Government’s Whole of Nation Approach In-action
One DA’s Adopt a Community Program have been formally launched at Sitio Kalhaan, Barangay Minalwang, Claveria on April 14. The partnership of Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict Claveria (MTF-ELCAC Claveria), Department of Agriculture Regional Management Committee X’s (DA-RMC 10) and the 58th Infantry Dimalulupig Battalion started a joint project called “Restoring Communities, Changing Lives: The New Beginning of Kalhaan”.
Kalinaw News
Surigao City mayor condemns NPA for burning equipment
Surigao City Mayor Ernesto U. Matugas Jr. has condemned the communist New People’s Army (NPA) for disrupting a farm-to-market project by destroying the contractor's heavy equipment.
Philippine News Agency
Badoy is wrong; PH courts did not say ‘red-tagging’ is nonexistent
Reacting to the condemnation by four senators of National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) Director General Alex Monteagudo’s “red-tagging” of the Senate employees’ union, Communications Undersecretary Lorraine Marie Badoy falsely claimed that Philippine courts already ruled that there is “no such thing as red-tagging.”
Vera Files
Peace talks
Incidents/Operations
52nd IB illegally arrests peasants in Eastern Samar
Two peasants were illegally arrested in Dolores, Eastern Samar by elements of the 52nd Infantry Battalion in the last week of February.
Communist Party of the Philippines
Masses collectively overcome RCSP ops in Samar
The relentless year-long Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) operationsof the AFP in a town in Western Samar have failed to crush the unity of the peasant masses and stop their support for the revolution. The town was among the list of guerrilla fronts declared “dismantled” by the 8th Infantry Division.
Communist Party of the Philippines
2 NPA members yield in Zambo Sur town
Two communist New People’s Army (NPA) terrorists have surrendered to authorities in the province of Zamboanga del Sur, the region's top cop said on Thursday.
Philippine News Agency
Soldiers clash with NPA, recover firearm, ammo
SOLDIERS recovered a high-powered firearm and several belongings during a five-minute firefight with the New People’s Army (NPA) in Sitio Madbad, Barangay Bangonay in Agusan del Norte on April 12 at 6:14 a.m.
Mindanao Times
EB Magalona police probe torching of heavy equipment
THE ongoing investigation over the torching of three backhoes worth about P16 million in Hda Buenos Aires, Barangay Consing, EB Magalona on Tuesday, April 13, 2021, has been handed over to the EB Magalona Police Station.
Sunstar Bacolod
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MARAWI
SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD
Rakhine State – Southeast Asia’s Next Marawi?
Myanmar’s political crisis has created the conditions for a possible widening of the jihadi theater in Southeast Asia.
What has distinguished jihadist groups and their appeal from other anti-state non-state actors has been their ability to construct a paradigm and narrative that the “land” in which a struggle is taking place is the “Land of Allah” and, hence, that jihadists need to join them in the struggle for the cause of Allah and Islam.
The Diplomat
How much does Myanmar’s coup threaten ASEAN’s credibility?
Myanmar’s military coup and the ensuing mass civil unrest have been presented as a litmus test of ASEAN centrality. Some observers have even portrayed the coup as ‘the most serious threat to the importance of ASEAN in regional diplomacy since the Cold War’.
Australian Strategic Policy Institute
Social Media Plays Key Role for Domestic Extremism, FBI Director Says
Social-media companies play a central role in disseminating the messaging of domestic violent extremists in the U.S., FBI Director Christopher Wray said Wednesday, likening the role platforms play in the spread of extremist thought to foreign-backed online political disinformation.
The Wall Street Journal
Communication researcher shows freewill is key to combat online extremism
Douglas Wilbur ’14, a visiting Ph.D. scholar in the Department of Communication at UTSA, has published a study that shows how researchers can craft message campaigns to protect individuals from adopting extremist views.
University of Texas at San Antonio
Research shows need to address root cause of far-right extremism
A new report from Swinburne researchers helps to explain why far-right extremism is on the rise and what we can do to stop it. It says that if we want to tackle right-wing extremism, we should start at the root: misogyny.
Mirage News
Threat of religious extremism during Ramadan worrying, says expert
Border controls, especially in Johor, should be tightened and monitored because of the ideological threat from religious extremist groups in Indonesia, said an anti-terrorism expert.
