The ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a novel infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), spread to the Philippines on January 30, 2020, when the first case of the disease was confirmed in Metro Manila. It involved a 38-year-old Chinese woman who was confined in the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila. The second case was confirmed on February 2, that of a 44-year-old Chinese man who died a day earlier, which was also the first confirmed death from the disease outside mainland China.[1][2][3] The first case of someone without travel history abroad was confirmed on March 5, a 62-year-old male who frequented a Muslim prayer hall in San Juan, Metro Manila, raising suspicions that a community transmission of COVID-19 is already underway in the Philippines. The man's wife was confirmed to have contracted COVID-19 on March 7, which was also the first local transmission to be confirmed.[4][5]
As of May 3, 2020, there have been 9,223 confirmed cases of the disease in the country. Out of these cases, 1,214 recoveries and 607 deaths were recorded.[6][7][8][9][10] The Philippines has the third most number of cases in Southeast Asia, after Singapore and Indonesia. The largest single-day increase in the number of confirmed cases was on March 31, when 538 new cases were announced.[11] Meanwhile, the smallest single-day increase since the last week of March was on April 4, when only 76 new cases were announced. All of the country's 17 regions have recorded at least a case. High income and low substinence incidence are associated with significant reductions in COVID-19 cases across the 17 regions of the Philippines.[12]
The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Muntinlupa, Metro Manila, is the medical facility where suspected cases are being tested for COVID-19 since January 30, 2020. The Philippines has 20 subnational laboratories capable of detecting SARS-CoV-2. The country has conducted 120,736 tests as of May 2, including repeat tests, and have tested over 106,520 unique individuals.[6]
=== January–February 2020 – first cases === The Philippines reported its first suspected case of COVID-19 in January 2020. The case was that of a 5-year-old boy in Cebu, who arrived in the country in January 12 with his mother.[13] At that time, the Philippines has no capability to conduct tests to confirm suspected COVID-19 cases.[14][15] The boy tested positive for "non-specific pancoronavirus assay" by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Muntinlupa, and samples from the boy were sent to the Victorian Infectious Disease Reference Laboratory in Melbourne, Australia for confirmatory testing to determine the specific coronavirus strain.[13] The boy tested negative for COVID-19 but several suspected cases were reported in various parts of the country.[16]
The RITM developed capability to conduct confirmatory tests for COVID-19 in response to the emergence of suspected COVID-19 cases. It started conducting confirmatory tests on January 30.[14][15]
The first case of COVID-19 in the Philippines was confirmed on the same day. The diagnosed patient was a 38-year-old Chinese woman from Wuhan, the origin of the disease, who had arrived in Manila from Hong Kong on January 21.[17] She was admitted to the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila[18] on January 25 after she sought a consultation due to a mild cough. At the time of the confirmation announcement, the Chinese woman was already asymptomatic.[19]
The second case was confirmed on February 2, a 44-year-old Chinese male who was the companion of the first case. His death on February 1 was the first recorded outside China. He suffered from coinfection with influenza and Streptococcus pneumoniae.[20]
On February 5, the DOH confirmed a third case in a 60-year-old Chinese woman who flew into Cebu City from Hong Kong on January 20 before she traveled to Bohol where she consulted a doctor at a private hospital on January 22, due to fever and rhinitis. Samples taken from the patient on January 24 returned a negative result, but the DOH was notified on February 3 that samples taken from the patient on January 23 tested positive for the virus. The patient upon recovery on January 31 was allowed to go home to China.[21]
March 2020 – early spread
Number of cases (blue) and number of deaths (red) on a logarithmic scale.
After a month of reporting no new cases, on March 6, the DOH announced two cases consisting of two Filipinos. One is a 48-year-old man with a travel history to Japan, returning on February 25 and reported symptoms on March 3.[22] The other is a 60-year-old man with a history of hypertension and diabetes who experienced symptoms on February 25 and was admitted to a hospital on March 1 when he experienced pneumonia. He had last visited a Muslim prayer hall in San Juan.[22] The DOH confirmed that the fifth case had no travel history outside the Philippines and is, therefore, the first case of local transmission. A sixth case was later confirmed, that of a 59-year-old woman who is the wife of the fifth case.[23] Since then, the Department of Health recorded a continuous increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country.[24]
Cases abroad involving foreigners with travel history in the Philippines in early March 2020. The first three recorded cases involving an Australian, a Japanese, and a Taiwanese national had a history of visiting the Philippines in February 2020. Though it was not confirmed if they have contracted the virus while in the Philippines. There has been speculation that there has been undetected local transmission in the country already due to the first case of local transmission in the Philippines has been confirmed already.[25][26][27]
Several measures were imposed to mitigate the spread of the disease in the country, including bans on travel to mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and South Korea. On March 7, 2020, the Department of Health (DOH) raised its "Code Red Sub-Level 1," with a recommendation to the President of the Philippines to impose a "public health emergency" authorizing the DOH to mobilize resources for the procurement of safety gear and the imposition of preventive quarantine measures.[19] On March 9, President Rodrigo Duterte issued Proclamation No. 922, declaring the country under a state of public health emergency.[28]
On March 12, President Duterte declared "Code Red Sub-Level 2," issuing a partial lockdown on Metro Manila to prevent a nationwide spread of COVID-19.[29][30] The lockdowns were expanded on March 16, placing the entirety of Luzon under an "enhanced community quarantine" or a total lockdown.[31] Other local governments outside Luzon followed in implementing similar lockdowns. On March 17, President Duterte issued Proclamation No. 929, declaring the Philippines under a state of calamity for a tentative period of six months.[32]
Additional facilities started to conduct confirmatory testing. On March 20, four facilities namely the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City, Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City, Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center in Benguet, and San Lazaro Hospital in Manila began conducting tests as well augmenting the RITM.[33] Other facilities began operations as well in the following days.[citation needed]
On April 17, it was reported that the country has been able to bring down the viral disease' reproduction number to 0.65 from 1.5, which means that the average number of people a person can infect decreased from more than one to less than one.[37] Recent data suggest that the country is doing better in "flattening the curve",[38] but was warned of "resurgence" and must ramp up mass testing in order to isolate cases and avoid further transmission of COVID-19.[37]
On April 28, the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) was extended until May 15 in Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Central Luzon (except Aurora), Pangasinan, Benguet, Baguio City, Iloilo province, Cebu province, Cebu City, and Davao City.[39][40][41][42]
Cases
Notable cases
Three incumbent and two former Senators of the Philippines have contracted COVID-19. On March 16, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri confirmed that he tested positive for COVID-19, although he claimed he was asymptomatic.[43] On March 25, Senator Koko Pimentel announced that he had also tested positive for COVID-19.[44] The following day, Senator Sonny Angara became the third senator to announce his COVID-19 diagnosis after yielding a positive result.[45] On March 31, former Senator Bongbong Marcos also tested positive for COVID-19 after receiving his March 28 test results from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).[46] Marcos said that he felt unwell upon returning from a trip to Spain.[47] Another former Senator, Heherson Alvarez, and his wife were reported to be in critical condition after contracting the virus;[48] Alvarez died on April 20.[49]
On March 31, former Prime Minister and Finance Secretary Cesar Virata was reported to have been admitted to the intensive care unit of St. Luke's Medical Center – Global City due to a stroke and pneumonia. Virata was later confirmed to have contracted the disease.[48] He was discharged on April 15.[56]
Professor Aileen Baviera, a former dean of the University of the Philippines Asian Center and a leading expert on China, died on March 21 at San Lazaro Hospital in Manila due to severe pneumonia caused by COVID-19. She died before seeing the test result that should have confirmed if COVID-19 was the main cause of her death.[64]
Cases of Filipino expatriates
Confirmed cases of Filipino nationals outside the Philippines
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) relays information regarding the number of Filipino nationals abroad to have contracted COVID-19.[65] The DFA keeps an official tally of confirmed Filipino COVID-19 cases per region instead of by country. As of May 2, there are a total of 1,741 overseas Filipinos residing in 46 countries and territories confirmed to have contracted COVID-19.[65] The first confirmed case of a Filipino national outside the Philippines was announced by the DFA on February 5, 2020—that of a crew member of the Diamond Princess cruise ship quarantined off the coast of Yokohama, Japan.[66]
Following an international tabligh convention held from February 7 to March 1, 2020, at the Jamek Sri Petaling mosque near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the DFA reported that 19 Filipinos who attended the convention tested positive and were quarantined in Malaysia. Two others managed to return to the Philippines and later tested positive by Philippine health authorities.[70]
In Europe, at least one Filipino case has been confirmed in France,[76]Greece,[77] and Switzerland.[78] On March 23, Philippine Council for Foreign Relations President Alan Ortiz died in Paris, France.[76]
In the United States, it was confirmed that six Filipinos aboard the Grand Princess cruise ship, which docked in Oakland, California for quarantine, had contracted the virus.[79] On March 13, a Filipino working in New York as a diplomat with the Philippines' UN mission was confirmed to be positive for the virus, which led to the entire mission at Philippine Center being disinfected and closed for the day.[80]
By demographic
The oldest person to have recovered from COVID-19 in the Philippines (as of March 31) is reportedly an 83-year-old woman from Santa Rosa, Laguna,[81] while the youngest patient to die due to complications from the disease (as of April 14) was a 29 days old infant from the province of Batangas.[82]
As of April 17, the DOH reported that there had been 766 healthcare personnel infected by COVID-19, a three-fold increase from the last week's bulletin. Out of these cases, 339 doctors and 242 nurses had already tested positive. 22 of the doctors died from the disease.[83]
By region
Map of regions with confirmed (red) COVID-19 cases (as of May 1)
The first case overall in Mindanao is a resident of Lanao del Sur who went home from San Juan, Metro Manila. The case was that of a 54-year-old man who was admitted at the Adventist Medical Center in his home province and was referred to the Northern Mindanao Medical Center on March 8, a health facility outside the region in Cagayan de Oro after he is suspected to have COVID-19. The case was confirmed on March 11. The man had no known travel history abroad and was suspected to have contracted the disease while he was in Metro Manila.[84]
Bicol Region
The DOH announced the first three cases in the Bicol Region on March 27. The cases were that of two male patients (50 and 53 years old) confined at the Bicol Regional Training Hospital in Daraga, Albay and a 48-year-old female from Naga, Camarines Sur.[85] From March 28 to April 1, the DOH reported 4 more cases, totalling 7 cases.[86][87] On April 2, 2020, the DOH reported one new case and first three recoveries all from the province of Albay, totalling 10 cases.[citation needed] Albay has became an epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak in Bicol.[88]
The first confirmed COVID-19 case in Calabarzon is a resident of Cainta, Rizal who frequented a Muslim prayer hall in San Juan, Metro Manila.[89] The individual's case is also the first confirmed local transmission of COVID-19 in the country.[90] The patient's wife also contracted the disease.[91]
Caraga
The first confirmed COVID-19 case in Caraga was confirmed on April 6. It involved a 68-year-old patient from Butuan that recently traveled to Metro Manila. The patient was admitted to the Caraga Regional Hospital.[92]
The first three cases in the Central Luzon region was confirmed by the DOH on March 11. Two of them are repatriates quarantined at New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac and the third patient is a resident of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan who was admitted to a hospital in Caloocan, Metro Manila.[93]
All provinces, except Davao Occidental has at least one confirmed COVID-19 case. Davao City also has reported confirmed cases. Davao Region's first case was that of a 21-year-old female resident of Pantukan, Davao de Oro who had a travel history to the United Kingdom and Manila. The patient arrived in Davao City in February 29 and was placed in isolation at a health facility on March 9 after undergoing consultation for a cough. The following day, the patient was referred to a Davao Regional Medical Center in Tagum.[94]
Several cases across Mindanao, not just in the Davao Region, has been linked to cockfighting derby held in March 2020 in Matina, Davao City.[95] Six of eleven confirmed COVID-19 deaths in the Davao Region as April 6 is attributed to the Matina cluster.[96]
Eastern Visayas
The first case recorded in Eastern Visayas was a 51-year-old woman from Catarman, Northern Samar. She was admitted to a referral hospital in Tacloban.[97] The second case was a 63-year-old man from Calbayog, Samar who was also admitted to a hospital in Tacloban.[98] The first cases confirmed due to local transmission were two local government employees in Tarangnan, Samar. The two were in contact with the second case.[99]
The spread of COVID-19 to the Ilocos Region was confirmed on March 20. The first three cases considered to be that of the Ilocos Region involved: 77-year-old man who died at the same day his COVID-19 infection was confirmed, and the two other cases were that of two local politicians of Caba, La Union Mayor Philip Caesar Crispino and his wife, Councilor Donna Crispino. The councilor is noted to have a previous travel history to Metro Manila and began manifesting symptoms on March 2.[100]
Mimaropa
The first COVID-19 case in Mimaropa was confirmed on March 20.[101] The case involved a 26-year-old male Australian tourist in Palawan who had already left the province at the time of confirmation. The tourist arrived in Manila on March 5 before taking a flight to Puerto Princesa. The man stayed for five days in a resort in San Vicente prior to seeking medical consultation after he exhibited symptoms. He was brought to the Palawan Provincial Hospital in Puerto Princesa for sample collection for testing on March 14. The tourist managed to secure clearance after two days to take a "mercy flight" to get out of the province to Clark after his fever subsided.[102]
Western Visayas confirmed its first case on March 20. The case was that of a 56-year-old man in Bacolod who has a history of travelling to the United Kingdom and Metro Manila. The man arrived in Negros Occidental on February 29 and has fully recovered by March 31.[103] The first recorded death in the region that of a 62-year-old female in Bacolod occurred on March 31. The following day, cases of local transmission was confirmed in Bacolod and the municipalities of Guimbal and Lambunao in Iloilo province. As of April 1, all component local government units except Antique and Guimaras have confirmed at least one case of COVID-19.[104]
Suspected cases
The DOH previously used the designation "patients under investigation" (PUIs) and "persons under monitoring" (PUMs) to manage suspected and confirmed cases. PUIs involved individuals who had a travel history to Wuhan but by February 3, the DOH has expanded the scope of PUIs to include individuals who had a travel history to any part of China.[6] Persons under monitoring are asymptomatic individuals with known history of exposure to another person with confirmed COVID-19 infection.[105]
In April 11, the DOH revised its terminology for PUIs; "suspect" and "probable" cases. Suspect cases involves individuals exhibiting flu-like symptoms and has a history of travel to areas with reported local transmission within 14 days prior the manifestation of their symptoms. Someone with fever, cough or shortness of breath who is above 60 years old, pregnant, with other underlying illness, or a health worker could also be considered as a "suspect" case. Patients admitted to a hospital due to severe symptoms caused by an undetermined lung disease could also be tagged as a "suspect" case. "Probable" cases involves persons who underwent testing with results that needs further validation, and those who were tested, but whose test were not facilitated in an official laboratory for an reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test.[106]
The usage of the PUM designation was discontinued. It was reasoned that it is assumed that the general public has been exposed to COVID-19 due to local or community transmission already ongoing in several parts of the Philippines.[105]
Statistics
By region
Confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Philippines by region of residence (
1 2 3 The first three cases were Chinese citizens without local residence(s) in the Philippines but was included on Central Visayas' data for statistical purposes.
