), according to University of the Philippines (UP) experts.
Manila Bulletin

More Pinoys experiencing mental health issues as a result of lockdowns, says NCMH
The National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) has observed a spike in the number of Filipinos suffering from mental health conditions since the government imposed lockdowns due to the COVID-19 outbreak
Manila Bulletin

Health facility in Alonte Sports Arena to operate in the coming days — DPWH
The 68-bed makeshift hospital inside the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna will be operational in the coming days, following its completion Wednesday, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said.
Manila Bulletin

IATF

Año: IATF recommends GCQ for Metro Manila with localized lockdowns on June 1
The government’s inter-agency task force against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has recommended the lowering of Metro Manila’s status to a less strict general community quarantine (GCQ) while other high-risk barangays (villages) for the coronavirus infection will be placed under total lockdowns starting June 1, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Travel authority not required for workers of essential establishments – DILG
Employees of essential businesses and industries are not required to get a travel authority in order to pass through quarantine control points (QCPs).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Regions

2 more COVID-19 deaths recorded in Davao City
Two more coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients here, increasing the death toll to 24, health authorities said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

‘Balik Probinsiya’ risk: 2 of 100 returning to Leyte positive for coronavirus
At least two of more than 100 persons who returned to Leyte through the program Balik Probinsiya, Bagong Pag-Asa tested positive for SARS Cov2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

--------------------------------------

Davao junks SMC’s plea to sell alcoholic drinks
The city government has declined the request of San Miguel Corporation to sell alcoholic beverages here amid the 24/7 liquor ban as one of the measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Mayor Sara Duterte said on Thursday.
Mindanews

New lab in Naga hospital becomes Bicol’s 2nd coronavirus testing center
The Bicol Medical Center (BMC) in Naga City, Camarines Sur province on Thursday (May 28) started testing for SARS Cov2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, a day after it was given a license to operate, according to the Department of Health (DOH) in Bicol.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

GenSan’s virus test lab to arrive Friday
The city government was moving a step closer towards the operationalization of its proposed testing center for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), with the delivery on Friday of its containerized biosafety level 2 laboratory.
Mindanews

At rites mayor calls ‘masked wedding,’ 5 Kidapawan couples tie knot
Five couples got married in simple civil rights on Wednesday here in ceremonies described by the mayor as a “mask wedding,” a play on mass wedding.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Bicol to transition to MCQ on June 1-15; Albay to remain under GCQ
Bicol provinces, except Albay, has been reclassified on Thursday to transition to modified general community quarantine (MCQ) from general community quarantine (GCQ) status by the National Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (NIATF).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DavOr to open borders from June 1
Davao Oriental will allow the entry of all public and private vehicles as well as individuals from other areas starting June 1.
Mindanews

--------------------------------------

Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector 

Nonprofit org to launch site to help OFWs amid COVID-19 threat
A nonprofit organization is set to launch a website that gives information and assistance to migrant Filipino workers who have been either repatriated or stuck abroad amid the coronavirus pandemic.
GMA News

Incidents and Violations

Deport, blacklist Chinese nationals behind illegal clinics, lawmaker demands
Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday called for the immediate deportation and blacklisting of Chinese nationals involved in unauthorized operation of medical facilities and clinics allegedly catering to Chinese patients suspected to have contracted the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Cop faces raps for harassing village exec
A police officer in Maguindanao is facing charges for harassing a barangay official who was manning a quarantine checkpoint in Barangay Bago Gallera. Talomo Police Station commander Lt. Col. Ronal Lao identified the police officer as Jefil Millan Ates, 47, assigned to Maguindanao Police Provincial Office.
Tempo

Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features

How do people really feel about the transition to GCQ?
The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has formally recommended to President Duterte to place Metro Manila under the general community quarantine (GCQ) on June 1.
Manila Bulletin

World

Over 200 coronavirus-linked attacks on health workers—Red Cross
The Red Cross said Wednesday that more than 200 violent attacks on health workers connected with the COVID-19 crisis had been reported across more than a dozen countries since the pandemic began.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

