COVID-19

Cases

Philippines reports 3,257 new COVID-19 cases, total almost at 280,000
The number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the Philippines rose to 279,526 on Friday after the Department of Health (DOH) announced 3,257 new infections, marking the eleventh consecutive day where over 3,000 cases were reported.
GMA News

44 more PNP personnel test positive for COVID-19
Forty-four more personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), bringing the total to 5,329.
GMA News

Department of Health

DOH: Case doubling time of COVID-19 in Philippines longer, 'slightly better' in September
The case doubling time or the measure of how fast COVID-19 spreads in the Philippines has slightly improved this month compared to August, the Department of Health (DOH) said Friday.
GMA News

DOH sticks to ‘slow but sure’ tack amid calls to reopen economy
“Slowly but surely.” The Department of Health (DOH) said that it acknowledges the importance of lifting the lockdown measures for the revitalization of the country’s economy but this move should be done cautiously. 
Manila Bulletin

Worst over vs. COVID-19? DOH sees no reason to be complacent
The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday warned the public against complacency two days after President Rodrigo Duterte's spokesman Harry Roque claimed in a news briefing that the worst was over.
GMA News

Limited budget for COVID-19 vaccine purchase in 2021 to be augmented by bank loans — DOH
Only 20 percent of the P12.9 billion needed to purchase vaccines against COVID-19 has been included in the proposed operational budget of the Department of Health (DOH) next year.
Manila Bulletin

Early crafting of clinical guidelines, information dissemination cited for low PH COVID case fatality rate
The early crafting of clinical guidelines and information dissemination are among the factors why the Philippines has a low case fatality rate (CFR) for COVID-19, an official of the Department of Health (DoH) said.
Manila Bulletin

DOH urged to immediately address unpaid salaries, benefits of health workers
Senator Risa Hontiveros on Friday urged the Department of Health (DOH) to immediately address the unpaid salaries and benefits of health workers who have been enduring months of difficult and dangerous work amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

Duque seeks P10-B add'l budget for health facilities in 2021
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III has appealed for an additional P10-billion budget for the Department of Health’s Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) for the implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) law.
GMA News

IATF/NTF COVID-19

Gov’t hopes to roll out antigen test, a faster testing technology for COVID-19 soon
The government hopes to introduce the antigen test, a faster testing technology for COVID-19 soon, said government COVID-19 testing czar Vince Dizon Friday.
Manila Bulletin

IATF okays antigen pilot tests on local travellers
The government is set to conduct pilot studies on the use of rapid antigen testing for local travelers in the country.
Manila Bulletin

Gov’t isolation facilities’ occupancy rate drops to 52 per cent — Dizon
There has been a drop in the number of persons infected with the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in government isolation and quarantine facilities in the greater Metro Manila area, said government COVID-19 testing czar Vince Dizon on Friday, Sept. 18.
Manila Bulletin

More cops to be deployed in areas where SAP cash aids will be distributed manually — DILG
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año  on Friday said that additional police officers will be deployed in areas where social amelioration program (SAP) cash aids will be distributed manually.
Manila Bulletin

Expert questions use of hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19 patients
A medical expert from OCTA Research Team questioned on Friday the suggestion made by a group of doctors and concerned citizens to use anti-viral drug hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) as prophylaxis to prevent coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection.
Manila Bulletin

Pay contact tracers on time, Villanueva tells gov’t
Sen. Joel Villanueva called on the government Friday to make sure that contract tracers are being paid on time, following reports that contact tracers hired by the Department of Health between May and June this year whose contracts are about to expire this month have not yet received their salaries.
Manila Bulletin

Regions

Luzon including NCR

6 new COVID-19 cases reported in Cabanatuan
A two-year-old girl and a 12-year-old boy were among the eight new confirmed cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in this city, which has logged a total of 217 infections as of Thursday.
Manila Bulletin

Tarlac records 1 death, 17 recoveries, 12 new Covid-19 cases
Seventeen more patients have recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in this province, bringing the total number of recoveries to 153 as confirmed by the Department of Health (DOH) on Friday.
Philippine News Agency

