COVID-19

Cases

Philippines reports 29 new COVID-19 deaths; cases breach 3,000
The total number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases nationwide leapt to 3,018 after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 385 new cases and 29 new deaths on Friday.
GMA News, Manila Bulletin, Philippine News Agency, Philippine Star, CNN Philippines

7-year-old girl is Philippines’ youngest COVID-19 fatality
A seven-year-old child from Ilocos region has died of the new coronavirus, becoming the youngest known COVID-19 victim in the Philippines. 
Philippine Star

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DFA: 18 new COVID-19 cases among overseas Filipinos
The Philippine government has reported 18 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 among overseas Filipinos, the lowest increase this week at four percent.
Manila Bulletin

55 Pinoys in Malaysia test positive for COVID-19
At least 55 Filipinos have tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Malaysia and majority of them are still under hospital care, Philippine Ambassador to Kuala Lumpur Charles Jose said on Friday.
Manila Bulletin, Rappler

Seven Filipinos succumb to COVID-19 in New York
The Philippine Consulate General in New York on Friday confirmed the death of seven Filipinos due to the coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) while dozens of others who have tested positive of the virus are currently undergoing treatment in various hospitals in New York and New Jersey.
Manila Bulletin

COVID-19 Pinay survivor in Germany says positive outlook helped her beat the disease
A “positive disposition,” was what helped a Filipina in Berlin, Germany recover from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

Wife of Pinoy crew thankful as virus-hit cruise ship allowed to dock in US
The wife of a Pinoy crew in the virus-hit Zaandam cruise ship felt thankful and relieved after the US government allowed it to dock in Florida after being turned away by several countries.
Manila Bulletin

Department of Health

More than 16,000 people tested for COVID-19 in PH
More than 16,000 people in the Philippines have been tested for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to a government official.
ABS-CBN News

‘Mass testing protocols being firmed up’ — DOH
The protocols regarding the possible conduct of mass testing for individuals suspected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are still being discussed, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Friday.
Manila Bulletin, The Manila Times

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COVID-19 survivors asked to donate blood for rare antibodies
The spokesperson of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) appealed to the survivors of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to donate their blood with antibodies to be used as possible antidote in treating current patients.
Manila Bulletin

PMA mulls second batch of medical frontliners
The Philippine Medical Association (PMA) on Friday said it has plans to create a “second wave” of frontliners as part of the country’s “prolonged fight” against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

UP-developed COVID-19 test kits ready for rollout
The COVID-19 testing kits developed by scientists of the University of the Philippines (UP) have completed field validation, and are now ready for mass production and usage.
Manila Bulletin

IATF

Chief Implementer Galvez claims DOH had started mass testing
The Department of Health (DOH) had started "mass" testing for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the country's chief implementer of the national plan against the novel coronavirus clarified Friday.
GMA News

Lifting of ECQ will be based on health concerns, not business, says DTI
The major basis for the lifting of the enhanced community quarantine will be based on health—and not business—parameters, the chief of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.
Manila Bulletin

IATF launches RapidPass System for use in checkpoints
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles announced the launch of the RapidPass System which enables authorized individuals and vehicles to pass by checkpoints easier as the entire Luzon continues to be under an enhanced community quarantine due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

IATF: Gov’t ready to listen to public sentiments on ECQ
The government is ready to listen to the sentiments of concerned stakeholders on whether the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon should be lifted, extended or expanded to other areas.
Manila Bulletin

Rizal Memorial Coliseum may accept COVID-19 cases by Monday –Galvez
The Rizal Memorial Coliseum, which had been converted into a quarantine facility for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases, could begin accepting patients by  Monday, said Secretary Carlito Galvez.
GMA News

Nograles: COVID-19 suspects prioritized over other citizens in virus tests
The government will prioritize the testing of patients with suspected coronavirus before conducting tests on the larger population, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles made clear on Friday.
Manila Bulletin

IATF laments death of PH envoy to Lebanon
The national government extended its condolences to the family of Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon Bernardita Catalla who died on Thursday due to complications related to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

Importers urged to claim overstaying containers, avoid bottleneck in ports
Importers and consignees of unclaimed containers in Manila ports have been constantly contacted and urged to pull out their shipments to avoid bottleneck in ports.
Manila Bulletin

Manila, Paranaque residents first to receive social protection subsidy today, April 3 – Nograles
The long wait is over. The government is expected to roll out the massive emergency subsidy program for low-income Filipinos starting in Manila and Parañaque on April 3, Friday.
Manila Bulletin

