COVID-19

Cases

COVID-19 cases in PH top 85,000, beat UP experts’ projection
COVID-19 cases in the country exceeded the 85,000 projection of experts from the University of the Philippines for the end of July after nearly 2,000 infections were recorded Wednesday.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News, Philippine Daily Inquirer

600 PCG frontliners test positive for virus
More personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard working in the frontlines of the pandemic have tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The  PCG now has 600 the total confirmed cases.
Manila Bulletin

DFA reports surge in COVID-19 infections among Filipinos abroad
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday reported a significant increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) involving Filipinos abroad after it recorded 87 new cases, 11 deaths and 35 recoveries in the latest figures from various foreign service posts worldwide. 
Manila Bulletin

34 Filipino COVID-19 patients in South Korea recover
Thirty-four out of 78 Filipinos infected with COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) in South Korea have already recovered, Philippine Embassy Chargè d’Affaires Christian De Jesus said on Wednesday. 
Manila Bulletin

Department of Health

No approved vaccine yet against COVID-19 –FDA
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday cautioned the public against supposed vaccine products claiming to be effective in preventing or treating the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

Philippines' COVID-19 mega quarantine sites in 'danger zone' -DOH
The national government's mega quarantine facilities for COVID-19 are now over 70% full, the Department of Health said on Wednesday.
GMA News

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

Improve hospital monitoring to ensure timely treatment of critically-ill COVID-19 patients, solon urges DOH
Northern Samar 1st District Rep. Paul Daza urged Wednesday (July 29) the Department of Health (DOH) to set up a Central Coordinating Office that would monitor the overall utilization of hospital beds dedicated for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients, and identify the hospitals that can accommodate the critical care patients.
Manila Bulletin

Gov. Chiz tells DOH: Don’t ride out COVID-19, fight it in proactive way
Sorsogon Gov. Francis “Chiz” Escudero said the Department of Health (DOH) should lead the country’s fight against the COVID pandemic in a “proactive way” and “not simply be content in reporting out statistics.”
Manila Bulletin, GMA News

IATF

Leachon says Duque may be overwhelmed, suggests reorganization of leadership
The former special adviser of the National Task Force Against COVID-19 on Wednesday proposed a reorganization of leadership within the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), saying that Health Secretary Francisco Duque III may be overwhelmed with his many responsibilities.
GMA News

IATF OKs reopening of review centers, fitness centers, internet cafes in GCQ areas
The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has approved the re-opening of review centers, fitness centers, and internet cafes in areas under General Community Quarantine (GQC), Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez said on Wednesday.
Manila Bulletin

More personal care, entertainment establishments to open in GCQ, MGCQ areas on Aug. 1
More personal care, entertainment, and learning establishments were allowed by the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to resume operations on a limited capacity starting Saturday, August 1.
Manila Bulletin

Schools must be last resort in search for quarantine facilities, says NTF spox
Schools should only be converted into quarantine facilities in areas where there are no lodging establishments like hotels or motels, the spokesperson of the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 urged local authorities on Wednesday.
GMA News

PNP prepares for strict quarantine enforcement at barangay-level 
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has started crafting guidelines on the implementation of the barangay-level enforcement of the mandatory wearing of face masks and other quarantine rules as part of the government strategy to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Manila Bulletin

Regions

GenSan health personnel tracing 60 close contacts of COVID-19-positive LSI
Health personnel here are monitoring at least 60 persons who were traced to have had close contact with a returning resident who tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) after being released from quarantine.
Mindanews

CDO's Covid-19 recoveries surpass active cases
The city's coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) recoveries have already surpassed the number of active cases, local officials said Wednesday.
Philippine News Agency

Couple from Bohol town positive for COVID-19
A couple from Catigbian town in Bohol tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Catigbian Mayor Elizabeth Mandin said the couple from Barangay Haguilanan got infected when they had close contact with the town’s first COVID-19 patient, a 39-year-old delivery driver.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Boat captain from Negros Occidental dies of COVID-19
A boat captain from San Carlos City in Negros Occidental died of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City at 5:50 p.m. on Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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

800 LSIs leave for Caraga, 800 more to leave for Zamboanga
A total of 800 locally stranded individuals (LSIs) on Wednesday left the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila for Caraga amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
GMA News

Strict protocols imposed in Baguio amid rise in cases
The Baguio City Government has brought back the strict protocols it previously imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) amid the city’s sudden surge in cases.
GMA News

Noveleta, Cavite mayor denies spreading fake news over COVID-19
The Mayor of Noveleta, Cavite has dismissed accusations that he is spreading "fake news" by reporting false information regarding a COVID-19 case in Cavite City, claiming that the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act is being used for "politics."
GMA News

Free hotel accommodations offered to medical frontliners
Around 60  emergency medical frontliners from the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC) are staying at the Madison Park Hotel in Tacloban City for free. 
Manila Bulletin

Slowdown in COVID-19 cases in Cebu City prompts optimism tough lockdown would end
The growth in COVID-19 cases here continued to slow down, prompting the Central Visayas office of the Department of Health to express optimism that the city would enter a softer quarantine phase by Aug. 1.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector 

Incidents and Violations

Experts weigh in on how to detect and handle cyberbullying
There is no denying that cyberbullying has seen a huge spike in cases ever since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic broke out and everybody has been turning to technology to keep in touch with one another and conduct lessons and businesses.
Manila Bulletin

Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features

What we know so far: Duterte admin's new plan for curbing COVID-19 infections
After more than a week of a thousand to 2,000 new infections reported daily, President Rodrigo Duterte’s coronavirus task force has come up with what its spokesman Harry Roque dubbed “major changes” to their pandemic response strategy.
Rappler

The IMF, COVID-19 and anti-corruption: the story so far - Blog
With a one trillion dollars in available lending capacity since the outbreak of COVID-19, the IMF has played a leading role in mitigating the economic impacts of the pandemic. To date, the Fund has made available, through its various lending facilities and debt service relief initiatives, more than US$83 billion to more than 80 countries.
Transparency International

Two New Studies Show How The Covid-19 Coronavirus Causes Damage To The Heart
Groove may not be the only thing in the heart when one has a Covid-19 coronavirus infection. Two studies just published in JAMA Cardiology found evidence that the Covid-19 coronavirus can make it to your heart. And not in a good rom-com or BTS type of way.
Forbes

COVID-19 and conflict: advancing women’s meaningful participation in ceasefires and peace processes (Policy Brief No. 19)
This brief addresses the importance of women’s full, equal and meaningful participation to an effective pandemic response and to peacemaking efforts, and how the women, peace and security (WPS) agenda can provide a critical framework for inclusive decision-making and sustainable solutions. 
Reliefweb/ UN Women

World

Saudi Arabia reports over 1,700 new COVID-19 cases
More than 1,700 people were diagnosed with COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia in the recent day, official data revealed on Wednesday.  According to the Health Ministry, 1,759 more infections were registered in the last 24 hours and the total number of cases rose to 272,590.
Anadolu Agency

Factory workers face a major COVID-19 risk. Here’s how AI can help keep them safe
When India emerged from COVID-19 lockdown around the end of May, my company’s artificial intelligence branch received urgent calls from business leaders all over the country and beyond. 
World Economic Forum

The UK’s BAME groups are more likely to have lost their jobs in lockdown
The COVID-19 pandemic and the global rise of anti-racism movements, such as Black Lives Matter, are the most prominent events to define our lives in 2020.
World Economic Forum

Thai troops test positive for COVID-19 after US drill
At least nine Thai soldiers have tested positive for COVID-19 after returning from a military drill in the US, the government said on Wednesday. A total of 150 Royal Thai Army soldiers returned on July 22 from the exercise in Hawaii, the Bangkok Post reported.
Anadolu Agency

Global report: obey rules to avoid second Covid-19 lockdown, leaders warn
France’s health minister, Olivier Véran, has warned that the struggle with coronavirus virus will be long, and that a second national lockdown will be avoided only if people stick to physical distancing rules.
The Guardian

India’s Covid-19 Fallout Collides With A Shaky Economy
The bromance between Donald Trump and Narendra Modi features the kind of rivalry no world leader wants: the title of fastest-growing Covid-19 epidemic anywhere. 
Forbes

Thailand Extends State of Emergency for Fourth Time to Curb Covid-19
Thailand’s Cabinet extended the country’s state of emergency for a fourth time, by one month through Aug. 31, an expected decision aimed at keeping the country’s Covid-19 count to one of the lowest in Asia, according to a government spokeswoman.
Bloomberg

Herd Immunity Can’t Save Afghanistan From COVID -19
Liyaqat Layeeq started to cough one Saturday morning in late June after several days of living with a mild fever. As a healthy young person, Layeeq did not expect to struggle, experiencing breathing difficulties, sore throat, high fever, and severe body aches.
The Diplomat

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

‘Reinvigorated’ fight vs COVID-19 bared; Duterte set to announce new quarantine status on Thursday
Malacañang said there will now be major changes in the government’s response against the COVID-19 pandemic as the number of people infected by the disease inches closer to the projected 85,000 cases by month’s end by the University of the Philippines (UP).
Manila Bulletin

Gov’t ‘sad’ on 85,000 likely COVID-19 cases by end-July — Roque
“You got want you wanted.” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque gave this sharp retort to his critics after the country may not be able to beat the University of the Philippines’ forecast of cases reaching 85,000 by the end of the month.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News

Palace: Gov’t not an absolute failure in dealing with coronavirus pandemic
The government has not been an “absolute failure” in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, Malacañang asserted on Wednesday despite the rising cases of infections.
Manila Bulletin

Palace: NCR a living experiment in fight vs COVID-19
Malacañang said the National Capital Region (NCR) is a living experiment in the government’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic but expressed confidence that it will be a successful one in the end.
Manila Bulletin

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

Absence of Catholic priests in SONA invocation a first?
The 5th State of the Nation Address on Monday may have scored much  precedence as a result of the COVID-19 but the absence of a Catholic priest garbed in stole and vestment during the invocation could have been a non-pandemic first in Congress history.
Manila Bulletin

‘No offense meant vs. Catholic Church’, says RTVM head, on absence of priest in SONA inter-faith prayer
There was no deliberate intent to offend the Catholic Church when a priest was not included in the recent inter-faith prayer during President Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), according to a Palace official.
Manila Bulletin

Abante: Lack of Catholic rep in SONA prayer wasn’t intentional
Pastor-turned-congressman Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. thinks that the apparent non-inclusion of a Catholic priest in the invocation of President Duterte’s State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) last Monday wasn’t done on purpose.
Manila Bulletin

Catholic leaders dismiss SONA snub, call for continued prayers for gov’t and nation
Father Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Public Affairs Committee has come out to explain the absence of a Catholic priest during Monday’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) interfaith prayer.
Manila Bulletin

Cops’ confiscation of placards during Quiapo mass not a ‘misbehavior’ — PNP Chief
Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Archie Gamboa said he does not consider the confiscation of protestors’ placards by policemen during a mass in Quiapo Church as a “misbehavior.”
Manila Bulletin

Duterte blew chance to unite Filipinos amid pandemic — Bishop Bagaforo
President Rodrigo Duterte had a massive chance to push for unity and solidarity amid the coronavirus health crisis and he blew it, a Catholic bishop said.
NDBC News

TURNING POINT: SONA 5: Inutile
Somewhere in his speech, President Duterte desired the people’s unity, cooperation and support in weathering the trying times. Yet his opening salvo and concluding blast was divisive.
Mindanews

What the country needs now: It’s not in the SONA
FOR sure, the urgent and sweeping measures recounted or proposed by President Rodrigo Duterte in his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday are immensely important to fight the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) and to revive the national economy.
The Manila Times

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

Swab test first: PSG tightens security for Duterte as more Palace personnel contract virus
Stricter safety protocols will be implemented around President Rodrigo Duterte, the head of his official security detail said Wednesday as more personnel in Malacañang have contracted COVID-19.
ABS-CBN News

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

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

Pandemic can’t be solved by just waiting for vaccine –Leni
Vice President Leni Robredo said on Wednesday the government’s response should not entirely depend on containing the coronavirus outbreak until a vaccine becomes available.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News

Robredo backs stimulus package to cushion COVID-19 impact
Vice President Leni Robredo on Wednesday backed the P1.3-trillion Accelerated Recovery and Investments Stimulus for the Economy (ARISE) measure, which is designed to help the economy recover from the coronavirus pandemic in the next four years.
Manila Bulletin

ELECTION RELATED

DISASTER

NDRRMC prepares ‘national response plan’ for health hazards
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) bared on Wednesday that it is planning to finish a “national response plan” for health hazards which can be used in addressing future issues with the same magnitude as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. 
Manila Bulletin

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

House minority bloc divided on Cha-cha, says Rep. Abante
House Minority Leader Benny Abante Jr. on Wednesday said their bloc members are divided on Charter change (Cha-cha). In a forum in Manila, Abante said that the lawmakers in the bloc have the freedom to stand for what they believe.
GMA News

JUDICIARY

‘Stop transfers of convicted persons to BuCor to prevent COVID-19 spread’ — SC
The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday (July 29) stopped all trial court judges from ordering the transfer of convicted persons from the detention cells of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to the jail facilities of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) in a move to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

LEGISLATIVE

Senate of the Philippines

17 of Sen. Gordon’s staff test positive for COVID-19
Seventeen or one half of the Senate staff of Senator Richard J. Gordon have been tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and all are now at different quarantine facilities.
Manila Bulletin

7 senators urge COA to review Bayanihan Law spending
A resolution signed by seven senators urging the Commission on Audit (COA) to conduct a special review of the government’s spending under the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act has been filed in the Senate.
Manila Bulletin

Drilon presses gov’t on comprehensive plan to fight COVID-19
Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon on Wednesday reiterated his call for the Duterte government to lay out a comprehensive plan to fight the COVID-19 pandemic following the Department of Health’s (DOH) admission that hospitals, particularly in Metro Manila, are about to reach the “danger zone.”
Manila Bulletin

Gatchalian urges gov’t to build field hospitals for COVID patients
The government should seriously consider constructing field hospitals to augment and increase augmentation of COVID-19 positive patients instead of enforcing stricter quarantine protocols against the coronavirus, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said on Wednesday.
Manila Bulletin

7 health care bills filed by Sen. Go pass third and final reading
The Senate has passed on third and final reading seven local bills designed to upgrade hospital care and services in different health facilities in the country.  
Manila Bulletin

Sotto asks colleagues to review Senate journals on debates on reimposition of death penalty
Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III today asked his colleagues to review Senate journals in the early 90s to guide them in the debates on the controversial proposal to reimpose the death penalty on heinous crimes as requested by President Duterte.
Manila Bulletin

Poe warns Dito of revocation of its franchise if its promises remain unfulfilled
Senator Grace Poe warned on Wednesday the firm Dito Telecommunity of possible revocation of its franchise should it fail to fulfill its commitments to the government by July next year.
Manila Bulletin

House of Representatives

‘Outlier’ Hataman won’t mind losing Deputy Speakership over beliefs
Basilan lone district Rep. Mujiv Hataman said Wednesday that he is fine with the possibility of the House leadership stripping him of his position as Deputy Speaker.
Manila Bulletin

House panel okays bill imposing 12% VAT on digital transactions
The House Committee on Ways and Means approved on Wednesday a measure imposing a 12 percent value-added tax (VAT) on digital transactions in the country aimed at raising P10 billion new revenues for the government’s fight against COVID-19. 
Manila Bulletin

Drilon, LP failed to pass anti-dynasty bill under Noynoy, says solon
Anak-Kalusugan party-list Representative Michael Defensor on Wednesday doubted Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon's sincerity in asking President Rodrigo Duterte to certify as urgent the anti-dynasty bill.
GMA News

Quimbo: Passage of P1.3-T stimulus fund needed for effective COVID-19 response
President Rodrigo Duterte should support the passage of the P1.3 trillion stimulus package dubbed as the Accelerated Recovery and Investments Stimulus for the Economy (ARISE) bill so the country could have an effective COVID-19 response, House Assistant Minority Leader Stella Quimbo of Marikina said.
GMA News

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

Former Apayao town mayor shot dead
The former mayor of Flora town, Apayao was shot dead Tuesday night, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Manila Bulletin

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Senate decision to hold off probe of Bilibid deaths welcomed
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Wednesday welcomed the decision of the Senate to wait for the results of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) probe before proceeding with the inquiry over the deaths of Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) who died at Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) prisons due to the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

DOJ gets death certificates of BuCor inmates who died of COVID-19
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has received and will turn over to investigators the death certificates of 21 convicted inmates who reportedly died of COVID-19, officials said Wednesday.
GMA News

BI lockdown extended until Thursday
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced its main building in Intramuros, Manila will remain closed until Thursday to enable all of their employees to undergo rapid antibody tests for the COVID-19 virus.
Manila Bulletin

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

Armed Forces of the Philippines

Army chief Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay is next AFP Chief of Staff
President Duterte has chosen Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay, the Commanding General of the Philippine Army, as the next Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) effective August 3, 2020, it was learned on Wednesday.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News, The Manila Times, ABS-CBN News

Gapay expected to sustain military’s modernization –Palace
Incoming Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay is expected to sustain the modernization of the military as well as ensure the country’s security, Malacañang said Wednesday.
Manila Bulletin

AFP Chief pays farewell visits to Army, Navy
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Felimon Santos Jr. conducted his farewell visit at the headquarters of the Philippine Army (PA) in Taguig City and Philippine Navy (PN) in Manila on Tuesday.
Manila Bulletin

Sobejana is next Army chief
Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) chief Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana is the next chief of the Philippine Army, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana confirmed to Rappler on Wednesday, July 29.
Rappler

Army launches molecular lab, acquires sea mobility assets
The Philippine Army continues to boost its capabilities as it inaugurated a new molecular laboratory intended for its fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and unveiled newly-acquired boats for sea mobility, it said on Wednesday.
Manila Bulletin

BRP Jose Rizal sails to Hawaii for RIMPAC20 exercise
Undaunted by the threat of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) departed to Honolulu, Hawaii on Wednesday to participate in the Rim of the Pacific 2020 (RIMPAC) exercise from August 17 to 31.
Manila Bulletin

Philippine National Police

BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION

BSP unveils enhanced banknotes
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Wednesday unveiled enhancements to the country's 9-year-old banknotes, which were meant to make the legal tender "more responsive" to the needs of visually impaired people and prevent counterfeiting.
Manila Bulletin

BUSINESS, ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION

UCPB exec is highest paid gov’t official — COA
President and CEO Higinio O. Macadaeg of the government-controlled United Coconut Planters Bank dislodged Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas executives as the highest-paid government official in the country last year.
Manila Bulletin

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

Korean Cultural Center in PH to offer free online Korean language classes
The Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines will be offering free online Korean language classes for beginners.
Manila Bulletin

West Philippine Sea

China defies US, Australia: Sea disputes to be resolved through consultations with Philippines
Ignoring calls for its compliance to an international arbitral ruling which denigrated its legal claim to the South China Sea, Beijing has insisted that maritime disputes with the Philippines will only be settled through bilateral consultations.
GMA News

Del Rosario presses alliance with like-minded states vs China
Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario has called on Filipinos to continue to assert that “right is might” in the West Philippine Sea or the South China Sea by aligning with like-minded states and stand against a “bully” like China.
Manila Bulletin

Hontiveros on Duterte's ‘inutil’ self-description: ‘Baka tama siya pero nakakadismaya’
Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday said she was dismayed by President Rodrigo Duterte's admission that he is inutile in asserting the country's claims in the West Philippine Sea as he claimed that China was "in possession."
GMA News

LABOR

354 ‘distressed’ OFWs arrive from Saudi Arabia
More than 350 distressed overseas Filipino workers from Saudi Arabia arrived in the country Wednesday. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said the 354 OFWs arrived via a chartered flight.
Manila Bulletin

DOLE looking to revive TUPAD through Bayanihan 2
Contact tracers, data encoders, and occupational safety and health (OSH) inspectors — these are some of the jobs the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) will be offering to informal sector workers in the event their emergency employment program called Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) is revived.
Manila Bulletin

TRANSPORTATION

NAIA collects swab test payments from arriving int’l passengers who are not OFWs
Passengers from abroad, except Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), will now have to pay P4,500 for their COVID-19 swab tests upon arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Manila Bulletin

284 buses deployed in EDSA to ferry MRT-3 passengers
A total of 284 buses have been deployed in EDSA to ferry more passengers of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced on Wednesday.
Manila Bulletin

HEALTH

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

Bird flu hits egg-producing farm in Pampanga
One week since the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) declared Jaen, Nueva Ecija free from avian influenza A (H5N6), the same subtype of the bird flu virus was recently detected in a poultry layer or egg-producing farm in San Luis, Pampanga.
Manila Bulletin

EDUCATION

Teachers’ group demands accountability from DepEd after one leader tests positive for COVID-19
A group of teachers on Wednesday demanded accountability from the Department of Education (DepEd) officials for their “failure” to implement the department’s own policy on the work arrangement of teachers.
Manila Bulletin

School enrollment breaches 22M DepEd target
With over 22 million students currently enrolled in both public and private schools, the Department of Education (DepEd) maintained it has achieved its target enrollment rate for the school year (SY) 2020-2021.
Manila Bulletin

PH set to compete in first-ever online Math Olympiad in Russia
The country is set to compete in the 61st International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) which was originally slated this July in St. Petersburg, Russia amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

CHED offices temporary closed for disinfection
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) announced on Wednesday the temporary suspension of operations in its Central Office and regional offices of National Capital Region (NCR), Mimaropa and Region IV to give way for disinfection.
Manila Bulletin

WATER and ENERGY

Duterte reduces real property taxes of independent power producers 
President Duterte has ordered the reduction and condonation of real property taxes and penalties assessed on power generation facilities of independent power producers (IPPs) under Build-Operate-Transfer contracts with government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs).
Manila Bulletin

Gov’t to study viability of nuclear energy use
The government is set to conduct a study to determine and develop the national position for a nuclear power program in the country, including the possible use of the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP).
Manila Bulletin, GMA News

MWSS QC office on temporary lockdown after one staff tests positive for COVID-19
The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) Regulatory Office in Quezon City will be temporarily closed starting July 29 after one of its personnel tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

POVERTY

SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT

DSWD welcomes SWS survey result on cash aid distribution
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has welcomed the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showing that 72 percent of Filipinos got cash aid from the national government since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, describing it as a testament that the agency reached out to most affected families amid the threats of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).  
Manila Bulletin

HOUSING and SETTLEMENT

TOURISM

DOT convinces LGUs to open up their areas to local tourists
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat is asking tourism stakeholders to help her convince the local government units (LGUs) in the country to reopen for domestic tourists.
Manila Bulletin

DOT welcomes approval of Bayanihan To Recover As One Act
The Department of Tourism (DOT) is optimistic on the recovery of the tourism industry, following the approval of Senate Bill 1564 or the Bayanihan To Recover As One Act on its third and final reading on Tuesday. 
Manila Bulletin

BIDA in SONA: Duterte praises Boracay rehab but stresses need for sustainability
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his State of the Nation Address last Monday, touched on the environment by highlighting the success of the rehabilitation of Boracay. The President urged Congress to enact a law creating BIDA or the Boracay Island Development Authority.
Manila Bulletin

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

DENR shuts down sanitary landfill in Calamba for ECC non-compliance
A sanitary landfill in Calamba City in Laguna has been shut down by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) due to non-compliance with the terms and conditions of its environmental compliance certificate (ECC).
Manila Bulletin

91 exotic animals repatriated to Indonesia
A total of 91 exotic animals rescued from poaching and illegal trading activities here were successfully repatriated to Indonesia on July 27.
Manila Bulletin

Do more for the planet at this time by starting the 3Rs at home
After quarantine for a few months now, a lot of people have realized the importance of a cleaner environment and for a more sustainable planet
Manila Bulletin

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY  

Data privacy leaders back Duterte’s call for safer e-commerce, e-governance
Data privacy advocates in the public and private sectors, including those from the manufacturing, banking and BPO industries, have expressed full support for President Duterte’s call for safer e-commerce and e-governance spaces in his fifth State of the Nation Address last Monday. 
Manila Bulletin