Enhanced community quarantine in Luzon

A labor group says another lockdown will never resolve rising COVID-19 cases in the Philippines after the government announced that Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan and Rizal are placed under the enhanced community quarantine starting Monday.

“The Duterte government seems to be deliberate in focusing its efforts in imposing quarantine and lockdown measures instead of addressing the rising cases of COVID-19 and the worsening state of the pandemic through medical solutions and scientific approach,” says Defend Jobs Philippines.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque announces that Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan and Rizal are placed under enhanced community quarantine starting Monday, March 29.

Tuguegarao City will be placed under enhanced community quarantine from January 20 to 29 due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the city.

Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba approved the request of Tuguegarao Mayor Jefferson Soriano to place the city under ECQ for 10 days.

According to the Cagayan Provincial Information Office, the city currently has 246 active cases.

Batangas, one of the provinces hardest hit by the novel coronavirus, has reported no new cases of the disease for two consecutive days.

The provincial DOH Office says the number of COVID-19 cases in the province stood at 91 with no new cases as of Wednesday afternoon.

Lipa City has the most cases with 26, followed by Batangas City (21) and Nasugbu (11).

Tanauan City has the fourth most cases with eight, followed by Bauan (5) and Alitagtag (3). Cuenca and Sto. Tomas City had two cases each, while the municipalities of Calaca, Lemery, Lian, Lobo, Mabini, Mataas na Kahoy, Padre Garcia, San Jose, San Juan, San Pascual and Taal had one case each, respectively. — The Filipino Connection

Quezon City's Task Force Disiplina has been instructed to withdraw its complaint against Michael Rubuia whom city "enforcers" were caught on video beating with sticks over alleged quarantine violations.

The QC government says in the same statement that the enforcers of Task Force Disiplina have been issued show-cause orders for their actions. They may also be put on preventive suspension.

It also says Ruguia will be released to the city's drug rehabilitation center "in view of his positive drug test."

A police report on the April 27 incident did not mention the beating by task force personnel nor that he Ruguia had tested positive for drugs.

More on that incident here: QC to investigate 'local authorities' caught on video beating man lacking face mask

A 72-year-old Person Deprived of Liberty at the Correctional Institution for Women-Mandaluyong who had tested positive for COVID-19 died on Monday, the Bureau of Corrections says Tuesday.

She was the first confirmed COVID-19 case at the correctional facility and had been hospitalized on April 13 "after experiencing pneumonia symptoms," BuCor says.

"It can be recalled that her admission to the hospital triggered the contact tracing and isolation of those PDL that had contact with her days before she was brought to the hospital," BuCor also says.

Of 130 PDLs tested, 47 have been confirmed to have COVID-19.

A CIW PDL who had been admitted to East Avenue Medical Center on April 13 and who died on April 21 has also been confirmed to have had COVID-19. The results of the test, done on April 14, were only released on Monday.

Two new confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported in Lipa City on Monday even as the total recoveries jumped to five out of the 26 confirmed cases so far, the Lipa City government said.

Mayor Eric Africa announced that two male patients, ages 78 and 27 years old, tested positive for the virus, raising the city’s total infections to 26 – the most in Batangas province. — The Filipino Connection

Community farms could be a "short cut" to meeting the country's food needs during the COVID-19 pandemic, Caritas Philippines says, citing community farming projects that the Catholic Church in the Philippines is helping.

"The social amelioration program is not efficiently solving our food security problem however we see it as a necessary short-cut solution," Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, national director of Caritas Philippines says

"Thus we at NASSA/Caritas Philippines strongly urge our government, especially the Department of Agriculture to start mobilizing farmers at the community level while we still have time."

The Department of Agriculture has said urban and community farming is among its strategies toward food security during the pandemic.

Bagaforo says "our community farms are helping deliver fresh vegetables to families severely affected by work suspension in Iligan, Bayombong and Camarines Sur, while a local farmers' cooperative supported by the diocese of Libmanan in Camarines Norte and the Gratia Plena program of the Diocese of San Jose in Nueva Ecija are supplying thousands of sacks of commercial and organic rice to Luzon provinces."

Backyard gardening programs in Iloilo, Bukidnon, Quezon, Leyte, the Samar provinces, Capiz, Oriental Mindoro and Zambales have also helped ensure food security for farming families, he says.

AirAsia cancels all domestic and international Z2 flights until May 15 as the Philippine government extends the enhanced community quarantine.

The Philippine Army asks the assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate the fatal shooting which led to the death of discharged Corporal Winston Ragos in Quezon City.

A labor group says the government should also extend aid for all Filipino workers and poor Filipinos who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic with the re-extension of the enhanced community quarantine until May 15, 2020.

“While the government must address the medical concerns over the COVID-19 during the extended quarantine, it must at the same time resolve the basic needs and social welfare of our workers and people such as food and cash assistance for all,” says Thadeus Ifurung, Defend Jobs Philippines spokesperson.

The Department of Foreign Affairs welcomes a total of 818 overseas Filipino workers from the UK, Equatorial Guinea, Democratic Republic of Congo and Australia who arrived on three separate chartered flights at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Thursday afternoon and early morning Friday.

Doctors from the Philippine Coast Guard have administered rapid testing for COVID-19 on the repatriates upon their arrival. They were also briefed on quarantine protocols before they were transported to designated facilities where they will undergo mandatory quarantine for 14 days.

Metro Manila is one of the high-risk areas recommended by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging and Infectious Diseases to remain under quarantine until May 15, 2020.

Other areas recommended to remain in near-lockdown are:

• Region III
• Region IV-A
• Pangasinan
• Benguet
• Mindoro
• Albay
• Catanduanes

Read live updates here.

The government's task force on the coronavirus disease 2019 has ordered agencies to propose guidelines on the possible resumption of public transportation in case the enhanced community quarantine is relaxed in some areas.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque says the transportation, interior, tourism and health departments and the quarantine bureau would study and recommend protocols for air, land and sea travel subject to existing measures on social distancing and isolation.

"So it will be a new norm. You may no longer have a seatmate in buses. No one will stand in buses and even in queues, there should be social distancing. But the president will still decide on this," Roque says. — The STAR/Alexis Romero

The Magdalo party-list says the claim of the Philippine National Police that the police officer "acted in self-defense" against former Cpl. Ragos is questionable.

"Based on the video of the incident, the police personnel continuously aimed to shoot the suspect at the mid-body area and in close range. This does not seem pursuant to self-defense. Moreover, the suspect was seen raising his hands as an act of surrender," the group says. 

"This could have been an opportune time for the police to immobilize the suspect without firing a shot. Police Master Sergeant Florendo may have used excessive and unreasonable force," it adds.

Sen. Joel Villanueva says the Department of Labor and Employment should require employers to conduct regular, randomized tests on its workers to monitor and mitigate the spread of the coronavirus disease.

“Industries that are necessary to boost the economy may be allowed to operate provided they follow strict protocols on social distancing, sanitizing and use of personal protective equipment, among others,” Villanueva says in a statement, citing a discussion paper by the University of the Philippines School of Economics on the topic.

“Those who can work from home should continue to do so, especially our senior-aged workers who are at a high risk of contracting the disease. We now have a law on work flexibility and we should continue to take advantage of that,” he adds.

Former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV slams the shooting of a former soldier by a police officer near a quarantine checkpoint in Quezon City.

“Bago pa tayo umabot sa punto kung bumunot ba ng baril o hindi, ano nga ba raw ang krimen na nagawa ni Cpl. Ragos na dahilan para tutukan sya ng baril, pinatalikod at pinataas ng kamay nung pulis?” Trillanes says on Twitter.

The Department of Transportation clarifies that Secretary Arthur Tugade did not discuss the rental of quarantine ships directly with 2GO chairman Dennis Uy as negotiations were made through proper channels.

The agency explains that the negotiating panel agreed at a P35-million rental fee concession for the two vessels for a two-month term considering operating expenditures.

"Likewise, Secretary Tugade mentioned that if it was the best offer under the circumstances, he is amenable to it, but it will be without prejudice to further concessions he will attempt to seek from ownership. Until then and up to now, no payment was made," the DOTr says in a statement Thursday.

2GO Group Inc. will be waiving the expected payment worth P35 million from the government as for the use of its two ships as floating quarantine areas for COVID-19 patients.

2GO chairman Dennis Uy clarified that the actual cost to operate the two vessels as quarantine facilities is at P260 million but it as intended to be a donation. The Department of Transportation offered P35 million but the company had no plans of accepting it.

"As Chairman of 2GO, I have conferred with other shareholders and have given explicit instructions to waive the P35M expected payment from the government; and if necessary make good the said amount out of my own funds to cover for the expected expenses to operate the said ships," Uy said in a statement Wednesday night.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government issues a show cause order to 29 barangay chairpersons in Metro Manila for  failure to properly enforce the enhanced community quarantine. 

DILG Secretary Eduardo Año says that they have received reports from concerned citizens on the non-observance of physical distancing and instances of mass gatherings in their barangays.

A labor group says the "gradual return to work" plan after the Luzon-wide quarantine must address the economic needs of workers.

These include the P5,000 cash assistance for all and fast delivery of support by the government, says Defend Jobs Philippines.

Thadeus Ifurung, Defend Jobs Philippines spokesperson says that the Department of Labor and Employment "must not just based its future plans for our labor force with just mere technicalities on the operational adjustment schemes, occupational health and safety protocols and figures."

All students of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila will receive a passing mark, PLM President Emmanuel Leyco announces

In a Facebook post, Leyco says the university's board of regents unanimously approved an alternative grading system for the second semester of academic year 2019 to 2020 in recognition of the serious impact of COVID-19 on the academic life of students, faculty and the academic community.

