COVID-19

Cases

PH COVID-19 cases near 19K mark, as recoveries breach 4,000
The total confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the Philippines reached 18,997 on Tuesday, as the Department of Health (DOH) reported 359 additional cases.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

12 more overseas Filipinos afflicted by COVID-19
The Department of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday confirmed five new deaths and 12 new cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infections among Filipinos in three major geographical regions worldwide.
Manila Bulletin

Department of Health

Classifying ‘fresh’ COVID-19 cases only temporary until backlog clears — DOH
Separating data on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases, and classifying them into “fresh” and “late” cases is only a temporary measure until the country’s laboratories have cleared up their data backlogs, the Department of Health said Tuesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

COVID-19 laboratories still have nearly 1,700 test backlogs
Some laboratories processing the test results for coronavirus disease (COVID-19)  still have a remaining data backlog of nearly 1,700 samples as of June 1, after failing to meet last week the Department of Health’s (DOH) target to eliminate all backlogs.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DOH cites operational kinks for testing backlogs
The Department of Health (DOH) said on Tuesday that there still more than 1,600 testing backlogs in all of its accredited testing laboratories for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) nationwide.
Manila Bulletin

IATF

Restaurant dine-in operations approved in MGCQ areas
Restaurants in areas under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) may now resume their dine-in operations in a limited capacity, Malacañang announced Tuesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Minimize bike, laptop price increase DTI asks retailers
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Tuesday asked bicycle and computer / gadget retailers and sellers to only impose “reasonable” increases in its prices.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Regions

7 members of nurse’s family in Laguna catch COVID-19
Seven members of a family in Biñan City, Laguna have tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), prompting the city government to lock down a residential compound of at least six households on Tuesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

2 returning overseas workers from Leyte have COVID-19
Two returning overseas workers from Leyte province have tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Department of Health (DOH) said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Nurse is latest COVID-19 patient in Baguio
A 38-year-old male nurse has contracted the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), raising the number of infections to three after the city transitioned to a modified general community quarantine, the City Health Services Office announced on Tuesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Apayao town on lockdown due to 1st COVID-19 patient
Conner town of Apayao province has been locked down until June 15 after it recorded its first case of the coronavirus disease.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Quezon province has 4 new COVID-19 patients
After three days of zero coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases, four new “positive” patients were reported by the Quezon public information office (QPIO) on Tuesday morning.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Davao Oriental posts 12 new Covid-19 cases
AFTER roughly two months of having no coronavirus disease (Covid-19) positive case, the Province of Davao Oriental recently recorded 12 new Covid-19 positive cases where the majority arrived from Manila.
Sunstar Davao

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

Davao City to hire more workers to beef up contact-tracing and surveillance team
The City Government of Davao plans to hire more frontline workers to beef up its contact-tracing and surveillance team as the local government anticipates a surge in the number of confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases following the extension of general community quarantine (GCQ).
Mindanews

‘Social distancing patrollers’ deployed in metro amid GCQ
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Tuesday announced the deployment of “social distancing patrollers” in establishments to make sure that minimum health requirements are followed in the wake of the transition to the less stringent general community quarantine (GCQ).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Inter-town travel now allowed in Palawan
The inter-town travel restriction in Palawan has been lifted, allowing movement throughout the mainland province for all persons.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Rizal town offers free rides for commuters amid GCQ
The local government of the municipality of Rodriguez, Rizal announced that it has set up free transportation for stranded commuters as general community quarantine (GCQ) in Metro Manila takes effect.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Testing for COVID-19 now done in Negros Occidental
Testing clinical specimens for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) can now be conducted in Negros Occidental.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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

Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector 

Incidents and Violations

Cops arrest 6 jeepney drivers in Caloocan for staging protest
Police on Tuesday (June 2) arrested six jeepney drivers in Caloocan City for allegedly gathering en masse and violating social distancing protocols after staging a protest to call for the resumption of jeepney operations in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Manila Bulletin

Cops who nabbed 2 COVID-19 suspects to undergo quarantine, rapid testing
The police officers who nabbed two suspected carriers of coronavirus disease will undergo quarantine and rapid testing for the novel coronavirus which causes the respiratory disease COVID-19, Manila Police District (MPD) said Tuesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features

Less punitive law
With Congress adjourning sine die this week, the Senate and the House of Representatives are expected to fast-track the passage of a bill seeking to give President Duterte additional special powers to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Our world after Covid
A MOST interesting development partly as a result of this pandemic is the rise of China and the decline of America in the world stage (The Manila Times or TMT, April 15, 2020). 
The Manila Times

