COVID-19

Cases

Philippines’ COVID-19 death toll up to 163, cases rise to 3,660
The total number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections across the Philippines rose to 3,660 on Monday after the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed 414 new cases as authorities ramp up the country’s testing capacity.
GMA News, Manila Bulletin, CNN Philippines, ABS-CBN News

Asian Hospital doc who fought vs COVID-19 passes away
The Asian Hospital and Medical Center on Monday, April 6, honored one of its doctors who passed away after having fought against the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin, ABS-CBN News

17 COVID-19 patients recover at Asian Hospital
The Asian Hospital and Medical Center on Monday said that it has discharged a total of 17 patients who recovered from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

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DFA: Total COVID-19 cases among overseas Filipinos now 535
The Philippines has recorded 10 new cases of Filipinos abroad who have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the latest total number to 535 as of April 6.
Manila Bulletin, CNN Philippines

Filipino migrant workers in Canada worry about jobs, health during Covid-19
For three weeks now, it has become part of Sol Pajadura’s “quarantine routine” to call members of Migrante Canada who have been laid off after the provincial government ordered all non-essential businesses to close, and asked residents to stay home March 23 in an attempt to help slow the spread of Covid-19.
Rappler

Department of Health

DOH: Almost 23,000 COVID-19 tests conducted in Philippines; 82.7% yielded negative results
Almost 23,000 tests for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been conducted in the country and majority of these yielded negative results, according to Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Monday.
GMA News

RITM suspends HIV testing to focus on COVID-19 response
The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) temporarily suspended the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) drug testing to focus on the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response.
Manila Bulletin

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Meet the UP microbiologist behind the locally-produced coronavirus test kits
It was in March when the public first heard of the locally made testing kits for COVID-19. Being a cheaper version of its foreign counterpart, the initial public outcry was for it to be utilized immediately, just as cases in the country ballooned.
Manila Bulletin

Chinese experts to visit COVID-19 referral hospitals, quarantine facilities -DOH exec
The Chinese medical experts who recently arrived in the country will be visiting health care facilities that are accommodating patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Monday.
GMA News

DOST now producing 5,000 face shields daily
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) announced on Monday, April 6, it would be ramping up production of face shields through 3D printing for frontliners in the fight against the coronavirus.
Rappler

PH to start producing 10,000 PPEs daily
Three weeks after Filipino health workers sounded the alarm over the shortage personal protective equipment (PPE), the government’s coronavirus task force announced that local garment factories will start producing the badly needed items for frontliners treating coronavirus patients.
Rappler

IATF

Galvez: 13,025 PUIs set for COVID-19 testing
With more available resources, at least 13,025 persons under investigation (PUIs) will be tested for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as the national government shifts its focus on tracing the virus-carriers.
Manila Bulletin

NCR to be prioritized in COVID-19 mass testing —Galvez
The National Capital Region will be prioritized in the conduct of mass testing of persons suspected of being infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. on Monday.
GMA News

Galvez says dip in COVID-19 cases not enough to say Pinoys already safe
The chief implementer of the government's national policy against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on Monday said the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine has helped in lowering the number of COVID-19 cases.
GMA News

Galvez on lifting or extending ECQ: Let’s wait for Duterte’s decision
There is no decision yet on whether the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon will be lifted or extended beyond April 13, according to retired general Carlito Galvez Jr. on Monday.
GMA News

Año asks for more patience and understanding, as the public bemoan possible ECQ extension
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año has renewed his call for patience and understanding after some had grumbled about their restricted mobility with the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) still in place to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

IATF execs inspect Ninoy Aquino Stadium quarantine facility
Several government officials on Monday checked the new quarantine facility set up at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex's Ninoy Aquino Stadium, which was going to be used for suspected cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
GMA News

Gov’t buildings in New Clark City converted into COVID-19 hospital — Nograles
Government buildings at the New Clark City in Tarlac have been refurbished to serve as health facilities for COVID-19 patients, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said Monday.
GMA News

Gov’t to do away with ‘red tape, cumbersome rules’ in distribution of Bayanihan cash aid
The government has vowed to remove any cumbersome rules in the distribution of emergency subsidy to low-income families and hold accountable those involved in any anomaly related to it.
Manila Bulletin