UN: Virus could push 14 million into hunger in Latin America
The United Nations World Food Program is warning that upward of at least 14 million people could go hungry in Latin America as the coronavirus pandemic rages on, shuttering people in their homes, drying up work and crippling the economy.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Do not cut health spending during downturn, WHO warns
European governments should not cut healthcare spending during the current economic crisis sparked by the coronavirus pandemic and associated lockdowns, the World Health Organization warned on Thursday, May 28.
Rappler

Indonesia says only regions with zero, declining cases can brace for ‘new normal’
As Indonesia braces to gradually reopen the economy, the government has announced that the country’s regions should meet two main conditions to be able to ease COVID-19 mobility restrictions and start welcoming the so-called “new normal”.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

‘Corona is like your wife’: Indonesian minister slammed for ‘sexist’ comment
Coordinating Legal, Political and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD has caught flak for his recent statement that likens the country’s efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 to a husband’s control over his wife.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Greater Jakarta in dark about ‘new normal’ commute
Congested roads and jam-packed train cars during rush hour are considered ordinary in Jakarta, a daily destination for several million workers commuting from its satellite cities.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

South Korea virus cases make biggest jump in 50 days
South Korea on Thursday reported its biggest jump in coronavirus cases in more than 50 days, a setback that could erase some of its hard-won gains. Health officials warned that the resurgence is getting harder to track and social distancing and other steps need to be taken.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Okinawa sees no foreign visitors for 1st time since 1972
The number of foreign tourists to visit Okinawa in April dropped to zero for the first time since the prefecture returned to Japan in May of 1972, the prefectural government announced Tuesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Malaysian employers given 3 months to provide proper housing for foreign workers
Malaysian employers have three months to make arrangements and provide proper accommodation according to guidelines for foreign workers in all sectors, says the Human Resources Ministry.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Thai province gets ready for thousands of returning migrant workers
Samut Sakhon province is bracing for the 5,400 migrant workers set to return from Myanmar next month by demanding that employers arrange facilities for their 14-day quarantine.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Most Australian News Corp small papers to go digital-only
Australia’s largest newspaper publisher, News Corp., announced on Thursday that most of its suburban and regional mastheads across the country will become digital-only next month due to the pandemic and digital platforms sharing their content.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Duterte orders LGUs to ‘expedite’ hospitalization of COVID-19 patients, vows to shoulder the bill
President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday gave firm marching orders to local executives to attend to the hospitalization of Filipinos who would be found positive for COVID-19, promising to shoulder the cost.
GMA News

Duterte: Coronavirus situation in PH ‘not too bad’
As he allowed the further easing of lockdown measures in the country, President Duterte said Thursday (May 28) the coronavirus situation in the country is not too bad.
Manila Bulletin

Philippines 'progressing at very fast rate' vs. COVID-19, says Duterte
The Philippines is “progressing at a very fast rate” in its fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) thanks to uniformed personnel who enforce the law, President Rodrigo Duterte claimed on Thursday.
GMA News

Duterte defends Duque anew, tells senators to wait for official report amid overpricing claims
Defending Health Secretary Francis Duque once more, President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday told senators to wait for the official report on the bidding for the medical equipment used by the government against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
GMA News

Duterte vows to scrape bottom of barrel for DepEd's alternative systems amid COVID-19 crisis
President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday vowed support and funds for the Department of Education (DepEd) as it pursues alternatibe learning methods to reach learners amid the coronavirus pandemic.
GMA News

Duterte approves GCQ for Metro Manila starting June 1
President Rodrigo Duterte approved the downgrading of Metro Manila to general community quarantine (GCQ) starting June 1.
Rappler

Duterte: China may be one of the first to come up with COVID-19 vaccine
President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday expressed confidence that China will be one of the first countries that will discover a vaccine for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
GMA News

--------------------------------------

Palace to DOH: increase actual daily COVID-19 tests
Malacañang has called on the Department of Health (DOH) to increase the actual daily coronavirus tests in the country after the number fell short of the country’s estimated testing capacity.
Manila Bulletin

Palace confident in public’s compliance on quarantine measures
Malacañang on Thursday expressed confidence that Filipinos in Metro Manila will comply with quarantine measures should it be relaxed after May 31.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

NCR is ready for GCQ — Palace
Metro Manila, which accounts for majority of the country’s total coronavirus infection, is now ready for a more relaxed community quarantine, Malacañang said Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