[OPINION] Women's work and the coronavirus: Caring for care workers
COVID-19 has brought the world to a halt. Nations, businesses, and schools have closed, and billions are confined to their homes. Yet millions of care workers step out daily to keep the lights on and support those in need.
Rappler

World

Pandemic antibiotics surge will cause more deaths—WHO
Increased antibiotics use in combating the COVID-19 pandemic will strengthen bacterial resistance and ultimately lead to more deaths during the crisis and beyond, the World Health Organization said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

China delayed releasing coronavirus info, frustrating WHO
Throughout January, the World Health Organization (WHO) publicly praised China for what it called a speedy response to the new coronavirus and thanked the Chinese government for sharing the genetic map of the virus “immediately.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Spain has no daily virus deaths for 1st time in 3 months
Spain has recorded no coronavirus deaths over the past 24 hours for the first time since the beginning of March, a senior health ministry spokesman said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Bangladesh confirms 1st death of Rohingya from coronavirus
Authorities in Bangladesh have confirmed the first death of a Rohingya refugee from the coronavirus, as infections rise in sprawling camps where more than 1 million Rohingya Muslims have been living since fleeing from neighboring Myanmar.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Italy records fewest new virus cases since February
Italy posted a series of encouraging figures in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic on Monday, including the smallest daily number of new cases since February 26, the Civil Protection Agency said in a statement.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

South Korea clamps down again as virus rebounds
Areas around the South Korean capital moved to curb large gatherings Tuesday and officials urged churchgoers and some health care workers to avoid crowds as the number of people infected with the novel coronavirus once again increased.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Interstate travel in Malaysia for marriage, pre-wedding outdoor photoshoots now allowed
Interstate travel for the purpose of getting married is now allowed in Malaysia, and so are outdoor pre-wedding photo shoots, said Senior Minister (Security) Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Woman arrested for hiding health condition on flight to Beijing
A woman surnamed Li who hid her health condition from flight crew and tested positive for COVD-19 after arriving in Beijing on a flight from the US in March has been detained for allegedly hindering infectious disease prevention, the Beijing People’s Procuratorate said on Tuesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Indonesia examines plan to reopen schools in December or next year
The Indonesian government is mulling over plans to reopen school campuses by the end of the year or at the beginning of 2021, after students were required to study from home in the final few months of the school year to remains safe from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Local coronavirus outbreak in Hong Kong sparks warnings after 9 infected
A coronavirus outbreak in a Hong Kong residential estate that ended a 16-day streak of zero local infections has sparked warnings from the city’s Chief Executive, prompting the government to extend existing social distancing measures that are about to expire.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Church-tied virus cases in S. Korea on steady rise ahead of further school reopenings
South Korea’s virus fight hit another snag Tuesday as church-linked cluster infections in the Seoul metropolitan area continued to rise ahead of further school reopenings, a key feature of eased social distancing.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Still battling coronavirus, DR Congo declares fresh Ebola outbreak
Congo reported a fresh Ebola outbreak in its northwest on Monday, the latest health emergency for a country already fighting an epidemic of the deadly fever in the east as well as a surging number of coronavirus infections.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Singapore: 40,000 migrant workers from dorms cleared of Covid-19, can return to work
About 40,000 migrant workers who stayed in dormitories have been cleared of Covid-19 infection and given the go-ahead to return to work.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Train passengers in Jakarta urged to avoid conversation to curb COVID-19 spread
Indonesia’s first MRT service, MRT Jakarta, has called on its passengers to avoid having conversations while riding on its trains in a bid to break the chain of COVID-19 transmission on public transportation.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

New Zealand PM chides marchers over virus rule breach
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Tuesday criticized Black Lives Matter protesters for flouting social distancing rules when the country is on the verge of eliminating the coronavirus, with just one active case remaining.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

PH COVID-19 testing capacity up to 34,000; actual tests below maximum due to medical supply issues
The country’s daily testing capacity has increased to 34,000 following the accreditation of additional testing facilities, Malacañang announced Tuesday.
Manila Bulletin

Palace: Limits on religious mass gatherings remain
The government has decided to keep all prevailing restrictions on religious mass gatherings despite the easing of coronavirus lockdown rules, Malacañang said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Entry of foreign visitors still banned – Palace
The temporary ban on the entry of foreign visitors in the country will stay for now as the government has yet to decide if it will lift it. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque announced this, saying the government may face a bigger problem if it allows incoming foreign travelers in the country amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

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

Dutertismo: strongman, weak state
An enduring theme in President Duterte’s march to the highest office of the country was the simplistic idea that he, and he alone, could save the nation from half a century of humiliation.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

‘No student must be left behind in online learning’ — Robredo
Vice President Leni Robredo is concerned with how the Department of Education (DepEd) will implement online learning for students at home when some areas in the country lack access to technology.
Manila Bulletin