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Government steps up distribution of PPEs
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has facilitated the distribution of the first batch of personal protective equipment (PPE) sets that were procured by the national government to fight the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

Orbos’ Covid-19 foresight leads to mass decontamination in PH
When reports about the rapid spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country exploded in media, various government offices and private companies have started looking for local entities that could help sanitize their establishments from possible virus contamination.
Manila Bulletin

OCD: Donations not collected, distributed to Malasakit Centers
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has belied rumors that donations to frontliners and individuals affected by the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are being collected and distributed to Malasakit Centers.
Manila Bulletin

IATF hopes DZMM could resume operations soon
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles hopes that ABS-CBN’s AM radio arm DZMM will return on-air soon as he recognized the vital role of the media in delivering updates to the public amid the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

UP creates COVID-19 dictionary for children
For the young to further understand terms they usually encounter during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the faculty of the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Education has created a children’s dictionary containing words related to COVID-19.
Manila Bulletin

Over 700 Paranaque residents given P8,000 in aid amid lockdown
More than 700 residents of a barangay in Paranaque received P8,000 in cash on Friday under the government's social amelioration program.
GMA News

Local Government Units

Mindanao breaches 100-mark in COVID-19 cases; Davao region tops with 69
Mindanao has breached the 100-mark in confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) with 103 in the six regions of Mindanao as of April 2, up from only 19 on March 27.
Mindanews

2nd Covid-19 death recorded in Bataan
A 62-year old woman from Bataan died Thursday, bringing to two the number of deaths in the province caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Philippine News Agency

Soccsksargen has 9 PUI deaths, 7 confirmed COVID-19, 5 of PUI deaths from SoCot
Nine out of 191 Person Under Investigation in the Soccsksargen region have died while seven were confirmed to be COVID-19 positive, the Department of Health (DOH-12) reported today.
NDBC News

2 men from Iligan, Lanao Sur test positive for Covid-19
THE Department of Health (DOH)-Northern Mindanao is urging persons who have close contacts with Covid-19-positive persons to approach a health personnel for medical assessment.
Sunstar Cagayan de Oro

Bacolod City now has 7 positive COVID-19 cases
The Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas has reported on Friday evening that a patient has tested positive of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Bacolod City, bringing the number to seven.
GMA News

Davao Region records 8 more Covid-19 cases
The Department of Health (DOH)-Region 11 recorded eight new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19), bringing to 69 the total number of cases in the area as of April 2.
Mindanews

2 Covid-19 patients in Mati City recover
Two Mati City, Davao Oriental residents, who were the first patients to have tested positive for 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) a week ago, are now cleared of the virus.
Philippine News Agency

18 front-liners in Aklan complete 14-day quarantine
Eighteen front-liners at Ciriaco S. Tirol Hospital in Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan have completed their 14-day quarantine on Thursday, the Aklan Provincial Office said.
Philippine News Agency

Baguio reports no new Covid-19 cases in 6 days
For six straight days, no positive case of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) has been reported by local officials strengthening their belief that Baguio has attained a flat curve even as the testing of 60 of the 93 persons under investigation started April 3.
Philippine News Agency

COVID-19 PH: 96 tested negative in Cebu, other parts of Central Visayas
At least 96 individuals in Cebu and other parts of Central Visayas tested negative for the coronavirus disease or COVID-19 on Friday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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South Cotabato extends lockdown for 10 days
The entire South Cotabato province will remain under total lockdown for 10 more days in the wake of the continuing threat posed by the increasing confirmed cases of the deadly 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in the country.
Mindanews

GenSan to open isolation facility for Covid-19 patients
An isolation facility for 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) patients will open soon at the city government-run Dr. Jorge P. Royeca Hospital (DJPRH).
Mindanews

Siargao folk revive barter system
Barter, the exchange of goods as the mode of economic transaction, is making its way back into this surfing capital in response to the hardships caused by the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
Mindanews

Former Korean Army base eyed as Covid-19 isolation area
The former military base of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces here is being prepared as an isolation area for suspected coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) carriers.
Philippine News Agency

Davao Oro town implements ‘adopt a family’ strategy
Government employees of the Davao de Oro town of Mabini with at least Salary Grade 11 and up will adopt a family in their locality who are severely affected by 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) crisis.
Philippine News Agency