Roque: No govt decision yet on holding of religious gatherings
The government’s policy-making task force in dealing with the COVID-19 crisis has yet to decide whether or not to allow religious gatherings in light of the lingering threat of the novel coronavirus, Malacañang said Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

Palace urges LGUs to ramp up COVID-19 testing as OFWs, ‘Balik-Probinsya’ return to hometowns
Local government units are encouraged to step up their testing and quarantine measures with the influx of returning residents to contain any spread of the coronavirus disease, Malacañang said Thursday.
Manila Bulletin

Follow only IATF guidelines on public transport — Palace
Malacañang said that local government units (LGUs) and law enforcers should follow the guidelines set by the government’s pandemic task force on transportation and not implement their own.
Manila Bulletin

Palace: Gov’t may tap private media companies to air educational content
Private media companies, including ABS-CBN, may be tapped to broadcast educational content by the Department of Education (DepEd), Malacañang said Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Duterte gov’t not neglecting youth: Palace
The administration of President Rodrigo Duterte is not neglecting the children who have lost their parents or guardians in the government’s crackdown against illegal drugs, Malacañang said on Thursday.
Philippine News Agency

--------------------------------------

Palace urges ‘sex for pass’ victims to surface and file complaints
Malacañang is calling on the victims of the alleged “sex for pass” scheme at quarantine control points to step forward and file charges against policemen who abuse sex workers.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

--------------------------------------

Roque to Revillame: Donate testing kits, set up quarantine centers
Malacañang asked TV host Willie Revillame to turn his substantial donation to testing kits or to the setting up of a “We Heal As One” center to help the government more in its COVID-19 response.
Manila Bulletin

Teacher to be arraigned for threats vs. Duterte
Twenty-five-year-old teacher Ronnel Mas is set to be arraigned before the Olongapo City regional trial court (RTC) this June for having offered a P50 million reward in social media “for anyone who would kill President Duterte.”
Manila Bulletin

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

Robredo: Allow private sector to accredit COVID labs to increase testing capacity
Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo has called for faster accreditation of laboratories for coronavirus testing to further expand the country’s testing capacity.
Manila Bulletin

OVP’s e-market helps small-scale vendors, tricycle drivers in Pasig
Vice President Leni Robredo on Thursday visited the Pasig Mega Market to check the implementation of the e-market project initiated by her office and the Pasig City local government.
Manila Bulletin

ELECTION RELATED

DISASTER

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

‘Now is not the right time’: VP opposes online signature campaign for Cha-cha
Now is not the right time for government agencies tasked in pushing for federalism to continue the signature campaign because of the coronavirus pandemic, Vice President Leni Robredo said.
Manila Bulletin

JUDICIARY

LEGISLATIVE

Senate of the Philippines

Recto bill: Grant Duterte P600-B standby spending authority, extend Bayanihan law
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto has filed a bill that would not only extend the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act for another three months but would also grant President Rodrigo Duterte a P600-billion standby spending authority.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

Go endorses passage of local hospital bills
Before the Senate and the House of Representatives adjourn sine die on June 5, Senator Christopher Go, chairman of the Senate health and demography committee, sought the passage of several local hospital bills to further improve the delivery of medical and healthcare services to the public.
Manila Bulletin

Senate takes up revised coco levy bill
The Senate has started plenary discussions on the refiled bill seeking to create the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund.
Manila Bulletin

House of Representatives

‘Free Mass Testing Act’ pushed in the House of Representatives
Several lawmakers have filed a bill mandating free mass testing for persons considered “suspects” for COVID-19 infection, as well as close contacts of probable and confirmed cases, high-risk communities, health workers, and other vulnerable sectors.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

House panel passes ‘Better Normal Bill’ to institute protocols amid COVID-19
A proposed measure that aims to “lay the groundwork that will expedite [the] people’s adaptation to the demands of the new normal” amid the COVID-19 pandemic was passed Thursday by a special panel of the House of Representatives.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

House proposes Nat’l Health Security Council to replace IATF, ensure containment of pandemic
The House Committee on Health created on Thursday, May 28 a technical working group (TWG) that would consolidate measures seeking the creation of a permanent National Health Security Council tasked to formulate emergency plan for the prevention, detection, management, and containment of public health emergencies.
Manila Bulletin