Free Malaysia Today
Republicans say Biden's Afghanistan withdrawal aids terrorists, but US intelligence has zeroed in on homegrown extremism as a 'greater immediate domestic threat'
Top Republicans are ripping into President Joe Biden's plan to withdraw all remaining troops in Afghanistan by September 11, claiming the pullout will turn the country into a safe haven for terrorism and pose a danger to the US. But the evidence, both in terms of recent history and US intelligence, is not on their side.
Business Insider
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BARMM
MAFAR heightens fisheries workforce vs. illegal fishing practices
Fisheries sector of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) steps up its enforcement’s firsthand mechanism in governing the protection and conservation of the marine and aquatic resources along the Bangsamoro region’s territorial waters.
Bangsamoro Government
MOST opens 2nd batch of BASE scholarship program
At least 376 incoming freshmen college students across the Bangsamoro region are expected to benefit from the Ministry of Science and Technology’s (MOST) second batch of Bangsamoro Assistance For Science Education (BASE) scholarship program for the school year 2021-2022.
Bangsamoro Government
BARMM Gov’t advances emergency healthcare services thru new ambulances
The Bangsamoro Government is stepping up its efforts to improve delivery of healthcare services and emergency medical care and life support to its constituents at the grassroots level by providing brand new ambulance units to health facilities across the region. A total of nine (9) units of ambulance were turned over by the Ministry of Health (MOH) to the island provinces of Sulu and Basilan.
Bangsamoro Government
MAFAR-BARMM opens market stalls for Ramadan
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MAFAR-BARMM) has opened market stalls at the government center here particularly intended for the “breaking of the fast” of Muslims during Ramadan.
Philippine News Agency
MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY
2 drug suspects yield P3.4-M shabu in Cotabato City
Two female drug suspects were arrested while PHP3.4 million worth of shabu were seized during a drug buy-bust here on Thursday morning, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-BARMM) reported.
Philippine News Agency
Gov’t agents kill suspected Maguindanao crime gang head in gunfight
A former village chief of Datu Salibo town, Maguindanao province, who allegedly turned into a crime gang leader, was killed and four of his followers were arrested in a police operation on Wednesday (April 14).
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Violence Mars Ramadan Start in Southern Philippines
The Muslim holy month of Ramadan began on a violent note in the southern Philippines where authorities mounted a deadly raid on a suspected pro-Islamic State bomber’s hideout and a family of three was killed in an ambush, officials said Wednesday.
Benar News
Armed conflict between AFP and BIFF in Maguindanao Province, Issue no. 02
On 18 March 2021, at five o’clock in the morning, a series of mortar shelling was fired by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) towards Barangay Kitango, Datu Saudi Ampatuan Municipality and neighboring barangays in the Municipalities of Mamasapano and Shariff Saydona Mustapha, all in Maguindanao Province. This was followed by a ground gunfight between the AFP forces and the alleged members of the BIFF around 10:30AM in Barangay Kitango Proper, particularly in the market site along the provincial highway.
NDCC- Protection Cluster Philippine
4 nabbed for illegal possession of firearms in Maguindanao —Wesmincom
Government forces on Wednesday arrested four individuals for alleged illegal possession of firearms in Datu Salibo, Maguindanao, according to the Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom).
GMA News
DA, PCA aid corn, coconut farmers in NoCot
A total of 166 coconut and corn farmers here and from the nearby town of Kabacan were recipients of cash and food assistance from the Department of Agriculture (DA) – Region 12 (Soccsksargen) and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) -12, officials said Thursday.
Philippine News Agency
DENR closes resorts in GenSan, Cotabato forestlands
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has ordered the closure of at least 17 inland resorts and tourist destinations here and in the nearby town of Polomolok in South Cotabato province for violating environmental management laws.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
LANAO PROVINCES
Over 2K Marawi IDPs to have bearable Ramadhan with BARMM’s relief aid
Bangsamoro Government has started its week-long Ramadhan relief operation to at least 2,859 internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Marawi City living in transitory shelters within Lanao Del Sur province.
Bangsamoro Government
BASILAN
DDB, Isabela City inaugurate new P5-M drug rehab center in Basilan
The Dangerous Drugs Board and the city government of Isabela City in Basilan inaugurated the new drug rehabilitation center, recently, boosting the city’s capacity to fight illegal drugs in the locality.