Cavite's COVID-19 testing center operational next week -governor
Cavite's own testing center for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) will be operational next week, Governor Jonvic Remulla said Friday.
GMA News

Coronavirus response: CDO gets more protective equipment, alcohol
The city on Thursday, April 2, added 500 hazardous material suits, 300 gallons of alcohol to its inventory of equipment needed to fight the coronavirus.
Rappler

Belmonte: ‘I sincerely apologize for losing my composure on social media’
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte publicly conveyed Friday her apology over previous statements she made that might have offended her constituents.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Development and Private Sector 

INC offers Philippine Arena as COVID-19 mega quarantine facility
The Philippine Arena in Bulacan will be converted into a “mega quarantine facility” for coronavirus cases in Bulacan and nearby provinces, a government official announced Friday.
Manila Bulletin

SLMC executives gives out free grocery items to its frontliners
With their selfless efforts this time of distress, the St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC) executives paid tribute to their frontline workers and their families by providing free grocery items through a makeshift grocery store inside the hospital.
Manila Bulletin

Meralco energizes 3 government-designated COVID-19 treatment centers, shares electricity cost with 3 corporate partners
The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) today said it will provide its full support to the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) plans to convert three multi-purpose venues into much-needed additional health and medical facilities for the heightened treatment and health monitoring of people infected by the coronavirus.
Manila Bulletin

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Incidents

Ambulance driver hurt in Quezon province gun attack —hospital
An irate resident of a subdivision in Candelaria, Quezon last Thursday shot an ambulance driver in the hand, accusing the victim of transporting COVID-19 patients.
GMA News, ABS-CBN News

First casualty? Agusan man shot dead at checkpoint
A drunk 63-year-old man who allegedly complained about government food packs during the quarantine and made a commotion on Thursday morning was shot dead by a policeman at a checkpoint in Barangay Amontay, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte.
Philippine Star

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Pangilinan family to pay bail of 21 QC residents nabbed over protest for food
The family of Senator Francis Pangilinan – as initiated by his daughter Frankie – has offered to pay the bail of the 21 Quezon City residents, who were arrested Wednesday after protesting for food and other assistance amid the Luzon-wide quarantine due to COVID-19.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Editorial, Opinion and Features

The Philippines’ Coronavirus Lockdown Is Becoming a Crackdown
On March 12, hours before Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte announced a community quarantine would be implemented in Metro Manila due to the coronavirus outbreak, an informal settlement in the city was demolished, leaving the vast majority of its more than 1,000 residents homeless.
The Diplomat

Our world war
This evening at 8 p.m. across the United Kingdom, we all went to our doors and windows and made some noise, clapping and cheering for the key workers leading the fight against COVID-19.
Philippine Star

Dictators are using the coronavirus to strengthen their grip on power
Azerbaijan’s dictator, Ilham Aliyev, is a wily survivor. He woos European democracies with gas exports, hosts the Eurovision song contest and wins $100 million offers of military aid from the United States.
The Washington Post

Ham-hand‍ed hit jobs
Was there something in the air around April Fool’s Day that caused people in the Duterte administration—led by the President, of course—to run off their mouths?
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Cholera killed 100,000 in 1902-04
In March 1902, it was the fourth year of the Philippine-American War. Many towns in Luzon, hamletted by the Americans, suffered from famine. In Isabela, Emilio Aguinaldo would soon be captured.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

War against COVID-19
The Duterte administration could use some creative writer or literary scholar to supply it with a fresh stock of metaphors. To date, “war” has provided the dominant image to brand the government’s priority programs:
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Jolted by the coronavirus
The COVID-19 pandemic has caught the country’s health system off-guard. Several doctors have died, health warriors brave the frontlines sans good protective gear, test kits race against the exponential increase of PUIs, and hospitals brace for a torrent of patients.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

World

Spain Death Rate Drops in Tentative Sign Spread Is Easing
Spain reported the first decline in new coronavirus deaths in four days on Friday, suggesting strict confinement measures may be helping to bring the outbreak under control.
Bloomberg

Coronavirus Live Updates: N.Y. Suffers Biggest Daily Death Toll, Jobs Outlook Worsens and Pelosi Pushes Stimulus Over Infrastructure
Roughly four billion people have been told to stay in their homes, but some U.S. states have resisted. Employees at a stricken Texas nursing home worked at seven other facilities.
The New York Times

Coronavirus: ‘Worst yet to come’ for countries in conflict, says UN chief
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Friday renewed his call for a global ceasefire, urging all parties to conflict to lay down arms and allow war-torn nations to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
Arab News