Gov’t to prioritize indigent senior citizens in distribution of aid
The government will prioritize the distribution of financial aid to indigent senior citizens over those already receiving private pension, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said on Monday.
Manila Bulletin

Task force ready to protect health workers
The Joint Task Force Corona Virus Shield (JTF CoViD Shield) vowed to protect health workers from harassment or attacks.
Manila Bulletin

Regions

Sta Rita municipal gov't in Pampanga confirms first coronavirus case
The Sta. Rita municipal government in Pampanga on Sunday, April 5, confirmed its first coronavirus case, and its mayor immediately appealed for “compassion and not discrimination”.
Rappler

Singaporean is first coronavirus patient in Zambales town
A 62-year-old male Singaporean is the first coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patient of San Marcelino town in Zambales, its mayor said.
Rappler

Caraga records first COVID-19 case
The Department of Health - Center for Health Development in CARAGA on Monday confirmed that a patient has tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
GMA News

Another village in Iloilo locked down amid Covid-19
The local government of Miag-ao on Sunday locked down a village in the town after a 94-year-old resident tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Philippine News Agency

Dagupan City records first Covid-19 death
An 80-year-old male from Barangay Pogo Chico here is the first casualty in the city due to coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), authorities confirmed.
Philippine News Agency

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Sara Duterte: Davao exec quit over cockfights held ahead of COVID-19 quarantine
A Davao official has resigned after three cockfighting events were held in the city in early March as the number of COVID-19 cases started to climb in the country.
GMA News

Sara Duterte: Tricycles, taxis allowed in Davao City amid COVID-19 quarantine
Mayor Sara Duterte has allowed the operation of tricycles in the Davao City amid the implementation of a community quarantine meant to stop the spread of COVID-19.
GMA News

'Walang maiiwan': Manila to give P1,000 to families under coronavirus lockdown
The Manila City government will give out P1,000 from its own local government funds to 568,000 Manila families, amounting to a total of P591.5 million, to help them get by under the coronavirus lockdown.
Rappler

GenSan allocates additional P102-M for COVID-19 response
The city government has allocated an additional P102 million as buffer fund for its continuing efforts to address the threats posed by the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Mindanews

Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector 

Negative pressure ambulances, testing machines to arrive –Red Cross
Additional vehicles and testing equipment for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response were expected to arrive in the country soon, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) announced on Monday.
GMA News

SMC efforts to help in Covid-19 fight reach P877.8-M to date
Donations from San Miguel Corporation (SMC) to the nationwide effort to manage the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) on the country has reached PHP877.8 million, including a personal donation of PHP100 million from its president, Ramon Ang.
Philippine News Agency

INC donates P13.2M PPE, vitamins, disinfectants to QC LGU
The Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) has donated to the Quezon City government P13.2 million worth of personal protective equipment (PPE), vitamins, disinfectants, and other hospital needs for the use of the city’s frontliners.
Manila Bulletin

Incidents

Police storm Quezon City community kitchens, tear down protest posters
Cops from the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) stormed community kitchens in Sitio San Roque on Monday, April 6, to take down protest posters demanding for food and mass testing amid the coronavirus lockdown.
Rappler, Philippine Star

PNP nabs 32 for allegedly spreading fake news amid COVID-19 threat
A total of 32 individuals were arrested for allegedly spreading fake news amid the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday.
GMA News

Religious group decries arrest of pastor who organized event amid quarantine
A religious group based in Cagayan de Oro on Monday denounced the arrest of a pastor who violated social distancing measures amid a city-wide quarantine by organizing an event for some 500 people.
GMA News

Chinese General Hospital hits harassment of frontliners
The Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center (CGHMC) on Monday denounced the harassment and discrimination against its healthcare workers amid the new coronavirus pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

