COVID-19

Cases

DOH reports 104 new Covid-19 cases, 11 new recoveries
The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday reported 104 new cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), bringing the total number of cases in the country to 3,764.
Philippine News Agency, Philippine Star, ABS-CBN News, GMA News

21 Filipino doctors have died due to COVID-19 —PHAP
A total of 21 Filipino doctors have died due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to data from the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines (PHAP).
GMA News

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DFA: COVID-19 cases among overseas Filipinos now 569; recoveries increase
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases among Filipinos abroad has increased by six percent across the regions of Americas, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East and Africa, bringing the total number to 569 as of April 7, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Tuesday.
Manila Bulletin

Consul general calls on 44,000 Filipinos in Spain to stay calm
Philippine consul general to Madrid Adrian Cruz on Tuesday called on Filipinos in Spain to remain calm and stay positive amid the State of Alarm currently in effect due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

‘Unsung heroes’: Piers Morgan thanks Filipino healthcare workers serving NHS
British broadcaster Piers Morgan on Tuesday thanked Filipino healthcare workers serving the United Kingdom’s National Health Service.
Manila Bulletin

Department of Health

Duque: Some 24,500 people tested for COVID-19
Around 24,500 people have been tested for coronavirus infection, but more tests should be done to get a "clearer picture" of the COVID-19 crisis in the country, a Cabinet official said Tuesday.
CNN Philippines

Duque: Majority of COVID-19 cases are in NCR
The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday said that the majority of the coronavirus disease cases in the country are found in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Manila Bulletin

DOH launches free phone consultation for Metro Manila residents
The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday launched free 24/7 phone consultation for Metro Manila residents. The DOH said that individuals in Metro Manila can call the telemedicine hotline at 02-8424-1724 to consult with a doctor for COVID-19 medical advice and other health concerns unrelated to the pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

DOH says entire world, not just PH, is ill-prepared for coronavirus
“Nobody knew that this was going to happen.” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said this Tuesday as he asserted that the entire world, not just the Philippines, “is not prepared” for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic which has already infected over 1.3 million worldwide.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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UP panel: Without intervention, COVID-19 cases will peak by May to June
An extension of the enhanced or modified community quarantine would help flatten the curve of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the country, a recent study from the University of the Philippines showed.
Manila Bulletin

PhilHealth can’t shoulder hospital expenses of COVID-19 patients beyond April 14
Despite the government’s decision to extend the enhanced community quarantine up to April 30, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) said it cannot extend the period, during which it can shoulder all hospital expenditures of patients with the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

DOST-PCIEERD unveils technologies to fight the spread COVID-19
Drones mounted with artificial intelligence-powered thermal scanners are set to be produced to easily scan and pinpoint people with high body temperature.
Manila Bulletin

EVSU produces, donates ‘Anti-COVID’ drink for frontliners
The Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) has distributed its locally made natural immune system booster drink to frontline workers to help combat the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

DOST-NRCP wants to develop an app for personal information resource against COVID-19
The Department of Science and Technology’s National Research Council of the Philippines (DOST-NRCP) has proposed the immediate development of a mobile app that Filipinos can use as a personal information resource against COVID-19.
Manila Bulletin

IATF

IATF clarifies procedures on mass testing for COVID-19
The government’s mass testing for the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) does not mean anyone can undergo testing on a whim, a Palace official said Tuesday.
Manila Bulletin

IATF okays resumption of work in 13 railway projects
The government has given the green light to the resumption of “limited” work in 13 railway projects during the extended quarantine period in Luzon.
Manila Bulletin

P5 B earmarked for amelioration of formal labor sector
The government is planning to spend P5 billion for the social amelioration programs for the formal labor sector affected by the coronavirus lockdown.
Manila Bulletin

Law enforcers, frontliners support ECQ extension
Police, military, and other frontliners from the government’s law enforcement agencies support the extension of the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
Manila Bulletin

More control points for cargo inspection to be set up nationwide
More control points for cargo vehicles are expected to be set up as President Duterte approved on Tuesday the extension of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon.
Manila Bulletin

DPWH, EEI and Villar Group completes civil work construction in 7 days
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) with the support of private firms EEI Corporation and the Villar-led Vista Land Group have completed the construction works of health facility at Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) Forum Halls in just six (6) days.
Manila Bulletin