"The grading system will give a grade of 'P' (Passing) mark to all PLM students enrolled in the said semester. This grade will not be used to compute a student’s general weighted average, retention or scholarships," Leyco says.

Taguig City will be carrying out a barangay-based and drive-thru testing for COVID-19, Mayor Lino Cayetano says.

In an interview with ANC's "Headstart", Cayetano says five health centers in Taguig City will start testing on Wednesday. The city also has two drive-thru sites for testing.

Cayetano says the city is ready to test 10,000 people but those who want to be tested would have to be assessed first.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros says China should pay the Philippines reparations for its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Citing reports, the opposition senator says China owes the Philippines at least P200 billion as reparations for damaging reef ecosystems in the West Philippine Sea for at least six years.

"Our government already has a huge budget deficit because of COVID-19. Thus, it should demand what is rightfully ours and use this to strengthen our health system, to increase the aid given to low- and middle-income families, and to help Filipinos recover post-COVID," Hontiveros says in a statement.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno places Sampaloc under 48-hour total lockdown starting 8 p.m. Thursday (April 23) until 8 p.m. Saturday (April 25). 

The Bureau of Corrections reports that 18 inmates and one staff tested positive for COVID-19 at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City.

Those who tested positive for the disease have mild symptoms while some are asymptomatic, according to BuCor.

"They are now being monitored and given vitamins, medicines and food supplements to strengthen their immune system," BuCor said in a statement.

All arriving overseas Filipino workers will be required to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine and will be subject to rapid antibody testing for COVID-19.

"Provided, that sea-based OFWs onboard cruise ships who have been issued with a Clean Bill of Health by the Bureau of Quarantine, upon presentation of a certificate of completion of 14-day quarantine issued at the point of origin immediately before departure, shall nevertheless be subjected to a rapid antibody testing and shall be managed in accordance with the aforementioned Department Memorandum," IATF spokesperson Karlo Nograles says.

The Department of Education is eyeing to move the opening of classes to August, Secretary Leonor Briones tells CNN Philippines' "The Source".

"We're considering the possibility of Saturday classes, pero hindi face-to-face. Students can do this at home," Briones said.

On holding graduation rites amid the COVID-19 crisis, the DepEd chief said schools can hold e-graduation rites as long as they comply with Department of Health guidelines.

 Malacañang is leaving it to local government units to decide whether to lift the liquor ban while Luzon is under enhanced community quarantine.

A group of liquor makers has urged the government to lift the total ban on alcoholic beverages, saying it would negatively affect the industry and its workers.

In its letter to the trade department, the Center for Alcohol Research and Development Foundation Inc. said the industry may not survive if the ban continues.

The restriction, the group said, "effectively drives out the industry from the market and unduly forfeits the capital which had already been invested in the products already produced and bottled for distribution."

Asked whether the government the appeal of liquor makers to lift the ban imposed in some areas, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said local executives have the authority to decide on the matter.

"The liquor ban is imposed, if I'm not mistaken, by different LGUs," Roque said.

"There are some areas in Metro Manila that do not have a liquor ban. We will just let the local mayors decide on that," he added.

Some local governments implement a total liquor ban to prevent crowding and to ensure that social distancing are observed. —  The STAR/Alexis Romero

Volunteers from Tulong Anakpawis and Sagip Kanayunan who were set to distribute relief to urban poor residents in Norzagaray, Bulacan were stopped at a checkpoint on Sunday morning, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas says in an alert.

It also says five volunteers were brought to the Norzagaray Municipal Police Station.

"Relief efforts have been conducted in close coordination with KMP-affiliated peasant organizations in Bulacan since the beginning of the lockdown," SAKA (Sama-samang Artista para sa Kilusang Agraryo) says in a separate alert.

"Organizations would directly purchase fresh produce from farmers in San Jose del Monte and Norzagaray for distribution to different communities, and would also bring relief packs to these farmers for needs they cannot grow in the agricultural land they till and struggle for," the group also says.

The volunteers were supposed to distribute "nutri-lief bags" to fisherfolks and farm workers.

The bags are marked with calls for free mass testing and contain basic goods like rice, vegetables, condiments, coffee, eggs, soap, alcohol, and vitamins.

People are sneaking into Baguio City despite the strict quarantine regulations, police confirmed Saturday after three people were caught hiding in a cargo truck carrying fruits and vegetables.

Police Col. Allen Rae Co, Baguio City police director, said the three hid inside the cargo truck of H&E Fruits & Vegetables Trading.

Co said they have been receiving persistent reports from the mayor's office of similar incidents but they could not conduct inspections because of restrictions on checking cargo trucks.

To confirm, Co ordered a random spot check on one cargo truck passing through the checkpoint and busted the three.  They are now being investigated.

Magalong ordered the police to enforce necessary measures to address this trickery which he said, is putting the city in danger as these persons have been evading quarantine protocols.

Co said two kinds of checkpoints are in place in the city—Quarantine Control Points (QCPs) and Dedicated Control Points (DCPs).

The QCPs are manned by city police are not allowed to check cargo trucks lest they hamper their movements while the DCPs under the Highway Patrol Group are allowed to properly check.

On orders of the mayor, Co coordinated with the Philippine National Police-Cordillera and the HPG for the deployment of highway police to checkpoints manned by city police.

The mayor warned that those who will engage in such unscrupulous activity will be dealt with accordingly. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

San Juan police have blocked a Rolling Store Palengke truck headed to Barangay Greenhills, Addition Hills and Maytunas, former Vice Mayor Janella Ejercito Estrada says in a Facebook post.

Estrada, who ran against Mayor Francis Zamora in 2019, says the RSP might not be able to push through.

"Oras po ng krisis Mayor! Wag kayong mamulitika! (This is a time of crisis, mayor. Don't play politics)," she also says.

Zamora and Estrada's father former Sen. Jinggoy Estrada had previously clashed over the city blocking the rolling stores.

Zamora said last week that the Estradas did not secure a permit from city hall for their mobile market, which makes their operation illegal.

"Hindi puwede na basta sila magbukas. Walang permit, illegal yun (They cannot just open a rolling store. They don't have a permit so that's illegal)," Zamora told reporters.

At least 100 vendors belonging to the Agora Public Market Vendors and Owners Association said they have been affected by the mobile market, which reportedly sells items at half price.

Some of the vendors held a rally in front of the public market to protest the rolling store.

Read more here:  Zamora returns to work, hits back at Jinggoy | Jinggoy hits Zamora over mobile markets 

The Department of Foreign Affairs announces that 863 Filipino seafarers from Miami, Florida arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

The seafarers came aboard two Boeing-747 Wamos flights chartered by Norwegian Cruise Lines Holdings, Miami, a month after the first Wamos repatriation flight from San Francisco, California.

"This morning's arrivals push the number of our repatriated seafarers above the 12,600 mark and we expect more arrivals in the coming days," says Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Sarah Lou Arriola in a statement.

Valenzuela City announces a four-month grace period for tenants of Disiplina Village Bignay and Disiplina Village Ugong through Ordinance No. 691, Series of 2020.

The moratorium, which was declared on April 13, 2020, aims to help residents who are experiencing the effects of the extended Luzon-wide Enhanced Community Quarantine.

The Department of Agriculture says the country will have sufficient rice supply good for 84 days by the end of June, according to IATF spokesperson Karlo Nograles.

"To ensure continued access to affordable rice, the DA has directed the NFA to buy palay at 21 pesos to beef up the NFA’s 30-day buffer stock," Nograles says at a virtual press briefing.

Nograles adds that the DA extended the validity of 91,274 food passes to truckers and suppliers of food to ensure the continuous flow of agricultural cargo.

The central committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines has ordered the New People's Army to extend a nationwide ceasefire—armed offensives are suspended but rebels will remain ready to defend themselves—for 15 days to "prioritize the fight against the pandemic and ensure the safety, health and well-being of everyone."

According to the CPP's information bureau, the ceasefire has been extended to 11:59 p.m. of April 30.

It said the NPA will "continue to desist and cease from carrying out offensive military actions against the armed units and personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP) and other paramilitary and armed groups attached to the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP)." 

The military has accused the rebels of carrying out attacks despite the ceasefire, although the CPP denies that  offensive operations have been launched since March 25.

State pension fund Government Service Insurance System announces that its members and pensioners nationwide may now apply for COVID-19 Emergency Loan program online.

“Under the GSIS Emergency Loan program, our members and pensioners may take out a P20,000-loan, which is payable in three years at only 6% interest per annum. The loan is covered by an insurance, which deems the loan fully paid in case of the borrower’s demise,” says GSIS President and General Manager Rolando Ledesma Macasaet. 

The first set of results for targeted mass testing in Valenzuela City came back Wednesday, with two patients testing positive for COVID-19 and 18 turning out to be negative. The city says the two positive cases were repeated, verification tests on patients who had already previously tested positive.

"Valenzuela City ensures that both positive patients are being well-monitored. The first patient, a senior citizen with comorbidity, was immediately transferred to a hospital and the second patient, a frontliner from a private hospital outside the city, was transferred to an identified PUI facility of the City," the city's public information office says.

"House lockdowns were now removed on the 18 individuals who tested negative for COVID-19. Resources were also redeployed in some other areas, while Mayor REX assures of aggressive medical intervention on the identified positive COVID-19 cases having a clearer focus on resource allocation."

AirAsia Indonesia arranges a special flight from Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia to Manila to help the Philippine embassy’s repatriation mission of 101 Filipinos working in Indonesia.

The flight departed from Ahmad Yani International Airport in Semarang at 10:16 local time and landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila at 15:04 local time on AirAsia Indonesia Airbus A320-200 aircraft.

The Department of Education announces that the graduation and moving up rites in basic education for SY 2019-2020 throughout the country is postponed indefinitely.

This announcement comes after the extension of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.

"As per DO 02. s. 2020 and DM 42, s. 2020, schools, in consultation with the Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) leadership, can decide to reschedule or forego the holding of the rites once the ECQ or localized community quarantine is lifted," DepEd says in an advisory.

Following the reported increase in the number of vehicles traveling along major thoroughfares in Metro Manila, the Philippine National Police will strictly impose the policy on Authorized Persons Outside of Residence (APOR).

Inter-Agency Task Force spokesperson Karlo Nograles said the PNP-Highway Patrol Group was directed to inspect private vehicles to determine whether the driver and passengers to the list of APOR or not.

If the driver or any of the passengers is unauthorized, a ticket will be issued against private vehicles transporting unauthorized persons outside residence.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology has installed free wi-fi hotspots in new COVID-19 quarantine centers in Metro Manila.

These include Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila, Philippine International Convention Center and World Trade Center Metro Manila in Pasay City.

Vice President Leni Robredo expresses gratitude to partners, volunteers and drivers of her office's Free Shuttle Service for Frontliners as it comes to an end this week. 

The OVP Free Shuttle Service for health workers and frontliners was made possible with the partnership of UBE Express, Diamond Motor Corporation, Pilipinas Autogroup Inc. and Seaoil, including volunteers and staff of the Office of the Vice President. 

The Department of Foreign Affairs welcomes 301 seafarers from the cruise ships Carnival Legend, Carnival Pride, Carnival Fascination and Carnival Conquest to the increasing number of repatriated Filipinos amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Qatar Airways flight that brought the repatriates home landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 at around 8:27 a.m.

The repatriated Filipinos underwent the appropriate medical protocols upon arrival as required by the Department of Health. 

Valenzuela City extends to help street dwellers with the “Sagip Kalinga” operations amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eleven street dwellers are being housed temporarily at the Pisces Resort and Pavilion, a resort in Brgy. Coloong, Valenzuela City, with meals served during their stay. 

The facility was borrowed by the city government of Valenzuela to give street dwellers a chance to take a bath and rest until the enhanced community quarantine is lifted.

Another baby, this time a 10-day-old girl, tests positive for the novel coronavirus in Lipa City, Batangas-based news website Filipino Connection reports.

Mayor Eric Africa says in a bulletin Monday that the baby, the city's 18th confirmed COVID-19 patient, is from Barangay Tipakan.

No further details were given except that the baby's mother tested negative for COVID-19.

This is the second baby infected by the novel coronavirus in the city. On April 9, a 23-day-old male baby died of the disease although health authorities only confirmed the infection after death. 

Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año says he has tested negative for COVID-19 but will remain in quarantine for at least another week, Superadyo dzBB reports.

He adds he still needs to take a confirmatory test for COVID-19 n April 22.

The Department of Health reports 284 new COVID-19 cases in the Philippines, raising the total number of cases in the country to 4,932.

The health department also announces 18 additional deaths, bringing the national toll to 315.

Meanwhile, 45 additional patients have recovered from the disease, which brings the total number of recoveries to 242.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones announces that she tested negative for coronavirus disease a week after confirming that she was infected with the deadly virus.

In an interview with GMA News' Unang Balita Monday morning, Briones says Health Secretary Francisco Duque III texted her that she got a negative result.

"It seems like I had a death sentence but was pardoned at the last minute," Briones said in a separate interview with Dobol B sa News TV.

The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases will form "social distancing" teams composed of military and police personnel to enforce physical distancing at public markets.

This comes after reports over the weekend of people flocking to public markets over the weekend. Overcrowding increases the risk of COVID-19 transmission. 

The Navotas Fish Port Complex reopens Sunday, April 12, the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Fisheries Development Authority says in a release, adding it has disinfected and cleaned the halls of the complex and the roads leading to it.

"We are happy to inform the public that they can come back to the Navotas fish port tomorrow on Easter Sunday to resume their trading operations," PFDA General Manager Glen Pangapalan says in a release on Saturday.

The following protocols will be in force at the fish port:

• Mandatory wearing of face masks and other personal protective equipment
• Physical distancing
• No smoking

The fish port was closed Saturday for cleaning and disinfection.

A solon appeals to the  Inter-Agency Task Force to recommend to President Rodrigo Duterte "an across-the-board freeze on all rentals, utilities rate hikes, and service charges of government and the private sector."

Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera says the move will help families and businesses to recover  from the economic and social impact of COVID-19 pandemic.

The freeze should be until December 2020, the solon adds.

A group slams the announcement of the Manila Electric Company of an increase in electricity bills for April amid the enhanced community quarantine.

Meralco said there would be an increase of 10.50 centavos per kilowatt-hour to the overall electricity rate, which rose to P8.9951 per kilowatt-hour..

“Meralco should waive the bills of all households in its franchise area for the entire period of the quarantine and not just defer it," says Gerry Arances, a convenor at the Power for People Coalition.

We must understand what will happen to middle- and working-class families after the quarantine under the current setup – they will be saddled with debt as they work to pay for rent and their utilities even as their jobs may no longer exist due to the recession sure to happen from the Covid-19 pandemic,” he adds.

The Navotas Fish Port Complex will be closed on Black Saturday to make way for a thorough disinfection within the premises.

The Department of Health announces that it does not support spraying or misting as there is no evidence to support that it kills the new coronavirus.

The health department also warns that spraying of surfaces or large scale misting of areas with disinfecting agents might cause any pathogens to be dispersed further.

"Everyone should NOT spray or mist disinfectants at this time. Soak objects completely or disinfect surfaces directly to kill the virus," the DOH said in an advisory.

The Department of Health confirms 119 new COVID-19 cases in the Philippines, raising the current total to 4,195.

The health department also announced 18 additional deaths, bringing the death toll to 221. Meanwhile, 16 new patients have recovered, which brings the total number of recoveries to 140.

The Department of Public Works and Highways has put up six "COVID-19 We Heal As One Centers" in Metro Manila and in Clark, bringing bed capacity up by 1,500, the department says.

Built jointly by the national government and by private sector partners, the centers are for the treatment of COVID-19 cases with "with mild or no symptoms." 

The centers are in "the Ninoy Aquino Stadium and Rizal Memorial Stadium at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, the Philippine International Convention Center Forum Halls and the World Trade Center in the National Capital Region; the ASEAN Convention Center in Clark, Pampanga; and the National Government Administrative Center in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac." 

Similar centers are to be put up in the Philippine Arena in Bulacan,  the PhilSports Arena in Pasig, and the Filinvest Tent in Alabang.

"The Philippine Arena alone can accommodate more than 2,000 patients," DPWH points out. 

The Taguig local government, its City Education Office and the Department of Education launch "Education Hour" program through which the classroom reaches students amid the enhanced community quarantine.

Learners can catch the program on Facebook page I Love Taguig every 1 p.m.

Each day will feature different teachers tackling interesting topics prepared by DepEd-Taguig City. 

Facebook Philippines will temporarily reduce bit rates for videos on Facebook and Instagram amid the enhanced community quarantine.

This is in response to the call of the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s to ensure Internet stability in the Philippines. This will also help address network congestion and free up bandwidth allocation that may be used for other vital online services.

Facebook adds that they are working closely with mobile operators in the Philippines to manage any bandwidth constraints during the crisis.

The Department of Foreign Affairs welcomes home nine Overseas Performance Artists (OPAs) who returned from Tokyo, Japan.

Based on the release, the contracts of the OPAs were pre-terminated due to the slowdown of the global economy caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The DFA and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), through the Philippine Consulate General in Osaka and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office - Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (POLO-OWWA), respectively, coordinated with the local manning agency of the OPAs to facilitate their repatriation," the statement reads.

The Philippine Arena in Bulacan will be ready to accept COVID-19 patients by next week, National Task Force against COVID-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. says.

The repurposed facility will be equipped with three tents that can accommodate around 300 asymptomatic coronavirus patients or those only with mild or moderate symptoms.

The facility can later on be expanded to cater to up to 2,000 patients. It would be able to serve patients coming from Quezon City, Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela and Bulacan.

The wing designated for coronavirus patients at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute has reached its full capacity.

The hospital said it can only accept kidney patients under investigation dependent on dialysis treatments. They will be admitted to tents at the emergency room - COVID Field until test results show they are negative.

"Patients with moderate to severe pneumonias shall be transferred to other hospitals designated as COVID-19 facility," the hospital said in a statement.

All circulars and orders of the Supreme Court related to COVID-19 will remain in effect until the end of the extended enhanced community quarantine.

SC spokesperson Brian Hosaka said the special session of the high court in Baguio City will also be canceled.

"We will be releasing the corresponding orders once they have been signed by the Chief Justice," Hosaka said.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles confirms that the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) recommended the extension of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.

Nograles, also IATF spokesperson, said the task force formally recommended to the Office of the President the extension of the implementation of the ECQ in Luzon until April 30.

Pasig City issues an executive order declaring biking as a means of transportation for people making essential travel during the enhanced community quarantine period in Luzon.

Key provisions of the order are: 1) bicycle shops can open, 2) provision of accessible pedestrian infrastructure and 3) repair, rehab and upgrade of bicycle infrastructure.

"City departments have been directed to evaluate areas of major pedestrian traffic and public transportation interchange to ensure that walking is a viable means of transportation in the City," Pasig Transport said.

President Duterte says officials already discussed the possibility of a two-week extension of the enhanced community quarantine of Luzon.

"We are inclined to extend the lockdown up to April 30. Tingnan natin...Mag double time kami," Duterte says in his late-night address.

Earlier today, COVID-19 National Task Force chief Carlito Galvez Jr. said the president may decide on the lockdown extension between April 12 and 14.

Here's the developing story.

Valenzuela City stresses that discrimination against medical frontliners as well as confirmed and possible COVID-19 cases.

"With each story heralding the heroism of the doctors, nurses, medical technologists, laboratory technicians, and other medical frontliners, are sad stories of the same frontliners being denied access to public services, or being prohibited to enter their own villages, houses or condominium units. Some of them even sustain physical injuries," the city's public information office says.

"COVID-19 patients, PUIs, and PUMs suffer the same fate as the frontliners as they, too, are victims of face-to-face bashing, bullying, and hate speeches," it also says.

"As part of Valenzuela City’s measures to protect them, violators of the Anti-Discrimination Ordinance will be meted out a penalty amounting to P3,000 or will be imprisoned for 60 days or will both be fined and imprisoned at the discretion of the court," the city says, adding its anti-discrimination ordinance has been in force since 2019.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong may recommend a modified community lockdown if the city sees no more positive COVID19 cases when the Luzon-wide extended community quarantine ends on April 12. 

In a meeting with chiefs of hospitals and medical experts Monday, Magalong says plans to recommend a  modified community lockdown where Baguio’s borders will still be closed while the city will gradually allow economic activities within.

Transport, construction, manufacturing and among others businesses offering basic services will be opened during the modified community lockdown, he explains.

But Magalong sees the continued suspension of classes in the city until the end of April. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

Sen. Sonny Angara confirms that he is now free from the coronavirus after several days in the hospital.

"After several days in the ER and the [COVID-19] wing my doctors finally sent me home today — negative for the virus and pneumonia free," Angara says in a statement.

The senator expressed his gratitude to his doctors and nurses for taking care of him and to his families and loved ones for all the prayers for him.

President Rodrigo Duterte issues an administrative order authorizing the grant of special risk allowance (SRA) to frontline healthcare workers during the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.

Administrative Order 28 directs national government agencies, government-owned or -controlled corporations and local government units to grant a one-time SRA, equivalent to a maximum of 25% of monthly basic salary, to public health workers.

This covers medical, allied medical and other necessary personnel assigned in hospitals and healthcare facilities directly catering to or in contact with COVID-19 patients, persons under investigation or persons under monitoring.

Lawyer Rico Quicho files a complaint against Sen. Koko Pimentel for breaching quarantine protocols and placing medical frontliners and others at risk of contracting COVID-19 at the Makati Medical Center and a supermarket in Taguig.

"At 11:47 AM today (April 6, 2020), I filed with the Department of Justice ("DOJ") through electronic mail, a Letter-Complaint against Senator Koko Pimentel detailing the clear facts and circumstances that establish his direct violation of RA No. 11332 and its implementing rules and other DOH regulations," Quicho says in a statement.

The Department of Interior and Local Government on Monday releases a call for LGUs to come up with ordinances requiring constituents to wear face masks outside their homes.

It does not seem, however, that the Philippine government will provide the public medically approved face masks.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles says at a press briefing that handkerchiefs, do-it-yourself masks and face shields and improvised masks can be used.

President Rodrigo Duterte and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) will consider the recommendations of all experts before deciding whether to lift or extend the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.

Cabinet Secretary and IATF spokesperson Karlo Nograles said the factors considered before making the decision would be the trends in the COVID-19 epidemiological curve, capacity of the healthcare system, social factors, economic factors and security factors.

"Di ko po masasabi ngayon kung kailan nila ia-announce ang desisyon tungkol sa ECQ, pero makakasiguro kayo na sa desisyon na ito, papakinggan po ng IATF at ni Pangulong Duterte ang lahat ng mga experts bago makarating sa napakaimportanteng desisyon na ito," Nograles said at the Laging Handa virtual briefing Monday.

Government buildings at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac have been refurbished and converted into a 1,000-bed hospital, IATF spokesperson Karlo Nograles says.

NTF COVID-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez also reports that the Rizal Stadium will be ready by this week with a capacity of 200 beds and the World Trade Center will also hold 500 beds and will have living quarters for health workers once finished.

"Sec. Galvez also reports that many LGUs have also stepped up efforts to provide quarantine areas in their respective localities, and we will report on the same in the days ahead," Nograles says at the Laging Handa virtual briefing.

President Rodrigo Duterte will donate his one-month salary to support efforts to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a  fast-spreading pandemic that has infected more than one millions people worldwide, more than 3,000 of them in the Philippines.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo notes that many Cabinet members have pledged to donate 75% of their monthly salaries from April to December to boost the government's fight against the disease.

"Others have volunteered a salary deduction for the whole duration of the state of public health emergency in solidarity with our countrymen and to help in the government efforts to halt the spread of the coronavirus," Panelo says in a statement issued Sunday.

"The President is likewise donating his one month salary for the cause," he adds.

Duterte earns close to P400,000 per month, based on the latest government salary hike passed by Congress.

Panelo says other officials with the rank of secretary are giving portions of their salaries to boost the campaign against COVID-19.

The Philippine Postal Corp will resume operations for domestic acceptance and delivery of postal items, PHLPost says in an announcement.

PHLPost will operate selected Delivery Post Offices three times a week, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Door-to-door delivery will be limited and mails and parcels with contact details like phone numbers and email addresses may be picked up at the post office.

Barangay officials may also be tasked with delivering the mail to their constituents.

A team of experts from China—ten medical experts and two officials—arrive in Manila on Sunday to share technical advice on the prevention and control of COVID-19 in the country, the Department of Foreign Affairs reports.

More than 1,000 senior citizens in Quezon City receive "Lakas-Resistensya Packs" through Sen. Risa Hontiveros and the Coalition of Services of the Elderly, Inc. on Sunday.

The packs include "a weeklong supply of rice, multivitamins, milk, face masks, and other essential items to boost their immunity."

Hontiveros urges the public to refrain from having senior citizens leave the house during the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon, saying they are among the groups considered more vulnerable to the novel coronavirus.

The Department of Foreign Affairs welcome another batch of Filipino repatriates.

The group is composed of 185 seafarers onboard MSC Splendida docked in Genoa, Italy, and 122 seafarers onboard MSC Fantasia docked in Lisbon, Portugal.

The chartered flight that carried the repatriates landed at the NAIA Terminal 1 at 1:12 p.m.

The 307 Filipino repatriates underwent the necessary medical protocols as required by the Bureau of Quarantine of the Department of Health. 

The camp of Vice President Leni Robredo says they are thankful for President Rodrigo Duterte's pronouncement that Robredo had done nothing wrong in helping the government in their efforts to fight the spread of COVID-19.

"Patuloy ang aming panawagan para sa mga donasyon para sa PPE at iba pang ayuda sa ating mga doktor, nars, at iba pang frontliners. Ipinaalala rin natin sa publiko ang mga ruta ng ating shuttle services, na makikita sa ating Facebook page, pati ang mga dorms natin para sa health workers," says lawyer Barry Gutierrez, Robredo's spokesperson. 

The Department of Information and Communications Technology assures the public that the RapidPass.ph has complied with data privacy requirements and went through the agency’s preliminary cybersecurity tests before its kick-off on Monday, April 6, 2020.

RapidPass.ph is the government’s initiative to fast track movement and access of frontliners, and priority vehicles at designated checkpoints during the enhanced community quarantine. It is a system which uses QR codes and control numbers as checkpoint passes or permits.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles says that Cabinet members will donate 75% of their monthly salary to help the government in fighting the spread of COVID-19.

The Land Bank of the Philippines starts releasing cash grants totaling P16,347,295,950 to 3,721,826 conditional cash transfer household-beneficiaries nationwide through the national government’s Social Amelioration Program. 

“We want to ensure that social protection programs reach our most vulnerable sectors during this crisis the soonest time possible. Through our LANDBANK Cash Cards, we are delivering financial assistance in an immediate, safe, secure, and convenient manner,” says Landbank President and CEO Cecilia Borromeo.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte apologizes for losing her composure on social media and for distributing health kits bearing her name.

“First, I sincerely apologize for losing my composure on social media. You are correct that all the projects implemented by the QC government belong to you, as they are funded by your taxes,” Belmonte says.

“While it is true that my team used leftover donated bags from the previous campaign and that they were the most readily available bags on the first day of enhanced community quarantine, it is clear that this was highly insensitive given the circumstances. Inaamin ko po na nagkamali ako,” Belmonte adds.

The mayor vows she will do better as a public servant.

"When I reflect on these actions, I do not recognize the public servant that I aspire to be. The citizens of Quezon City deserve better. I will do better," says Belmonte.

She also warns about the ongoing misinformation campaign against the Quezon City local government. 

"We appeal to everyone to please be very critical about what you read, like, or share. Huwag po tayong magpadala sa 'fake news' at trolls. Sa halip na tumulong at makiisa sa lungsod para malampasan ang COVID-19, may mga taong sinasamantala ang krisis para sa kanilang pansariling interes," she adds.

The Department of Health reports 385 new cases of the new coronavirus in the Philippines, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 3,018.

The health department also announced 29 additional deaths, raising the national toll to 136.

One new patient has recovered, which brings the total number of recoveries to 52.

The government is transforming the Rizal Memorial Complex-Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila, the Philippine International Convention Center Forum Halls and the World Trade Center both in Pasay City into quarantine sites.  

“Sa ngayon iyong tatlong in-identify namin with the help of DOH (Department of Health) ay ongoing na. So as early as this week meron na kaming made-deliver na additional facilites,” says Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar in a phone interview during the Laging Handa briefing. 

“’Yung ginagawa naming ngayon, ang expectation namin ay makaka-house siya ng 936 patients pero meron pa ring expansion kasi marami pa rin may open fields na pwede pang gamitin pero sa ngayon po, naka-focus muna kami sa tatlong locations dahil malapit [ito] sa ospital, [at in terms of] logistics mas madaling gamitin,” Villar adds. 

Philippine Airlines will be operating a special flight from London Heathrow to Manila on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, which is open for sale in response to an urgent public need amid COVID-19 quarantine situation.

The flight will only carry Filipinos, their foreign spouse and children, and accredited officials of foreign governments and international organizations, to comply with current Philippine travel entry restrictions.

The first batch of 15,000 PPEs from China have been distributed to the following hospitals, presidential peace adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. says in a briefing:

• Philippine General Hospital
• Jose Rodriguez Memorial Hospital
• Lung Center of the Philippines
• East Avenue Medical Center
• AFP Medical Center.

These hospitals are the frontline government hospitals dealing with COVID-19 cases, he also says.

The remainder of the PPEs are to arrive from April 6-24, he also says.

He says donors will also be sending PPEs, with the Department of Health identifying hospitals that are most in need.

Galvez says they have created Viber group among hospitals for better coordination.

Taguig City moves the deadline of payment of city taxes until May 20, 2020.

Mayor Lino Cayetano, through Executive Order No. 04, extends the deadlines of “all business taxes, real property taxes, transfer taxes, amusement taxes and other taxes, fees, charges and other financial obligations, due and payable to the Taguig City Government during the period of the enhanced community quarantine.”

Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno reveals that the National Bureau of Investigation is also going after ordinary citizens expressing their sentiments over the government's response to the coronavirus outbreak on social media.

Diokno said he has taken on the case of a netizen being summoned by the NBI.

"Hindi lang si Mayor Vico. Pati ordinaryong mamamayang nagpo-post ng hinaing online, pinapatawag ng NBI," Diokno said in a radio interview Thursday.

President Rodrigo Duterte orders the Philippine National Police to protect healthcare workers.

He says, in comments that the Palace will likely say are an exaggeration, that police officers can make those who assault healthworkers drink whatever liquid they throw at frontliners.

The National Bureau of Investigation, which reaped widespread criticism on social media for telling Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto to explain alleged violations of quarantine protocols, will now also invite Sen. Koko Pimentel to its office.

Pimentel, who has become the face of privilege during the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon, left his home at least twice while waiting for the results of his COVID-19 test.

He has since tested positive.

His trips to the Makati Medical Center and to S&R Membership Shopping in Taguig exposed people to possible infection by the novel cronavirus.

The Department of Education says students can use DepEd Commons, the online educational platform for public school teachers and learners amid the enhanced community quarantine.

"In this time of uncertainty, we are glad that through DepEd Commons, our learnes will still be able to continue learning. It is critical for us to provide them with more options to learn," Assistant Secretary for Alternative Learning System Ambat says.

Online hotel management and booking platform RedDoorz is offering free temporary accommodation for frontline healthcare workers and emergency first responders during the COVID-19 quarantine, it says in a release.

It says the program is in response to a call by the Department of Tourism and the city government of Manila but the program will be rolled out across the region.

"Our Red Heroes program across Southeast Asia—in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Singapore—helps us alleviate the heavy pressures placed on national governments by providing free, clean, safe, and comfortable accommodation for those on the frontlines. Through our partnerships with key sectors, we are positive that we will be able to overcome this challenge if we stand together. We hope more companies with the means to support the initiative will participate during this challenging time," Amit Saberwal, CEO and founder of RedDoorz, says in a release.

In Manila, the hotels in the program are near UST Manila, Quiapo Church, and Quirino Station.

The hotels are near hospitals in the city, which will mean easier commutes and comfortable accommodations for health workers during the Luzon lockdown.

Valenzuela City launches its Market on Wheels, which takes its inspiration from Pasig City’s Mobile Palengke, to address the issue of people having to walk far just to go to the market while a public transportation ban is in place.

The initiative also aims to help vendors and e-trike drivers have a continuous source of income despite the lockdown. 

Sen. Nancy Binay expresses disappointment over the lack of urgency and the slow distribution of food packs as the nationwide lockdown enters its third week.

"If the DSWD is really serious in providing immediate assistance to those who are affected by the lockdown, then bilisan naman ang ayuda. Pa-three weeks na tayo pero P46 million pa lang ang nailalabas para sa family food packs nationwide. At the rate things are going, dehado ang mamayang Pilipino," the senator says in a statement.

"I wonder where this would bring us if DSWD will only wait for the requests from LGUs for augmentation. Nasa 100 milyon ang Pilipino. Yung paglabas ng P46M, hangga't di nakakarating sa mga nangangailangan ang ayuda, di ibig sabihin ay na-fulfill ang trabaho," Binay adds.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology says its Tech4ED project offers free online educational content for kids during home quarantine.

"The educational materials were sourced from Let's Read - Asia's free digital library for Children and uploaded to the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s (DICT) Tech4ED platform to continually boost learning beyond the classroom," the agency says in a statement.

"The materials can be read online or downloaded for offline consumption, and can be automatically translated to different languages, both foreign (English, Mandarin, Japanese, etc.) and local (Tagalog, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, etc.) to cater to a variety of clients," it adds.

Overpriced medical supplies seized by authorities would be donated to health workers taking care of patients afflicted with 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the customs bureau said yesterday.

Customs assistant commissioner Vincent Philip Maronilla said the bureau is coordinating with the justice department and the National Bureau of Investigation for the turnover of confiscated supplies to the frontliners.

"We're finalizing some plans... so that we can fast-track the forfeiture of the overpriced alcohol and donate them to the frontliners who need them," Maronilla said in a televised press briefing.

President Duterte placed the entire Philippines under a six-month state of calamity last March 16, allowing the national and local governments to access their quick response funds to bankroll COVID-19 interventions. He has also issued Memorandum Circular No. 77 directing agencies and local governments to ensure compliance with price caps on essential medical supplies, agriculture, and fishery commodities.

Authorities have seized overpriced and hoarded alcohol and personal protective equipment in various parts of Luzon, including Batangas, Caloocan, and Manila in compliance with Malacañang's directive to enforce laws against profiteering and other unscrupulous businesses practices. — The STAR/Alexis Romero

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System assures its consumers that water supply will remain free from bacteria and viruses, including the deadly novel coronavirus.

MWSS chief regulator said the water supply in their concession areas has been disinfected with chlorine and is safe for domestic consumption.

"In a technical brief on water, sanitation, hygiene, and waste management for the COVID-19 virus released by the World Health Organization on 19 March 2020; the WHO maintained that chlorine disinfection should inactivate the COVID-19 virus," MWSS chief regulator Patrick Ty said in a statement.

San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora will be on self-quarantine after a member of his staff tested positive for COVID-19, he says on his Instagram account.

"In the interest of public safety, I will be going on self-quarantine starting today March 29 up to April 11, 2020," he says.

He sayd the city health officer told him this morning that a member of his staff was positive for the novel coronavirus.

"I have spoken to him personally and he said that he is not experiencing any symptoms such as fever, cough or colds," Zamora says.

The Province of Tarlac issued guidelines for its Extreme Enhanced Community Quarantine, which took effect this morning.

Earlier called a "lockdown", under Extreme Enhanced Community Quarantine, the following measures are in place:

• Local chief executives at the city, municipal, and barangay levels "are mandated to be more strict in guarding Inter-LGU Border Control Points." The checkpoints will be guarded by police, military, a representative of the local IATF. Checkpoints within an LGU will be staffed by local government personnel.
• Regular updates to the list of Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APOR), which will be "followed strictly." APORs are those exempted from quarantine restrictions like medical workers, workers at essential businesses, and media 
• Unimpeded flow of cargoes
• Movement of residents who are not APORs will be allowed if they have Quarantine Passes

Persons found violating the measures of the lockdown "may be arrested and charged under [the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act] and...and/or Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code (Resistance and Disobedience to Person in Authority." 

Read the provincial government's executive order in full here.

Senior citizens need even more care while the country contends with an outbreak of the novel coronavirus, Rep. Francisco Datol Jr. (Senior Citizen party-list) says.

"Let us keep them away from crowds. They should stay at home while COVID-19 poses a threat. Let us keep them entertained with some exercise, card games, chess, or mobile games," Datol says in Filipino.

He stresses that senior citizens should also be bathed and that caregivers should use soap and shampoo.

Laguna Gov. Ramil Hernandez announces that the whole province is now on total lockdown amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

The city government of Cebu announces that the city is placed under enhanced community quarantine. 

The quarantine will last until April 28, 2020 until further notice.

Filipino seafarers repatriated from coronavirus-infected Grand Princess cruise ship calls on the government to test all crew members before their 14-day quarantine ends on Sunday.

The 538 seafarers are currently quarantined at New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac but testing remains "random" and "unsystematic". Those who tested positive were sent to Bataan.

"If the politicians and their families are able to avail of testing, then we, who were exposed continuously to COVID-19 for a long time, need and deserve the testing even more," the group said in an open letter.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. informs members of the diplomatic community that foreign governments would have to take full responsibility in mounting sweeper flights from the Philippines and back to their countries starting Friday.

In an online video conference, the DFA chief told the diplomatic corps that the last of sweeper flights funded by the Philippines ended on Thursday.

Locsin also said foreign nationals should return to their home countries while flights are still available. Otherwise, they would have to stay in the Philippines until the end of the enhanced community quarantine period.

"If that is the case, he advised foreign missions on the steps that they should take in the coming days and weeks with regard to assisting their nationals who are still in the Philippines while the ECQ is enforced," the DFA said in a statement. — Patricia Lourdes Viray

Tourism Secretary Bernadette “Berna” Romulo-Puyat says she is on quarantine after being exposed to Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Felimon Santos Jr. who tested positive for COVID-19.

"I will be undergoing self-quarantine as I was exposed to him [Santos] in a meeting last March 20," Puyat says.

"Since I do not show any signs nor symptoms, I will not be having myself tested in order to save the limited supply of testing kits to people who truly need it. By staying at home, I will not put anyone I come in contact with at risk," she adds.

The United States' Indo-Pacific Command operating in the western Pacific called off this year's military exercises with the Philippines due to concerned for the health and safety of the participating forces.

In a statement, Adm. Philip Davidson said the cancelation is in accordance with international travel restrictions of both the U.S. Department of Defense and the Philippines in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

"In light of the extraordinary circumstances surrounding COVID-19 pandemic and in the best interest of the health and safety of both countries’ forces, it is prudent to cancel Balikatan 2020," Davidson said.

(Updated 7:49 p.m.) Tarlac Gov. Susan Yap announces the province will be on lockdown after midnight on Sunday, March 29, after the province confirms two COVID-19 cases.

The province has two COVID-19 cases:  A 75-year-old woman from Paniqui and a 39-year-old man from Gerona.

As of March 26, Tarlac province has recorded 17,040 PUMs, 174 mild PUIs, 39 severe PUIs and nine deaths.

The province is still waiting for results for 25 tests from RITM.

She says guidelines for the lockdown will be disseminated through town and barangay officials on Friday, March 27. 

All of Luzon is already under an enhanced community quarantine that President Rodrigo Duterte has said is "like a lockdown." — Philstar.com/Patricia Lourdes Viray

Authorities caught almost 700 violators of the curfew in Cagayan Valley region, as police stepped up quarantine campaigns in the region to contain the further spread of COVID-19.

Police Brig. Gen. Angelito Casimiro, Cagayan Valley region director, says Cagayan recorded the highest number of arrested violators at 201 while Isabela had 134, Nueva Vizcaya had 189, Quirino had 29 and Santiago City had 140.

Batanes remains “the most peaceful place” in the implementation of curfew hours from March 19-25, adds Casimiro. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao 
 

The Office of Vice President Leni Robredo and and Angat Buhay partners open a dormitory for health workers and frontliners in Cubao, Quezon City.

The dorm will be open to health workers, medical practitioners and other frontliners, including security guards and other volunteers of programs related to the response against COVID-19.

Requests for accommodation will be on a first come, first served basis. Additional details and updates are available on Robredo's Facebook page.

Police in Cagayan Valley took at least 41 to detention cells for violating quarantine regulations, including price cap laws on medical supplies.

Cagayan police hauled 37 to jail to face complaints while Nueva Vizcaya police arrested three.

Brig. General Angelito Casimiro, Cagayan Valley police director, says out of the 41 arrested, 33 were caught drinking intoxicated liquor or were found to be drunk; six were arrested for violating the curfew, and a Person Under Monitoring was arrested in an Enhanced Community Quarantine checkpoint.

Police also arrested a person for selling overpriced medical supplies. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

After hours of speculation after Sen. Koko Pimentel announced he tested positive for COVID-19, the Makati Medical Center says in an official statement that the senator "breached MakatiMed hospital infection control protocols."

The hospital assured the public that "stringent protocols for decontamination of the facility and evaluation of involved healthcare workers have been done."

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF) directs the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes office to transfer P420,585,000 to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. 

"The said amount shall be utilized to cover COVID-19-related packages of the [PhilHealth]," the IATF said in a resolution dated March 24.
 

Funeral services staff are exempted from quarantine restrictions during the Enhanced Community Quarantine against the COVID-19 outbreak, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles says.

They are to be allowed freedom of movement to handle the remains of COVID-19 fatalities.

The city government of Valenzuela says they have passed an ordinance adopting an alternative work arrangement for contractual and job order employees. 

"An exception to the 'no work, no pay' principle in the course of quarantine period brought by the COVID-19 outbreak, the City Government of Valenzuela maintained a skeletal workforce among its personnel to continue to attend to the crucial needs of its constituents during this time of national emergency," it says in a statement.

Justice Undersecretary Markk Perete says that all barangay checkpoints will be under the supervision of the Philippine National Police.

The PNP will orient barangay officials on the guidelines of the  Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases. 

In this video contributed by reader and former GMA News Online editor Earl Rosero, officials of Barangay Kamuning in Quezon City distribute relief goods to residents. 

"According to Kagawad Ray Fajardo, this sortie targets 800 households. They have about 2,400 households on their distribution list, including indigents. March 24, 2020 past 6 p.m.," Rosero says in his video post. 

Animal rights organization PETA asks the government to consider veterinarians and animal rescuers as "essential workers" and to allow them to move freely to help animals in need.

"Currently, because of travel restrictions and checkpoints, several veterinarians cannot reach their clinics," the group says in a statement.

"Similarly, PETA receives calls about dying and sick animals all the time, but right now, its rescue team is unable to go to their aid," it adds.

The Department of Health reported the largest single-day detection rate of the virus thus far as of 4 p.m. with 82 new cases, bringing the total to 462. Read the developing story here.

The UP-Philippine General Hospital has accepted the Department of Health's request to be a designated NCR COVID-19 Referral Center.

In a statement, UP-PGH says it and other hospitals "have committed financial, manpower, technical and technological assistance to the COVID-19 Referral Centers."

"The Department of Health and the University of the Philippines have pledged to extend full support as well."

Preparations by UP-PGH and other referral centers need a week "to complete the formulation of an efficient and effective flow of management to ensure the safety of both patients and healthcare workers."

Aside from UP-PGH, other hospitals to be designated as referral centers are the Lung Center of the Philippines in Quezon City and the Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital in Caloocan.

RELATED:  PGH, Lung Center, Dr. Jose M. Rodriguez designated as exclusive COVID-19 hospitals

There are now 396 confirmed cases of the deadly novel virus in the Philippines, the Department of Health said.

House debate on emergency powers starts

Minority Leader  Benny Abante (Manila), minority leader, points out President Duterte has been able to implement an enhanced community quarantine and curfew and closure of businesses without emergency powers.

Also asks whether the executive has standards or guidelines on when the government will take over privately-owned businesses and utilities.

Clarifies before asking questions that he agrees with passing the bill, but that he is asking for "our country's knowledge and information."

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea says buzz over the proposal to give the government the power to take over establishments is unnecessary.

"Even as originally worded, the intent of the proposal was simply to grant to government a stand-by power.  It is a power which do not consider to be exercised at all times," he says.

He says that the "virus is so unpredictable," and that the power is meant only for the worst-case scenario.

More than 500 members of the staff of the UST hospital are under quarantine for possible novel coronavirus, The Varsitarian—the university's official student publication—reports.

Among those under quarantine are consultants, fellows, nurses and aides who have been exposed to confirmed and potential COVID-19 patients.

The Senate will seek to declare a state of national emergency and grant President Rodrigo Duterte "emergency powers subject to...limitations," including reports to Congress on orders and other issuances under those powers.

According to a draft of the bill, a copy of which was obtained by Philstar.com after ABS-CBN News first reported the story, the proposed Bayanihan Act of 2020 seeks to grant the president powers to "ensure that all Local Government Units are acting in line with the rules, regulations and directives issued by the National Government."

It also authorizes Duterte to, "when the public interest so requires, temporarily take over or direct the operation of any privately-owned public utility or business affected with public interest to be used in addressing the needs of the public" during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Pasig City will not be issuing Quarantine Passes, Mayor Vico Sotto announces Sunday.

"Upon clarification with the [PNP National Capital Region Police Office] and [Joint Task Force CV Shield]: We do not need Quarantine Passes within Pasig jurisdiction," Sotto says in an announcement on social media.

"Wag na natin dagdagan ang requirements. Magiging karagdagang person-to-person contact lang ito. Subject to abuse and misuse din ito," he also says.

(Let's not add to the requirements. This will just be an additional person-to-person contact. It is also subject to abuse and misuse.)

More here: What are quarantine passes and why are they handed out during Luzon-wide lockdown?

Globe Telecom announces that its HomeSURF199 will receive a big data boost amid the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.

The data allocation will be from 22GB to 30GB, starting March 21 to April 21.

The city government of Las Piñas imposes a 24-hour curfew to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

As of this writing, there is no ordinance yet about the 24-hour curfew. 

Quarantine guidelines with specific times that people are allowed to leave the house attributed to the Philippine National Police and the inter-agency task force on the response to the novel coronavirus are unauthorized, the PNP says.

In a message to reporters, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra also says the task force has not issued guidelines specifying travel bans during certain hours of the day.

"That is unauthorized," he says.
 

 At least 76 persons violating the 24-hour curfew were taken to detention cells in Baguio City on Saturday.

Vowing they mean business, policemen brought the arrested violators to the Station 7 detention cells to get a dressing down and to face charges for loitering.

Col. Allen Rae Co, Baguio police director, said policemen led by Maj. Marlo Evasco of Station 7 and the Baguio City Mobile Force Company led by Lt. Col. Jethro Moog “swept” through the Central Business District starting Saturday morning.

On Friday night, seven persons were also locked up for loitering.  — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

A labor group says they have been receiving complaints from workers terminated from their job due to absences and refusals to report for work amid the enhanced community quarantine.  

Defend Jobs Philippines says employers should be "sensitive enough in handling absences of their employees due to the COVID-19 scare."

GMA Network confirms that a freelance production talent tested positive for COVID-19.

In a statement, the network says that they are coordinating with the Department of Health and the local government unit to ensure that all necessary protocols are being followed.

The talent last visited the network's premises on February 28.

New coronavirus cases in the Philippines is now at 262, with the Department of Health's reporting of an additional 32 cases by midday Saturday.

Read the full report here.

The city government of Muntinlupa announces that they passed an ordinance on 24-hour curfew to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Based on the ordinance, the nine-hour curfew, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. is not an effective deterrent for people to stay at home as reported by barangay officials.

Muntinlupa City is placed under 24-hour curfew starting March 20, 2020.

A few barangays in Metro Manila have been issuing and requiring a "quarantine pass," following national government's directive that only one person per household  to get essential items.

There were reports that some barangay halls charge for a fee and require household members to submit docments. Other passes also specify the name of the household member, thereby disallowing other family members to procure goods outside their homes.

Responding to online queries, Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian says there is no need to issue a quarantine pass, another bureaucratic step that is prone to abuse.

Political science professor Aileen Baviera of the University of the Philippines succumbed today to severe pneumonia triggered by the novel coronavirus.

"Ikinalulungkot naming ipaalam sa inyo na si Dr. Aileen S.P. Baviera ay pumanaw ngayong araw, Marso 21, 3:55 n.u., sa San Lazaro Hospital dahil sa malubhang pneumonia sanhi ng COVID-19," the university announces.

Baviera was a leading expert on Asia-Pacific security and the South China Sea territorial dispute. She was also a scholar of contemporary Chinese studies and founder of think tank Asia Pacific Pathways to Progress Foundation.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. with Chinese Ambassador Huang Xi Lian receives morning a shipment from China containing:

• 100,000 fast-test kits
• 100,000 surgical masks
• 10,000 N95 masks
• 10,000 personal protective equipment

The Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, or FINEX, urges Congress to provide a safety net for the poor, marginalized and unemployed through an amelioration program realigning unspent or unobligated appropriations in the national budget.

In a statement, Clairmont Group CEO Eduardo Yap, who is also FINEX national affairs chairman, says the president must augment calamity funds with resources of the government-owned and controlled corporations.

Yap says:

"The national budget was designed and approved for normal times. But we are now in abnormal times, unprecedented since the war years."

"This global virus pandemic was not foreseen nor factored into the budget. We are now in a war for the survival of our nation and its economy, and fiscal policy and programs must be realigned as we propose during the exigency of this national emergency," he adds.

The FINEX statement followed that of other business organizations calling on President Duterte to have Congress hold a special session to pass a supplemental budget to respond to the outbreak.

SMC Tollways assigns priority lanes at the South Luzon Expressway to ensure efficient delivery of basic goods and emergency health services to and from Metro Manila and neighboring provinces in the south.

“We are doing this to guarantee that essential deliveries reach their destination as smoothly and quickly as possible,” San Miguel Corporation president and COO Ramon Ang says.

“These same lanes can also be used by emergency health vehicles to quickly get to places in need of medical attention,” he adds.

The University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital stops the admission of non-emergency cases to free wards and rooms after being designated as exclusive facilities for COVID-19 patients.

The DOH said the plans will be finalized within the day and more details will be released once the referral mechanism and rotation system have been worked out.

The Philippine College of Physicians appeals to large businesses to provide personal protective equipment for frontline health workers.

PCP President Dr. Gina Nazareth called for an immediate collaboration between large businesses and air transport carriers in quickly procuring PPEs of the country's frontliner health workers.

Nazareth noted that numerous hospitals in the country reported significant shortages in N95 and surgical masks, gloves, face shields, as well as alcohol and hand sanitizer.

"We urge our large businesses in the country to help us in this time of serious health crisis by providing resources for the procurement of PPEs for the protection of our frontline health workers. The current shortage in protective equipment leaves our frontline workers significantly more vulnerable to contracting COVID-19," Nazareth said in a statement.

The National Bureau of Investigation deploys its various units to investigate the source of fake news, "especially those reports that sow chaos and will lead to unrest and anarchy in the country."

Different NBI units such as Cyber Crime Division, the Digital Forensic Division and other Investigative units, including the Regional Operations Service are directed to trace the source of fake news.

The bureau's International Operations Division is currently coordinating with its foreign counterpart to verify the accuracy of the statenent, NBI Director Eric Distor says.

DOH Undersecretary Rosette Vergeire assures the public that the health secretary is in good condition, Philstar.com's Franco Luna reports.

"We have regular communication with him through teleconference and phone calls," she says, though no updates are mentioned on the results of his tests.

"The president interacted with Duque. We have initial contact and second, third layer contacts and so on," she adds in Filipino.

Responding to private hospitals' appeal, Health Secretary Francisco Duque tells dzMM that he has ordered to designate a facility of the UP-Philippine General Hospital (Manila) and the Jose M. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital (Caloocan) as COVID-19-only hospitals.

A group of top private hospitals released an appeal to the national government to designate COVID-19-only facilities as resources are running short and an alarming number of medical staff are on quarantine.

Part of the appeal reads:

"We have every reason to be scared; we are, indeed, very scared because we feel that we are on our own to face our countrymen in dire need of help."

The city government of Las Piñas has apologized for Wednesday's relief distribution at the city hall where residents affected by the enhanced community quarantine gathered.

Las Piñas is in hot seat after netizens criticized the local government for not observing social distancing.

The Department of Transportation launches its COVID-19 emergency operations center hotline to address transportation concerns following the declaration of enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.

"In partnership with Globe Telecommunications, the DOTr, through the COVID-19 EOC Hotline, can now accommodate text messages 24/7, while concerns coursed through calls can be addressed from 6 AM to 6 PM, daily," the DOTr says.

By midday today, 15 new cases of people infected with novel coronavirus were recorded.

There was also one who recovered—a 48-year-old man from Cavite who traveled to Japan and was taken to RITM.

No new deaths were recorded.

The Department of Transportation officially launches its COVID-19 hotlines Thursday noon.

In cooperation with Globe, the DOTr hotlines will answer address issues on road concerns such as transportation of health workers in Metro Manila, aviation concerns such as airport operations in the country, and maritime concerns such as operation of ports.

"The DOTr is ready to listen and to help you as much as we can, especially now that the country is facing a major challenge," the agency said in Filipino.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III has been put on home quarantine and has been tested for the novel coronavirus, ABS-CBN reports quoting Health Undersecretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire.

Duque, who is asthmatic and hypertensive, is asymptomatic for COVID-19 and will be working from home.

Student volunteers from UP Los Baños and officials of Barangay Batong Malake have delivered aid to students stranded on campus because of the Luzon quarantine, Task Force CURE (Community Unit Response-Elbi) says in a release.

"Volunteers were able to provide free packs of food good for 300 people, provided by MIZPEH Food Establishment. An estimated 700 students stayed within the Los Baños area, unable to go home because of the Enhanced Community Quarantine," it says.

The task force previously distributed aid packs to dormers on March 17 with the help of UPLB officials.

The community response was organized by Serve the People Brigade, a group of UPLB student volunteers.

"As of today, community efforts are still ongoing and TF CURE is continuously accepting donations and volunteers who could help in preparing the food to be distributed to more people."

Barangay Batong Malake thanks STP Brigade for the help to students.

In a separate post, it also acknowledged donations of canned goods by the UPLB Beta Sigma fraternity.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue extends the deadline for the filing of income tax returns to May 15.

The bureau, however, appealed to those ready to file the ITRs on or before the original deadline to submit theirs to help the government raise funds for the efforts to combat the new coronavirus.

"This emergency measure is being offered to provide relief to Filipino taxpayers who will not be able to prepare, let alone file, the necessary ITR documents on or before the original annual deadline of April 15 because of skeletal workforce arrangements and enhanced community quarantine rules that the national government has implemented to contain the pandemic," the BIR said in a statement.

Cainta, Rizal will distribute aid to public transportation drivers in the municipality affected by the suspension of transportation across Luzon.

In an advisory, Mayor Kit Nieto says tricycle drivers in Cainta should coordinate with their association presidents.

"Sa kanila ko idadaan ang tulong para tukoy ang mga pamilyang apektado ng pagkatigil ng inyong pasada," he says.

(I will course the aid through them so the families affected by the suspension of transportation will be easily identified)

Presidents of pedicab drivers', jeepney drivers' and UV Express drivers' associations should also get in touch with the municipal hall (0917-533-3121) for the distribution of aid, Nieto says.

Duty Free Philippines Corp. announces it has temporarily stopped its operations nationwide effective March 17, 2020 until further notice.

"This is in compliance to President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of 'enhanced community quarantine' over the entire Luzon, including Metro Manila," the company says.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation says it has ordered the  suspension of all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators and its service providers for the duration of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon. 

SunLife Philippines says some policyholders may have benefits related to the novel coronavirus outbreak.

In an advisory, SunLife said these beenfits are:

• A client insured under Sun First Aid, Sun First Aid Plus, or has an HIB rider attached to his plan* may avail of a daily hospitalization benefit in case he has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and is confined.
• Prioritized claim. While COVID-19 is not known to cause a critical illness (CI) and is proven to be responsive to treatment, if there is a claim that meets the definition of a covered CI and is caused by COVID-19, Sun Life will endeavor to prioritize this type of claim and will provide benefits in accordance with the policy contract provisions.
• Death benefit. Should the client pass away as a result of COVID-19, his beneficiary may be entitled to a death benefit provided he is insured under an eligible Sun Life insurance plan.
• It also says it has extended the grace period for premium payments to 91 days "or policies or pre-need plans with due dates falling between February 15 to May 31, 2020." Those who can afford to pay can do so online through bit.ly/empoweredsunlifer.

Those who need to submit documents for insurance claims may also do so electronically. 

Quezon City is implementing stricter measures in the city, where 29 cases of the novel coronavirus have been recorded.

The city's disaster risk reduction and management chief Mike Marasigan says in a press briefing with Mayor Joy Belmonte that an "extreme enhanced community quarantine" will be implemented in some areas of Quezon City.

The city will consider the homes of confirmed COVID-19 cases as "hot zones" where residents will no longer be allowed to go out. Within 500 meters of the patient's home is a "warm zone" and will be subject to strict monitoring and surveillance for an area quarantine that will be blocked off by checkpoints.

Barangay chairpersons in barangays with two confirmed cases or more to heighten quarantine measures in their areas.

J. Amado Araneta Foundation, the social development arm of Araneta City, will donate locally-produced COVID-19 test kits to the Quezon City government once these are available commercially.

"JAAF is looking at donating kits that are enough to test 500 samples at the Quezon City General Hospital. The Foundation has started coordinating with the LGU on March 16, 2020 on the preparedness of the public hospital to conduct the test," the foundation says in an Araneta City press release.

The Food and Drug Administration announces that doctors can issue electronic prescriptions that patients can present to avail of medicines from drugstores.

FDA Director General Eric Domingo said drugstores shall dispense drugs as prescribed by the electronic prescription, which will be considered as equivalent to a written prescription.

"Even though we are experiencing health challenges, this should not deprive our patients of their access to prescription medicines and maintenance drugs. These commodities are essential to each patient and as a national regulatory agency, we should be able to innovate means on how these will remain accessible to them without sacrificing safety and efficacy," Domingo said.

The Office of Vice President Leni Robredo launches its free shuttle service for health workers and frontliners amid the implementation of enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila.

The routes of the shuttles will cover major hospitals in the National Capital Region.

"To ensure the safety of passengers, thermal scanning and disinfection procedures are being done before they board the shuttle. Social distancing is also being strictly observed inside the vehicle," the OVP said in a statement.
 

After Ayala, SM and Metro Pacific groups, the Aboitiz Group said it has heeded the call of President Duterte to contribute on the fight against the spread of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19).

"The Aboitiz Foundation will provide the needed personal protection equipment, primarily masks and sanitzers, to the medical personnel," Abotiiz Foundation told Philstar.com in a statement.

"Some Aboitiz family members have also been donating masks and other PPE to the PGH (Philippine General Hospital)," it added. 

In addition, the company has set up the fundraising page "Help our Health Workers Fight COVID-19" through online donations platform, KINDer, where donations for a minimum of P100 will be accepted.

"The Aboitiz Group is ready to support the COVID-19 frontliners for the long term," Aboitiz said.

There is already a community transmission of COVID-19 in the country, Health Secretary Francisco Duque confirms.

Community-based transmission is declared when a person is diagnosed with the disease but was not in a high-risk area nor was in contact with any other confirmed cases.

Because they did not fall under the DOH's screening and contact tracing efforts, this means that the virus was transmitted to them in the community and it is unclear where they would have contracted it. (Get faster updates in our live blog here.)

PLDT Inc. announces it will provide a speed boost for Fibr subscribers in Metro Manila and parts of Greater Manila to encourage its customers to stay at home.

The minimum speed will be 25 Mbps until April 30. 

The Palace says it sent word to the Department of National Defense and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on health workers and others exempted from work stoppages in getting to work because mass transportation has been suspended.

Presidential spokesperson Panelo says Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana "swiftly directed the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to bring out their army trucks to ferry those who are stranded, particularly health workers and other individuals exempted from the ban, so they can be safely brought to their places of work and their homes after work. "

The MMDA is also coordinating with bus companies and cooperatives "to send out their buses after marking the same with the official logo of the MMDA to put law enforcement agents on notice of their purpose of free public service in favor of those exempted from home quarantine."

"We commend these bus companies for their bayanihan spirit," Panelo says.

He also notes that transport company AVIS Philippines has offered "to transport outbound passengers who intend to depart the country in going to the airport and inbound passengers to their respective homes before the expiration of the 72-hour grace period from the effectivity of the Enhanced Community Quarantine."

The enhanced community quarantine across Luzon has effectively grounded the island's mass transportation and public utility vehicles.

The Cavitex Expressway and Cavite–Laguna Expressway say they will continue to operate 24/7.

"We are a public service company with a commitment to support the Government’s directive on unhampered movement of essential cargoes; we shall deploy a skeletal workforce to ensure safe passage. As part of our culture of safety we have implemented a work from home arrangement for office-based personnel," it says.

"We likewise support the PNP, AFP, PCG, and health and emergency frontline services, border control and other critical services that may be set up by CAVITEX, C5 Link and CALAX," it adds.

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines announces that all domestic flights will be canceled effectively immediately until April 12.

The airlines, however, will continue to operate international flights up to midnight of March 20. 

"We will announce in due course the status of our international flights from March 20 up to April 12, as we are presently coordinating with government authorities on the relevant implementing details," PAL said in a statement.

The Department of Transportation announces that all airports in Luzon will be closed after the 72-hour window period after the region was placed under enhanced community quarantine.

The Department of Foreign Affairs also confirms that no more international flights will be allowed to enter and leave Ninoy Aquino International Airport after the window period.

The SM Group is allocating P100 million to help frontliners in government hospitals dealing with the novel coronavirus outbreak, it says in a release.

"To ensure the safety of medical frontliners, SM is bringing in personal protective equipment (PPE) — face masks, gowns, visors, hoods, gloves, and shoe covers, as well as urgent medical supplies to help government hospitals who badly need them," SM Prime's Hans Sy says.

The group has also extended assistance to the Philippine General Hospital and the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.

"SM has also allocated PPEs and medical supplies to the UP Medical Foundation Inc. to reach a wider network of hospitals," SM Group also says.

"To improve availability of tests, SM has reached out to Manila Healthtek Inc. to distribute 20,000 tests for free to government hospitals, once approved for use."

President Rodrigo Duterte’s economic team has announced a P27.1-billion package of priority actions to help frontliners fight the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and provide economic relief to people and sectors affected by the virus-induced slowdown in economic activity.

The package consists of government initiatives to better equip our health authorities in fighting COVID-19 and also for the relief and recovery efforts for infected people and the various sectors now reeling from the adverse impact of the lethal pathogen.

President Rodrigo Duterte’s economic team has announced a P27.1-billion package of priority actions to help frontliners fight the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and provide economic relief to people and sectors affected by the virus-induced slowdown in economic activity.

The package consists of government initiatives to better equip our health authorities in fighting COVID-19 and also for the relief and recovery efforts for infected people and the various sectors now reeling from the adverse impact of the lethal pathogen.

Workers should get full compensation amid the "enhanced community quarantine" of Luzon that the Palace announced Monday but has yet to release details on, Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino says.

BMP noted that presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said work stoppages are among the measures under the enhanced community quarantine, "but failed to provide guidelines on how it is to be implemented."

According to a memorandum issued over the weekend, enhanced community quarantine would include strict home quarantine and the suspension of transportation in the contained area, which could include the entire island of Luzon.

"[G]overnment and business must equally bear the responsibility of compensating their employees during this crisis," BMP says, adding the mandated work stoppage should be treated as special paid leaves.

An enhanced community quarantine of the entire island of Luzon has been declared.

What does this entail?

• Strict home quarantine
• Transportation suspended
• Food and  essential health services provision regulated
• Heightened presence of uniformed personnel

Read the developing story here.

The Supreme Court announced Monday that it is "drastically reducing operations" in all courts nationwide amid the rising number of COVID-19 cases.

The administrative circular also suspends all work, hearings, in all courts until April 15, 2020, reports Philstar.com's Kristine Joy Patag.

The government should deliver vitamins and hygiene supplies to senior citizens to help them stay healthy during the community quarantine of Metro Manila, Rep. Francisco Datol (Senior Citizen party-list) says.

He says that he made the suggestion to the the Department of Health at a House hearing and that Health Secretary Francisco Duque agreed.

"I appeal to all our senior citizens and all persons who had had health problems since before COVID-19, to please go into self-quarantine at home now. I ask the barangay leaders to provide their poorest of the poor constituents with soap and other personal hygiene items," he also says.

"Seniors, please inform your barangay chairperson of where you are and your situation. Please monitor your health closely. The moment you start to have symptoms of COVID-19, please call your barangay so you can be transported properly and safely to the hospital."

The government should provide contractual workers and those in the informal economy who will be most affected by community quarantine in Metro Manila with cash assistance of at least P10,000, Sen. Risa Hontiveros says.

"Habang marami ang nagpa-panic-buying, mas marami ang panic na lang kasi walang pang-buy," she says in a release.

(While many are panic-buying, more are panicking because they have nothing to buy with)

Hontiveros warns that at least 650,000 Filipino households would become the "new poor" in Metro Manila because of the economic slowdown in the capital. She did not cite her basis for the figure.

"The government should immediately track down and extend PhP 10,000 assistance to these households which will mostly come from vulnerable contractual workers and workers in the informal economy," she said. 

She says households already in the Department of Social Welfare and Development's household targetting system of very poor Filipinos should also get financial assistance.

"This cash aid will keep Filipinos in poverty and near-poverty afloat during this COVID-19 crisis. It will help them cope with the expected inflation in goods due to the lockdown. In times of crisis, cashflow is crucial especially for poor Filipino families who need money for essential items like food, shelter, water, and medicine," she says.

Photo shows members of the Philippine National Police deployed in Manila amid COVID-19 threat. The STAR/Edd Gumban

President Rodrigo Duterte on March 16, 2020 declares an enhanced community quarantine over all of mainland Luzon, an expansion of an earlier general community quarantine over the National Capital Region.

The entire National Capital Region—16 cities and a municipality—is under community quarantine from March 15 to April 14, which means the enforcement of social distancing measures like letting fewer people on public transportation, reduced store hours, and the possibiity of curfews.

According to a memorandum issued by the Palace on Saturday, March 14, the quarantine means that "movement of people shall be limited to accessing basic necessities and work; and uniformed personnel and quarantine officers shall be present at border points."

Travel restrictions in and out of the capital will also be implemented.