House addresses critical shortage: aims for 1 doctor for every 1,000 Filipinos
The House of Representatives is putting in place preparations that will make the country ready in case another pandemic occurs in the future.
Manila Bulletin

House panel OKs bill for P1.5T economic stimulus fund to curb joblessness
A House special committee has passed a measure that seeks the allocation of P1.5 trillion to fund infrastructure projects in various priority sectors in a bid to stimulate the economy amid widespread unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

House to adopt Senate bill on flexibility academic calendar
The House of Representatives may just follow the Senate’s lead as far as the measure batting for a more flexible academic calendar amid the COVID-19 pandemic is concerned.
Manila Bulletin

March 21 as National COVID-19 Health Frontliners’ Day pushed
In a move “to recognize the heroism of our frontline medical workers”, a lawmaker is urging Congress to declare March 21 of every year as National COVID-19 Health Frontliners’ Day.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Recovery for education sector touted by 6 solons
The six-man Makabayan bloc has filed a resolution calling for ending the current academic term and for a universal pass policy due to COVID-19 pandemic crisis.
Manila Bulletin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

LGUs have until May 28 to submit liquidation for SAP second tranche — DILG
Local government units (LGUs) must submit their liquidation reports and encoded list of beneficiaries for the second tranche of the social amelioration program (SAP) until May 28, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Vico Sotto doesn't want relatives to replace him as Pasig mayor
Vico Sotto would discourage his relatives from running in the next Pasig election to give way to other leaders, the Pasig mayor said in an outtake video from the inaugural episode of "Quaratined with Howie Severino."
GMA News

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

[ANALYSIS] Philippine defense spending 2019: What’s in the data?
Defense experts have long recognized the need for the Philippines to modernize its military capability. While the Department of National Defense (DND) budget has seen consistent growth since 2010, the defense and security sector within the Philippines remains one of the least resourced in Southeast Asia due to decades of neglect and endemic corruption.
Rappler

Armed Forces of the Philippines

Philippine National Police

Eleazar: Get used to checkpoints, curfew
The Joint Task Force COVID Shield urged the public to get accustomed to checkpoints and curfew, saying it will be part of the new normal under the government’s plan to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Manila Bulletin

Año: COVID-19 crisis 'positive' for peace and order
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año described as "positive" the effect of the COVID-19 crisis on peace and order in the Philippines. Crime incidents across the country went down by 60 percent since the community quarantine to contain the spread of the virus was implemented, he said.
GMA News

Focus crimes decrease during quarantine period —PNP data
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said it has recorded a 59% decrease in focus crimes during the quarantine period, or 4,479 crimes which are  lower compared to the 11,004 pre-lockdown.
GMA News

BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION

P358 B released for COVID-19 response programs; no new revenues, excess collection for ‘supplemental budget’
The government has so far released P353.8 billion for various coronavirus response programs but will not seek a supplemental budget from Congress for now, Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado said Thursday.
Manila Bulletin

Over 7 billion liters of petroleum products dosed with official PH marker — BOC
Marked petroleum products under the government’s anti-oil smuggling program reached more than 7.7 billion liters since September 2019 when the fuel marking program started to be implemented.
Manila Bulletin

Tax breaks mulled for industries related to fighting coronavirus
The government is exploring the possibility of granting “tax breaks” for activities critical to the coronavirus response, such as manufacturing of essential goods and construction of health facilities, under its recovery plan.
Manila Bulletin

BIR: National athletes, coaches given 20-percent discount on purchases
National athletes and coaches can now enjoy 20 percent discounts in the purchase of goods and services similar to incentives granted to senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWD).
Manila Bulletin

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

Foreign chambers release recommendations for facilitating business operations under ‘new normal’
The Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines (JFC) has released a set of recommendations that aims to promote smooth facilitation of business operations of healthcare facilities under the “new normal.”
Manila Bulletin

EU urges PH to open economy further
The 27-member states of the European Union (EU) has urged the Duterte administration to open up the economy further, even suggesting to be bolder by amending the Constitution, to take advantage of the current situation where more companies are relocating from China to southeast Asia.
Manila Bulletin

Kuwait Airways to lay off 1,500 foreign employees
State-owned Kuwait Airways said on Thursday, May 28, it will lay off 1,500 expatriate employees due to "significant difficulties" caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Rappler