Regions

6 of 11 COVID-19 deaths in Davao region traced to cockpit derby; contact tracing has not reached “even a third”
Six of 11 deaths recorded in the Davao region out of 80 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as of 8 p.m. on April 6 have been traced to last month’s six-cock derby at the New Davao Matina Gallera, the Department of Health (DOH) regional office said in a press statement issued late Monday evening to correct an earlier pronouncement that all 11 deaths were linked to the derby.
Mindanews

2 Samar hospital workers catch coronavirus
The Department of Health (DOH) regional office here reported on Tuesday that two local government employees of Tarangnan, Samar tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), bringing the total to five confirmed cases in Eastern Visayas.
Philippine News Agency

Pangasinan records first 2 recovered Covid-19 patients
A 54-year-old female nurse from Barangay Nalsian Sur this town and a 68-year-old male Filipino-American from Barangay Cablong, Pozorrubio town were the first to recover from the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in Pangasinan.
Philippine News Agency

Davao derby attendee is SoCot’s 2nd positive Covid-19 case
A cockfighting aficionado who attended a derby in Davao City last month is South Cotabato province’s second confirmed case of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Philippine News Agency

23 Baguio PUIs test negative
The city government here on Tuesday said the 23 patients under investigation (PUI)s and health workers who underwent rapid testing on April 4 were tested negative for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
Philippine News Agency

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Mayor Sara contemplating on putting Davao under extreme ECQ
Mayor Sara Duterte said on Tuesday that she is contemplating on putting Davao City under extreme enhanced community quarantine (EECQ) if the number of confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases here would continue to rise.
Mindanews

Piñol calls on Mindanao leaders to help PRRD
Mindanao Development Authority Secretary Emmanuel Piñol has called on Mindanaoan leaders to ease the burden of President Rodrigo Duterte as the government musters all its resources to fight the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
Philippine News Agency

Caloocan vows P1,000 additional financial aid for each household
All households in Caloocan City will receive an additional P1,000 each in financial aid — apart from what they will get from the national government’s social amelioration program — Mayor Oscar Malapitan said in a post on his official Facebook account on Tuesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Crew members detained as they leave cargo ship to buy food in CDO
Five crew members of a cargo ship who disembarked to buy food here were arrested by authorities for allegedly violating protocols of the community quarantine.
Mindanews

Davao Norte realigns P215-M to combat Covid-19
The Davao del Norte provincial government has realigned some PHP215.7 million emergency funds to better respond to the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) crisis.
Philippine News Agency

Ormoc City mayor says early lockdown kept them COVID-19 free
The mayor of Ormoc City in Leyte attributed the COVID-free state of the area to the local government’s “early and strict” implementation of lockdown.
CNN Philippines

Covid-19 hotline launched for Pampanga, Tarlac
A Covid-19 central hotline was launched here on Tuesday that will serve towns and cities contiguous to Clark as a way to help manage the spread of the new coronavirus disease.
Philippine News Agency

Over 7K families benefit from relief ops in Agusan Sur town
Relief operations are launched by local government units (LGUs) in Agusan del Sur to help poor families affected by the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
Philippine News Agency

205K indigent families in Region 1 get Covid-19 cash aid
Some 205,195 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) households in Ilocos (Region 1) affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) received cash assistance under the government’s social amelioration program (SAP), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regional office said.
Philippine News Agency

Pedicab, trike drivers share a can of sardines and lockdown hardships
In Barangay 28 in Caloocan City, ten pedicab and tricycle drivers shared a can of sardines among themselves to assuage their hunger amid the Luzon-wide quarantine.
GMA News

Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector 

288 British on PAL mercy flights
A total of 288 British nationals flew to London on Philippine Airlines’ two special flights from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 on Tuesday.
Manila Bulletin

Citizens, organizations pay tribute to COVID-19 frontliners
Appreciation and gratitude poured in for the country's health workers, security guards, utility workers, supermarket personnel and other people who run essential establishments while most of the population remained at home due to the COVID-19 quarantine.
GMA News

Google donates $5M in ad credits to PH’s COVID-19 info efforts
Google Philippine donated up to $5 million worth of search ads credit that the government could use to disseminate critical information about COVID-19.
Manila Bulletin

P&G to manufacture face masks in Cabuyao
Procter & Gamble (P&G) Philippines has announced that its manufacturing plant in Cabuyao City, Laguna will be one of the P&G manufacturing sites globally that will produce critically needed face masks to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Manila Bulletin

Incidents

NBI seizes P4.4 M ‘overpriced’ scanners
Some P4.4 million worth of allegedly overpriced con-contact thermal scanners have been seized by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) following the arrest of a Chinese national accused of selling these items.
Manila Bulletin

