COVID-19
Metro Manila, 4 other areas remain under GCQ
Metro Manila and four other areas will remain under general community quarantine until Sept. 30, President Rodrigo Duterte announced Monday night.
ABS-CBN News
LIST: Cities, provinces moved to modified general community quarantine
As September came, the Philippines placed more areas under the relaxed modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) in further attempts to get the country's economy running again after months of lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.
ABS-CBN News
Cases
PH COVID-19 caseload tops 220,000 as DOH records 3,446 new cases
There are now a total of 220,819 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Philippines as the Department of Health (DOH) reported 3,446 more infections on Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, The Manila Times, CNN Philippines
5 emergency 911 hotline telecommunicators infected with COVID-19, DILG spox says
At least five telecommunicators of Emergency 911 Hotline have been infected with COVID-19, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) spokesperson Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said on Monday.
GMA News
Health workers with COVID-19 now at 6,932; death toll up to 40
The Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday reported that 433 more health workers contracted the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) over the past week, raising the total to 6,932 as of August 29.
GMA News
No new COVID-19 deaths among Filipinos abroad on Nat’l Heroes Day
There were no new COVID-19 fatalities among Filipinos abroad with only one new confirmed COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) case and 3 new recoveries recorded in two countries in Asia and the Pacific, the Department of Foreign Affairs reported on Monday, as the Philippines observed National Heroes Day.
Manila Bulletin
Department of Health
DOH: Don’t post names of COVID-19 patients on social media
The Department of Health warned the public and government officials not to post the names of coronavirus disease patients on social media so as not to breach the Data Privacy law.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
DOH probes conflicting COVID-19 results in state-run and private labs
The Department of Health (DOH) is investigating two incidents of individuals in Pampanga who got conflicting COVID-19 results from state-run and privately-owned laboratories, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Monday.
GMA News
No sufficient evidence tuberculosis vaccine can help manage COVID-19 infection — DOH
The Health Department on Monday cautioned against the use of the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine for COVID-19, saying there’s still no sufficient evidence that the product— used to combat tuberculosis disease— can help offer protection from the coronavirus.
CNN Philippines
Vergeire: We cannot maintain strict community quarantine measures vs. COVID-19
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Monday said strict community quarantine measures being implemented in light of the COVID-19 pandemic cannot be maintained.
GMA News
DOH eyes five hospitals for Sinovac vaccine trials
The Department of Health is eyeing five hospitals for the Phase 3 of the clinical trials of anti-COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by China-based Sinovac Biotech, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Monday.
GMA News
DOH urged to honor ‘health heroes,’ ensure release of hazard pay
Senator Francis Pangilinan on Monday urged the Department of Health (DOH) to honor the country’s “everyday heroes” in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic by ensuring that they receive their P500-daily hazard pay.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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Results of clinical trials for Lagundi out in 2 months
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said today that the results of clinical trials for Lagundi to treat symptoms of mild COVID-19 cases may be released after two months.
Manila Bulletin
Solon urges DOH to discourage rapid antibody test for COVID-19 screening
Cagayan De Oro City Representative Rufus Rodriguez has urged the Department of Health (DOH) to discourage the use of rapid antibody test (RAT) to screen people for COVID-19 infection and instead promote reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or swab test.
GMA News
IATF/NTF COVID-19
Medical frontliners are all heroes, says National Task Force Against COVID-19
The National Task Force Against COVID-19 on National Heroes' Day honored medical frontliners for their sacrifice to ensure Filipinos' health and safety, calling them "modern-day heroes."
GMA News
IATF mulls extending quarantine status to one month
The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases is looking into extending the duration of quarantine classifications from two weeks to one month, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Lorenzana calls on public to unite, support each other amid fight vs. COVID-19, criminality
As the country observes National Heroes' Day on Monday, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana urged the public to unite and work together in the fight not only against the COVID-19 pandemic, but criminality and terrorism as well.
GMA News
DILG reminds public: Wear your face masks, face shields in commercial establishments, public transport
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) reminded the public Monday that wearing face masks and face shields in commercial establishments and public transport is mandatory in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Manila Bulletin
Gyms, tutorial centers, grooming services can reopen in GCQ areas by Tuesday
Gyms, establishments offering personal grooming services and tutorial centers can reopen starting Tuesday, September 1 in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ), Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Eleazar orders more police visibility in business districts as more establishments reopen
Joint Task Force COVID Shield commander Police Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar ordered police commanders Monday to increase police visibility in business districts in their areas of responsibility after the National Task Force on COVID-19 approved the operation of more business establishments starting Sept. 1 in the midst of the pandemic.