Nueva Vizcaya records 2 deaths, 45 new COVID-19 cases
The office of Governor Carlos Padilla reported on Friday two deaths, and 49 new coronavirus disease (COVID19) cases.
Manila Bulletin

Magalong notes improved contact tracing except in Metro Manila
There have been improvements in the contact tracing efficiency ratio across most regions except in Metro Manila, contact tracing czar Benjamin Magalong said on Friday.
GMA News

Roque, Dizon, Magalong inspect Baguio establishments ahead of city's partial reopening
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and National Action Plan Against COVID-19 deputy chief implementer Vince Dizon inspected Baguio City establishments on Friday ahead of the city's partial reopening to tourists.
GMA News

Visayas

68 new COVID-19 cases recorded in Eastern, Visayas bring total to 4,025
At least 68 new cases of the coronavirus were recorded in Eastern Visayas on Friday, bringing the total number of infections in the region to 4,025.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Mindanao

21 health workers in South Cotabato positive for COVID-19
A total of 21 health workers in South Cotabato, including two doctors, have tested positive for COVID-19, a report on GMA News' Unang Balita said Friday.
GMA News

26 new Covid-19 cases, 1 death recorded in Butuan
The city has recorded 26 new coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infections and one death as announced by the Department of Health in Caraga (DOH-13) Thursday afternoon.
Philippine News Agency

GenSan lukewarm on calls for revert to ECQ —Magalong
General Santos City officials do not see a need to place the LGU back to enhanced community quarantine status, despite calls by several nurses and doctors who have contracted COVID-19, contact tracing czar Benjamin Magalong said on Friday.
GMA News

Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector 

San Miguel Corp. joins PH Red Cross’ blood donation drive to boost COVID-19 response efforts
The Philippine Red Cross is partnering with San Miguel Corporation (SMC) in its blood donation drive, Sen. Richard Gordon said.
Manila Bulletin

Incidents and Violations

Crime rate dropped 47% during quarantine months —JTF COVID Shield
There is a 47% drop in the number of crimes committed nationwide in the six months that quarantine protocols were implemented amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Joint Task Force COVID Shield reported on Friday.
GMA News

Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features

UNICEF, Save the Children raise concern over 1.2 billion children affected by COVID-19
The number of children living in multidimensional poverty has soared to approximately 1.2 billion due to the COVID-19 pandemic based on a new analysis by UNICEF and Save the Children which was published on Friday.
Manila Bulletin

COVID-19 virus can’t be transmitted from food to humans — FDA
The coronavirus cannot be transmitted from food to humans, according to the local Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In a letter to the Philippine Association of Meat Processors, Inc. (PAMPI) dated Sept. 11, FDA Director-General Rolando Enrique D. Domingo said there was no evidence that the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the strain responsible for COVID-19, could be transmitted to humans from food, food ingredients or packaging materials.
Business World Online

COVID-19 testing strategies and objectives
This document outlines strategies and objectives for sustainable SARS-CoV-2 testing of populations to achieve specific public health objectives in various epidemiological situations. General population-wide testing, as well as targeted testing of individuals, or specific populations related to particular settings, are presented on the basis of country experiences and information collected from scientific literature.
European Centre for Disease Prevention

Trends and returns beyond Covid-19
For many investors with a strategic and long-term outlook, it’s time to look beyond the Covid-19 crisis. This might sound a bit premature, as the coronavirus is still wreaking havoc on the world and the number of infected persons is rising again in several countries, so lockdowns are a real possibility again.
The Manila Times

A vision of peace, prosperity amid the pandemic
The establishment of full diplomatic relations between Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain is a watershed moment for the Middle East. While this region of the world is often thought to be somewhat of a dysfunctional family, the Abraham Accords Peace Agreement represents a conscious decision to instead be a normal one. 
Philippine Daily Inquirer