Google data can show if COVID-19 lockdowns worldwide are effective
Alphabet Inc's Google has published charts showing how the coronavirus has brought hard-hit Italy to a standstill, led to runs on grocery stores around the world and prompted a stark drop in going-out between Mardi Gras and St. Patrick's Day.
GMA News

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OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Palace defends Duterte’s shoot-to-kill order vs. troublemakers
Malacañang said there was nothing wrong with President Duterte’s shoot-to-kill order against those who will create trouble and chaos amid the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News, CNN Philippines

‘Shoot them dead’ order wasn’t literal – Cayetano
President Duterte didn’t mean his now-viral “shoot them dead” order to police and soldiers literally, at least according to his ally, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano.
Manila Bulletin

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Duterte fires PACC commissioner who wanted Leni probe over COVID-19 aid
"Fire him." President Rodrigo Duterte has publicly ordered the sacking of Manuelito Luna, the commissioner of his anti-graft commission for calling for a probe of Vice President Leni Robredo for "competing" with government for COVID-19 relief.
GMA News

Duterte denies giving ‘shoot-to-kill’ order vs Luzon lockdown violators
“I never said in public ‘shoot-to-kill. Period,” Duterte said in an unannounced public address.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Duterte wants BRP Ang Pangulo converted into COVID-19 hospital
President Rodrigo Duterte has directed the Philippine Navy to convert BRP Ang Pangulo, the presidential yacht, into a hospital for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.
GMA News

Duterte calls on ROTC cadets to help in aid distribution
President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday called on trainees of the Reserved Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) to help in distributing relief packs to families affected by the quarantine due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
GMA News

Duterte: I have nothing to do with NBI probe on Vico
President Rodrigo Duterte said he had nothing to do with the ongoing National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) probe on Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto.
GMA News

Duterte to Filipinos amid COVID-19 measures: Go with police if arrested
President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday night told Filipinos to go with the police when they are arrested in connection with the government's implementation of measures to prevent the spread the COVID-19 in the country.
GMA News

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Duterte accuses Diokno of black propaganda, slams lawyer for defending gov't critics
President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday accused human rights lawyer Chel Diokno of launching a black propaganda against the government, and slammed him for defending a man being investigated for alleged "fake news."
GMA News

Duterte on #OustDuterte calls: Only military, police can do it
President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday night dismissed calls for his ouster indicating that only the military and the police could cause him to step down from office.
GMA News

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

Gov’t told not to turn a blind eye to questionable donations
The government has been asked not to turn a blind eye into questionable donations and contributions involving the fight to curb the deadly 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

OVP accumulates P44 M to support health workers, other COVID-19 frontliners
Support continues to pour in for Vice President Leni Robredo, whose office has already accumulated P44 million fund dedicated to health workers and other frontliners in fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.
Manila Bulletin

ELECTION RELATED

Comelec’s Guanzon free from COVID-19
Commissioner Rowena Guanzon of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has tested negative for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

DISASTER

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

Sara Duterte disowns post on federalism hastening COVID-19 aid
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte disputed a circulating Facebook post claiming she was pushing for federalism to address the slow flow of aid from the national government amid the COVID-19 pandemic, saying that such misinformation was insulting and hampered government’s efforts against the coronavirus disease.
GMA News

JUDICIARY

SC issues guidelines on online filing of cases, bail in trial courts
The Supreme Court (SC) starts implementing on Monday, April 6, the online filing of criminal cases and posting of bail in the trial courts nationwide.
Manila Bulletin

LEGISLATIVE

Senate of the Philippines

Senate health panel airs need for more COVID-19 testing centers, quarantine areas
As the country continues to grapple with the myriad problems caused by the dreaded coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Senate health committee on Friday appealed for more testing centers and quarantine areas nationwide.
Manila Bulletin

Sotto urges public to report complaints on gov’t performance
The Senate is urging the public to report complaints and concerns in their areas amid the quarantine imposed due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

Lacson: Congress can help in ECQ decision if given the necessary data
The Duterte administration is faced with the most difficult decision to strike a balance between flattening the curve of COVID-19 and the looming economic recession because of prolonged business inactivity, Senator Panfilo M. Lacson said on Friday.
Manila Bulletin

Sen. Gatchalian: National ID system needed for quicker response
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian urged the government on Friday, April 3, to fasttrack the implementation of the national ID system. This is to ensure quicker response to prevent a repeat of pandemics like the novel coronavirus disease or COVID-19 in the future.
Manila Bulletin