Manila Bulletin
Regions
Luzon including NCR
Frontliners among new 15 COVID-19 cases in Nueva Ecija
Fifteen new cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were recorded in Nueva Ecija, raising to 247 the total tally in the province.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Town hall, health offices in Nueva Vizcaya on lockdown due to COVID-19
The town hall and health offices here were placed on lockdown on Monday after some workers were exposed to a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patient, who later died.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Manila offers P100K for brgys with zero COVID-19 case in Sept, Oct
The Manila City government will be giving a P100,000 incentive to every barangay in the city that will record zero new COVID-19 case for the months of September and October.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Manila announces new curfew hours
Starting September 1, Manila City will be implementing a curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso announced after he signed Executive Order (EO) No. 37 on Monday.
Manila Bulletin
Visayas
Tacloban mayor presses DOH to improve system to prevent health workers from getting COVID-19
The mayor of this city has called on the Department of Health (DOH) to improve its system to ensure that no more health workers will contract the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Mindanao
GenSan running out of COVID-19 hospital beds as local transmission soars
The city government has raised concern over the declining bed capacity of local hospitals treating patients infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as it formally declared the local transmission of the virus.
Mindanews
COVID-19 triggers 4-day partial shutdown of GenSan fishport
Portions of the fishport complex here will be closed down for four days starting Wednesday, 2 September, amid the rising cases of confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection with reported exposure at the facility.
Mindanews
Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector
Church leaders launch interfaith initiative to help Filipinos cope with Covid crisis
Church bells simultaneously rung on Monday evening to signal the launch a new inter-religious campaign, which aims to raise awareness on the importance of faith during novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
Business Mirror
Incidents and Violations
Unemployed man arrested in Taguig for allegedly stealing P270 worth of meat products
An unemployed 28-year-old man was arrested by authorities for allegedly stealing P270 worth of meat products in a store in Taguig City.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features
Covid-19 to continue boosting data demand
Demand for data is expected to continue at a scorching pace for the rest of 2020 as the Philippines shifts to a “new normal,” the top official of Globe Telecom said on Monday.
The Manila Times
World
Victoria's roadmap out of Covid lockdown – what we know so far
On Monday Daniel Andrews said he would lay out Victoria’s “roadmap” out of lockdown on Sunday. This will come just one week before the end of stage-four lockdowns in Melbourne on 13 September, with the premier citing the need to gain an additional week’s worth of data before any final decisions are made.
The Guardian
India's COVID-19 cases top global rank as more of economy opens
India reported 78,512 novel coronavirus infections on Monday, more than any other country but fewer than the previous day when it posted the world's biggest, single-day tally, as authorities looked to open more sectors of the economy.
The Jakarta Post
WHO Special Envoy Heaps Praise on Sweden’s Covid Strategy
One of the World Health Organization’s six special envoys on Covid-19 has highlighted Sweden’s virus response as a model that other countries should be emulating in the long run.
Bloomberg
Twitter removes Trump retweet sharing false information on COVID-19 deaths
Twitter on Sunday removed a post retweeted by President Donald Trump that falsely claimed the COVID-19 pandemic is not as deadly as officials have reported.
USA Today
Covid: Venezuela seeks testers for Russian vaccine
Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro has announced he will be asking for volunteers to test the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Russia. Russia was the first country to officially register a vaccine against the coronavirus on 11 August.
BBC News
Trudeau Unveils Covid-19 Vaccine Deals with Novavax, J&J
Canada has agreed to buy more than 100 million Covid-19 vaccines from Novavax Inc. and Johnson & Johnson, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday. The new agreements will guarantee as many as 76 million doses of NVX-CoV2373 from Gaithersburg, Maryland-based Novavax and 38 million doses of Ad26.COV2.S from New Brunswick, New Jersey-based Johnson & Johnson, Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa.
Bloomberg
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
Duterte lauds Filipino frontliners on National Heroes' Day
On National Heroes' Day, President Rodrigo Duterte honored present-day heroes especially the medical frontliners who have been fighting to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the country and even abroad.
GMA News, Philippine Daily Inquirer
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Next PhilHealth chief should have ‘zero tolerance’ for corruption — Palace
The next president of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) should have "zero tolerance" for corruption and know how public health systems work.
GMA News
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Digong’s unfinished business
If President Duterte’s trip to Jolo, Sulu is any indication, it shows he has no intention of slowing down on his executive tasks. He had repeatedly said he wants to take care of unfinished business with less than two years left in office, in spite of those who wish he were unwell.
Manila Standard
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
VP Robredo pays tribute to heroic frontliners amid COVID-19 pandemic
Vice President Leni Robredo on Monday paid tribute to frontline workers for their courage amid the COVID-19 pandemic on National Heroes’ Day.