World

In Southeast Asia, COVID-19 Slowly Tightens Its Grip
The coronavirus pandemic is taking a turn for the worse in Southeast Asia. As total COVID-19 cases pass 30 million, and the world closes in on its millionth death from the contagion, a region once viewed as a success story is seeing persistent and accelerating infections in several nations, including the region’s two most populous.
The Diplomat

COVID-19 deaths continue to mount in Myanmar
Myanmar confirmed 15 new COVID-19 linked deaths during the last 24 hours, bringing the death toll to 61 as of Friday. A daily release from the Health and Sports Ministry on Friday stated 15 more COVID-19 patients with underlying diseases died of acute respiratory failure.
Anadolu Agency

Egypt confirms 141 new COVID-19 cases, tally hits 101,641
Egypt's COVID-19 total cases rose to 101,641 as the country confirmed 141 new infections on Thursday, said the Health Ministry.
Xinhua

COVID-19 claims over 1,000 lives in Brazil, Mexico
Brazil reported 829 more fatalities from the novel coronavirus, while Mexico saw 201 deaths over the past 24 hours, health authorities said Sunday. 
Anadolu Agency

France reports highest number of new COVID-19 cases in a day
France registered a record 10,593 new confirmed coronavirus in the past 24 hours, health ministry data showed on Thursday, the country's highest single-day count since the pandemic began.
The Jakarta Post

Focus Friday: Top COVID-19 (coronavirus) news this week
This week, the World Bank’s Global Director for Health, Nutrition and Population focused on the importance of universal healthcare for mitigating the health impacts of COVID-19. A new World Bank report found the pandemic threatens to reverse hard-won gains made in global health and human capital over the past decade. 
The World Bank

Lack of UK airport tests aiding Covid-19 spread, scientists warn
Government scientists have warned of a “developing situation” over people bringing coronavirus into the UK after travelling abroad and returning home without being tested.
The Guardian

The US doesn't have to wait for a vaccine to get COVID-19 under control, nation's top doctor says
With the timeline of a widely available vaccine still unknown, the nation's top doctor says the US doesn't have to wait to get Covid-19 under control.
CNN Philippines

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Duterte extends Philippines' COVID-19 state of calamity by one year
President Rodrigo Duterte has extended for one year the state of calamity in the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
GMA News

Palace: All PH cemeteries, memorial parks, columbariums, closed from Oct. 29-Nov. 4
To avoid huge crowds of people during Undas or All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, Malacañang said that all public and private cemeteries, memorial parks, and columbariums in the entire country will be closed from October 29 to November 4.
Manila Bulletin

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

‘Be wary of ‘desperate’ anti-Duterte elements,’ says Roque
Malacañang advised the public to be wary of people who are out to sabotage the Duterte administration especially during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

Roque assails ‘power-hungry’ critics of government’s COVID-19 response
It’s all about greed for power. Malacañang has railed against opponents attacking the government’s coronavirus pandemic response, saying their criticisms are driven by greed for power.
Manila Bulletin

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

Gov’t aims to remedy Metro road congestion before Duterte terms in 2022
The government is aiming to provide a remedy to the road congestion in Metro Manila before the end of President Duterte’s term, Malacañang said Thursday.
Manila Bulletin

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

Increasing age of minority for statutory rape up to Congress— Roque
It is the call of Congress whether or not to increase the age of minority for statutory rape in the country amid the rising number of cases of teenage pregnancy.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News

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

Parreño’s Beyond Will & Power: Unearthing the roots of Duterte's psyche
Earl Parreño’s latest book, a political biography of Rodrigo Duterte, enjoyed a brief burst of publicity when it came out in late 2019. There were book launches and TV talk shows. Now, people seem to be turning to it for insights into the President’s psyche.
VERA Files

Why the attack on transparency?
If utilized properly, the requirement for every government official or employee to fill out and submit a “Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth,” better known as a SALN, is a powerful tool for government and the public to check abuse of one’s office or theft of public funds.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

ELECTION RELATED

Content creator urges Gen Z, millennials to register to vote
A content creator and voter education advocate said being vocal on social media is not enough as words must be translated into actions.
GMA News