Mass testing proposed before relaxing quarantine measures
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto on Friday said the government should conduct the mass testing for novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) before deciding to relax the enhanced community quarantine it imposed to make sure that the pandemic is contained.
Manila Bulletin

Marcos: Solve dispute at Port of Manila for people’s sake
Senator Imee R. Marcos warned yesterday that Metro Manila’s health and food security could be put at risk if an ongoing dispute at the Port of Manila remains unresolved while the government tries to cope with the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

Hontiveros lauds gov’t plan for COVID-19 mass-testing 
Senator Risa Hontiveros on Friday welcomed the government’s plan to start mass testing as part of its efforts to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus disease.
Manila Bulletin

House of Representatives

Virtual sessions eyed at House amid Covid-19 threat: Cayetano
Talks for a virtual holding of sessions at the House of Representatives are in the offing as the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) threat and social distancing measures create a "new normal" for how institutions operate.
Philippine News Agency

Respect privacy of COVID patients — House leader
A House leader has personally rejected calls to have the names of COVID-19 patients publicly disclosed. “I think you cannot force a private person to disclose his condition,” said Deputy Speaker and Surigao del Sur 2nd district Rep. Johnny Pimentel.
Manila Bulletin

Ease distribution process for donations, ‘Pulong’ asks DSWD
Presidential son, Davao City 1st district Rep. Paolo Duterte has asked the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to relax the distribution process for donations amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

Pichay defends Go, says he’s no credit-grabber
Deputy Speaker and Surigao del Sur 1st district Rep. Prospero Pichay Jr. took up the cudgels for Senator Bong Go on Friday, claiming that the latter is not the type to credit-grab.
Manila Bulletin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DILG to LGUs: Don’t put your faces, names on relief packs
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has barred local officials on April 3, Friday, from placing their names and pictures on relief packs intended for the poor beneficiaries affected by the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
Manila Bulletin

MMDA spox tests negative for COVID-19
Despite her flu-like symptoms, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) spokesperson, Assistant Secretary Celine Pialago, on Friday, April 3, said that she tested negative for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Guevarra on fight against COVID-19: We should all be in this together
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Friday, April 3, called on everyone in the country to be united in the fight against the deadly 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

NBI mulls using Israeli tech for contact tracing
The National Bureau Investigation (NBI) is considering using an Israeli technology in the conduct of contact tracing of persons who may been infected with the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

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DOJ remains hands off over NBI probe of Vico
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has assured it will keep its hands off the ongoing probe the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is conducting on Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto.
Manila Bulletin

Diokno offers tips for those summoned by NBI
What do you do if you have been summoned by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)? Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) and human rights lawyer Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno advised that the person should first get a lawyer.
Manila Bulletin

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

Armed Forces of the Philippines

Military hospitals exempted in COVID pandemic – Lagman
Independent Rep. Edcel Lagman of Albay sought an answer to this question as he noted military hospitals like the Armed Forces of the Philippines Medical Center (AFPMC), formerly V. Luna Hospital, and the Veterans Memorial Medical Hospital (VMMC) have not been heard of as various private and public medical facilities have been in round-the-clock operations to treat patients infected by the dreaded COVID-19.
Manila Bulletin

Philippine National Police

PNP suffers first two COVID-19 deaths
Two police officers who tested positive for 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) succumbed to the fatal illness, the Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed on Friday.
Manila Bulletin

29 Soccsksargen cops considered COVID-19 PUI, PUMs
At least 29 police personnel in Region 12 (Soccsksargen) are currently on quarantine after being categorized as patients under investigation (PUI) and persons under monitoring (PUM) for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
NDBC News

PNP records over 77K quarantine violators
The Philippine National Police on Friday reported a total of 77,776 violators of the guidelines of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
Philippine News Agency

PNP explains disparity in cops’ hazard pay amid COVID-19
The Philippine National Police (PNP) leadership on Friday explained that policemen in the frontlines of the battle against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are only given P235 per day as hazard pay as it is all it can afford based on available funds.
Manila Bulletin

HPG takes over checkpoints to secure food supply
The Joint Task Force Corona Virus Shield (JTF CV Shield) tapped on Friday the police’s Highway Patrol Group (HPG) in securing cargo vehicles that deliver food and other basic needs in various parts of Luzon where the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) is strictly being enforced.
Manila Bulletin

Lorenzana mulls use of rapid pass system by PNP after ECQ lifting
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has floated the idea of using the rapid pass system for future law enforcement activities after the lifting of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon.
Manila Bulletin

BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION

COVID-19 help: DOF says PH to present plans vs pandemic to tap $5-B financing from China-led lender AIIB
The Philippines will present plans to tap Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank’s (AIIB) proposed $5-billion COVID-19 crisis recovery financing, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said on Friday (April 3).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Banks, lending firms to give one-month grace period on loan payments – BIR
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has instructed banks, financial and other lending institutions to grant borrowers a minimum of one month grace period to amortize, or pay their loans during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).
Manila Bulletin

BOC denies claims on delayed release of PPE, medical supplies shipments
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) debunked claims on Friday, April 3, on the delayed release of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other medical supplies.
Manila Bulletin

BOC freeing up MICP of overstaying containers to improve yard utilization in Manila ports
Yard utilization at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) is expected to improve in the coming days as the transfer of overstaying containers continues, the Bureau of Customs said Friday.
Manila Bulletin

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

Business group airs proposals on ‘calibrated easing’ of ECQ
A business and finance group recommended the “calibrated easing” of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) which is expected to end on April 12.
Manila Bulletin

PHL slowdown this year, but recovery likely in 2021 — ADB
THE Philippine economy is seen to significantly slow down this year, as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic dampens domestic consumption and growth in trade and tourism, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said on Friday.
Business World Online, Philippine Star, Manila Standard, Cebu Daily News

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

West Philippine Sea

LABOR

OWWA to ‘name and shame’ manning agencies that abandoned seafarers in Manila
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) will soon make public the names of licensed manning agencies (LMA) that have abandoned their seafarers in Manila amid the imposition of the enhanced community quarantine.
Manila Bulletin

Cash subsidy program benefits 30,000 workers
More than 30,000 workers affected by the Luzon-wide quarantine have so far availed of the government’s one-time cash subsidy program, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles announced Friday.
Manila Bulletin

TRANSPORTATION

HEALTH

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

Caraga rice farmers to get P55-million support from DA
The Department of Agriculture in the Caraga Region (DA-13) is set to release a total of PHP55 million hybrid seeds and fertilizer support to farmers in the five provinces of the region.
Philippine News Agency

Rice self-sufficiency amid COVID-19
Twelve days after Luzon was placed under enhanced community quarantine, more and more Filipinos, whether food producers or consumers, are suffering from hunger.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

EDUCATION

DepEd to tap partners in fight vs. COVID-19 outbreak
If the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon and other areas will continue, the Department of Education (DepEd) tap its private sector partners to fund essential requirements that will be distributed to schools across the country to help combat the spread of the coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

DepEd allows schools to hold graduation, moving-up rites once ECQ is lifted
The Department of Education (DepEd) said that schools may push through with end-of-school-year (EOSY) rites on the second week of April or once the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon and in other areas have been lifted.
Manila Bulletin

DepEd reminds parents: Guide children on Internet use
The Department of Education (DepEd) reminded parents to guide their children on the proper use of new online learning platforms. Undersecretary Alain Pascua said that the DepEd launched its DepEd Commons to provide access to digital learning resources as well as discourage school children from using social media platforms that may expose them to various dangers.
Manila Bulletin

Quarantine period affords many to learn some productive skills
The coronavirus quarantine has become an opportunity to learn some skills for a growing number of Filipinos.
Manila Bulletin

ENERGY

POVERTY

SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT

De Lima prods DSWD to distribute food and cash assistance efficiently
Detained Senator Leila de Lima on Friday urged the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to come up with clear guidelines for the distribution of food and cash assistance to the poor families affected by the government’s enhanced community quarantine.
Manila Bulletin

4Ps beneficiaries get cash assistance
Several families listed as beneficiaries under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) have started receiving cash assistance to cushion the impact of the quarantine period being enforced to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease 2-19 (COVID-19).
GMA News

3.7 million families to get COVID-19 cash aid as LandBank releases P16.3B
The Land Bank of the Philippines said Friday it has started releasing cash grants to more than three million household-beneficiaries of the conditional cash transfer (CCT) as part of the government’s social amelioration program (SAP) to help mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 situation on low-income families.
GMA News

HOUSING

DHSUD announces payment moratorium on its housing projects
The Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development (DHSUD) has extended the moratorium for the payment of in-house financial plans for all of its housing projects.
Manila Bulletin

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