American Airlines to cut 30% of management staff
American Airlines will cut 30% of its management and support staff in its latest belt-tightening move during the prolonged COVID-19 downturn, the company disclosed on Thursday, May 28.
Rappler

Nissan reports heavy losses, to shut Barcelona plant
Crisis-hit Japanese automaker Nissan on Thursday, May 28, reported a huge $6.2-billion annual net loss, announcing it would shut its Barcelona plant and slash production, as it reels from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Rappler

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

US Embassy cancels visa interviews until June 11
The United States Embassy in the Philippines on Thursday announced the cancellation of all visa interviews for immigrant and nonimmigrant visas until June 11 due to the community quarantine measures imposed to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
GMA News

Sen. Go lauds PRRD on boosting ties with Vietnam
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go today lauded President Rodrigo Duterte’s independent foreign policy and for reaffirming stronger regional cooperation with Vietnam especially on the common fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and in ensuring stable long-term rice supply for the Philippines.
Manila Bulletin

West Philippine Sea

LABOR

Over 16K OFWs sent home from quarantine sites — Palace
Over 16,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) stranded in different quarantine facilities have so far been released, Malacañang reported Thursday three days since President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the immediate release of some 24,000 COVID-19-cleared OFWs.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

7,500 OFWs moved to various provinces –OWWA
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has confirmed that 7,500 OFWs were finally sent home from Metro Manila to their provinces via sea, air, and land transportation, as ordered by President Duterte.
Manila Bulletin

OFWs can still avail of AKAP
Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the COVID-19 pandemic may still avail of the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Abot Kaya and Pagtulong (AKAP) program.
Manila Bulletin

CBCP migrants ministry eyeing to give cash aid to displaced OFWs
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People (CBCP-ECMI) is eyeing to provide financial assistance to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

Undocumented Filipino migrants among the hardest hit amid pandemic
Filipino migrant leaders in the United Kingdom, Canada, and US revealed that undocumented workers in those countries are the hardest hit with the lack of social protection amid the dreaded pandemic.
Business World Online

TRANSPORTATION

‘New normal’ ushers in Grab’s ‘no-touch policy’ in car services
Call it a chivalrous move, or maybe Grab drivers are just practicing self-care for the so-called “new normal”.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Jeepneys banned, buses allowed to operate at 50% capacity in GCQ areas — IATF
Traditional jeepneys are not allowed to operate while buses should operate under 50 percent capacity in general community quarantine (GCQ) areas, as per the recommendation of the government’s task force, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Buses to use left lanes of Edsa once operations resume — MMDA
Buses will be assigned to use the two left-most lanes of Edsa once they are allowed to operate after the lifting of strict quarantine measures, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said on Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

SquidPay provides cashless payment option for PUVs
Another cashless payment provider has stepped up to help the transportation sector in implementing cashless transactions during the national health emergency, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said.
Manila Bulletin

NAIA flight operations suspended due to lightning alert
Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) announced on Thursday suspension of flight and ground operations at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) after the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issued a lightning red alert.
Manila Bulletin

DOTr wants more int'l flights landing in regional airports starting June 1
With the easing of quarantine measures, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) sees more international flights landing in and departing from international airports outside Metro Manila.
Rappler

Buses to make up for reduced train capacity in Metro Manila – Tugade
Buses in dedicated lanes will be used to make up for the reduced capacity of trains in Metro Manila once the megacity goes into general community quarantine (GCQ) on June 1, said Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade.
Rappler

HEALTH

Over 300 hospitals on verge of closure
 More than 300 small private hospitals are in danger of closing down due to the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 pandemic and the failure of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to release insurance claims, the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. (PHAPi) revealed.
Philippine Star

Solons espouse stronger nat’l immunization program
Ranking congressmen on Thursday underscored the importance of having a strong National Immunization Program (NIP) as a way to avoid the scourge of other illnesses similar to COVID-19.
Manila Bulletin

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

12 million households participate in govt’s urban agriculture program
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has so far distributed ₱400 million worth of seeds and seedlings to around 12 million households all over the country under the government’s urban agriculture program.
Manila Bulletin