DISASTER

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

Ruling vs. disclosure of Duterte’s health, medical records final, says SC
The Supreme Court (SC) has declared final its ruling that dismissed the petition on the disclosure of President Duterte’s state of health and medical records.
Manila Bulletin

LEGISLATIVE

Senate of the Philippines

‘Know exactly who poor are, where they live, why they are struggling so we can help them,’ says Sen. Marcos
Senator Ma. Josefa Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos, chairwoman of the Senate economic affairs committee, today said that paucity of data is one of the fundamental problems of fighting poverty.
Manila Bulletin

Go supports rank classification, organization of key BFP, BJMP positions
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has expressed his support for Committee Report No. 112 of Senate Bill 1833 providing for the rank classification and organization of key positions in the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).
Manila Bulletin

Senate bill seeks standard for Philippine internet speed
Several senators have filed a bill seeking to set a minimum standard for internet speed in various parts of the Philippines to ensure better connectivity in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
GMA News

De Lima seeks probe on PRC-PhilHealth deal
Opposition Sen. Leila de Lima is seeking an investigation on the transaction between the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).
Manila Bulletin

Sen. Win Gatchalian wants review of the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has sought an inquiry on the government’s implementation of the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers or Republic Act No. 4670.
Manila Bulletin

House of Representatives

2 more House staff test positive for COVID, bringing total to 78
Two more House employees have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the number of reported COVID-19 cases in the House to 78 Friday.
Manila Bulletin

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

Bill extending lifeline rate for poor power consumers up
The chairman of the House Committee on Energy is anticipating swift plenary approval of the bill that will guarantee cheaper electricity for the poor as they continue to ward off the economic hardship brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

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

Romero listed anew as one of 50 wealthiest Pinoys
House Deputy Speaker and 1PACMAN Partylist Rep. Michael I. Romero was again included in Forbes’ elite list of 50 richest Filipinos, ranking no. 46th with an estimated net worth of $135 million or around P6.5 billion.
Manila Bulletin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

DoJ quizzed on actions vs online sexual exploitation of children
Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas asked the Department of Justice Friday what it has done to address the recent huge spike in online sexual exploitation of children amid the country’s notoriously slow Internet service.
Manila Bulletin

BI reiterates request to Congress to pass new immigration act
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has reiterated its request to Congress to pass the new immigration act “to effectively carry out it’s mandate.”
Manila Bulletin

Guevarra defends PAO chief Acosta from ‘nemesis’ Garin
Departmemt of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra took up the cudgels Friday for Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) Chief Persida Acosta after her “nemesis” in the House of Representatives questioned the way the office has been doing its job.
Manila Bulletin

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

Carpio on deal to build DITO facilities in military camps: We have to be very careful
Retired Supreme Court (SC) senior associate justice Antonio Carpio on Friday said the Philippines must be "very careful" in connection with telco player DITO Telecommunity Corp.'s deal with the Armed Forces to put up facilities in military camps.
GMA News

‘Dito’s link with China state firm still cause for concern,’ says Hontiveros
Senator Risa Hontiveros on Friday insisted that the agreement entered into by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Dito Telecommunity Corp. is a major cause for concern to all Filipinos despite the telecommunication firm’s assurance that safeguards are in place to prevent espionage.
Manila Bulletin

Armed Forces of the Philippines

Philippine National Police

Cascolan says PNP to improve rapport with AFP
Philippine National Police chief Police General Camilo Pancratius Cascolan on Friday said the police organization will build a better relationship with the Armed Forces of the Philippines following the shooting incident in Jolo, Sulu in June.
GMA News

PNP foundation established to help kin of slain, permanently incapacitated cops
The Philippine National Police and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry have launched the Bayaning Pulis Foundation Inc. to provide educational assistance to children and dependents of policemen who have died or were permanently incapacitated while in the line of duty.
Manila Bulletin

BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION

DBM urged to restore NEDA’s P300-M innovation fund
Senator Joel Villanueva had asked the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to restore the P300-million proposed innovation fund for the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) to help generate more opportunities for enterprises and workers displaced by the coronavirus pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