4 suspects selling overpriced alcohol nabbed in Albay
Police arrested in separate operations persons selling several bottles of overpriced alcohol in Legazpi City in Albay province, police said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Police nab ‘doctor’, live-in partner for selling overpriced medical gear
Authorities have arrested a woman posing as a doctor and her live-in partner in Cavite province for selling overpriced and unregistered thermal gun scanners and surgical masks made in China.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Ex-law dean files complaint vs Koko Pimentel for breaching quarantine
Former University of Makati law dean Rico Quicho filed on Monday, April 6, a complaint against Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III for breaching the Department of Health (DOH) protocol by visiting the Makati Medical Center (MMC) while under self-quarantine.
Rappler

Koko waiting for copy of complaint filed vs. him for ‘reckless’ visit to Makati Medical Center
Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III on Monday said he is still waiting to be furnished with a copy of the legal complaint filed against him over his alleged violation of quarantine protocols last month.
GMA News

Editorial, Opinion and Features

The Coronavirus Inflicts Its Own Kind of Terror
The virus generates much the same fear and anxiety caused by terrorism, but it is brought by nature, not by humans. And it demands a different response: staying alone.
The New York Times

Autocrats’ Quandary: You Can’t Arrest a Virus
The world’s strongmen are reverting to their standard playbook to project an aura of control. It’s a risky strategy for a chaotic crisis.
The New York Times

PH’s Duterte vs SG’s Lee: A world of contrasts
When asked about South Korea’s remarkable success in containing a large-scale epidemic without any large-scale lockdown, that country’s foreign minister, Kang Kyung-wha, proudly emphasized: “The basic principle is openness, transparency, and fully keeping the public informed. And I think this is paying off.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer

[OPINION] An open letter to DOH’s communications team
Dear DOH communications team, Our understanding of how coronavirus testing works – and our general knowledge of this pandemic – would be greatly improved if the concerned government agencies in our country were able to report the testing data in the clearest, most accurate way possible.
Rappler

[OPINION] I was trying to heal from trauma and grief – and then the pandemic happened
The past two weeks of the lockdown may seem like a lifetime for many. But for people like me experiencing anxiety and grief, the past weeks have not been so different from my life before all this happened.
Rappler

[OPINION] The virus that flushed out the neoliberals
There is no truth to claims that the ongoing pandemic is the planet's way of “healing” itself. This claim comes from a privileged viewpoint, romanticizing the pandemic in the face of catastrophic effects on human lives. This view offers a sneak peek into how current global systems make us externalize our ecology.
Rappler

[EDITORIAL] People to Digong: Sige, i-police power mo nga ang virus!
“A failure of execution.” 'Yan ang tawag ng mga eksperto sa tugon ng pamahalaang Pilipinas sa pandemic.
Rappler

[OPINION] It's our dissent that will save us
Stay home. Be quiet. We’re on it. Just wait. Help will come. Trust us. Do as you’re told or else. These, in a nutshell, were the key messages pounded on the public by President Rodrigo Duterte and his officials in the 3 weeks that the entire Luzon and other parts of the country have been on lockdown due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Rappler

[OPINION] Can we beat the coronavirus with ‘discipline’?
I currently live in Tagbilaran City and have observed how Filipinos patiently abide by the quarantine despite the great inconvenience. This, to me, is striking, considering the usual complaints about Filipinos, even when it’s not crisis time – such as how “Filipinos are undisciplined, don’t know how to follow the rules” and “the Philippine state is too inefficient to regulate the people.”
Rappler

World

U.N. chief urges governments to protect women during virus lockdown
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is urging governments around the world to include the protection of women in their response to the deadly novel coronavirus pandemic.
Rappler

Japan prepares for state of emergency over coronavirus
Japan's government began preparing on Monday, April 6, for the declaration of a state of emergency over the outbreak of the new coronavirus, as infections spike in the capital Tokyo and elsewhere.
Rappler

Ecuador VP apologizes after coronavirus corpses left on streets
Ecuador's vice president Otto Sonnenholzner has apologized after scores of bodies were left on the streets of Guayaquil as the coronavirus ravages the horror-struck port city.
Rappler

Spain sees third daily drop in coronavirus deaths
Spain saw its third consecutive daily decline in the number of people dying from the coronavirus pandemic as the country recorded another 674 fatalities on Sunday, April 5.
Rappler

Apple to ship 1 million face shields a week for medical workers
Apple has said it will soon be producing one million face shields a week for medical workers battling the coronavirus pandemic.
Rappler

Crowd in Ivory Coast destroys coronavirus test center
Residents in a working-class district of the Ivory Coast city of Abidjan on Sunday, April 4, destroyed a coronavirus testing center that was under construction, police and health ministry officials said.
Rappler

U.S. Navy captain fired for voicing virus concern tests positive – report
The US naval commander whose widely publicized plea for help for his coronavirus-affected crew led to his dismissal has reportedly himself tested positive for the disease.
Rappler

Virus-hit U.S. girds for 'Pearl Harbor moment' as death toll spikes
US governors on Sunday, April 5, appealed to the White House for a national strategy against the fast-spreading coronavirus, as deaths surged and health authorities warned the coming week could resemble a "Pearl Harbor moment."
Rappler

UK PM in hospital as queen says united effort will defeat virus
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was taken to hospital on Sunday, April 5, after failing to shake off coronavirus symptoms, as Queen Elizabeth II said a united effort would defeat the outbreak.
Rappler

Glimmer of hope in virus-hit Europe as U.S. girds for 'hardest' week
European nations most ravaged by the new coronavirus on Sunday, April 5, reported encouraging signs in their fight against the deadly pandemic, as the United States braced for what may be its "hardest" week in recent memory.
Rappler

The campaign to promote a Soviet-era drug as a coronavirus miracle cure
Paolo Gellano was in a restaurant in New York City when he first heard about the “strange medicine from Russia.” The drug was called Arbidol, and, according to the other diners, was supposedly an effective treatment for coronavirus.
Rappler

20,000 worshippers quarantined in Pakistan after major search
Pakistan has quarantined 20,000 worshippers and is still searching for tens of thousands more who attended an Islamic gathering in Lahore last month despite the worsening coronavirus pandemic, officials said Sunday.
Rappler

France reports lowest daily virus toll in a week, total now 8,078
France on Sunday, April 5, reported 357 coronavirus deaths in hospital in 24 hours, the lowest daily increase in a week, bringing the country's toll to 8,078.
Rappler

Italy's coronavirus deaths plunge to lowest since March 19
Italian officials said Sunday, April 5, they may soon have to consider easing restrictions after seeing the daily coronavirus death toll plunge to its lowest in over two weeks.
Rappler

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OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

READ: Duterte’s 2nd weekly report on use of additional powers vs coronavirus
President Rodrigo Duterte has submitted to Congress on Monday the second report on his use of additional powers against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Duterte issues guidelines on release of COVID-19 special risk allowance for public health workers
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday issued guidelines on the release of special risk allowance for public health workers who are on the frontlines in the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). 
GMA News

Duterte studying whether or not to extend COVID-19 quarantine in Luzon
President Rodrigo Duterte is weighing his options on whether to lift or extend the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon, his spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Monday.
GMA News

Duterte says 'inclined to extend' Luzon lockdown until April 30
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said the national government may extend the ongoing lockdown of Luzon, home to half of the Philippines' 100-million population, until April 30 to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
ABS-CBN News, Philippine Star, Manila Bulletin

Duterte calls nation to prayer on Holy Wednesday
President Duterte has rallied the nation to pray together this Holy Wednesday so the country can defeat the coronavirus pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

Duterte seeks more funds for COVID-19 response as P270B ‘not enough’
President Rodrigo Duterte asked Finance Secretary Carlos “Sonny” Dominguez III on Monday evening to look for more sources to fund the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, saying that the P270-billion budget already alotted was “not enough.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Duterte ‘agrees’ with Remulla’s appeal to include middle class in emergency aid
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night said he agreed with Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla’s claim that middle-class families would also need the government’s emergency subsidy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Gov’t to release livelihood assistance grant on or before April 14
The government will release funds under the Livelihood Assistance Grant (LAG) on or before April 14 which may be used by beneficiaries as capital to start up a new small business to help tide them over the effects of the COVID-19 crisis.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Gov’t secures facilities, resources for health workers, frontliners
President Duterte told Congress that the government has secured more facilities and other resources for health workers and other frontliners to support them as they fight the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

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Duterte ‘fit and healthy,’ won’t take another COVID-19 test —Panelo
President Rodrigo Duterte will not take another test for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) because he is “fit and healthy,” his spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Monday.
GMA News, Manila Bulletin

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

Robredo looking to provide more dorms for COVID-19 frontliners
The office of Vice President Leni Robredo is looking for more dormitories that can accommodate medical frontliners, who have been evicted from their boarding houses and communities.
Manila Bulletin

DOTr to take over OVP free bus rides for frontliners — Robredo
The Office of the Vice President (OVP) may have to rely on the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for the continued operations of its free shuttle service for medical frontliners in case the enhanced community quarantine is extended.
Manila Bulletin

ELECTION RELATED

DISASTER

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

SC orders swift actions on family, commercial cases
The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the country’s trial court judges to act promptly on all commercial and family cases that may be filed during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) when courts are on physical shutdown.
Manila Bulletin

LEGISLATIVE

Senate of the Philippines

Use bottom-up approach, cover more beneficiaries of cash aid —senators
The executive branch should reconcile the disparities between the number of beneficiaries estimated by the national government and the list provided by the local government units in order to address the complaints on the distribution of emergency cash aid, according to Senator Panfilo Lacson on Monday.
GMA News

Sonny Angara says he's now negative for COVID-19
Senator Sonny Angara on Monday announced that he finally got discharged from the hospital after winning his battle with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
GMA News

Hontiveros proposes four-point COVID-19 action plan
Senator Risa Hontiveros said on Tuesday that she and some former health secretaries have drafted a four-point plan as they made an urgent appeal to the government to intensify efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

House of Representatives

Duterte’s televised address also part of his weekly report to Congress — Cayetano
President Rodrigo Duterte's televised public address is also a part of his weekly report to Congress on the acts performed under the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said Monday.
GMA News

Makabayan solons urge faster distribution of cash subsidies
Makabayan Bloc lawmakers on Monday called on the government to fast-track the distribution of emergency cash subsidies to low-income households affected by the ongoing threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
GMA News

Cebu solon proposes 'staggered lifting' of Luzon-wide quarantine
A lawmaker is urging the government to employ a "staggered" lifting of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) by implementing localized quarantines instead as a "win-win" solution in the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
GMA News

Solon urges gov't to provide medical frontliners with COVID-19 test kits
A lawmaker on Monday urged the government to also provide medical frontliners with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) test kits considering that they are susceptible to contracting the novel coronavirus.
GMA News

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

City mayors seek DSWD clarification on subsidy guidelines
The League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) has sought clarification from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on the guidelines for the release of government financial assistance amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) crisis.
Philippine News Agency

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

DOJ to apply law ‘fairly, uniformly,’ says Guevarra
The Department of Justice will apply the law "fairly and uniformly," Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said after a criminal complaint was filed against Senator Aquilino Pimentel III over his alleged breach of self-quarantine.
GMA News

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

Armed Forces of the Philippines

AFP tells Filipinos: Have faith, we will triumph over virus pandemic
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday joined the Christian faithfuls worldwide in a “peaceful and pious” observance of the Lenten season amid the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

PH Navy braces for delay in delivery of BRP Jose Rizal
The delivery of BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150), the country’s first ever missile-capable frigate, from South Korea late this month might be delayed because of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the Philippine Navy (PN) said.
Manila Bulletin

Philippine National Police

Number of COVID-infected PNP personnel now at 19 — spox Banac
The number of confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the Philippine National Police rose to 19, according to spokesman Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac on Monday.
GMA News

PNP creates new task force amid possible extension of ECQ
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has created a new task force that would reinforce the government’s efforts against the COVID-19, in anticipation of the possible extension of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
Manila Bulletin

Cops given 30-day reprieve on salary loans 
Policemen with existing loans from any of the six accredited financial institutions that provide financial services to personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) were given a 30-day moratorium on salary deductions.
Manila Bulletin

BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION

Congress, BIR urged to exempt heirs of coronavirus victims from paying estate tax
Tax practitioners and taxpayers are urging Congress and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to exempt the heirs of decedents who died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from paying estate tax.
Manila Bulletin

Financial aid to LGUs to be released soon by DBM
A financial assistance for local government units’ (LGUs) measures in combating the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) will soon be released by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

West Philippine Sea

LABOR

Filipino seafarers lament lack of government assistance amid COVID-19
We have tried to reach out to the health department but we have only received their reply via email saying that we should practice social distancing. There was no response to our call for mass testing. None of the phone lines given by DOH was picking up.”
Bulatlat

POEA issues guidelines on OFW repatriation, arrivals
The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has directed all Philippine licensed recruitment agencies and manning agencies to adopt its guidelines on the arrival and repatriation of overseas Filipinos and the guidelines at seaports for all maritime vessels, according to POEA Administrator Bernard Olalia.
Manila Bulletin

POEA suspends deployment of Filipino health workers
The Philippine government has temporarily suspended the overseas deployment of health care workers amid the state of public health emergency in the country due to coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
Philippine News Agency

23,000 more seafarers returning due to pandemic
Around 23,000 Filipino seafarers are expected to return in the country after cruise ships worldwide ceased their operation due to the pandemic, the chief of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said on Monday.
Manila Bulletin

Over 6,600 OFWs back home since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak
A total of 6,656 distressed overseas Filipinos have been repatriated back to the Philippines following the worldwide outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA) of the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a report on April 6, Monday.
Manila Bulletin

Gov’t looking for alternative jobs for displaced OFWs
The government is determined to explore alternative work opportunities for local and overseas Filipino workers who will be displaced by the coronavirus-related global economic slowdown.
Manila Bulletin

TRANSPORTATION

Google Maps now shows info on DOTR's free hospital shuttle services
Google Maps will now include information on free hospital shuttle servivces provided by the Department of Transportation (DOTr). There are 19 existing routes within Metro Manila, and with lines from San Jose del Monte, Bulacan all the way to Cabuyao, Laguna. The routes can be found on the public transport tab of Maps.
Rappler

HEALTH

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

Food security in the time of COVID-19
The Covid 19 pandemic is fast turning into a food security crisis. Food security is generally defined by United Nations agencies as the ability of a country to give its population access, at all times, to ample, safe, nutritious and affordable food.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

EDUCATION

DepEd directs deferment of loan remittance releases pending issuance of internal guidelines
The Department of Education (DepEd) instructed all offices and units involved in the preparation and processing of loan remittances to temporarily hold the release of loan amortizations for this month until “further notice.”
Manila Bulletin

DepEd urged to set up medical fund for frontline personnel
The Department of Education (DepEd) was urged on Monday to set up a medical fund that will provide financial assistance to its own personnel who are performing frontline tasks amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) spread in the country.
Manila Bulletin

ENERGY

POVERTY

SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT

DSWD disburses emergency fund to Region 11 LGUs
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-11) has started downloading the emergency fund under the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) of the government to support workers in the informal sector affected by the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
Philippine News Agency

DSWD could have tapped ‘Listahanan’ to hasten aid distribution, says CamSur’s Villafuerte
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) could have been much faster in distributing cash aid to some 18 million poor families under the P200-billion Emergency Subsidy Program (ESP).
Manila Bulletin

HOUSING

TOURISM

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Anti-mining leader nabbed as cops disperse people’s barricade against Oceanagold
“It is infuriating that the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte has done more to care for large-scale mining corporations than to respond to the millions of Filipinos becoming increasingly facing starvation, police brutality, and unchecked contamination of the COVID-19 virus.”
Bulatlat

‘Don’t bite hand that feeds you’: DENR asks staff to stop posting anti-gov’t views
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is discouraging its employees from posting negative remarks about the government on social media amid the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY  

BAP urges public to be vigilant vs. phishing
The Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) has urged the public to be vigilant against phishing activities especially now that some people rely on online transactions following the declaration of enhanced community quarantine in most parts of the country.
Philippine News Agency

Smart provides Wi-Fi at new coronavirus healthcare facilities
Smart announced on Monday, April 6, it would be providing Wi-Fi at several, new COVID-19 healthcare facilities.
Rappler