GMA News, Philippine Daily Inquirer
ELECTION RELATED
Observe health and safety protocols, Comelec reminds new voter registrants
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday reminded the public to observe health and safety protocols during voter registration, which will resume on Tuesday, September 1, 2020.
GMA News
DISASTER
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
JUDICIARY
IBP pays tribute to fallen judges, lawyers, prosecutors on Nat’l Heroes Day
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) paid tribute on National Heroes Day to fallen judges, prosecutors, and government and private lawyers “who were killed or harmed because they were doing their sworn duty.”
Manila Bulletin
LEGISLATIVE
Senate of the Philippines
On Nat'l Heroes' Day, senators lobby for welfare of health workers, OFWs
Senators from the minority bloc recognized Monday the sacrifices of health workers in commemoration of National Heroes' Day amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
GMA News
Lacson flags ‘questionable’ funding for infra projects in proposed 2021 budget
Even as the Senate’s budget deliberations are yet to begin, Senator Panfilo Lacson has already flagged “hundreds of millions” of “questionable” and possibly redundant appropriations under the proposed P4.5 trillion national budget for 2021.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Hontiveros wants probe on procurement of locally-made PPEs
Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday said the progress of government efforts to boost the local production of personal protective equipment (PPE) amid the COVID-19 pandemic must be investigated in the Senate.
GMA News
Withdrawal of ‘designated survivor’ bill in House unfortunate, says Lacson
Senator Panfilo Lacson on Monday said it was "unfortunate" that the House version of his proposed "designated survivor" bill has been withdrawn.
GMA News
Lacson pushes for passage of bill naming President’s ‘designated survivor’
Senator Panfilo Lacson on Monday called on his colleagues to start discussions on a bill authorizing the President to name a “designated survivor,” as he called the recent withdrawal of the measure in the House of Representatives “unfortunate.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer
House of Representatives
Speaker Cayetano touts game-changing budget hearings with public participation
A day after vowing to pass the proposed 2021 national budget in record time next month, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday boasted that the House of Representatives will make history by allowing the public to “directly participate” in the budget hearings.
Manila Bulletin
Pocallan’s 3-day detention in House should serve as warning to resource persons –Defensor
The House Committees on Public Accounts and on Good Government are hoping the three-day detention of lawyer Rogelio Pocallan Jr. of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) will serve as a warning to resource persons invited in congressional hearings to be “truthful and forthright” in responding to questions from lawmakers.
Manila Bulletin
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
DILG orders LGUs to construct protected biking lanes, walking paths
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday asked the local government units (LGUs) to construct protected biking lanes and walking paths in the midst of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
New Zealand, Vietnam envoys meet with DND chief
Ambassadors of New Zealand and Vietnam to the Philippines were met by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana in separate virtual courtesy calls last week.
Manila Bulletin
Armed Forces of the Philippines
AFP pays tribute to frontliners on Nat’l Heroes Day
The Armed Forces on National Heroes’ Day honored frontliners as modern-day heroes for their valuable contributions to the country’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Manila Bulletin
Philippine National Police
PNP chief calls for recognition of national heroes’ sacrifices
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Archie Gamboa on Monday hailed the heroes whose unselfish sacrifices helped the country gain independence from foreign rule during the observance of National Heroes Day.
Manila Bulletin
BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION
BUSINESS, ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS
Trade Secretary Lopez recommends lifting of ban on Brazil poultry imports
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez on Monday recommended the lifting of the importation ban on poultry meat from Brazil, as he said the restrictions could lead to a shortage and price hikes should it remain unaddressed.
GMA News
BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS
DPWH paves roads leading to tourist spots in Visayas, Mindanao
Several roads leading to tourist destinations in Visayas and Mindanao were recently paved, the Department of Public Works and Highways announced.
Manila Bulletin
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION
'Delaying pattern' observed in CSC delibs of cases vs. PhilHealth execs —Lizada
The Civil Service Commission's (CSC) handling of cases involving PhilHealth officials apparently shows a "delaying" pattern, Commissioner Aileen Lizada said on Monday.
GMA News
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COA flags OSG over P1.16-M undocumented travel expenses in 2019
The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) for its undocumented travel expenses amounting to P1.16 million in 2019.
GMA News
COA calls out PAO on questionable contracts, supplies payments
Despite the absence of documentary requirements, the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) entered into 44 contracts of lease worth P10,847,260.01 in 2019, the Commission on Audit (COA) has reported.
Manila Bulletin
COA notes overcrowding in PH jails
Congestion in jails remain the biggest problem in the Philippine justice system as reported overcrowding has reached 106,361 Persons Deprived of Liberty over the ideal capacity of 24,306 or 438 percent above the normal occupancy rate.