BoC conducting inventory on seized gadgets for donation to DepEd for online learning
The Bureau of Customs is conducting an inventory on seized electronic items that can be donated to the Department of Education for this school year’s distanced learning.
Manila Bulletin

Hontiveros insists Chinese PPEs overpriced, says P1B loss ‘conservative’
Senator Risa Hontiveros on Friday maintained her position that the personal protective equipment (PPE) that the government procured from China for COVID-19 response in previous months were overpriced.
GMA News

BUSINESS, ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

Fact: The gov’t has done a lousy job
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) just came out with growth forecasts for the region as well as member countries. Developing Asia is to contract by 0.7 percent this year, and Developing Asia without the newly industrialized economies will contract by 0.5 percent. The Philippines will contract by 7.3 percent, and Thailand will contract by 8 percent.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Economic pessimism is very common
The disbelief of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) governor Benjamin Diokno that the Filipino people could be predominantly pessimistic about the economy — in reaction to last week’s SWS July 3-6, 2020 survey report, “40% of adult Filipinos expect the economy to worsen in the next 12 months,” www.sws.org.ph, 9/9/20
Philippine Daily Inquirer

7 Commandments to revitalize PH safely
We need to emerge from the current recession that has severely impacted livelihoods, so that our countrymen can feed their families and support their communities. The economic enablement of Filipinos translates to their health and welfare.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

PH will remain consistent in dealing with other nations – Palace
The Philippines is committed to stick to its “consistent” policy of being a friend to all and an enemy to none in dealing with other nations, Malacañang said Thursday.
Manila Bulletin

Hontiveros urges DFA to convince Japan in expanding SAR ops on 36 Filipino seafarers
Senator Risa Hontiveros has urged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to convince the Japanese government to expand its search and rescue operations on the 36 Filipino seafarers that are still missing after the Gulf Livestock 1 sank off the coast of southwest Japan.
Manila Bulletin

West Philippine Sea

Del Rosario cites 3 Euro nations’ support in UN for arbitral ruling in favor of PH
Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario on Friday welcomed the submission of a joint Note Verbale by France, the United Kingdom and Germany before the United Nations challenging China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News

Rebuff of China claims by Europeans should be welcomed –Carpio
Retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio on Friday said Filipinos should "strongly welcome" three European nations' rejection of China's claims to "historic rights" in the South China Sea.
GMA News

‘PH can’t sway UN general assembly to back arbitral ruling,’ says Roque
The Philippines is unlikely to sway the United Nations (UN) to support its West Philippine Sea claim against China due to certain realities, such as “money talks” even in international relations, Malacañang admitted Friday. 
Manila Bulletin

Philippines welcomes position of 3 nations vs. China over sea dispute
The Philippines on Friday thanked three European nations for calling out China’s massive claims in the South China Sea.
GMA News

Confronting the China challenge
China’s emergence as a political and economic power has come with growing ambitions, including the attempt to position itself as a global leader and shape the international order. However, its rise is far from “peaceful,” with its questionable economic initiatives and aggression in the West Philippine Sea. 
Philippine Daily Inquirer

LABOR

1.9 M local, overseas workers to benefit from Bayanihan 2
About 1.9 million workers, including overseas Filipino workers, are expected to benefit from the additional budget allocated for assistance programs under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2), Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said Friday.
Manila Bulletin

Bello: DOLE deployed 5,000 workplace inspectors amid COVID-19
The Labor Department has mobilized 5,000 workplace inspectors to ensure the occupational health and safety of Filipino workers as the country continues to reopen its economy sans the availability of a COVID-19 vaccine.
GMA News

Solon pushes for giving priority to the labor force in COVID-19 vaccination
A lawmaker said the working population should be prioritized once a COVID-19 vaccine is available as they are key to the recovery and growth of the economy.
CNN Philippines

TRANSPORTATION

Distance doesn’t matter in closed spaces of public transport — expert
Passengers within the closed spaces of public transportation will still get infected with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) regardless of the distance from each other, a medical expert said on Friday.
Manila Bulletin

