COVID-19

Cases

2,298 new cases drive PH’s COVID-19 tally to 385,400
The Department of Health (DOH) recorded 2,298 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, driving the country’s caseload to 385,400.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

5 pregnant women from Leyte test positive for COVID-19
Five pregnant women from the town of Carigara in Leyte province tested positive for new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

House logs 87th COVID-19 case
The House of Representatives has recorded its 87th case of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

PNP Covid-19 recoveries now 6.7K
An additional 67 police officers have recovered from the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), bringing the total number of recoveries among its ranks to 6,730.
Philippine News Agency 

Soccsksargen posts 45 new Covid-19 recoveries
Forty-five patients have recovered from the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in Region 12 as of Sunday night, the Department of Health in the region (Soccsksargen) (DOH-12) said in a report.
Philippine News Agency 

Department of Health

DOH sees 25% drop in COVID-19 cases
The number of COVID-19 cases in the last two weeks were 25% less than those recorded three to four weeks ago, the Department of Health said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

No COVID-19 test needed for asymptomatic responders with no history of exposure — Duque
Responders addressing the onslaught of Typhoon Rolly do not need to undergo COVID-19 testing as long as they are asymptomatic and have no history of exposure to a confirmed or probable case, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

IATF/NTF COVID-19

Duterte designates Galvez as COVID vaccine czar
President Rodrigo Duterte has designated National Task Force (NTF) on COVID-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. as the country’s vaccine czar.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Regions

Luzon including NCR

Covid-19 testing in Baguio, Benguet yields 257 cases in 4 days
The aggressive community testing here and in six Benguet towns has yielded 257 positive coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases during the four-day activity.
Philippine News Agency 

Close to 3K evacuate in Pampanga due to typhoon
At least 748 families or 2,953 individuals were brought to various evacuation centers on Sunday as the province braced for the onslaught of Typhoon Rolly.
Philippine News Agency 

Visayas

Return of stranded people to city, 2 towns in Negros Occidental stopped
Regional authorities stopped the return of stranded individuals to several towns in Negros Occidental after local government units wanted more time to prepare quarantine facilities.
Philippine Daily Inquirer 

Aklan local gov’ts, traders seek scrapping of COVID-19 swab test for Boracay tourists
Local government units in Aklan and business owners on Boracay Island will ask the national government to scrap the requirement for a swab test for tourists going to the island resort.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

243 new cops to boost law enforcement in Eastern Visayas
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has enlisted 243 new cops to boost law enforcement in Eastern Visayas.
Philippine News Agency 

Mindanao

2 fishermen survive lightning strike in Zambo Sur town
Two fishermen suffered burns after being hit by lightning in Zamboanga del Sur amid the inclement weather brought by Typhoon Rolly (Goni) on Saturday (Oct 31).
Philippine News Agency 

StaySafe app required before entry to Sarangani provincial capitol
Workers and clients of the Sarangani provincial government must be registered with StaySafe.ph to be allowed entry to the provincial capitol compound here, a measure to help contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), officials said.
Mindanews 

World 

Nearly 50,000 Americans are hospitalized with coronavirus as experts warn of growing health care pressure
he fall surge has left nearly 50,000 people hospitalized across the US due to Covid-19, and experts say the strain health care systems are under could soon get worse.
CNN 

Prince William had COVID-19 in April — report
Prince William reportedly struggled with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and decided to keep his diagnosis private back in April.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

WHO chief in quarantine after contact tests positive for COVID-19
The World Health Organization chief said late Sunday that he was self-quarantining after someone he had been in contact with tested positive for COVID-19, but stressed he had no symptoms.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

China’s domestic tourism predicted to fully recover by yearend
omestic tourism in China would most probably see a full recovery from the impact of COVID-19 by the end of this year, with new holiday-making trends accelerating industrial upgrading, the head of a major Chinese online travel agency said on Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Wuhan on guard against COVID-19 resurgence
Wuhan in Hubei province has taken a host of measures to prevent a resurgence of COVID-19 infections, the local government said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Mount Everest Empties as Covid-19 Strikes Tourism in Nepal
Just last year, Nepal attracted so many mountain climbers that a human traffic jam of hundreds of hikers in puffy jackets snarled a trail to the top of Mount Everest.
New York Times 

Scientists propose tax on livestock, meat to help avert future pandemics
Policy makers should consider levying taxes on livestock production and meat consumption to reduce the risk of future deadly pandemics, international experts said on Thursday, as they published a study calling for better protection of nature.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Lockdown: PM warns of Covid-19 deaths 'twice as bad' as spring
Covid-19 deaths could be twice as high over the winter as they were in the first wave of the pandemic, PM Boris Johnson is expected to warn MPs later.
BBC News 

Ronaldo marks return from Covid-19 infection with 2 goals for Juventus
Cristiano Ronaldo marked his recovery from the coronavirus by scoring twice on his return to help Juventus beat newly promoted Spezia 4-1 in the Italian league on Sunday.
The Associated Press 

Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector 

South Korea grants US$100 M loan to PH for COVID-19 response
The South Korean government has granted a US$100 million loan to the Philippine government for its response to the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

UN, EU, Canada ready to assist PH after 'Rolly' onslaught
United Nations, European Union, and Canada vowed to assist the Philippines towards its recovery following the onslaught of Super Typhoon Rolly (international name: Goni) on Sunday.
Philippine News Agency 

Public, private sectors lauded for helping Visayas fight Covid-19
The Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) on Monday commended those who have helped bring down coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases in the Visayas particularly Cebu, Negros Occidental, and the rest of Western Visayas.
Philippine News Agency 

AI model detects Covid-19 from sound of coughing
MIT researchers have developed a model which can distinguish people with asymptomatic Covid-19 from healthy people, using the sound of their coughs. These differences are impossible to detect with the human ear.
Engineering and Technology 

Incidents and Violations

Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features

COVID-19 patients infect half of household: US govt study
People who develop COVID-19 infect around half of their household members, with adults only slightly more likely than children to spread the virus, a US government study said Friday.
The Jakarta Post 

Here's what we still don't know about a COVID-19 vaccine, according to an expert
The process for creating a COVID-19 vaccine may be different from other common vaccines, Andrea Amalfitano says.
Amalfitano is dean of the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and a professor of pediatrics, microbiology, and molecular genetics.
World Economic Forum 

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

#NasaanAngPangulo? Palace says gov’t working even if Duterte was in Davao
Malacañang on Monday dismissed claims that President Rodrigo Duterte was missing in action during the onslaught of super typhoon Rolly in the Bicol region, prompting critics to revive a Twitter hashtag long associated with his predecessor.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Duterte hits back at critics over absence during Rolly's wrath
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday responded to criticism that he was nowhere to be seen over the weekend when the world's strongest storm this 2020 was battering parts of the country that had left millions affected and 16 people dead so far. 
Philippine Star

Duterte jokes about naming typhoons after ‘yellows’
In the middle of his meeting with officials concerning the aftermath of Typhoon Rolly, President Rodrigo Duterte joked about naming typhoons after “yellows.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Duterte ‘can’t find any reason to suspend’ Duque, lauds ‘good job’ in averting outbreaks
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday lauded Health Secretary Francisco Duque III’s efforts and defended him anew by saying he cannot find a reason to suspend him.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

VP Robredo vists typhoon – stricken Camarines Sur
Vice President Leni Robredo visited her typhoon-ravaged home province of Camarines Sur Monday and will likewise assess the situation in other parts of the Bicol region pounded by Super Typhoon Rolly.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

'Please send donations to Robredo': Agot Isidro replies to 'Avengers' star Mark Ruffalo
Actress Agot Isidro replied to Hollywood actor Mark Ruffalo's message to Filipinos amid the wrath of super typhoon Rolly in the country last weekend
Philippine Star

AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION

[Editorial] Red flags all over
Four years after that grandiloquent June 2016 declaration that “not even a whiff of corruption’’ would be tolerated in his administration, President Duterte admits that corruption under his watch has only gotten worse, and so he has made another vow: that he would dedicate the last two years of his term to battling this scourge. “I will concentrate the last remaining years of my term fighting corruption, because up to now, it is not waning, it is becoming stronger,’’ he said in an address on Oct. 27.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION

Villanueva prods BIR: Secure P50B overdue POGO taxes for Rolly aid
Senator Joel Villanueva on Monday reminded the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to urgently collect the P50 billion unpaid taxes of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) firms in order to boost government funds for rescue and relief work after Typhoon Rolly pummelled many parts of the country.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

BUSINESS, ECONOMY AND INVESTMENT

PAGCOR loses appeal over Waterfront Philippines casino license
It’s been 12 years since Waterfront Philippines Inc. first sought a gaming license to launch an integrated resort (IR) to Entertainment City in the Philippines. Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), the country’s gaming regulator, as well as an operator of several casinos, didn’t believe Waterfront had met its requirements and tried to block the license request. After seeing the dispute between the two entities bounce back and forth in court for years, it finally made its way to the Supreme Court, which has issued its final verdict. PAGCOR needs to get out of the way.
Calvin Ayre 

Climate projects offered as path to unlocking investment
Climate change mitigation projects will help attract foreign investment, starting with government-backed attempts to upgrade facilities to international standards, experts said.
Business World 