ELECTION RELATED

DISASTER

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

Bayanihan Law, COVID-19 issuances challenged in SC petition
The Supreme Court (SC) was asked on Tuesday (June 2) to declare unconstitutional the Bayanihan to Heal as One law under Republic Act No. 11469 that was enacted to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) “in so far as the imposition in the country of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) is concerned.”
Manila Bulletin

Leonen to discuss COVID-19 impact on access to justice in a webinar
Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen will share his insights on the challenges to rendering justice during and after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in a webinar on Wednesday.
Manila Bulletin

LEGISLATIVE

Senate of the Philippines

Senators angered over DOH failure to compensate health workers who died of COVID-19
No health workers have so far benefited from the compensation packages mandated by the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act — Republic Act (RA) No. 11469 — almost three months after it was enacted.
Manila Bulletin

Senate eyes swift approval of ‘Bayanihan to Recover as One’ Act
The Senate will make its best effort to finish discussing the proposed “Bayanihan to Recover as One” Act and pass it before they adjourn sessions this week, Senate President.
Manila Bulletin

Senate probe on status of PH internet connectivity amid ‘skyrocketing’ demand pushed
Senator Lito Lapid is pushing for a Senate investigation into the status of the Philippines’ internet connectivity in the wake of the country’s shift to the “new normal” triggered by the coronavirus pandemic.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Senators warn of ‘commuter crisis,’ lament chaos on first day of GCQ
A senator on Tuesday warned of a looming “commuter crisis” following the chaos and hardships endured by returning workers due to lack of transportation means as they attempted to go back to their workplaces upon Metro Manila’s transition to general community quarantine (GCQ).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Angara hits restricted GCQ movement for seniors: ‘Common sense lang kailangan’
The use of common sense is a must in dealing with senior citizens’ issues and concerns amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, said Senator  Sonny Angara  on Tuesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Senators push for collection of P50-B unpaid POGO taxes
Some senators on Tuesday expressed their belief that the P50 billion in unpaid taxes of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) should be collected and channeled to the government’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Manila Bulletin

House of Representatives

House works on final approval of P1.3-T ARISE bill for economic recovery
The House leadership vowed on Tuesday (June 2) to shepherd the final approval of the proposed P1.3 trillion Accelerated Recovery and Investments Stimulus for the Economy (ARISE) bill before Congress adjourns sessions sine die this week.
Manila Bulletin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

New PCG commandant to build capability in meeting maritime threats
Vice Admiral George Ursabia, Jr., the newly appointed Philippine Coast Guard Commandant assumed his post Monday and vowed to upgrade the organization’s capability to counter-act maritime terrorism.
Manila Bulletin

Armed Forces of the Philippines

PMA injects self with changes to deal with coronavirus
New cadets of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) will be tested for SARS Cov2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, and go on quarantine before they are allowed into the city to join the military school, according to a PMA spokesperson.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Philippine National Police

PNP Helpline 16677 received 304 complaints, inquiries since end of May — Banac
Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Helpline 16677 has so far received and responded to 304 inquiries and complaints during the implementation of the community quarantine in the country.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Cops to deploy police vehicles to assist stranded commuters
Police vehicles will be deployed to offer free rides to stranded commuters due to limited public transportation options amid the less strict coronavirus lockdown, the National Capital Region Police Office said Tuesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

Some Victoria Court branches to close due to COVID-19 impact
Hotelier and champion car racer Angelina Mead King announced Tuesday (June 2) the closing of her Victoria Court branches in the country due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the hotel industry.
Manila Bulletin

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

Philippines backtracks on termination of US military deal
The Philippine government has said it is temporarily suspending the termination of its military pact with the United States that allows joint military exercises with US forces.
Aljazeera, Philippine Star, ABS-CBN News

West Philippine Sea

LABOR

DOLE: Majority of OFWs displaced by the COVID-19 pandemic don’t want to be repatriated
More than 300,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic but majority of them don’t want to be repatriated, the Department of Labor and Employment said on June 2, Tuesday.
Manila Bulletin

Only 16k of 42k OFWs returning to PH by June – DOLE
Only 16,000 of the expected 42,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) can return to the country this June, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said Tuesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

1,119 OFWs from Soccsksargen have gone home
Some 1,119 returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from Region 12 or Soccsksargen who were stranded in Metro Manila and Cebu have already returned home as of Tuesday under the government’s Hatid Probinsya program.
Mindanews

DOLE: We have received very few complaints on health protocol compliance from companies
Only very few complaints have been received by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regarding how companies comply with health protocols.
Manila Bulletin