Philippine Information Agency
DOST conducts training on halal audit for Islamic scholars, professionals
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region IX has conducted a training-workshop on halal audit and certification process for Islamic scholars and professionals in Basilan.
Manila Bulletin
SULU
1103rd Infantry Brigade undergoes organizational training
A closing ceremony of Unit Organizational Training of 1103rd Infantry “Kalis” Brigade was held yesterday at its Headquarters at Brgy. Bonbon, Patikul, Sulu.
Kalinaw News
TAWI-TAWI
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DRUGS
Operations/ Incidents
6 nabbed, P122.4-M 'shabu' seized in Las Piñas drug sting
Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) arrested six persons who yielded some PHP122.4 million worth of shabu during a buy-bust in Las Piñas City on Wednesday.
Philippine News Agency
10 suspects nabbed in Subic ‘drug den’
Ten suspected drug suspects were arrested by authorities in Purok 6B, Barangay Calapacuan, Subic, Zambales on Thursday.
Philippine News Agency
Drug buy-busts and operations
Isabela police overran an indoor marijuana growing station run by a supposed drug cartel big boss in Cagayan Valley region in Cauayan City, Isabela on Wednesday.
Philippine Star
Ex-inmate arrested in Tacloban City drug bust
A former inmate was arrested for allegedly selling drugs worth at least P32,000.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Recovery and Rehabilitation
ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES, AND AMMUNITION
Man in possession of hand granade arrested by Military in Dipaculao, Aurora
In support to law enforcement operation, the 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion, Philippine Army arrested a 45-year-old man who possessed a hand grenade in Barangay Borlongan, in the town of Dipaculao, this province on Tuesday, April 13, 2021.
Kalinaw News
CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING/ COUNTERFEIT GOODS
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
KIDNAPPING/ ABDUCTION
ILLEGAL GAMBLING
ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION
Mayor Sara warns vs real estate scam using her name
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte warned the public on Thursday against “unscrupulous individuals” involved in a real estate scam in Taguig City using a “notarial stamp” bearing her name.
Mindanews
Coast Guard officer in ‘investment scam’ sacked
An enlisted officer of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has been relieved from his post and is being investigated following his alleged involvement in an investment scam.
Philippine News Agency
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134 hectares distributed to ARBs in northern Negros
Titles to 134.6 hectares of agricultural land were distributed by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to 159 farmer-beneficiaries in northern Negros during the first and second week of April.
Philippine News Agency
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Elderly, pregnant Lumad women, traumatized by AFP bombing spree in Agusan Sur
Residents of Barangay Kasapa II, La Paz, Agusan del Sur felt fear and desperation during the early hours of April 6 as bombs were dropped near their communities.
Communist Party of the Philippines
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Cops probe slay of ex-SK town dad in GenSan
Police authorities are eyeing various angles in the killing of a former municipal councilor of Palimbang town in Sultan Kudarat in a gun attack in a village here on Wednesday afternoon.
Philippine News Agency
Informant in Pagadian robbery-murder case gets P200,000 reward
An informant who helped identify the suspect in a robbery-murder case here in 2020 received a P200,000 reward from the city government.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Press Freedom/ Freedom of expression
Martial Law
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COVID-19
Cases
Covid-19 cases in Philippines surpass 900,000
THE cumulative coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) case count in the Philippines went past 900,000 as the Department of Health (DOH) recorded 11,429 additional infections on Thursday, April 15, 2021.
Sunstar Manila
Department of Health
COVID-19 survivors can now immediately receive vaccine after recovery
The Department of Health is now allowing survivors to be immediately vaccinated after recovering from COVID-19. “Section III E.5 of Department Circular No. 2021-0157 is amended for simplification that all vaccine recipients who contracted COVID-19 may be vaccinated after recovery or completion of treatment, whether for first or second dose, without restarting the vaccine dose schedule,” the DOH said in a revised memorandum dated April 8.
CNN Philippines
IATF/NTF COVID-19
No plan to impose stricter quarantine outside NCR Plus
Malacañang ruled out Thursday the possibility of a more restrictive quarantine measure in areas outside the National Capital Region Plus (NCR Plus).
Philippine News Agency
Nationwide rollout of StaySafe.ph set in May: DILG
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday said it is set to roll out the StaySafe.ph digital contact tracing application (app) nationwide in May.
Philippine News Agency
Regions
Luzon including NCR
Decreasing QC ‘attack rate’ crucial in NCR+ healing: OCTA
The decreasing cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infections in Quezon City is a sign of healing, the University of the Philippines (UP) OCTA Research team said.
Philippine News Agency
Pasay soon to build new public hospital
The Pasay City government is mulling the construction of a "new and modernized" public hospital to provide high-quality and affordable" healthcare services to its constituents.
Philippine News Agency
Covid-19 situation in NBP under control
The Covid-19 situation at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City remains manageable, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said Thursday.
Philippine News Agency
OCD distributes 97K rapid antigen kits to NCR, nearby provinces
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said that it has already distributed 97,000 rapid antigen kits it has procured to 45 hospitals, local government units, and agencies in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
Philippine News Agency
Visayas
DOH provides 4 Antique hospitals with sea ambulance
Four Antique hospitals have each received a sea ambulance under the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) of the Department of Health (DOH).
Philippine News Agency
Mindanao
Zamboanga City exec nixes lockdown
The city government does not support the imposition of an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) or lockdown because of its effects on the people and the economy, Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said Thursday.
Philippine News Agency
GenSan monitoring possible new infections from UK variant
Health authorities here are monitoring possible new infections related to the area's first case of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19)-United Kingdom (UK) variant confirmed early this week.
Philippine News Agency
“Surveillance” virus test set for street vendors in Davao
The city government has scheduled a series of “community surveillance swab testing” for vendors in areas within the central business district, including “Chinatown,” on April 16 and 19, an official said.
Mindanews
World
Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector
US earmarks new P170-M aid for PH vax rollout
The United States government, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), is providing PHP170 million to support the Department of Health (DOH) in its vaccination rollout, the US Embassy in Manila said Thursday.
Philippine News Agency
Incidents and Violations
Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features
Mass vaccination PH: Throwing away our shots (Part I)
At first glance, it seems reassuring that the Philippines’ cumulative 884,783 COVID-19 cases as of April 13 is just around half of Indonesia’s 1.58 million infections. However, the Philippines’ 165,534 active cases is the highest in the region and more than Indonesia’s 108,599 active cases – even if Indonesia’s population is over two-and-a-half times bigger.
Bulatlat
[Editorial] Excruciatingly slow ‘ayuda’
From saying just last February that the government must exercise “fiscal prudence” and thus cannot be “throwing subsidies at everything in sight,” the country’s economic managers have finally come around to the idea of funding another stimulus package to provide relief to the millions of Filipinos rendered jobless or poor by the raging COVID-19 pandemic, which continues to hammer the economy and strain the public health system.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Groups call for Duterte’s resignation over ‘inefficient leadership’
Thousands of citizens have signed an online petition calling for the resignation of President Rodrigo Duterte due to “inefficient leadership amid the continuing surge of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines.”
Bulatlat
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
Duterte insists: We weren’t slow to respond to COVID-19 threat in 2020
President Rodrigo Duterte has insisted that the government’s response to the COVID-19 threat was neither slow nor lacking, disputing accusations that his efforts to address the economic and health crises had been ineffective.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
When will PH get enough COVID-19 vaccines? ‘I really don’t know,’ Duterte says
President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday admitted that he himself does not know when the Philippines would receive an ample supply COVID-19 vaccines.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Duterte: Authorities may take over hotels, but it’s not a ‘remedy’ in a democracy
President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday floated the possibility of having authorities take over hotels to address the lack of hospital beds, but said this is “not a remedy desired in a democratic state.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Duterte lifts moratorium on mineral agreements
President Rodrigo Duterte has issued an executive order (EO) lifting the nine-year moratorium on mineral agreements to spur economic growth and support projects and programs of the government.
Philippine News Agency
Roque says he’s admitted in ‘ordinary room’ at PGH
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Thursday rejected a lawmaker’s speculation that he was accommodated in the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) through a room reserved for the President of the Philippines.
Philippine News Agency
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
Robredo’s spokesperson thankful for Duterte’s reappearance as it ended rumors
Barry Guiterrez, spokesperson of Vice President Leni Robredo, is thankful that President Rodrigo Duterte finally made a public address last Monday, ending rumors about his health during his almost two weeks of being away from public view.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Robredo pushes use of mobile laboratories
Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo on Wednesday urged local chief executives to put up mobile laboratories to give the public an option, as hospitals in the NCR Plus bubble remained full.
Manila Times
‘Lugaw is essential’ phrase catches on anew as Robredo shares spicy lugaw lunch
The buzz around the phrase “lugaw is essential” to support a food delivery rider blocked by a quarantine official reemerged among Filipino social media users.
Interaksyon
Free WiFi installed in quarantine centers under OVP's Swab Cab initiative
Free WiFi was launched on Thursday at the quarantine center extension in Malabon City, which is occupied by individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 through the Office of the Vice President's Swab Cab project.
GMA News
AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION
BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION
BSP orders tighter vetting of bank employees to prevent emergence of rogues
It’s no longer enough for banks to perform thorough background checks on their customers and ascertain the provenance of their money under the prevailing know-your-customer, or KYC, scheme.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Dollar volume from expat Filipinos posts surprise rise in February
The amount of dollars sent home by expatriate Filipinos rose in February, largely from an increase in remittances by land-based workers with long term contracts abroad, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Thursday (April 15).
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Lending-averse banks swamp BSP with over P500B in short-term loans
Lending averse Philippine banks—awash in cash thanks to the prevailing low interest rate regime—swamped the central bank’s auction of short-term debt for this week and driving yields lower, data from the regulator showed on Wednesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Outstanding gov’t-issued IOUs hit new high of P7.2T in March
Strong sales of affordable retail treasury bonds (RTBs) which were issued last month jacked up the outstanding value of locally issued IOUs to a new high of P7.2 trillion in end-March.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
78% of 2021 national budget released in first quarter
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released P3.51 trillion or 78 percent of the record P4.51-trillion 2021 national budget in the first three months, portions of which funded various agencies’ pandemic response.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
BUSINESS, ECONOMY AND INVESTMENT
NEDA: Temporary hike in pork imports ‘will not kill local hog industry’
Contrary to senators’ position, additional pork imports “will not kill the local hog industry,” the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said in a Senate hearing Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Virus-hit Metro Retail booked P449.6-M loss in 2020
Gaisano-led retailer Metro Retail Stores Group Inc. (MRSGI) was bludgeoned by the pandemic in 2020, but it has committed to continue expanding its footprint in anticipation of its return to profitability.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Office space biz tempers virus impact on Megaworld bottom line
Tycoon Andrew Tan-led Megaworld Corp. saw a 45-percent drop in attributable net profit last year to P9.9 billion as the COVID-19 pandemic weighed down its residential development, shopping mall and hotel businesses.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Tan’s MacroAsia switches tactics to soften blow from aviation woes
Taipan Lucio Tan’s MacroAsia Corp. is shifting gears during the COVID-19 pandemic as it scales back its core aviation services to focus on water distribution and even telecoms.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS
Binondo-Intramuros bridge on track for 2021 opening
The Binondo-Intramuros Bridge is on track to be completed this year amid the coronavirus pandemic, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said on Thursday.
Philippine News Agency
Renaming Mactan airport to honor Datu Lapu-Lapu: NQC chief
Renaming the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) after Lapu-Lapu, the warrior that killed Ferdinand Magellan in 1521, is one of the major highlights of the Philippine Quincentennial celebration, an official said on Thursday.
Philippine News Agency
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Severe tropical storm approaches PAR
A severe tropical storm with the international name “Surigae” was spotted 1,095 kilometers east of Mindanao as of 10 a.m. Thursday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said in an 11 a.m. advisory.
Mindanews
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
Armed Forces of the Philippines
3ID Strengthens Advisory Board, Gets 5 New Members
The Army’s 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division is further strengthening its Multi-Sectoral Advisory Board (MSAB) by getting additional members. The 3rd ID MSAB was created on 09 October 2014 to promote the involvement of local stakeholders and strengthen the Command’s commitment to realize the goals of Army Transformation Roadmap (ATR). It conducts regular meeting purposely to promote continuity, sustainability, and shared responsibility for the ATR between the military and key civilian stakeholders.
Kalinaw News
AFP Chief gets 4th star, 3 other Officers also promoted to higher rank
The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) General Cirilito Sobejana was donned his four-star rank insignia on Wednesday, officially making him the highest-ranking military officer in the country. President Rodrigo Duterte signed the promotion of General Sobejana effective April 8, 2021 following the approval of the Commission on Appointments on March 24, 2021.
Kalinaw News
Philippine National Police
PNP remits P6.1-B income tax for 2020
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has remitted a total of PHP6,108,152,968 to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) for the income tax of its personnel for the fiscal year 2020.
Philippine News Agency
EDUCATION
Bidding for 2022 polls laptops, servers postponed due to MECQ
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has postponed the submission and opening of bids for the supply of the Consolidation and Canvassing System (CCS) laptops and servers to be used in the May 2022 National and Local Elections (NLE) originally scheduled on Friday.
Philippine News Agency
17 HEIs agree to serve as vaccination sites: CHED
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson J. Prospero de Vera on Wednesday said 17 colleges and universities agreed to have their facilities used as vaccination centers in support of the government’s efforts to expand its immunization drive against Covid-19.
Philippine News Agency
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
ELECTION RELATED
DepEd eyes higher elections compensation amid Covid-19 threat
The Department of Education (DepEd) has reached out to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and requested additional compensation and benefits for poll workers in the 2022 national elections.
Philippine News Agency
[Opinion] Despite pandemic paranoia, time to focus attention on 2022 election for all the marbles
NOTWITHSTANDING the pandemic paranoia and confusion, I submit it is time for the nation to turn its undivided attention in preparation for the general election next year.
Manila Times
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
LABOR
LEGISLATIVE
Senate of the Philippines
De Lima: Rehabilitate AFP or be a ‘satellite’ to China
Senator Leila de Lima said Thursday that after President Rodrigo Duterte ends his term in 2022, the country must “rehabilitate” the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Gordon joins call to use Manila Bay rehab fund in fight vs COVID, hunger
Senator Richard Gordon is the latest to call out the move to pour fresh layer of crushed dolomite in Manila Bay saying it is very insensitive to the plight of people who are affected by the health crisis and the strict lockdown measures.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
House of Representatives
Solon lauds EO allowing mining deals for economic recovery
The chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday said the establishment of new mining agreements will pave the way for the country’s bid for competitiveness in the electric vehicle and renewable energy battery sector, as well as the country’s long-term economic recovery.
Philippine News Agency
House probe sought on DOH, FDA policies for Covid-19 drugs
Speaker Lord Allan Velasco has filed a resolution calling for a congressional inquiry into the policies and guidelines of the Department of Health (DOH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the registration, utilization, manufacture, distribution or sale of drug products for coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
Philippine News Agency
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
FOREIGN RELATIONS
Palace reminds Japan of principles of int’l environmental law
Malacañang on Thursday reminded Japan of international environmental law after the East Asian nation announced its plan to release huge amounts of contaminated water from the destroyed Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea.
Philippine News Agency
[Opinion] Philippines drifting to Sino-Russo orbit
Three months into his presidency, erstwhile Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte announced his country’s “separation” from America and started talking of the Beijing-Manila-Moscow axis playing in his mind.
Philippine Star
West Philippine Sea
Let PRRD address WPS issue ‘privately’
Malacañang on Thursday asked the public to let President Rodrigo Duterte settle in a private manner the issue of China’s supposed incursions into the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Philippine News Agency
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
HOUSING and SETTLEMENT
POVERTY
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
Most 4Ps beneficiary graduates independent: study
The Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) has released its third impact evaluation (IE3) report on the government's poverty reduction program, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
Philippine News Agency
TRANSPORTATION
Cebu Pacific to wind down call center operations by May 1
Leading budget airline Cebu Pacific will wind down call center operations as more passengers tap online booking options coupled with the success of its chatbot “Charlie”.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
LRT-2 to shorten operating hours due to surge in Covid-19 cases
The Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) will temporarily shorten its operating hours beginning Saturday until the end of April due to the increasing number of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infections among its front-line personnel.
Philippine News Agency
Comply with passenger capacity limit, PNP reminds drivers
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Debold Sinas on Thursday reminded drivers and operators of public and private vehicles in the National Capital Region (NCR) Plus area to adhere to the guidelines set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).
Philippine News Agency
TOURISM
WATER and ENERGY
Apo Agua sets end-2021 target for Davao bulk water operations
Aboitiz-controlled Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc., (AAII) is aiming to start operations at its bulk water supply project here at the end of the year, from the original launch date of mid-2021 target due to coronavirus-related delays.
Business World
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