More than 69,000 PUVs allowed to operate under GCQ — DOTr
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is implementing a “partial, calibrated, and gradual approach” in the resumption of public transportation since the enforcement of a more relaxed general community quarantine (GCQ) even as it defended its proposal to reduce distancing in public transport.
Manila Bulletin

HEALTH

‘Many Filipinos to be adversely affected if PhilHealth is abolished,’ says spokesman
Many Filipinos will be affected if the government decides to abolish the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) especially during this time of COVID-19 pandemic, the state health insurer’s spokesman said on Friday.
Manila Bulletin

16 M kids eyed in supplemental measles, polio immunization
The Department of Health is targeting to vaccinate about 16 million children under five-years-old as it sets to conduct measles and polio supplemental immunization campaign next month.
Manila Bulletin

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

EDUCATION

DepEd: Over 98 % printed learning modules ready for distribution
The Department of Education (DepEd) said on Friday that over 730,000 printed modules are now ready for distribution to public school students for their modular learning ahead of the October 5 nationwide school opening.
Manila Bulletin

DepEd taps PH's broadcast journalists to train teachers for TV programs
The Department of Education (DepEd) tapped the country's top broadcast journalists to help its teachers for the broadcast learning this coming school year as the schools shift to distance learning.
Rappler

‘Giving seized gadgets to students a good idea but it’s not allowed by law,’ says Roque
Malacañang said distributing the smuggled gadgets confiscated by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to students would be a good idea.  However, he said, this could not be implemented as local laws do not allow such a move.
Manila Bulletin

WATER and ENERGY

MinDA, AMRECO forms advisory group for Mindanao electric woes
Top officials of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and electric cooperatives (ECs) in the island region convened here Thursday to discuss and seek solutions to current power issues.
Philippine News Agency

POVERTY

SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT

HOUSING and SETTLEMENT

Congress is right: The housing budget is ‘disgusting’
WE have to agree with the view expressed by Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez who, judging from the reactions of his fellow House members, seems to represent a common opinion: The budget provided for the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) in the 2021 National Expenditure Program (NEP) is “disgustingly” low; so low, in fact, that the relatively new agency might as well not be funded at all.
The Manila Times

TOURISM

Interest-free loans for tourism businesses, cash-for-work for displaced workers in Bayanihan 2 — Puyat
The loan program for the distressed tourism businesses under the Small Business Corporation (SB Corp) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will be interest-free with zero collateral, according to Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat. 
Manila Bulletin

COVID-19 test of tourism frontliners covered by PhilHealth —exec
PhilHealth spokesperson Rey Baleña on Friday assured tourism frontliners that their COVID-19 tests would be covered by the state health insurer.
GMA News

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Palace scores gov’t critics after fish kill in Manila Bay
Malacañang on Friday slammed critics of President Rodrigo Duterte amid speculation about the possible cause of the recent fish kill in Manila Bay, which is undergoing rehabilitation.
GMA News

Manila Bay opens to public on Saturday, Sept. 19, for clean-up drive
The Manila Bay will be temporarily opened to the public on Saturday, September 19, for the International Coastal Clean-up Day, according to Tina Panganiban-Perez’s report on “24 Oras.”
GMA News

2 possible causes of Manila Bay fishkill bared
Department of Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said Friday sabotage or illegal fishing might be the cause of the recent fish kill in Manila Bay.
Manila Bulletin

Family eyes Writ of Kalikasan vs Davao-Samal bridge project
A family operating two resorts in Samal Island might be forced to seek relief from the Supreme Court through a Writ of Kalikasan to stop the Davao City-Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) bridge project if government ignores its appeal to move its landing site to save the rich marine life in Paradise Reef.
Mindanews

OPINION: It's time to #FightClimateInjustice
Last September, millions of people across the world took to the streets to demand climate action. Politicians and the media congratulated the youth and portrayed them as beacons of hope.
Thomson Reuters Foundation

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY