COVID-19

Covid-19 total cases now at 202, mortalities at 17
THE Department of Health (DOH) said Covid-19 cases in the country have surpassed 200 while mortalities increased to 17 Wednesday. In its 4 p.m. March 18, 2020 bulletin, the DOH said it recorded 15 new cases that brought the total to 202.
Sunstar Manila, CNN Philippines, GMA News, Manila Bulletin

Balikbayan from UK is Bulacan’s first COVID-19 fatality
An elderly Filipino from United Kingdom who returned home to Bulacan has died, making him the province’s first COVID-19 fatality, according to local health officials on Wednesday (March 18).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DFA confirms Filipino in Greece positive for COVID-19
A Filipino national in Athens, Greece tested positive for COVID-19, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed on Wednesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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PH in race to trace Filipinos at Malaysian gathering linked to coronavirus
Philippine authorities are racing to trace attendees of a big religious gathering in Malaysia that was linked to clusters of coronavirus infection in several countries in Southeast Asia.
Rappler, Manila Bulletin

Areas outside Luzon shut down its borders as number of COVID-19 cases rise
Several areas in the Visayas and Mindanao have shut down their borders, following the enhanced community quarantine imposed on Luzon by President Rodrigo Duterte early this week.
CNN Philippines

LIST: Persons authorized to go out during Luzon-wide lockdown
President Rodrigo Duterte has placed the entire island of Luzon under “enhanced community quarantine” until April 13 in a bid to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that has so far infected over 200 people in the country, 17 of whom have died.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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DOH clarifies COVID-19 not airborne
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is not airborne and can only be transmitted through droplets and close contact, a Department of Health (DOH) official clarified Wednesday.
Manila Bulletin

DOH: Bananas can’t protect against coronavirus
The Department of Health (DOH) said there is no scientific evidence to prove that the consumption of bananas can prevent someone from being infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

WHO: Avoid taking ibuprofen for COVID-19 symptoms
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended on Tuesday that people suffering from the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) symptoms avoid taking ibuprofen, after French officials warned that anti-inflammatory drugs could worsen effects of the virus.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Protocols on COVID-19 testing may change once more kits arrive
Protocols to decide who can be tested for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) might change as soon as more testing kits become available in the country.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Lung Center ‘in dire need’ of supplies for COVID-19 frontliners
The country’s top hospital for persons afflicted with respiratory diseases has sounded off a call for help from the public as its staff attends round the clock to an increasing number of patients with suspected symptoms of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Gov’t allows only one person per household to leave home; other guidelines for ECQ
With the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in effect in Luzon, the government announced Wednesday that it will allow only one person per household to leave their homes to buy food and other essentials.
Manila Bulletin

JTF ‘Corona Virus Shield’ issues simplified guide on persons exempted from home quarantine
The Joint Task Force Corona Virus Shield (JTF CV Shield) has crafted an simplified guide on people who are exempted from home quarantine amid the government’s aggressive measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

PNP chief assures the ‘unhampered’ travel of trucks transporting food
Amid concerns of food shortage due to stricter measures to contain the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), policemen manning checkpoints in major thoroughfares in Luzon have been instructed to allow the unhampered travel of trucks and other vehicles that transport food supply especially in Metro Manila.
Manila Bulletin

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CSC feedback office adopts work-from-home scheme
The Civil Service Commission’s (CSC) Contact Center ng Bayan (CCB) will adopt a work-from-home arrangement during the month-long enhanced community quarantine period, the Commission said.
Manila Bulletin

PCSO announces early release of its employees’ payroll
Following the declaration of a state of calamity  throughout the country  due to the threat of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Royina Marzan-Garma on Wednesday night announced the early release of the payroll of the agency’s personnel.
Manila Bulletin

OMB closes its offices nationwide
The Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) said on Wednesday (March 18) it is temporarily closing its offices nationwide in line with government efforts to curb the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

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UST offers accommodation, food, bus rides to health workers
The University of Santo Tomas (UST) is offering free accommodation, food, and bus rides to its health workers who are at the frontlines of the fight against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

Alliance Global Group to donate one million liters of disinfectant alcohol to DOH, PNP, AFP, LGUs
Alliance Global Group, Inc. (AGI), the holding firm of tycoon Dr. Andrew L. Tan, is donating one million liters of 70 percent disinfectant ethyl alcohol to help strengthen government’s efforts in fighting the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

Church social action arm calls for mass testing in PH as COVID-19 ‘containment measure’
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines National Secretariat for Social Action Justice and Peace (CBCP-NASSA) said the government should conduct mass testing in the country to curb the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

Group asks authorities to protect children from COVID-19, too
A group promoting children’s rights called on parents, caregivers and community leaders to “take urgent precautions” to prevent the exposure of children to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to rising cases of local transmission.
Manila Bulletin

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PH Navy accepts PPE, food pack donations for health workers, troops
The Philippine Navy (PN) has facilitated the management of thousands of personal protective equipment (PPE) and food packs donated by the Makati Medical Center (MMC) Foundation for health workers and security troops who continue to risk their lives to contain the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the military announced on Wednesday.
Manila Bulletin

Workers’ group appreciates gov’t’s P5-K cash aid, but says it does not address their concerns
Although they welcome the P5,000 financial assistance to Filipino workers affected by the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon, labor group Defend Jobs Philippines said it was far from resolving the workers’ concerns.
Manila Bulletin

Informal waste sector workers call on gov’t for aid during Luzon-wide lockdown
Quezon City-based environmental group EcoWaste Coalition on Wednesday joined the informal waste sector (IWS) in calling for much-needed support as the public feels the pinch of the enhanced community quarantine imposed on Luzon in a bid to combat the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

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Manila’s Zone 4 placed under lockdown; movement in and out restricted
The entire Zone 4 of this city, which includes Barangays 48 to 55, has been placed on lockdown, Manila’s Public Information Office (MPIO) said on Wednesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Hotels in Manila to provide free rooms for frontliners, healthcare workers
Several hotel establishments in Manila City have committed to provide rooms for frontliners and healthcare workers living outside the city free of charge amid the quarantine period.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Military restricts entry to Camp Evangelista in Mindanao
Army officials have implemented community quarantine measures in Camp Evangelista, the biggest military camp in Mindanao. Lt. Col. Xerxes Trinidad, spokesperson of the 4th Infantry Division, said they have limited the entry to only the residents, soldiers, policemen and tenants to the 129-hectare military camp.
Cebu Daily News

Man waiting for coronavirus test results dies in Iloilo City
A person under investigation (PUI) for coronavirus died in Iloilo City, Mayor Jerry Treñas confirmed in a press conference Wednesday, March 18.
Rappler

Total lockdown in GenSan looms – mayor
Mayor Ronnel Rivera today said a total lockdown looms in the city if the situation will call for it.
Mindanews

PUMs in South Cotabato surge to over 1,200
The number of persons under monitoring (PUMs) in South Cotabato has surged to 1,218 following the community quarantine in Metro Manila that President Rodrigo Duterte had extended to the entire Luzon island, provincial health officials said Wednesday.
Mindanews

Mayor asks Iriga residents to follow quarantine orders
Mayor Madelaine Alfelor of Iriga City in Camarines Sur pleaded with her constituents Wednesday not to take lightly the home quarantine order to contain the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as 10 persons under investigation (PUIs) were recorded in the city.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

COVID-19 watch: Bohol implements curfew
The provincial government here has implemented a curfew starting tonight, March 18, until further notice to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Bacoor City in Cavite under lockdown starting March 19
The city of Bacoor in Cavite will be placed under lockdown starting Thursday, March 19.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Germany to repatriate its nationals in PH through special flight
The German government has dispatched a special flight to Manila to repatriate more than 300 of its citizens in anticipation of the 72-hour window given by Philippine authorities for all foreigners to leave the country amid the Luzon-wide quarantine over the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

Netanyahu’s Bold Moves: Fighting a Virus or Risking Democracy?
Israel’s prime minister has shut down the courts and ordered the government to track people by their cellphone data in the name of fighting an epidemic.
The New York Times

Italy says coronavirus lockdown may need to be extended
An unprecedented lockdown imposed on Italians last week to halt the spread of coronavirus might be extended if the incidence of new cases doesn’t slow, officials said on Wednesday.
Manila Bulletin

UAE gov’t repatriates Arab nationals from Wuhan in ‘mercy flight’
Similar to the Philippines’ repatriation program, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has recently conducted its own “mercy flight” with the evacuation of some 215 Arab nationals from Wuhan City, China, the epicenter of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

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OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Panelo: PRRD remains ‘on top of situation’; urges public to follow health protocols
President Duterte remains “on top of the situation” as the government moves to quell the spread of the new coronavirus in the country, Malacañang said Wednesday.
Manila Bulletin

Gov’t: Absent employees can’t be terminated due to COVID-19
The government said private businesses cannot fire their workers who are not coming to work because of the enhanced community quarantine imposed on mainland Luzon due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

Palace extends application period for media workers’ accreditation
The government has extended the grace period for the application of identification cards for media workers until March 21 so they can operate in quarantined Luzon.
Manila Bulletin

Palace rebuffs Vico Sotto: How can there be social distancing in tricycles?
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases maintained on Wednesday that tricycles will not be allowed to ply roads during the Luzon-wide quarantine because social distancing is difficult to enforce inside.
GMA News

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

Robredo thanks frontliners; distributes PPE and provides shuttle bus service for hospital workers
Vice President Leni Robredo expressed her heartfelt gratitude towards the health workers and other frontliners who are putting their lives to protect the public from coronavirus disease (COVID-2019).
Manila Bulletin

ELECTION RELATED

DISASTER
 
MINDANAO

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

LEGISLATIVE

Senate of the Philippines

Angara urges DBM to expedite release of calamity, quick response funds to LGUs, DSWD
Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara has urged the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to expedite the release of calamity funds and quick response funds (QRF) to local government units (LGUs) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) so they can immediately provide for the needs of quarantined families.
Manila Bulletin

Pangilinan calls for mobilization of AFP Reserve Force to aid fight vs. COVID-19
The opposition Liberal Party (LP)on Wednesday called on the Armed Forces or the Philippines (AFP) and Department of National Defense (DND) to mobilize the AFP Reserve Force, especially colonel-ranked industry leaders in telecommunications and transportation, as the COVID-19 crisis persists.
Manila Bulletin

Poe supports state of calamity declaration, says more funds needed to fight COVID-19
Senator Grace Poe on Wednesday expressed support for President Duterte’s declaration of a state of calamity in the country, saying this will allow concerned government agencies to immediately respond to people’s needs in the fight against coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

Tolentino urges DILG to permit tricycles to operate during Luzon quarantine
Senator Francis Tolentino urged the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Wednesday to allow a limited number of tricycles to continue ferrying passengers and goods in local government units (LGUs) during the implementation of an enhanced community quarantine over Luzon.
Manila Bulletin

Minority senators propose food manufacturers be allowed to mark their delivery vehicles with their logos
To ensure the food supply during the current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis, the Senate minority bloc yesterday proposed that food manufacturers be allowed to mark their vehicles with their company/brand logos, as a further clarification to the guidelines on food supply that Malacañang announced late Tuesday night.
Manila Bulletin

House of Representatives

Lawmaker tells ‘missing mayors’ to step up, be visible
Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate has advised Metro Manila mayors to quell their constituents’ anxieties over the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic by being more “visible.”
Manila Bulletin

House tax panel recommends waiving of penalties for late tax filing
The Lower House committee on ways and means wants the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to waive penalties for the late filing of income tax returns as taxpayers continue to observe government’s enhanced community quarantine directive.
Manila Bulletin

Party-list solons collect P5 million for purchase of PPE for frontline health workers
The Party-list Coalition Foundation, Inc has started distributing personal protective equipment (PPE) to frontline medical workers assigned to various health centers and hospitals within the national capital region and other affected areas.
Manila Bulletin

House approves on 3rd and final reading bill freeing volunteers from liability for acts of omission
The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill that will free volunteers in national emergencies, including the current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) devastation, from liability for unintended acts of omission.
Manila Bulletin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DILG orders barangay heads to ensure residents’ compliance with quarantine, health protocols
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Wednesday ordered concerned barangay officials to ensure that the residents of their respective turfs remain in their homes and observe quarantine and social distancing protocols as the number of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID) cases rose to 202 Wednesday noon.
Manila Bulletin

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

BI announces lifting of 72-hour travel period for departing OFWs, balikbayans, foreign nationals
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has announced the lifting of the 72-hour travel period for departing overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), balikbayans, and foreign nationals.
Manila Bulletin

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

Armed Forces of the Philippines

Philippine National Police

BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION

Release rate from 2020 budget 76.9% at end-February — DBM
THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said it released P3.153 trillion or 76.9% of this year’s P4.1-trillion budget as of the end of February.
Business World Online, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Customs urges partners in logistics industry to continue operation to ensure movement of goods
Customs industry partners that facilitate the movement of goods were urged to carry on with their operations amid the enhanced community quarantine enforced over Luzon.
Manila Bulletin

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

West Philippine Sea

LABOR

DOLE rolls out work program for persons whose jobs were affected by the Luzon quarantine
Planning to avail of the emergency employment program of the labor department? In Department Order 210-2020 that was released Wednesday, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) identifies the qualified beneficiaries of the program as the underemployed, self-employed workers, and displaced marginalized workers who have lost their livelihood or whose earnings were affected due to the enhanced community quarantine against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard: Only cargo vessels carrying food supplies allowed to sail around Luzon
Cargo and fishing vessels carrying basic food supplies and materials for manufacturing of commodities are the only ships allowed to sail in the waters off Luzon during the one-month enhanced community quarantine, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.
Manila Bulletin

Vessels transiting outside Luzon told to reduce capacity by half amid enhanced community quarantine
Vessels traveling outside Luzon must reduced their capacities by half in order to practice social distancing amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, the Maritime Industry Authority said.
Manila Bulletin

HEALTH

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

DA issues protocols for unhampered transit of food items during Luzon-wide quarantine
The Department of Agriculture (DA) issued on Wednesday a set of protocols to ensure that Luzon, particularly the high-density metropolitan areas, will have unhampered access to safe and affordable food during the community quarantine.
Manila Bulletin

EDUCATION

DepEd launches online platform to support distance learning
Despite these trying times brought about by the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Department of Education (DepEd) continues to find ways to help ensure that “education will continue.”
Manila Bulletin

ENERGY

POVERTY

SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT

DSWD assures ‘necessary’ assistance to Quezon City government
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assured the Quezon City (QC) government on Wednesday night (March 18) that it will provide the “necessary” assistance to its residents who cannot work following the government’s imposition of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
Manila Bulletin

HOUSING

TOURISM

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY