Philippines

The Philippine Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association (PHAP) on Tuesday cautioned that pharmaceutical companies will reduce their labor force as a result of potential loss of competitiveness due to the high retail price recently levied on certain medicines. PHAP’s opposition to price control has been consistent since global experience showed that artificial measures lead to market inefficiencies and lack of supply …

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday, the number of Filipinos onboard a quarantined cruise ship in Japan that tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has more than doubled to 27 over the weekend. Through the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, the Department of Foreign Affairs estimates that as of 16 February 2020, the number of Filipinos …

The travel ban on Taiwan was also rooted in politics, both Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Senator Panfilo Lacson said Saturday, reportedly part of the effort to prevent the spread of Coronavirus Disease-2019. Lacson held the same opinion, arguing that the explanation behind the ban could only be a political one. Lacson also pointed out that, given its 23 …

House Committee on Legislative Franchises Vice-President Tonypet Albano told ABS-CBN Corporation that it would have its “time and day” in the chamber for consultations on the proposals seeking the renewal of its franchise. In a speech, Albano reiterated the claim made by Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano that timing was necessary for the renewal of the broadcast giant’s franchise because of …

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed an executive order imposing a maximum retail price for certain products, a top official from Malacañang said Monday. Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said Duterte had signed EO 104, which aims to improve access to affordable medicines for the Filipinos. A copy of the EO has yet to be released by The Palace. Later the Department …

The National Electrification Administration (NEA) said Monday that power interruptions may be expected in the dry season because of the predicted power supply shortage in the coming months. Given the high demand and low supply, one-hour power interruptions could be expected in April and May, according to NEA administrator Edgardo Masongsong. He was referring to the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19), …

Port workers in the Philippines were instructed to allow travelers to and from Taiwan to enter and leave, stated by the Immigration Bureau (BI). The order came after the lifting of the travel ban from and to Taiwan by the Philippines to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease in 2019. According to the BI, the lifting of the ban also …

With the level of warning over Taal Volcano lowered from level 3 to level 2, citizens of two cities within the danger zone are now focused on getting back on their feet. Mayor Daniel Reyes of Agoncillo, Batangas said townspeople are beginning to return to their town after the lifting of the lockdown. Reyes said three barangays in the town …

Together with the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), the Bureau of Customs on Saturday said it has disposed of a shipment of food items found to be positive for African swine fever (ASF). At the Integrated Waste Management facility in Trece Martires, Cavite on Feb. 7, food items such as dumplings, pork chicken balls and roast chicken wings were disposed …

As of Saturday afternoon, according to the Department of Health (DOH), the Philippines reported a total of 487 persons under investigation (PUIs) for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). According to DOH assistant secretary Rosette Vergeire, more than half or 330 of the PUIs have already been discharged from various health facilities. There are currently 154 admitted PUIs which are closely …