8 booked for violating North Cotabato ECQ
Police nabbed eight persons who played basketball in Alamada, North Cotabato on Monday amid the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) across the province.
Philippine News Agency

NBI looking into netizen’s claim gov’t bought P2-B private jet
The National Bureau of Investigation’s Cyber Crime Division (NBI-CCD) wants to know the basis of a netizen’s post about how the government has managed to spend P2-billion for a private jet but has no money for health care.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Angry residents disrupt social amelioration forms distribution in Binan, Laguna
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) halted the distribution of social amelioration forms in Binan, Laguna after several angry residents complained of not being included in the list of beneficiaries of the cash aid.
GMA News

Residents begging for alms arrested in Santa Rosa
Authorities on Wednesday arrested several residents begging for alms along the National Highway in Santa Rosa, Laguna for disobeying social distancing measures.
GMA News

Editorial, Opinion and Features

Dying in time of COVID-19: swift burial, no vigil for Catholics
While death often brings grief, dying in time of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has become even bluer for the living.
Mindanews

Stop the stigma
Doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel are literally putting themselves in harm’s way to protect the greater Filipino population against COVID-19.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Duterte is the weakest link
Slowly, less than steadily, but finally, it seems the national government is responding to the global coronavirus pandemic with a more or less functioning infrastructure, under a more or less coherent plan, and at more or less the appropriate scale. 
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Holy, and safe
he arrest in Cagayan de Oro of a pastor who held a worship service last Sunday with almost 500 participants is a reminder that the government is intent on enforcing social distancing to prevent COVID-19. That includes religious activities that may violate social distancing rules.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Order and anxiety
Sporting a new haircut, the President once more addressed the nation on Monday night in his trademark manner, during which, if you patiently read between the ad libs, he gave three messages.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Transcending the ECQ
Amazing the things you discover while on lockdown! For one, I just found out that there’s a thriving online community in our village that’s filled with enterprising householders who now offer a wide variety of products for sale.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Coronavirus Is the "New Terrorism": Daily Brief
Asia's overcrowded prisons at grave risk of COVID-19 outbreaks; rights risks to older people in coronavirus response; no "social distancing" possible for refugees crammed into camps in Greece; Gulf countries to put a hold on deportations.
Human Rights Watch

Hopes for a post-pandemic PH
A PANDEMIC, according to a recent opinion, “shakes loose the old order.” A new one rises out of the ruins and ashes, and at the epicenter of the change will be the society’s new definition of leaders and leadership.
The Manila Times 

World

COVID-19 highlights nurses’ vulnerability as backbone to health services worldwide
Nurses are on the frontline fighting COVID-19 but “an alarming failure” in the global supply of protective clothing and new coronavirus tests – together with “unprecedented” overwork linked to global staff shortages - have highlighted how vulnerable they are, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday. The development coincides with an impassioned personal message from UN Secretary-General António Guterres to the world’s medical professionals for World Health Day, marked on Tuesday 7 April.
United Nations

LIST: Countries releasing prisoners over coronavirus fears
United Nations rights chief Michelle Bachelet earlier warned that neglecting prisoners in the face of the novel coronavirus pandemic is "potentially catastrophic."
Rappler

Bill and Melinda Gates-backed coronavirus vaccine enters human trial
A second potential vaccine against COVID-19 enters its human testing phase, Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced on its website Monday, April 6, US time.
Rappler

France coronavirus death toll tops 10,000: Live updates
France has become the fourth country to register more than 10,000 deaths due to coronavirus, while New York reported 731 new fatalities, the highest overnight jump since the beginning of the outbreak.
Aljazeera

To Fight Coronavirus, U.K. Asked for Some Volunteers. It Got an Army.
More than 750,000 people are pitching in to help older and more vulnerable Britons, helping dispel the discord of the Brexit era.
The New York Times

This Upstate New York Hotel Was Emptying Out. As a Coronavirus Quarantine Site, It Might Fill Up.
The coronavirus was spreading rapidly across New York. Room cancellations were flooding this upstate hotel’s reservation system after the state ban on mass gatherings, and there was no sign of things turning around soon.
The Wall Street Journal

Boris Johnson is 'stable' in ICU amid questions about who's running the UK
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is receiving "standard oxygen treatment" and is breathing without assistance, his spokesperson said Tuesday, a day after being transferred to intensive care with coronavirus.
CNN Philippines