TRANSPORTATION

PAL, CebuPac resume limited domestic flights starting June 3
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific will resume domestic flight services starting Wednesday following the easing of coronavirus restrictions in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Airlines advise passengers to arrive 3 hours before departure
With the resumption of domestic flights this week, local air carriers advised passengers to arrive at least three hours early at the airports as long queues are expected with the implementation of strict physical distancing guidelines.
Manila Bulletin

Cebu airport readies ‘contactless’ interaction with travelers
The Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) wants a “contactless” system of interacting with passengers as it prepares to resume operations when travel restrictions are eased up.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Aviation industry off to a ‘dicey’ future — Transportation chief
The Philippines’ aviation industry will face an unpredictable and potentially dangerous future due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said Tuesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

‘Height of insensitivity’ to allow return of workers sans transportation – Pangilinan
Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has criticized the government’s “height of insensitivity” when it allowed commuters to suffer during Monday’s start of the general community quarantine  (GCQ) in the metropolis.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Tugade: Transport woes during GCQ temporary
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade on Tuesday assured the public that the transportation woes that greeted Metro Manila commuters on the first day of the less restrictive general community quarantine (GCQ) were only “temporary.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Binay dares DOTr execs to commute to work during GCQ
Senator Nancy Binay on Tuesday dared the government transport executives to commute to experience for themselves the guidelines they have enforced under the general community quarantine (GCQ) and to understand the daily struggles of the riding public.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

PISTON unveils proposed modification of seats to ensure social distancing in jeepneys
Transport group Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) unveiled its proposed modification of their jeepneys to enforce social distancing among commuters.
Manila Bulletin

HEALTH

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

1.18 million farmers have received P5,000 cash assistance, says DA 
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has completed the distribution of P5,000 cash assistance for each of the 1.18 million rice farmer-beneficiaries in the country.
Manila Bulletin

Digital operations a new normal for DA
The Department of Agriculture (DA) will digitize its operations to adapt to the new normal for agriculture brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, a move that has been long overdue but impeded by lack of manpower and funds.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Residents get palay seeds, goats as aid in Tarlac town
Farmers in Capas town started to get free palay (unhusked rice) seeds, goats, fertilizers, and cash assistance from the local government.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

High-yielding rice seeds to help farmers recover from coronavirus pandemic
More than 1 million bags of certified inbred rice seeds have been delivered to rice-producing cities and municipalities to help farmers recover from the coronavirus pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

EDUCATION

DepEd on students’ enrollment amid pandemic: Parents have final say
The Department of Education (DepEd) will respect the decision of parents who decided against enrolling their children for the upcoming school year amid the pressing threats of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COID-19) pandemic.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DepEd the unveils ‘new face’ of its back-to-school programs amid COVID-19 crisis
As the country grapples with COVID-19, the Department of Education (DepEd) officially launched the “new face” of its Brigada Eskwela (BE) and Oplan Balik Eswela (OBE) programs to fully assist the preparation of the stakeholders for the coming school year (SY) 2020-2021 scheduled to start in August.
Manila Bulletin

Tech4ED centers can help students, teachers transition to new normal, House panel told 
The Department of Information of Communications Technology (DICT) is pushing for the use of its “Tech4ED” centers as a viable access point for online-based learning as students try to cope with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

Group says problems plagued enrollment, teachers’ return to work
A federation of teachers said that problems marred the first day of work for teachers and the enrollment period for public schools, and urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to set “clearer guidelines” to avoid these concerns from recurring.
Manila Bulletin

ENERGY

POVERTY

SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT

Second tranche of SAP this week — DSWD
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is eyeing to start the distribution of the second tranche of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) cash subsidies this week.
Manila Bulletin

DSWD partners with PayMaya for cashless delivery of AICS aid
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has tapped PayMaya for the cashless distribution of financial assistance to poor and disadvantaged individuals or families who are in need of medical, educational, burial, or transportation assistance under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.
Manila Bulletin

HOUSING and SETTLEMENT

MinDA starts groundwork in BP2 villages
The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) started this week the groundwork in the three resettlement villages under the "Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa (BP2)” program in Zamboanga del Norte and Lanao del Norte with the establishment of Project Management Offices in each of the three projects, an official said Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency

TOURISM

DOT assists almost 37-K stranded foreign, local tourists amid pandemic
The Department of Tourism (DOT) has as of June 1 assisted 36,988 foreign and domestic tourists stranded in the country since the implementation of travel restrictions amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

Micro businesses in tourism should be included in COVID-19 stimulus plan, says Sen. Tolentino
Senator Francis Tolentino has sought the inclusion of micro-businesses in tourist destinations in the government’s COVID-19 stimulus plan.
Manila Bulletin

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY