Philippines

President Rodrigo Duterte has warned local chief executives that the instructions for the month-long enhanced community quarantine over Luzon would go beyond. Duterte told local government units (LGUs) in a taped speech aired early Friday that it is the national government that will “call the shots” and it is the duty of the LGUs to comply in the midst of …

Given the scarcity of alcohol and hand sanitizers due to the coronavirus outbreak, the Philippine Polytechnic University (PUP) has developed its version of ethyl alcohol that can help fight the spread of the virus. Dr. Armin S. Coronado, director of the University Institute for Science and Technology Research, said that a pilot alcohol batch was developed on March 11, following …

Veteran actress Coney Reyes couldn’t help but be a proud mother to her son, mayor of Pasig City Vico Sotto, who is leading the battle against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in his area. The veteran actress proudly revealed in an Instagram post on Friday a video of Sotto leading his squad in social distance action. Sotto jokingly sprayed alcohol at the …

The Manila Electric Corporation (Meralco) would waive its customers ‘ March bill in full instead of only extending the bill’s deadline, Neri Colmenares, chairman of Bayan Muna said on Thursday. Colmenares clarified that Meralco would waive the March bill by reimbursing customers through the supposed overrecovery of annual distribution fees of P29.6 billion, which resulted from estimated lower energy revenues …

The country’s agricultural chief has told retailers and customers that public markets will continue to function in Metro Manila given the increased neighborhood quarantine being enforced throughout Luzon. In a television interview, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said public markets were part of the “key” institutions that President Duterte had exempted from the lockdown, which also included banks, supermarkets and pharmacies. …

On Thursday the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) urged the public to disinfect their households with the correct proportion of bleaching agents as a precautionary measure to combat COVID-19 spread. Environment chief Roy Cimatu said in a statement that a combination of 10 to 15 per cent of bleaching agents or hypochlorite sodium and clean water should be …

The number of people who tested positive for the country’s 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has reached 217, with 15 new cases reported as of Thursday afternoon. It was also announced that one confirmed case had recovered from the disease bringing the total number of patients recovered to eight, the Department of Health (DOH) said. The recovered patient (PH20) is a …

Following the example of scientists in other countries, U.S. researchers have conducted experiments to see whether readily available, low-cost generic medicines can be used to help cure the disease caused by the modern coronavirus. There are currently no vaccines or therapies for extremely infectious respiratory disease COVID-19, and patients can only provide supportive care for the time being. But a …

Top Philippine banks gave consumer and small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) loan customers a grace period, giving them leeway during Luzon’s month-long coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic lockdown. BDO Unibank, the country’s largest lender, gave the longest 60 day grace period, covering credit card, auto, home, SME and personal loan customers with due dates up to April 15, 2020. Bank of the …

Qatar Airways on Monday handed a letter of resignation to about 200 Filipinos who worked for the company.   According to David Desang, Philippine Labor Attaché in Qatar, the dismissal of workers takes effect on Tuesday, March 17, 2020.  Most of those who were fired were employed in the technical department, in positions such as engineers, maintenance personnel, and other …