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OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Duterte extends ECQ until April 30
In a bid to prevent the spike of coronavirus infections and further enhance the capacity of the country’s health facilities, President Duterte has authorized the extension of the lockdown in Luzon until the end of the month.
Manila Bulletin

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P189-B in unreleased funds at hand for COVID-19 response –Duterte report
More than P189 billion in unreleased funds from the continuing 2019 and current 2020 national budgets could be used to help address the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation in the country, President Rodrigo Duterte said in a report to Congress.
GMA News

Duterte: Importing rice can be difficult due to COVID
The Philippines may have difficulty importing rice because other countries are relying on their own production for food security amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, according to President Duterte.
Philippine Star

Duterte turns to prayers, says only God can solve the pandemic
Is the coronavirus pandemic a sign of the end times? As deadly virus infections rapidly spread around the world, President Duterte has accepted that God could end the world if he wanted to.
Manila Bulletin

Duterte tells self-proclaimed ‘president Pamatong:’ Solve coronavirus pandemic
If self-proclaimed “president” Elly Pamatong has the supposed solution to the coronavirus pandemic, President Duterte may just give way to his successor.
Manila Bulletin

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Palace urges gov’t agencies to ‘move fast’ in providing aid
Hunger can certainly spark social unrest, Malacañang admitted Tuesday as the government escalated its efforts to address the needs of the people.
Manila Bulletin

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Nograles clarifies Duterte’s claim Covid-19 is airborne  
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles on Tuesday said President Rodrigo Duterte was merely citing a Japanese-produced documentary when he said that the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) is airborne.
Philippine News Agency

Bayan Muna disputes ‘lack of budget’ claim, says admin ‘inefficient’ in tapping funds
A party-list group has disputed President Rodrigo Duterte’s claim that government is lacking funds needed to respond to lockdown brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, insisting that the chief executive only needs to look into the 2020 budget.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Bulatlat

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

Robredo: Luzon lockdown extension best option to stem COVID-19 spread
Vice President Leni Robredo backed the extension of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine, but she said the cash aid should be distributed to the people, especially the poor.
Manila Bulletin

VP debunks competition on COVID-19 efforts: ‘Now is the time to be united’
Vice President Leni Robredo has no intention to compete with the government when it comes to her office’s relief work in the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis.
Manila Bulletin

ELECTION RELATED

DISASTER

South Korea donates rice to PHL
THE South Korean government recently donated 950 metric tons (MT) of rice to the Philippines for distribution to those affected by natural disasters and calamities last year.
Business World Online, The Manila Times

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

CJ Peralta: All courts functioning, ready to resolve cases despite ECQ extension
All courts in the country – from the Supreme Court (SC) to the lowest trial court – will remain physically shutdown until April 30 with the extension of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) enforced by the government in a bid to deter the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

LEGISLATIVE

Senate of the Philippines

Senators back Duterte’s move to extend ECQ
Senators have supported President Duterte’s decision to extend the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) being imposed in Luzon against the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

Budget no concern at all, says senators
Budget isn’t a problem at all. This was the assurance of Senate President Vicente Sotto III on April 7, Tuesday, as he allayed President Duterte’s concerns over the funding for the cash aid to poor families displaced by the quarantine measures imposed to control the spread of COVID-19.
Manila Bulletin

Sotto calls for immediate implementation of Philsys
Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Tuesday called for the immediate and “full blown” implementation of the national identification system to resolve issues in the government’s emergency subsidy program for poor families.
Manila Bulletin

Consider tradeoffs, explore all options to generate more funds for COVID-19 response
Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon on Tuesday said the Duterte administration should be prepared to make crucial tradeoffs, including possibly deferring even flagship infrastructure projects, in order to generate more funds for COVID-19 response activities.
Manila Bulletin

Extending the ECQ a difficult choice — Lacson
The decision to extend the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from April 12 to April 30 was a difficult choice by President Duterte as the Department of Health (DOH) has yet to see the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) reach a plateau.
Manila Bulletin

Lacson urges gov’t to focus on cash assistance
Senator Panfilo M. Lacson said on Tuesday that the Duterte administration’s bigger challenge is in the roll out or distribution of cash assistance more than the availability of funds as the executive branch extended the duration of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to April 30.
Manila Bulletin

Hontiveros urges LGUS to penalize discrimination of frontliners
Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday urged local government officials to pass and implement measures to better protect health workers and other frontliners from discrimination.
Manila Bulletin

House of Representatives

House Minority Leader backs ECQ extension 
Calling it a necessary move to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, House Minority Leader Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. backed on Tuesday the Palace’s decision to extend the existing Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon up to April 30, 2020.
Manila Bulletin

Tax credits for middle class, please
Why not give middle-income earners tax credits equal to the cash aid being received by poor and low-income families under the national government’s social amelioration program?
Manila Bulletin

Solon seeks P1,000 emergency assistance to all Filipinos, except the rich
Albay 2nd district Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda has proposed that all Filipinos, except those in the top 10 percent of the population or the rich, be given P1,000 emergency assistance during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
Manila Bulletin

Lawmakers to government: tap savings from MOOE
Lawmakers urged the Duterte government on Tuesday, April 7, to tap its savings generated from the unspent Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) during the lockdown to help those affected by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
Manila Bulletin

Stiffer penalties for those who discriminate against COVID-19 patients proposed 
Citizens’ Battle against Corruption (CIBAC) partylist lawmakers vowed on Tuesday, April 7 to push for the passage of a bill imposing stiffer penalties against any acts that promote stigma, hate, and cruelty to people with the dreaded disease.
Manila Bulletin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DILG: P30.8-B Bayanihan grant for LGUs solely for COVID-19 programs
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday stressed that the P30.824 billion “Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities” approved by the President should be solely used for novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) related programs.
Manila Bulletin

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

DOJ eyeing to issue subpoena vs Pimentel next week
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is eyeing to send by next week summons to Senator Aquilino Martin “Koko” Pimentel who is facing a complaint for allegedly breaching quarantine protocols.
Manila Bulletin

NBI gives Diokno more time to respond to allegations against his client accused of peddling fake news
Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) chairman and human rights lawyer Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno has been given until April 14 by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to respond to allegations that his client has been spreading fake news concerning the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

Largest PCG ship to transport  medical goods, frontliners
After being diverted to the Middle East in December 2019, the largest ship of the Philippine Coast Guard finally arrived in the Philippines Tuesday to help the country in handling COVID-19 cases as a “transport ship.”
Manila Bulletin

Armed Forces of the Philippines

All AFP personnel to donate part of salary to help fund govt’s COVID-19 response
All personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will donate a portion of their salary to help the Duterte administration address the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

Military gives hero’s welcome to Army trooper who has recovered from COVID-19
It is only fitting to pay tribute to frontliners who continue to risk their lives while fighting the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and this was exactly what the military did for a Philippine Army trooper who recovered from the dreaded illness.
Manila Bulletin

PH Army distributes Benguet vegetables, rice to Makati, Pasay families
At least 1,500 families in the cities of Pasay and Makati have received vegetables bought from Benguet farmers and rice as the Philippine Army distributed food assistance to communities affected by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon.
Manila Bulletin

Philippine National Police

2 cops with COVID-19 recover
Two policemen who earlier tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered, but the number of cops infected and being monitored for possible infection continues to rise.
Manila Bulletin

BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION

Gov’t needs ‘prudent’ spending amid crisis — Dominguez
The national government has to be prudent in its spending while ensuring all citizens and business sectors are weathering the coronavirus storm that is now wreaking havoc on the global economy, the Duterte administration’s chief economic manager said on Tuesday.
Manila Bulletin

BSP has more room to cut rates
The expected easing of inflation over the next few months due to soft global oil prices  will give the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas more room to cut interest rates to boost economic activity amid the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 outbreak, according to BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno.
Philippine Star

No penalties for amended ITRs filed before May 15
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said Tuesday individual and business taxpayers who have submitted their 2019 income tax returns (ITRs) are allowed to submit amended returns before the end of the extended deadline without penalty.
Manila Bulletin

BOC implements JAO on expeditious release of goods
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has started implementing the Joint Administrative Order (JAO) 20-01 that provides the guidelines for the expeditious release of goods during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
Manila Bulletin

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

Inflation slows in March
THE overall rise in prices of widely used goods and services eased in March, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Tuesday.
Business World Online

‘Jumpstart economy during ECQ extension’, urges solon
The COVID-19 pandemic may have stalled President Duterte’s signature “Build, Build, Build” program, but the two-week extension of the Luzon-wide Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) gives the government a chance to put it back on track.
Manila Bulletin

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

Locsin apologizes to HIV patients
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. has apologized to the community of Filipinos afflicted with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) following his social media comment calling the disease “embarrassing” as opposed to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin, Interaksyon

West Philippine Sea

LABOR

DOLE expedites assistance to workers
To assist more workers affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said it will continue processing applications for financial assistance even during this Holy Week.
Manila Bulletin