ADING to ensure graft-free implementation of agri-fishery policies and programs –DA
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has introduced a “systematic” and “institutional” way of monitoring and ensuring graft-free implementation of agri-fishery policies and programs.
Manila Bulletin

EDUCATION

‘Education must continue’ — DepEd Sec. Briones
As it continues to receive mixed reactions on the start of a new school year in August, the Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday maintained that the school opening needs to push through to ensure that the education of Filipino learners will not be further disrupted.
Manila Bulletin

DepEd: No face-to-face until safe
To allay the fears of parents and learners on school opening, the Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday, May 28, clarified that there will be no face-to-face classes when schools reopen this August.
Manila Bulletin

DepEd to conduct ‘remote’ enrollment; parents to select preferred learning modality
Enrollment for the school year 2020 to 2021 in public schools will be done remotely from June 1 to June 30, the Department of Education (DepEd) said Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DepEd: No need to buy gadgets for alternative learning
The Department of Education (DepEd) said Thursday that parents need not buy their children gadgets to participate in alternative learning when classes open on August 24 amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Local execs appeal for DepEd to delay school opening
Local officials have appealed to the government to consider deferring further the opening of the classes amid the persisting threats of COVID-19.
Manila Bulletin

COVID-19 crisis should not to steal the future of our students, nation – PBED
Believing that the education of the youth should not be subjected to prolonged disruption despite this global pandemic, the planned school opening of the government in August, as announced by the Department of Education (DepEd), received support from the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd).
Manila Bulletin

Amid COVID-19 crisis, DepEd leaves the decision to parents to enroll their children or not this coming SY
The Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday said that the decision to send children to school or not this coming school year would ultimately depend on the parents.
Manila Bulletin

Children have right to education even amid pandemic, says welfare group
Children have the right to education even amid the coronavirus pandemic, a group promoting children’s rights and welfare said Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

PSC, DepED agree: P.E. stays
THE Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) secured an assurance from the Department of Education (DepEd) that Physical Education (PE) would remain in the school curriculum.
Business Mirror

ENERGY

Solon inquires into NGCP’s telecoms links in aftermath of PLDT Twitter account ‘hacking’
The reported hacking of the official Twitter account of PLDT’s customer service has prompted a call for congressional inquiry on the telecommunications links of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, a private corporation tasked to operate and maintain the state-owned power grid.
Manila Bulletin

POVERTY

SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT

DSWD girds for SAP 2; coordinates with COA, DILG, AFP, PNP
Seeking to immediately jumpstart the second phase implementation of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is coordinating with the Commission on Audit (COA) to reduce the financial documents being required from the agency and the local government units (LGUs) for the liquidation of fund releases for the first tranche of emergency subsidies.
Manila Bulletin

HOUSING and SETTLEMENT

TOURISM

Sec. Berna Romulo-Puyat keen on keeping strict rules as tourism reopens
Tourists who like taking “groufie” (or a group selfie) shots at local travel destinations in the country won’t be able to do so under the new normal scenario, as the Department of Tourism (DOT) is set to impose stricter physical distancing guidelines on tours.
Manila Bulletin

Now open: Hotels allowed to operate at 50 percent capacity under modified quarantine
Hotels, including facilities for staycations, may now again operate, but only at 50 percent operational capacity in areas, which will be placed under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), according to the Department of Tourism.
Manila Bulletin

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Over 1,272 green turtle and hawksbill turtle species identified from photos shared in public across PH
At least 1,272 species of green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) across the Philippines have been identified by experts by simply studying photographs shared by the public dubbed as “citizen scientists.”
Manila Bulletin

Environmentalists urge PH, Canada: Stop hazardous waste exports
Civil society groups on Thursday said they will mark the first anniversary on May 31 of the repatriation of 69 container vans of rotting Canadian garbage to their source with an urgent appeal for decisive policy actions to prevent its recurrence and to defend environmental justice and the rule of law.
Manila Bulletin

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY  

PLDT’s customer service Twitter account hacked
The Twitter account of PLDT’s customer service was hacked – its handle altered from “PLDT_Cares” to “PLDT Doesn’t Care” on Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin 

Computer sales brisk but internet speed remains slow amid need to work, study from home
Computer sales have spiked, but internet speed remains slow amid the need to work and study from home due to quarantine.
GMA News