Total cases, active cases, recoveries, and deaths Updated May 3
Total casesActive casesRecoveriesDeaths
Active cases Updated May 3
Active cases
New cases per day Updated May 3
New cases
New recoveries per day Updated May 3
New recoveries
New deaths per day Updated May 3
New deaths
New cases, recoveries, and deaths Updated May 3
Active casesNew casesNew recoveriesNew deaths
Management
Treatment and remedy
Algorithm for the triage of patients with possible COVID-19 infection in health care facilities (as of March 10, 2020)
The Philippine Council on Health Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (PCHRD-DOST) on February 7 plans to distribute an undisclosed "functional food" to help individuals with COVID-19 infection to combat the disease within a month. A "functional food" is described by the PCHRD-DOST as similar to how the herb locally known as tawa-tawa is used as a remedy against dengue. The undisclosed functional food is already used for other diseases and is not a drug that requires registration with the FDA.[109]
The PCHRD-DOST as part of the government's interagency committee proposed funding for screening for antibodies against COVID-19 in blood specimens collected from COVID-19 PUIs in the Philippines to help contribute to international efforts to understand the disease.[109] The DOST on April 2 announced that it is seeking collaboration with other countries such as China, Russia, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom on endeavors related to COVID-19 vaccine development.[110]
The Department of Health warned against the use of drugs that are not yet approved by FDA in treating coronavirus, like Fapiravir (Avigan), Chloroquine, Hydroxychloroquine, Azithromycin, Losartan, Remdesivir, Kaletra, and other drug cocktails, stating that those might have adverse side-effects, especially if not supervised by healthcare professionals.[111][112] Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev announced that the Russian government is offering to donate Russian-developed over-the-counter drug called Cicloferon claimed to have cured the symptoms of COVID-19 on Russian patients. The FDA and DOH have classified the said drug as treatment rather than cure.[113]
The Philippine General Hospital is also exploring the transfusion of blood sourced from recovered patients as a possible treatment for COVID-19. The hospital has pointed out that blood, specifically its plasma, from recovered patients contains antibodies which were produced by the body to specifically respond against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.[114]
The Philippines, with at least 45 other countries, is joining the World Health Organization's Solidarity Trial to study the effectivity of certain drugs in treating COVID-19 patients. Dr. Marissa Alejandrija of the Philippine Society of Microbiology and Infectious Disease is the Philippines' representative in the study with Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire as the official liaison of the DOH in the multinational study.[115]
The DOH has issued a reminder, that Level 2 and 3 hospitals cannot deny admittance of people suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 infection and refusal of admission is a "violation of the signed Performance Commitment and shall be dealt with by the PhilHealth accordingly". The department said that Level 2 and 3 hospitals can accommodate individuals with mild COVID-19 symptoms while individuals in a serious or critical condition may be transferred to one of the DOH's three referral hospitals; the RITM, Lung Center of the Philippines in Quezon City and the San Lazaro Hospital.[116] The DOH designated additional COVID-19 referral hospitals with 75 hospitals designated as such as of April 13 with a combined bed capacity of 3,194.[117]
On March 16, the DOH announced a revision on their protocol on hospital admission for COVID-19 positive patients. A week prior, the DOH has began sending both asymptomatic patients and individuals with mild symptoms back on their homes for quarantine and continued health monitoring until they have been deemed recovered. Priority are given to high-risk patients or those with severe symptoms for hospital admission.[118]
As of May 1, 2020, the Philippines has 20 COVID-19 testing centers that are certified by the Department of Health, while 47 laboratories are undergoing certification process to become testing facilities.[119] The country has conducted a total of 120,736 tests, including repeat tests, and have tested over 106,520 unique individuals.[6]
Before January 30, there were no medical facilities in the country that can confirm cases of the virus.[14][15] Before that date, the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Muntinlupa conducted preliminary tests on suspected cases to determine if they are infected with a coronavirus but could not detect the new strain on patients.[120] Samples from suspected cases with confirmed coronavirus infection had to be sent abroad to the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory in Melbourne, Australia, for confirmatory testing specifically for SARS-CoV-2 strain.[121]
Testing facilities
Department of Health accredited testing facilities[6]
On March 9, 2020, a total of 2,000 tests has been conducted at a rate of 200 to 250 people accommodated by tests per day.[122] The testing capacity of the Philippine government has been expanded by late March 2020. As of March 23, the RITM alone can test 600 people per day, other laboratories except for the facility of San Lazaro Hospital can do 100 tests, while San Lazaro Hospital can do 50 tests per day.[123] There has been a slowing down of the turnout of test results. By March 27, the release of test results conducted at the RITM takes five to seven days due to backlog, but the Institute is committed to reducing the turnaround to two to three days.[124] The DOH announced that the country will conduct targeted mass testing on April 14, which will be administered strictly for susceptible, probable, and high-risk patients, such as health workers, expectant mothers, and patients with other medical conditions.[citation needed]
All health facilities are required by the DOH to undergo an evaluation to be accredited for COVID-19 testing. The five stages of the evaluation are as follows:[141] The administration of the facilities shall conduct an assessment of the facility and its staff "based on accessibility, design, use of laboratory safety equipment (including personal protective equipment), records and documentation, and personnel practices and training." The DOH will send officials to verify the self-assessment conducted by the administration of the facilities and will conduct a three-day training and development course at the RITM for the personnel who will operate the laboratory. Facilities must test five positive samples to be verified by the RITM. Once verified, the facility will be certified and permitted by the DOH to conduct a full-scale sample testing for COVID-19 cases.
This section needs expansionwith: Department of Health's testing criteria. You can help by adding to it.(March 2020)
Early COVID-19 testing in the Philippines was only limited to persons with travel history to countries with cases of local transmission and those with exposure to the individuals confirmed to have COVID-19. The testing protocols were revised sometime in mid-March 2020 to give priority to the testing of any individual with severe symptoms as well as to the elderly, pregnant and immunocompromised persons with at least mild symptoms.[146]
In late March, some politicians and their relatives were reportedly tested for the virus despite not showing any symptoms, causing public backlash amidst a shortage of testing kits since it was against DOH guidelines to test asymptomatic individuals.[147] The DOH responded to the public criticism by clarifying that, while there is "no policy for VIP treatment" with regard to testing for COVID-19 and that "all specimens are being processed on a first-in, first-out basis," it "extends courtesy" to front line government officials, specifically those involved in national security and public health.[148] Some senators who were tested claim that they used an "instant" test kit not accredited by the DOH.[149]
On March 24, the DOH announced that it is planning to revise its COVID-19 testing guidelines again to allow people with mild symptoms to get tested due to increased testing capability and the stockpile of testing kits.[146]
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) revised its economic growth outlook for the Philippines in 2020 from a 6.5% to 7.5% gross domestic product (GDP) growth registered in late 2019 to a 5.5% to 6.5% GDP growth, following the pandemic. The NEDA cited the decline in service exports, especially tourism. Moody's Analytics also reduced its GDP growth outlook for the country, from 5.9% in 2019 to 4.9% following the pandemic.[152]
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno and NEDA Director-General Ernesto Pernia forecast that the Philippine economy would likely enter a recession in 2020 due to the effect of the pandemic. Diokno stated that, although the first quarter is likely to grow by 3% since the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine only took effect near the end of the quarter, the second and third quarters would likely experience contractions in economic growth. However, the BSP forecasts that the inflation rate may lower to 2.4% in March from 2.6% in February and 2.9% in January due to a decrease in the price of oil from $85 to $30 per barrel as a result of the pandemic.[154]
Employment
The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines estimates that around 7,000 people may lose jobs within the first half of 2020 due to the pandemic. This followed Philippine Airlines' decision to lay off 300 of its workers due to losses caused by the pandemic.[155]Philippines AirAsia also dropped its plan to debut in the PSE within 2020 and decided to focus on expanding its domestic operations after a government ban on China and South Korea which threatened 30% of its revenue.[156] Employees of Cebu Pacific, the country's largest airline, compromised on a pay cut amounting to 10% to avoid layoffs.[157] However, Cebu Pacific eventually laid off over 150 cabin crew personnel near the end of the first quarter as more countries and provinces in the Philippines implemented travel restrictions, affecting its flights.[158]
Economists from the Ateneo de Manila University estimate that 57% of the country's workforce may be displaced within the end of the first quarter of 2020. It comprises around 15 million workers in Luzon that were laid off due to the enhanced community quarantine, around four million of whom are based in Metro Manila, as well as an estimated 4.3 million workers in Visayas and another 4.3 million in Mindanao that were laid off due to quarantine restrictions.[159]
The DOH issued an advisory for the cancellation of large public events and mass gatherings, such as concerts, until further notice to minimize the risk of spreading the disease.[160] This prompted several local and international artists to either cancel or postpone their scheduled concerts and fan meets.[161][162][163]
Local television networks temporarily stopped admitting live audiences for their television shows, including variety shows Eat Bulaga! on GMA Network as well as It's Showtime and ASAP on ABS-CBN.[164] On March 13, both ABS-CBN and GMA announced that they would suspend productions on their drama shows as well as other entertainment programs by March 15, replacing affected programs with reruns of previous series or extended newscast runs.[165][166]
Broadcast radio companies are also implementing their operations during the quarantine period; either shortening their broadcast hours and/or temporary suspension of regular programming "in favor of special broadcasts".[167]
Following directives from the Philippine government, several fast food and restaurant chains suspended dine-in services and restricted operations to take-out and delivery. Following the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine, online food ordering services such as GrabFood and Foodpanda temporarily halted but eventually resumed operations in Luzon during the quarantine period.[168]
Several restaurants and coffee shops across the country offered free food and beverages to front line professionals involved in the pandemic, especially health care workers.[169][170]
Food production and distribution slowed down during the pandemic, especially in Luzon, primarily due to the lack of financial assistance and inaccessibility of transportation resulting from community quarantine measures being implemented across numerous local governments. The delivery of fresh vegetables from the province of Benguet, which supplies the country with over 80 percent of the country's highland vegetable requirements, was halted due to the implementation of an "extreme enhanced" community quarantine in La Trinidad.[171] Local government officials advised local rice farmers to sell their harvests to them, assuring them that they would help distribute it to their respective communities amid the border restrictions.[172]
On March 27, Vietnam announced that it would reduce its production and exportation of rice due to food security amid the pandemic. The Philippines, the largest importer of rice in the world, imports 25% of its rice from Vietnam. Agriculture Secretary William Dar assured that there would be "no shortage of the staple during the duration of the enhanced community quarantine and beyond" as "harvest [is] already coming in." Dar also stated the Department of Agriculture's plans to initiate early planting in the Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon, two of the largest rice producers in the country, ahead of the third quarter of 2020.[173]
Fish canneries in Zamboanga City announced that it would reduce the production of canned fish in the Philippines by 50–60% due to difficulties encountered following the implementation of a city-wide lockdown. Zamboanga City supplies 85% of canned fish in the country. The Industrial Group of Zamboanga reported that most of its workers experienced difficulties in reporting to work, despite the company offering free shuttle services, due to the wide presence of checkpoints across barangays. Fish canneries in the city also had to reduce outputs due to the deliverers of fresh fish from Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Norte experiencing difficulties in entering the city, as visitors are required to undergo a 14-day quarantine. This prompted most canneries to discourage deliveries.[174]
Cloth face masks draw the attention of customers at the Muñoz Market in Quezon City due to the limited supply and higher price of surgical masks.
A shortage of medical masks was reported in various parts of the country due to concerns over the pandemic.[175][176] RITM director Celia Carlos urged the public against hoarding masks to ensure ample supply for medical workers directly dealing with patients suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 infection.[177] The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in cooperation with the Philippine National Police, are acting against reports of traders hoarding face masks and selling said item at an overpriced rate.[178] The DTI has also directed its Philippine International Trading Corp. to import 5 million masks from overseas. Medtecs International Corp. Ltd., the sole manufacturer of medical mask in the country, has committed to supply the government through the DTI.[179]
Doctors in the Philippines have deplored the shortages in personal protective equipment (PPE) amid the pandemic.[180] The office of Vice President Leni Robredo raised about ₱28.8 million ($564,551) to purchase 64,367 sets of PPE and donate it to front line health professionals across the country. The first batch consisted of 7,350 PPEs that were donated to 490 professionals in eight hospitals in Manila and Quezon City with COVID-19 cases.[181] By March 24, Robredo's office had delivered 23,475 sets of PPE to 62 medical facilities and communities across Metro Manila, La Union, and Quezon.[182] Robredo also partnered with fashion designer Mich Dulce to mass-produce PPEs that utilize locally sourced Taffeta fabric; the Vice President pledged to help donate the PPEs to medical professionals across the country.[183]
Prisons
The impact of COVID-19 in prisons in the Philippines which is often overcrowded has been a concern. In early May, around 9,731 detainees awaiting trial who cannot afford bail has been temporarily release to alleviate the overcrowding of the country's prisons. Cases affecting both prisoners and jail personnel has been reported in Quezon City, and Cebu City.[184]
Retail
A public market in Angono, Rizal implements a "no face mask, no entry" policy, March 24
According to the Philippine Retailers Association, the "total retail environment" saw a decline of 30–50%. SM Investments, the country's largest retailer, saw a decline of 10–20% in domestic sales.[185] Despite the decline, most retail stores that provide essential services, including supermarkets, convenience stores, hardware stores, and pharmacies, remained open across the country to sustain consumers while other establishments at malls closed down.[186] Such retail stores, however, imposed strict social distancing measures with some supermarkets only allowing 50 customers inside at a time and placing stickers on the floor to indicate that customers must stand one meter apart from each other. Stores were also regularly disinfected and customers were required to undergo a temperature check before entering.[187] In the Greater Manila Area, several online grocers continued to operate, but with limited delivery slots.[188]Panic buying and hoarding became rampant across the country, especially with essential goods such as food and sanitation products.[189] The Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association reported that the purchases of masks, alcohol, and other personal hygiene products in supermarkets across the country had already surged, urging the public against panic buying.[190]
Economic think tank Fitch Solutions forecasts that the consumer and retail sector, especially non-essential businesses, would be one of the hardest-hit sectors in the Philippines as it loses sales revenue for an entire month due to the Luzon enhanced community quarantine (Luzon accounts for 73% of the country's GDP). Fitch Solutions forecasts the household final consumption expenditure for the country in 2020 to expand by 6.7% year-over-year, which was adjusted from a "pre-coronavirus projection" for 2020 of 7% growth year-over-year.[191]
On April 29, 2020, the Philippine Sports Commission have announced that they will cancel all of their sporting events until December 2020 to comply with the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases' directive that prohibits mass gathering events.[201]
Cancelled sports leagues and tournaments in the Philippines due to COVID-19 pandemic:
ASEAN Para Games (March 20–28) – a multi-sport for differently-abled ASEAN athletes. This would be the second postponement of the games; initially postponed to March due to non-COVID-19 related concerns.
The NEDA during a House of Representative committee hearing said that the coronavirus pandemic would incur a ₱22.7 billion ($448 million) monthly loss of tourism revenue and the impact of the pandemic could last around five to six months based from past experiences from the SARS, H1N1, and the MERS outbreaks. Over 5,200 flights covering two months which was to be serviced by member airlines of the Air-Carriers Association of the Philippines was canceled.[202]
The Philippine Shopping Festival, a nationwide mall sale event backed by the Department of Tourism originally scheduled on March 1–31 was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[205] Several local festivals across the country were also either canceled or postponed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.[citation needed]
Gates of a public high school in Baliuag, Bulacan closed due to the suspension of classes.
On March 9, 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte suspended classes at all levels in Metro Manila until March 14, in response to the rise in confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines.[206] Before that, Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco had already suspended classes in the city as a preventive measure.[207] He also appealed to the Department of Education (DepEd) to pass all Navoteño students for the remainder of the academic year.[208] Some towns in Rizal, namely Cainta, Rodriguez, San Mateo, and Taytay, also suspended classes following confirmation of at least two cases in the province.[209] Classes in Metro Manila were extended until April 14 when President Duterte placed the area under a partial lockdown on March 9. It was superseded on March 16 by the declaration of an enhanced community quarantine covering the wider Luzon island, which was later extended until April 30.[210] On March 16, the DepEd issued guidelines prohibiting public schools in areas with suspended classes from administering the final examinations for students and instead compute the final grades of students for the academic year based on "their current academic standing." The DepEd also advised schools in areas without suspension to immediately administer final examinations within that week on a "staggered basis" and for teachers and students to observe social distancing measures.[211]
Before the announcement of the enhanced community quarantine, the University of the Philippines Diliman announced on March 12 that it would implement online learning alternatives for all its classes.[212] The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) advised other institutions of higher education in the Philippines in the Philippines to implement distance education methods of learning for its classes, such as the use of educational technology, to maximize the academic term despite the suspensions;[213] Several other public and private tertiary institutions implemented such arrangements for its classes.[214] However, following the announcement of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon and other areas, colleges and universities suspended mandatory online classes in consideration of the welfare of its students, faculty, and staff. Academic administration offices continued to operate with a skeleton crew, while other offices in colleges and universities operated through telecommuting arrangements.[215] Some schools, however, continued to hold online classes[216] and in response, several student groups appealed to CHED to suspend mandatory online classes in consideration of the logistical limitations and well-being of a majority of students.[217]
Classes in all levels across the country were eventually suspended due to the pandemic.[218] Graduation rites in Philippine schools are also either cancelled or postponed.[219]
The Department of Education is leaning on starting classes for the 2020-21 school year sometime in August 2020.[220]
Elections
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has suspended the nationwide voter registration on March 10 until the end of the month due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The registration period began on January 20, 2020, and is scheduled to run until September 30, 2021.[221] The suspension was later extended to last until the end of April. The issuance of voter's certification is also suspended until further notice. The next national elections scheduled in the Philippines are in May 2022.[222]
The plebiscite to ratify legislation that proposes the partition of Palawan into three smaller provinces scheduled for May 2020 may be delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The province provincial legislature has called for a special session and is expected to pass a resolution allowing Governor Jose Alvarez to ask the COMELEC to postpone the plebiscite. Anti-partition advocacy group One Palawan has also called for the postponement of the plebiscite reasoning the ₱80 million ($1.6 million) budget allocated for the plebiscite could be used to fund the provincial government's efforts against COVID-19.[223]
On January 31, a travel ban on all Chinese nationals from Hubei and other affected areas in China was imposed. The VUA program for Chinese tourists and businessmen was also suspended.[228] On February 2, a ban was introduced on all foreign travelers who visited China, Hong Kong, and Macau in the past 14 days;[229] Philippine citizens and holders of permanent resident visas were allowed in the country but subjected to a mandatory 14-day quarantine. The Philippine government also ordered a ban on travel to China, Hong Kong, and Macau until further notice.[230] On February 10, the ban was further extended to include Taiwan[231] but was lifted on February 15.[232] On February 14, the DOH announced that a risk assessment carried out to determine if Singapore would be placed under a travel ban.[233] Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. announced that he would not fully support any official travel bans to Singapore.[233] On February 26, travel to South Korea was banned, except for permanent residents, Filipino leaving for study, and Overseas Filipino Workers returning for work.[234]
The Philippine Ports Authority had barred disembarkation by crew or passengers from vessels that have recently visited China and suspended the visitation privileges of relatives of Filipino seafarers and boarding privileges of non-government organizations providing emotional and spiritual support to seafarers.[235]
On March 19, Locsin announced that the Philippine government would deny the entry of all foreign nationals, effective that day "until further notice". All Philippine embassies and consulates would suspend the issuing of its visas to all foreign nationals and invalidate all existing ones. However, Locsin clarified that visas that had already been issued to families of Filipino nationals would remain valid.[236]
On March 22, the Department of Transportation ordered a travel ban to all foreign nationals, with the exception of returning or repatriated overseas Filipinos, foreign spouses of Filipino citizens (and their children), and workers for international organizations and non-governmental organizations accredited in the country.[237]
Following the confirmation of the first localized transmission on March 7, the DOH raised its alert to Code Red Sub-Level 1.[238] Health Secretary Francisco Duque and Senator Bong Go, chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, recommended to President Rodrigo Duterte to declare a public health emergency in the country,[239] which would authorize local government units to employ their local disaster risk reduction management funds.[240] President Duterte issued Proclamation No. 922 on March 9, formally declaring a public health emergency.[28]
The Department of Trade and Industry on March 9 issued a directive ordering retailers should only allow the sale of two bottles of each type of disinfectant per person as a measure against hoarding. In line with the public health emergency declaration, the department imposed a 60-day price freeze on basic commodities.[241]
On March 16, the president signed Proclamation No. 929 declaring a state of calamity throughout the country for six months, bringing into effect the following:[242]
price control of basic needs and commodities,
granting interest-free loans,
distribution of calamity funds,
authorization of importation and receipt of donations, and
hazard allowance for public health workers and government personnel in the fields of science and technology.[243]
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) announced that it would provide ₱30-billion ($581-million) worth of advance payment to its accredited health facilities for health care providers to obtain the liquid capital required to efficiently respond to the crisis. PhilHealth also subsided some of its policies on its members; it waived the 45-day coverage and single period of confinement policies while extending payment deadlines until the end of April and the failing period of claims from 60 days to at least 120 days. Also, PhilHealth announced that PUIs quarantined in its accredited facilities are entitled to a ₱14,000 ($270) health package, while those who tested positive for COVID-19 are entitled to a ₱32,000 ($580) beneficiary package.[244]
On March 23, President Duterte signed Administrative Order No. 26, granting that front line government officials and employees receive a daily hazard pay of ₱500 ($9.87).[245] On April 6, President Duterte signed Administrative Order No. 28, granting the payment of a special risk allowance to public health workers in addition to their hazard pay. According to the order, public health workers attending to COVID-19 patients, PUMs, and PUIs will receive at most a quarter of their basic pay.[246]
The Department of Labor and Employment announced it would initiate a cash assistance program worth ₱2 billion ($39 million) for workers in both the formal and informal sectors across the country affected by government-imposed quarantines. As of March 31, the department reported that at least 25,428 formal sectors and 5,220 informal sector workers were given cash assistance of ₱5,000 ($98) each.[247]
Senators during a special session to tackle the passage of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act on March 23.
Following the sharp increase of confirmed cases, President Duterte called on Congress to hold special sessions on March 23 to enact the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act upon his request, which would "authorize the President to exercise powers necessary to carry out urgent measures to meet the current national emergency related to COVID-19 only for three months unless extended by Congress." The act would allow President Duterte to "reallocate, realign, and reprogram" a budget of almost ₱275 billion ($5.37 billion) from the estimated ₱438 billion ($8.55 billion) national budget approved for 2020, in response to the pandemic;[248] enable him to "temporarily take over or direct the operations" of public utilities and privately owned health facilities and other necessary facilities "when the public interest so requires" for quarantine, the accommodation of health professionals, and the distribution and storage of medical relief; and "facilitate and streamline" the accreditation of testing kits.[249]
In the Senate of the Philippines, the bill was introduced as Senate Bill No. 1418 with Senate President Tito Sotto and Senator Pia Cayetano as its principal sponsors. Under the bill, Senator Cayetano said that over 18 million Filipino households living below the poverty line would also receive financial incentives of around ₱5,000–8,000 ($97.45–155.92) per month for two months.[252] Senators amended their version of the bill to include financial compensation of around ₱100,000 ($1,965.33) to be given by PhilHealth to health professionals who contracted the virus, as well as the provision of around ₱1 million-worth ($19,653.27) of financial aid to their families.[253]
Both versions of the bill reportedly removed the usage of the term "emergency powers", replacing it with "authority". It also removed the term "take over of public utilities and private businesses", limiting President Duterte's abilities at most to "direct the operations" of such enterprises.[254] The House version of the bill passed the House of Representatives in a 284–9 vote without abstentions,[255] while its Senate version unanimously passed the Senate.[256] President Duterte signed the bill into law the following day.[257]
Community quarantines in the Philippines (as of May 1)
Provinces under enhanced community quarantine
Provinces under general community quarantine with some areas under enhanced community quarantine
Provinces under general community quarantine
Given the rapidly increasing number of cases in the National Capital Region, Albay 2nd district representative Joey Salceda proposed a week-long lockdown of the region to prevent the disease from spreading nationwide. Salceda specifically proposed the closure of the Philippine expressway network and public transportation accessing the region, in addition to the suspension of classes and work.[258] President Duterte initially rejected the proposal claiming it would "hamper the flow of basic commodities".[259] Secretary Duque, however, raised the possibility of a lockdown on certain cities or towns if cases of community-based transmissions are reported, but not an entire region.[260] On March 12, President Duterte announced a partial lockdown covering Metro Manila,[261] that began on March 15 and will last until April 14.
In addition, President Duterte advised local government units outside of the National Capital Region to implement a community quarantine in cases where, in a given level of local government, at least two COVID-19 cases are confirmed within a lower level of its jurisdiction; for example, a province-wide quarantine should be implemented if there are at least two COVID-19 cases confirmed within different cities or municipalities in the same province, while a city/municipality-wide quarantine should be implemented if there are at least two COVID-19 cases confirmed within different barangays in the same city or municipality. Local government units were also authorized to utilize their quick response funds upon declaration of a state of emergency.[261]
Cainta also initiated a partial lockdown on March 15, after three cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the municipality.[262]Bohol Governor Arthur C. Yap announced that the province would be placed under community quarantine from March 16 to 20 and will prohibit tourists from entering during the quarantine period.[263]
A police-manned checkpoint in TuguegaraoBaliuag, Bulacan on March 21, 2020, during the enhanced community quarantine
On March 16, President Duterte imposed an enhanced community quarantine covering the entire Luzon, which entails the following measures:[210][264]
restricted land, air, and sea travel, in which Overseas Filipinos and foreign nationals are given a 72-hour window (until March 20) to depart the Philippines from any port of entry in Luzon, although Overseas Filipinos may enter the country at any time;
the imposition of strict home quarantine among all households;
and the closure of all private establishments, except for those providing essential goods and services and business process outsourcing establishments.
The Luzon measures also cover the Mimaropa region which includes the outlying islands of Palawan, Marinduque, Mindoro, and Romblon.[265]
On March 17, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles announced that the Office of the President, through the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), had rescinded the 72-hour window for which Overseas Filipinos and foreign nationals were allowed to depart the country from Luzon. As such, outbound passengers are permitted to depart the Philippines at any time during the period of the enhanced community quarantine, but Filipino residents are still prohibited from doing so.[266]
On April 7, President Duterte extended the duration of the enhanced community quarantine on Luzon until April 30, following a recommendation from the IATF.[267]
On April 24, Duterte extended the enhanced community quarantine until May 15, but only for Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Calabarzon as well as other areas in Luzon that are considered a high-risk for COVID-19.[268]
Local governments units both within and outside Luzon has also imposed their own quarantine measures.[citation needed]
The Philippine national government has repatriated citizens from various COVID-19 affected countries and cruise ships. As of April 13, at least 13,000 Overseas Filipino Workers have been repatriated according to the DFA.[270]Philippine Airlines, the country's flag carrier, has volunteered several repatriation flights as early as March.[271]
The first of such efforts by the government involved repatriating Filipino nationals in Hubei, China. The government began the repatriation process on January 18.[272] Upon arrival in the Philippines, individuals underwent mandatory quarantine for 14 days.[273]
Officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs greets repatriates from the M/V Grand Princess at Clark International Airport on March 16.
Likewise the Philippine government has repatriated Filipino seafarers, and to a lesser extent Filipino tourists, on board cruise ships in various countries and territories. The first of such effort was the repatriation of Filipino crew members and tourists on board the Diamond Princess on February 2020 which was quarantined off the coast of Yokohama due to confirmed COVID-19 infection.[276] 445 Filipinos (440 being crew members and 5 being passengers) were quarantined in New Clark City.[277]
Filipino nationals on board cruise ships docked in seaports in other countries such as the United States,[278] and Italy[279] were also repatriated.
After completing a 14-day quarantine period, repatriated seafarers will be given aid by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). Each will receive ₱10,000 from the OWWA and ₱20,000 livelihood grant will be made available to Filipino seafarers who opted to stay permanently in the Philippines.[277]
The Presidential Security Group would start implementing a "no-touch" policy during meetings by President Duterte with politicians, reporters, and visitors.[280]
Several government officials announced that they would donate portions of their salaries to help fund government initiatives responding to the pandemic. President Duterte said that he would donate a month of his salary, which amounts to ₱400,000, to the Office of Civil Defense.[288] Some senators and around 200 members of the Philippine House of Representatives would also donate their salaries for May, while most Cabinet members would donate at most 75 percent of their salaries.[289][290]
Criticism
The Philippine government's handling has received immense criticisms for its failure to address the serious facilities concerns, government's censorship, as well as its lack of perpetration during the outbreak.[291]
The authorities have also arrested a number of critics who criticized the government for not doing enough, instead labelling as "fake news".[292]
Fear of the undetected cases widespread across the Philippines also attributed to the demand sacking of the country's Health Secretary Francisco Duque III for what the Filipinos believed to be "misused" and "misguided".[293]
Private firms
The Civil of Office Defense receives donations of medical supplies from the SM Foundation.
Some of the country's largest firms, including San Miguel and Ayala, pledged to release the salaries of its employees and provide them with relief assistance.[294][295] These companies have also contributed resources for health facilities and other front line institutions amid the pandemic.[296]
Local airlines AirAsia, Philippine Airlines, and Cebu Pacific suspended flights between China and its territories (Macau and Hong Kong) and the Philippines from February 2.[297] During the Luzon enhanced community quarantine, Philippine Airlines suspended all its domestic flights from March 17 until April 12.[298] On March 24, the airline announced that it would also suspend all its remaining flights from March 26 until April 14 as more countries implement travel restrictions.[299] Flight cancellations were later extended to April 30 following the extension of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon to that date.[300]
Mall operators across the country, such as Ayala, Megaworld, SM, Robinsons, and Vista, initially shortened the operating hours of its malls to comply with government quarantine measures.[301] While doing so, malls were asked to implement social distancing measures; for example, several malls implemented a "single-seat gap" policy in cinemas, in which moviegoers were required to sit one seat apart from each other.[302] However, most malls in the country have since limited its operations to establishments providing essential services, particularly groceries, banks, and hardware stores.[303]
The country's largest telecommunications services, Globe Telecom and Smart Communications, both announced that they would offer its subscribers free services during the pandemic; Globe would offer free unlimited Internet connection in some hospitals in Metro Manila from March 13 to April 15,[304] while Smart would offer free access to government websites issuing updates and advisories, as well as toll-free access to emergency hotlines.[305]
Following the Luzon enhanced community quarantine, numerous tertiary and quaternary sector companies extended the grace period of payment deadlines for its customers.[307]
Ridesharing company Grab launched a service called "GrabBayanihan" (bayanihan is the Filipino term for communal work) to provide free, 24/7 transportation services for front line workers of the pandemic, particularly medical staff, using the company's specialized fleet of cars. Grab also deployed their scooter-sharing system to cater specifically to those front line workers for their "short-distance commutes."[308]
Civil society
The non-profit organization Marine Conservation Philippines launched an online simulator visualizing and juxtaposing the rate of the coronavirus pandemic during business as usual, a partial lockdown, and a total lockdown.[309]
Several health organizations offered telehealth consultation services, with some providing it for free, in an effort to decongest health facilities and observe social distancing.[310] Assistance for mental health issues amid the pandemic was also offered, especially for front line workers and suspected coronavirus patients, through telepsychology and telepsychiatry.[311][312]
Some schools that have suspended its classes used its facilities as an emergency shelter for homeless individuals as local governments implement lockdowns and quarantines, most notably the De La Salle University and its sister school, the De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde, which accommodated street people in Manila into its Enrique M. Razon Sports Center amid the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.[313] Health workers who could not return home as a precautionary measure against exposing their families to the virus also sought refuge in some schools.[314]
The human rights center of the Ateneo de Manila University offered free online legal aid on concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic, including curfew apprehensions and discrimination against front line workers amid the community quarantines and lockdowns.[315]
The Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines has issued preventive guidelines against the pandemic through the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). In January 2020, the CBCP issued a liturgical guideline which urges Mass attendees to "practice ordinarily" the receiving of communion by hand, and avoid holding hands while praying "Our Father" during Mass. As a spiritual measure against the spread of the disease, the CBCP also composed an oratio imperata (obligatory prayer) which is to be recited in mass. In February 2020, the CBCP issued a second liturgical guideline in anticipation of the Lenten season. The bishops suggested that during Ash Wednesday, ashes would be sprinkled on the faithfuls' head instead of the customary marking of the forehead with a cross to minimize body contact. The CBCP also urged people to refrain from kissing or touching the cross for veneration during Good Friday, particularly the celebration of the Passion of Jesus. They suggested genuflection or bowing as an alternative to the practice.[329]Dioceses across the country has suspended the public celebration of masses.[330] On April 8, Holy Wednesday, the CBCP organized an interfaith prayer service against the spread of the coronavirus, which was televised nationwide.[331]
Various other Christian denominations and organizations such as the Iglesia ni Cristo[332][333] and the Jehovah's Witnesses[334] has suspended live worship services and resorted to organizing worship services through online platforms. The Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches, an organization composed of Evangelical and Protestant church member organizations, also adopted similar measures.[335]
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints directed missionaries assigned in the Philippines who are not native to the country to move out for temporary reassignment to another country. They were ordered to self-quarantine in their new homes for 14 days.[336]
Medical supply aid from China being received by military personnel at the Villamor Air Base, March 21
The government of China and the United States has pledged support to the Philippine government response against COVID-19. China announced that it would be donating medical supplies including 100,000 testing kits, 100,000 surgical masks, 10,000 N95 masks, and 10,000 sets of personal protective equipment.[338] The United States through USAID also pledged $2.7 million worth of aid to help the Philippines develop adequate testing capabilities, and ensure the availability of medical supplies through USAID's "on-the-ground partners".[339] China's aid was received on March 21, 2020.[340]
On March 22, 2020, the Philippine foreign department said that the Philippines will be receiving a donation from Singapore. Singapore is donating 3,000 testing kits and a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machine.[341] Singaporean Ambassador to the Philippines Gerard Ho led the turnover of kits to Foreign Secretary Teddy Locsin.[342]
On March 28, it was disclosed that some of the test kits made in China were only 40% accurate in testing for signs of the coronavirus on a suspected patient.[343]
After the initial outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, conspiracy theories, misinformation, and disinformation emerged online regarding the origin, scale, prevention, treatment, and various other aspects of the disease. Among these hoaxes include:
SARS-CoV-2 being a type of rabies along with advice to not eat bats. The virus is in the coronavirus family and is unrelated to rabies.[344]
Boiled ginger as a cure for COVID-19. There is no concrete scientific proof for this claim. Mark Pasayan, a doctor from the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases says that while a cold weather may make one more susceptible to the COVID-19 infection, the intake of hot or cold food does not correlate with the prevention and treatment of the disease.[345]
In the first week of February, the government supposedly imposed a 14-day quarantine for travelers coming from 20 countries. An infographic supporting the claim was circulated purportedly from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). On February 7, the DILG denied the claim. At that time the quarantine measure is only being imposed from travelers from three territories: Mainland China, Macau, and Hong Kong.[346]
Viral posts with various claims such as avoidance of eating ice cream and cold food, and encouraging exposure to sunlight as a means of prevention against COVID-19 purportedly from UNICEF. UNICEF Philippines has issued a statement disassociating itself from the posts peddling false and misleading information.[347]
The Department of Health supposedly issuing an advisory on the proliferation of fake cigarettes which is claimed to be a method of transmission of COVID-19. The government agency did not issue such advisory.[348]
A widely circulated graphic on social media claimed that gargling warm water with salt would "eliminate the virus." DOH Undersecretary Eric Domingo said that while the saline water has been a recognized home treatment for symptoms of a sore throat for many generations, there is no evidence suggesting its capability to kill the virus.[349]
A supposed video spread on the internet about how bananas can cure COVID-19. This information was even advocated by the presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo. However, DOH Spokesperson Ma. Rosario Vergeire debunked this claim, saying that while bananas is a healthy food source, there are no conclusive evidences yet about its effectivity against coronavirus.[350]
The Palace also disproved posts circulating online about the declaration of "Total Lockdown" nationwide and warned its peddlers of imminent arrest. At the time of the circulation, the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon was already in effect.[351]
The Department of Health has advised against spreading misinformation and unverified claims concerning the pandemic.[352]
The Philippine National Police has taken action against the spread of misinformation related to the pandemic and has warned the public that misinformation purveyors could be charged for violating Presidential Decree no. 90 for "declaring local rumor, mongering and spreading false information". In the case of misinformation circulated online, violators could be charged for violating the Cybercrime Prevention Act which has a maximum penalty of imprisonment for 12 years.[353] The Bayanihan to Heal as One Act also punishes fake news peddlers of two months jail time or fine of up to ₱1 million.[354]
According to the DOH, the cremation of the body of the first confirmed COVID-19 death in the Philippines has been hampered by the proliferation of misinformation.[355]
The following is the list of regions with confirmed COVID-19 cases. This includes component provinces and cities of each regions with confirmed COVID-19 cases as well. The list below may be inconsistent with the Department of Health's COVID-19 tracker due to several factors including:
All confirmed cases in a particular local government unit may be admitted in a health facility outside its jurisdiction.
Recent information may not be reflected in the DOH's COVID-19 tracker.
Highly urbanized cities and independent component cities are italicized except for the component local government units of Metro Manila (National Capital Region).
↑ Breakdown of confirmed cases is according to the COVID-19 Case Tracker of the Department of Health (DOH). Take note that the map may not reflect all affected localities. The methodology on how patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection are recorded in a particular locality in the tracker is unclear and may vary. The source also notes that 25% of the province-level data are still undergoing validation.
The DOH only tracks cases per province, component localities of Metro Manila, and select independent cities.
Other independent cities's cases are grouped together with their geographically associated provinces (e.g Puerto Princesa with Palawan).
Cotabato City's cases are still considered as cases under the Soccsksargen region despite being part of Bangsamoro since the city has not yet formally been turned over to the Bangsamoro regional government. For the purpose of the map, its cases are considered part of Maguindanao.
See Affected regions section below for a more comprehensive list of affected localities.
↑ Breakdown of confirmed cases by region is according to the COVID-19 Case Tracker of the Department of Health (DOH). Cases in Cotabato City, a part of Bangsamoro, under the Soccsksargen region since the city has not yet formally been turned over to the Bangsamoro regional government.
↑ The Department of Health regional office in Soccsksargen counts cases in the city since the locality was not yet formally turned over to the Bangsamoro regional government.
Aquilino Martin de la Llana Pimentel III, commonly known as Koko Pimentel, is a Filipino politician and lawyer currently serving as a Senator of the Philippines. He was the 28th Senate President of the Philippines from 2016 to 2018. He is also the current party president of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP–Laban). As the eldest son and third child of the former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr., he is the first child of a previous Senate president to hold the office. He was sworn in on August 12, 2011 and was proclaimed as the 12th winning senator in the 2007 election.
Francisco Tiongson Duque III is a Filipino physician and government official currently serving as the Secretary of Health since 2017 in the Cabinet of President Rodrigo Duterte. He also previously served as Secretary of Health from 2005 to 2010 under the administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. From 2010 to 2015, he served as the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission.
The 2009 swine flu pandemic was confirmed to have spread to the Philippines on May 21, 2009, when a 10-year-old girl contracted the H1N1/09 virus after travelling with her family to Houston, Texas, United States. In the following days, several local cases were reported to be caused by contact with two infected Taiwanese women who attended a wedding ceremony in Zambales.
The 2009 flu pandemic in the Philippines began on May 21, 2009 when a young Filipina girl first contracted the A(H1N1) virus while in the United States. In the following days, several local cases were reported to be caused by contact with two infected Taiwanese women who attended a wedding ceremony in Zambales.
The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office is a government-owned and controlled corporation of the Philippines under direct supervision of the Office of the President of the Philippines. It is mandated to do fund raising and provide funds for health programs, medical assistance and services, and charities of national character. The raised collections goes to the President's Presidential Social Fund to improve the country's social welfare.
Eric Go Yap is a Filipino politician who currently serves as a Representative of the Anti-Crime and Terrorism Community Involvement and Support (ACT-CIS) Partylist in the House of Representatives.
The following is a list of events affecting Philippine television in 2020. Events listed include television show debuts, finales, cancellations, and channel launches, closures and rebrandings, as well as information about controversies and carriage disputes.
2020 in the Philippines details events of note that have occurred, or are scheduled to take place, in the Philippines in the year 2020.
The 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic was confirmed to have spread to Metro Manila, Philippines on January 30, 2020, when the first case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was confirmed in the City of Manila. After a month of no new cases in the country, the first case of someone without travel history abroad was confirmed on March 5, a 62-year-old male who frequented a Muslim prayer hall in San Juan, Metro Manila, raising suspicions that a community transmission of COVID-19 is already underway in the Philippines. The man's wife was confirmed to have contracted COVID-19 on March 7, which was also the first local transmission to be confirmed. Metro Manila is the worst affected region in the Philippines, where most cases are recorded. A state of calamity and community quarantine have been in place in the region since March 15.
On March 16, 2020, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte declared the entire Luzon area in the Philippines under "enhanced community quarantine" (ECQ) which is effectively a total lockdown, restricting the movement of the population but with exceptions, in response to the growing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country. Additional lockdown restrictions mandated the temporary closure of non-essential shops and businesses. This quarantine came two days after the implementation of the community quarantine of Metro Manila.
The coronavirus testing controversy is an ongoing controversy involving several government officials who were reported in media to have been tested for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the first months of the coronavirus pandemic in the Philippines. This violated the triage algorithm used by the Department of Health (DOH), which said that asymptomatic patients should not be tested, and should instead be put under 14-day house quarantine.
The Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, officially designated as Republic Act No. 11469, is a law in the Philippines that was enacted in March 2020 granting the President additional authority to combat the 2020 coronavirus pandemic in the Philippines. The word "bayanihan" is a Tagalog word for communal work.
This article documents the timeline of the coronavirus pandemic in the Philippines.
As a measure to limit the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the Philippines, lockdowns, officially characterized as "community quarantines" by the government, of varying strictness was imposed in numerous parts of the Philippines. The enhanced community quarantine, is the strictest of such measures. The largest of these measures was the Luzon enhanced community quarantine.
The 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic was confirmed to have spread to the Davao Region, Philippines on March 15, 2020, when the first case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was confirmed in Tagum. All provinces, except Davao Occidental has at least one confirmed COVID-19 case. Davao City also has reported confirmed cases. Majority of the cases and all deaths in the region are attributed to Davao City.
The 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic was confirmed to have spread to Calabarzon, Philippines on March 7, 2020, when the first case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was confirmed in Cainta, Rizal. All provinces in the region has confirmed cases. The region is second most affected region by COVID-19 with more than 1,000 confirmed cases and at least 70 deaths.
The 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic was confirmed to have spread to Central Luzon, Philippines on March 9, 2020, when the first case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was confirmed in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. All provinces except Aurora has confirmed at least one COVID-19 case.
The 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic was confirmed to have spread to Western Visayas, Philippines on March 20, 2020, when the first case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was confirmed in Bacolod. All provinces except the island province of Guimaras has at least one confirmed COVID-19 case.
The 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic was confirmed to have spread to the Cordillera Administrative Region, Philippines on March 20, 2020, when the first case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was confirmed to involve a resident of Manabo, Abra. Among the component units of the region, only the provinces of Abra and Benguet, and the city of Baguio has at least one confirmed case.
The 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic was confirmed to have spread to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao of the Philippines on March 11, 2020, when the first case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was confirmed to involve a resident of Lanao del Sur. Cases has been confirmed in Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, and the independent city of Cotabato.
↑ Alipio M (April 2020). "Do Socio-Economic Indicators Associate with COVID-2019 Cases? Findings from a Philippine Study". SSRN. doi:10.2139/ssrn.3573353.
1 2 3 "Why nCoV fatality's infection was confirmed later than Philippines' first case". GMA News. February 3, 2020. Archived from the original on February 3, 2020. Retrieved February 3, 2020. "Since we (RITM) already had the capability for testing Thursday last week, we decided to test the sample of the other PUIs sent to us," RITM director Dr. Celia Carlos said in a separate press briefing in Malacañang.
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