Innovative selling, shifting market needs drive AboitizLand sales
Average monthly sales of Aboitiz real estate arm AboitizLand, Inc. have already exceeded pre-pandemic levels, reflecting the impact of innovative selling techniques and the shifting preferences of property seekers.
Philippine News Agency | Manila Times 

[Opinion] An exciting time for social entrepreneurs
"The organization has recognized and supported close to 4,000 of these social entrepreneurs and innovators in over 90 countries."
Manila Standard 

[Editorial] Surging online economy
A recent regional survey of online shopping behavior shows interesting trends that can help private companies and even the government, specifically its tax-collection agencies, plan strategies.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS

DPWH: 18 road sections in 4 regions closed due to 'Rolly'
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported that 18 road sections in four regions are closed to traffic due to damage from Typhoon Rolly.
Philippine News Agency 

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

DISASTER AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE

‘Knee-jerk reaction?’ Rolly revives issue on need for new disaster response dep’t
The destruction brought about by Super Typhoon Rolly in the country has revived the issue of whether there is a need for a department focused on the government’s disaster response.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Duterte lauds Guinobatan execs for preemptive evacuation efforts
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday lauded officials of Guinobatan, Albay for conducting preemptive evacuation in areas badly hit by Super Typhoon Rolly, saying their early response saved many lives.
Philippine News Agency 

90% of infrastructure in Catanduanes damaged by ‘Rolly’ — PNP
Ninety percent of infrastructure in Catanduanes have been damaged by the previous super typhoon Rolly, the world’s strongest storm so far this year, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

NFA, DSWD ready rice, food packs for residents in storm-hit Bicol
The National Food Authority (NFA) in Bicol said it had readied 8,338 bags of rice for distribution to the provinces hit by Supertyphoon “Rolly” (international name: Goni).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

SMC readies food aid for typhoon-affected areas in S. Luzon
San Miguel Corporation (SMC) is mobilizing its resources to quickly deliver much-needed food relief to the Bicol Region and other provinces hit by Super Typhoon Rolly. 
Philippine News Agency 

‘Parang Yolanda’: Red Cross sees heavy typhoon damage in Catanduanes
The Philippine Red Cross on Monday estimated that damage caused by Super Typhoon Rolly in Catanduanes is equivalent to 70 percent of damage left behind by Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013, PRC Chairman Sen. Richard Gordon said, citing an initial visual assessment.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

SC kicks out Navy golf course
The  Supreme Court (SC) kicked out the Philippine Navy  golf course from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Officers’ Village inside the Fort Andres Bonifacio Military Reservation in Taguig City.
Business Mirror 

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

Armed Forces of the Philippines

AFP to assist OCD in assessing needs, damage from 'Rolly'
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will continue to assist the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in assessing the damage and needs of areas battered by Super Typhoon Rolly.
Philippine News Agency 

AFP conducts relief operation in Baao, Camarines Sur
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) through the Philippine Army’s 565th Engineering Construction Battalion under 51st Engineering Brigade conducted relief operations in affected communities of Baao,
Camarines Sur on Monday, November 2, 2020 after the onslaught of Super Typhoon Rolly. The troops transported relief packs through a truck provided by the Camarines Sur Environment, Disaster Management and Emergency Response Office. Photos
by 51st Engineering Brigade PAO.
Kalinaw News

Philippine National Police

PNP to aid DTI in enforcing price freeze in 'Rolly'-hit areas
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will assist the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the enforcement of price freeze on basic commodities and other essential items in areas that would be placed under a state of calamity due to the onslaught of Typhoon Rolly (international name Goni).
Philippine News Agency 

EDUCATION
 
No power supply after Typhoon Rolly, Legazpi City suspends online classes indefinitely
Online classes in all levels in public and private schools in the city have been suspended indefinitely after Category 5 Typhoon Rolly (international name Goni) cut off power and internet lines.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Students hit gov’t for failing to suspend classes during Rolly’s assault
A youth group on Monday hit the Duterte administration, calling it weak in the face of the world’s strongest typhoon for 2020, after it failed to implement extensive class suspensions as Super Typhoon Rolly slammed many parts of the country.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY  
 
Ex-VP Binay: ABS-CBN closure left ‘noticeable void’ other networks yet to fill
The shutdown of media network giant ABS-CBN, including its radio and regional network operations, has left a “noticeable void” in information distribution during the onslaught of Super Typhoon Rolly that other networks are yet to provide, former Vice President Jejomar Binay said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

No ‘communication vacuum’ in Rolly rampage amid ABS-CBN shutdown, says Roque
Was there any “communication vacuum” caused by the shutdown of ABS-CBN and the halt of its wide reach in remote communities affected by the rampage of the previous super typhoon Rolly?
Philippine Daily Inquirer

NTC orders telcos: Repair, restore services in typhoon-beaten areas immediately
The National Telecommunications Commission has ordered public telecommunication entities to “fast track” the repair and restoration of telco services in areas affected by Typhoon Rolly.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

NDRRMC: 4 out of 10 houses in Catanduanes heavily damaged
Four out of 10 houses in Catanduanes were severely damaged after Typhoon Rolly battered the province over the weekend, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

ELECTION RELATED

‘SC as PET can declare poll failure’
The Supreme Court, acting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, can declare the annulment of elections or a failure of elections in three Mindanao provinces if it finds evidence of massive fraud as sought in the poll protest filed by former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. against Vice President Leni Robredo, according to the Office of the Solicitor General.
Manila Standard 

Marcos hits ‘Yellow Force’ for bashing OSG, backing Leonen
The camp of former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday scored the opposition Liberal Party and the personalities belonging to what it described as the “Yellow Force” for “working double time” in defending Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, who was recently accused of allegedly failing to submit his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net worth for 15 years in violation of the SALN law.
Manila Standard 

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Duterte orders probe into quarrying ops in Albay town ravaged by Rolly
After Typhoon Rolly’s onslaught, President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered an investigation into quarrying operations in Guinobatan town in Albay.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Greenpeace calls for climate emergency following Typhoon Rolly’s devastation in PH
Environmental group Greenpeace Philippines on Monday reiterated its call for President Rodrigo Duterte to declare a climate emergency as Typhoon Rolly devastated Bicol region and other areas.
ABS- CBN 

LABOR

Pinoys warned vs. illegal recruitment with easing of travel bans
The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) on Monday has warned the public against illegal recruitment schemes using fake travel documents and misdeclaration of the purpose of overseas travel.
Philippine News Agency 

54 countries, areas lift inbound border restrictions for Pinoys
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported Monday that 54 out of the 198 countries and areas worldwide have lifted inbound border restrictions on Filipino travels.
Philippine News Agency 

LEGISLATIVE

Senate of the Philippines

Drilon nixes Disaster Resilience dep’t
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon has thumbed down proposals to create a Department of Disaster Resilience, saying such calls is a knee-jerk response that would further bloat the country’s already bloated bureaucracy.
Manila Bulletin

Hospitals in SUCs with medical degree programs  pushed
Senator Sonny Angara has filed a bill seeking to establish a hospital in every state university and college offering a medical program in a bid to fortify the country’s health system.
Philippine Daily Inquirer | CNN 

Go reminds LGUs to ensure health, safety of evacuees
Following the devastation brought by Typhoon Rolly, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Monday urged concerned government agencies and local government unit (LGU) authorities to work together to ensure the safety and health of evacuees who are temporarily seeking shelter in evacuation centers.
Philippine News Agency 

House of Representatives

High time to put up permanent evacuation centers: lawmaker
Senator Win Gatchalian said the government should seriously consider constructing permanent disaster-resilient and fully-equipped shelters for evacuees during natural calamities.
Philippine News Agency 

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

10 local execs told to explain ‘absence’ during Typhoon Rolly
Some 10 local officials will be ordered to explain their supposed absence while Typhoon Rolly battered their respective jurisdictions, Interior Secretary Año said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

PH, Japan reaffirm close economic cooperation
The Philippines and Japan have reaffirmed their joint commitment to steadily implement the government’s flagship infrastructure projects and other initiatives to further strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries amid and beyond the prolonged coronavirus-induced global crisis.
Manila Times 

FOREIGN RELATIONS  
West Philippine Sea

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
 
Initial estimated agri sector typhoon damage pegged at P1.1 billion
The agriculture sector has incurred an estimated P1.1 billion in damage as Super Typhoon Rolly pounded many parts of the Bicol region and Southern Luzon over the weekend, Department of Agriculture, Secretary William Dar said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Palay production cost slightly down in 2019
The cost of producing a kilo of palay (unhusked rice) in the Philippines slightly went down last year, but this is still far from making it competitive with other rice-producing regions in Southeast Asia.
Philippine Star

HOUSING and SETTLEMENT

[Editorial] Resettlement
Four years ago this month, the House committee on housing and urban development approved a bill providing for on-site, in-city or near-city housing for informal settlers.
Philippine Star

POVERTY

SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT

TRANSPORTATION

TOURISM

WATER and ENERGY

4 Luzon dams continue water release after 'Rolly' onslaught
The Ambuklao, Binga, Magat, and Ipo dams in Luzon continue to release water in the aftermath of Typhoon Rolly which battered parts of Luzon over the weekend.
Philippine News Agency 

Pantabangan Dam far from spilling level
Pantabangan Dam is far from its spilling level and still needs to store more water, the National Irrigation Administration-Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation System (NIA-UPRIIS) said on Sunday.
Philippine News Agency