OWWA assists OFWs stranded in Manila due to self-quarantine, ECQ rules
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said thousands of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are now in Metro Manila completing their 14-day quarantine period before returning to their home provinces.
Manila Bulletin

TRANSPORTATION

LTFRB targets over 400K PUV drivers for cash aid
A total of 435,619 drivers of public utility vehicles (PUV) are set to receive financial support through the government’s social amelioration program during the enhanced community quarantine amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
Philippine News Agency

DOTr suggests scrapping MRT rehab for COVID-19 response
As the coronavirus pandemic continues, government may have to abandon some big-ticket infrastructure projects to fund the state's COVID-19 response.
CNN Philippines

PAL, Air Asia flights still canceled until April 30 as Luzon quarantine extended
International and domestic flights of local flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL), as well as Air Asia, will remain suspended until April 30, as the government extended the enhanced community quarantine, across Luzon.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

2019 was a very safe year to fly if not for COVID-19, says IATA
Were it not for COVID-19, the latest stats on airline safety would have served as a boon to consumer confidence in the safety of air travel.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

HEALTH

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

DA to ensure sufficient, affordable food supply
The government will step up efforts to ensure the country’s food supply remains sufficient and affordable amid the extension of the Luzon-wide quarantine, a Palace official announced Tuesday.
Manila Bulletin

DAR: Quarantine passes for farmers will help boost country’s food supply
The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is pleased that the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Disease (AITF-EID) has heeded its request to issue quarantine accreditation passes for agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs). This will help boost the country’s food supply amidst the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

NFA offices, warehouses open during Holy Week
The National Food Authority (NFA) on Tuesday assured that it's offices and warehouses will remain open during the Holy Week.
Philippine News Agency

EDUCATION

DepEd asks division, regional offices to act on requests for use of schools as response to COVID-19
The Department of Education (DepEd) directed concerned schools division and regional offices to “act with urgency” when it comes to requests of local government units (LGUs) for use schools as part of their response to the ongoing health crisis.
Manila Bulletin

DepEd says thousands of event participants hurdled quarantine
The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday announced that the participants to its two national events held last March have already completed their preventive quarantine and are so far free from any symptoms related to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

DepEd to adjust plans in light of extended ECQ
In light of the extended Luzon-wide Enhanced Community Quarantine, the Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday said that various plans are being discussed by its key officials that would address the challenges brought about by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation in the country.
Manila Bulletin

Free online tools offered to empower students, schools amid COVID-19
Recognizing the serious toll that the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is causing on education, the country’s largest online youth platform is offering online tools that students and schools nationwide can access and use for free.
Manila Bulletin

Private schools plan adjustments for school opening; asks gov’t for help
A federation of private schools on Tuesday urged the government to help them by providing available assistance as they draw up plans for the opening of a new school year amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation in the country.
Manila Bulletin

ENERGY

POVERTY

SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT

System in place to avoid duplication in delivery of emergency cash subsidies
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has put in place “deduplication systems” to ensure that there will be no duplication in the delivery of the government’s cash emergency subsidy to 18 million low-income households.
Manila Bulletin

DSWD: List of subsidy beneficiaries to be given to LGUs
The list of beneficiaries who are qualified to receive the P5,000 to P8,000 emergency subsidy during the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine will be publicly disclosed and the local government units (LGUs) will have access to it, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rolando Bautista has assured the public.
Manila Bulletin

DSWD gives 284,000 family food packs
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has provided P108.5 million relief assistance nationwide, distributing more than 284,000 Family Food Packs (FFPs) in 11 regions.
Manila Bulletin

HOUSING

TOURISM

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Duterte still not inclined to allow Manila Bay reclamation
President Rodrigo Duterte is still against any proposal from private companies to conduct massive land reclamation activities in the Manila Bay, Malacañang said on Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency

Hazard pay for garbage collectors urged
Several environmental groups on Tuesday strongly pushed the government to compensate frontline ecological workers with substantial hazard pays during the duration of the novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) lockdown.
Manila Bulletin

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY  

‘Zoom bombing’ victim details hacking experience
A victim of "Zoom bombing"' on Tuesday shared his story on Manol Sugadol's report on Stand for Truth.
GMA News

Viber to eliminate fake news by providing link to DOH
One of the biggest issues during the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) is the proliferation of fake news, so instant messaging software application Viber is helping reduce this by providing a direct link to the Department of Health (DOH).
Manila Bulletin