Manila Bulletin
Former Pagcor officials ordered to return P19.27-M financial support to three foundations
Former officials and employees of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. have been found liable for the grant of financial assistance worth P19.27 million to three foundations in 2012.
Manila Bulletin
FOREIGN RELATIONS
Locsin eyes reopening of Office of the North Borneo Affairs
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. indicated today his willingness to resurrect a long-dormant Office of the North Borneo Affairs at the DFA days after Malaysia issued a note verbale rejecting the Philippines’ territorial claim over Sabah.
Manila Bulletin
West Philippine Sea
Despite rising tensions, Gapay says West Philippine Sea issue should be dealt in a ‘peaceful way’
Armed Forces chief Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay on Monday maintained that issues in the West Philippine Sea should be dealt in a peaceful manner.
GMA News
Akbayan airs support for Locsin’s call to terminate deal with Chinese companies involved in West PH Sea reclamation
Progressive group Akbayan on Monday supported the recommendation of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. to terminate the contracts of Chinese companies involved in the artificial island-building in the West Philippine Sea or the South China Sea.
Manila Bulletin
File resolution before UN asking SCS demilitarization, Duterte urged
The Philippines may be an underdog in the ongoing territorial dispute in the South China Sea but can be expected to win the support of the United Nations if President Duterte will appeal for UN intervention for the demilitarization of the dispute area.
Manila Bulletin
LABOR
CSC to hold online job fair; over 700 gov't positions open for application
The Civil Service Commission (CSC) will be holding a five-day online job fair in September as it celebrates the 120th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary, Commissioner Aileen Lizada said on Monday.
GMA News
Labor coalition demands better protection, benefits for health frontliners
A labor coalition demanded a dialogue with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to address pressing concerns affecting the country’s healthcare workers during the commemoration of National Heroes’ Day.
Manila Bulletin
DOLE releases P6.3-M aid to workers affected by pandemic in Region 4-B
To help workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has poured in P6.3 million in livelihood assistance to various workers’ associations in Region 4-B or the Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan (MIMAROPA) region.
Manila Bulletin
POEA extends validity of Overseas Employment Certificates
The original validity or the revalidation of Overseas Employment Certificates (OECs) issued to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), which expired during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) period, is now extended until all the community quarantine measures in the country are lifted.
Manila Bulletin
TRANSPORTATION
HEALTH
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
420 kg of unsafe pork seized, buried in Bulacan
Police seized at least 420 kilograms of pork believed to be unsafe at a checkpoint in Marilao town, Bulacan province.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
EDUCATION
DepEd gets P606.6-B under 2021 nat’l budget
The Department of Education (DepEd) will get a P606.6 billion budget under the proposed P4.506-trillion national budget for 2021 that was submitted to Congress.
Manila Bulletin
DepEd says it is addressing 2 major directives of Duterte
The Department of Education (DepEd) assured that it is addressing the two major directives of President Duterte involving mental health, psychosocial preparedness, and health literacy among learners and teachers.
Manila Bulletin
DepEd: Almost 24 million enrolled, so far in public and private schools
Nearly 24 million learners have so far enrolled in both public and private schools for the upcoming school year, Education Secretary Leonor Briones reported on Monday as she deemed the turn-out of enrollees as a “very impressive” accomplishment.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Teachers’ group call for safe reopening of schools
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) in commemoration of National Heroes’ Day called on the administration to “enable the safe re-opening of schools and delivery of accessible quality education to the youth—the heirs and future of our nation.”
Manila Bulletin
[OPINION] 10 reasons why mother tongues in schools should be saved
In 2013, the Philippines made a bold move by including an array of native languages in the basic education system, which was commended by international organizations like UNESCO, academic conferences, and advocates of fair, culturally-appropriate, and accessible education.
Rappler
WATER and ENERGY
Mindanao grid remains intact as magnitude 5 earthquake jolts Davao del Sur town
A 5-magnitude quake struck in Kiblawan town of Davao del Sur at 1:44 a.m. on Monday, August 31. the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
POVERTY
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
HOUSING and SETTLEMENT
TOURISM
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Officials quash plan, for now, to develop Tampakan project, Philippines’ biggest untapped copper-gold mine
Officials in the southern Philippines have canceled a $5.9 billion project to exploit Southeast Asia’s largest known undeveloped copper and gold reserves, but have left open the possibility of the venture being revived.
Mindanews
Youth group joins Australia’s HalfCut movement to save Palawan forests
With forests and wildlife around the world quickly disappearing, especially the most sought-after pangolin, more and more people are starting to realize their loss could mean another fatal pandemic like COVID-19.
Rappler
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
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