What's the government response timeline for Philippines?

Department of Health announcements from as early as 24 January indicate that people with pneumonia-like symptoms with travel history to Wuhan, China were being investigated for coronavirus. Subsequent announcements indicate that suspected cases were being put under the category of Patients Under Investigation (PUI) and tested. https://www.doh.gov.ph/5-YEAR-OLD-UNDER-INVESTIGATION-FOR-NCOV-TESTS-NEGATIVE https://www.doh.gov.ph/doh-press-release/doh-confirms-first-2019-nCoV-case-in-the-country https://www.doh.gov.ph/doh-press-release/doh-updates-the-public-on-the-2019-nCoV-ARD-health-event

"Duterte bans travelers from Wuhan, Hubei as coronavirus spreads" https://www.rappler.com/nation/250640-duterte-bans-travelers-from-wuhan-hubei-coronavirus

On 1 Feb, the Department of Health issued guidelines for management of coronavirus in the country. Since then, the Department has also been publishing updates, advisory and news related to the pandemic. https://www.doh.gov.ph/ https://www.doh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/health_advisory/memorandum_from_the_executive_secretary.pdf Subsequently the department released Kontra covid web bot to provide coronavirus related public health recommendations and even launched covid case tracker. https://www.doh.gov.ph/covid-19/chatbot https://www.doh.gov.ph/covid19tracker

"Duterte widens travel ban on mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau" https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/2/2/Duterte-travel-ban-mainland-China-Hong-Kong-Macau.html

Announcements made by Department of Health from around 5 Feb, suggest that contact tracing was being carried out for all confirmed cases. https://www.doh.gov.ph/doh-press-release/doh-confirms-3rd-2019-nCoV-ARD-case-in-PH https://www.doh.gov.ph/doh-press-release/doh-updates-the-public-on-the-2019-nCoV-ARD-health-event This seems to have have been the policy even during March. https://www.doh.gov.ph/doh-press-release/DOH-CONFIRMS-TWO%20MORE-CASES-OF-COVID-19-IN-PH https://www.doh.gov.ph/doh-press-release/DOH-REPORTS-1-COVID-DEATH-AND-3-NEW-CASES

On 7 Feb, the Department of Health issued an advisory recommending cancellation of big public events or mass gatherings. https://www.doh.gov.ph/node/19361 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iTNex-b-A3gS9E2t96YDp6oizn-AaBJc/view

A Department of Health advisory published on 11 Feb confirms the testing policy in the country. All Patients Under Investigation (PUI) are to be tested. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xTc1kOHoZBEz4nk9Kd0HR_lS0DSu5m3J/view

President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the suspension of classes at all levels, both public and private, in Metro Manila until March 14, 2020 as the number of confirmed cases of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) continued to rise. (Announcement made on 9th March) https://manilastandard.net/mobile/article/319288

all schools closed nationwide https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/254521-things-to-know-community-quarantine

Start of "community lockdown" in Metro Manila https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/254521-things-to-know-community-quarantine

Start of "community lockdown" in Metro Manila https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/254521-things-to-know-community-quarantine

Link (mass gathering are prohibited): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zgL82zXGbA_jBrVUhBQZ7ZDgDJVpEEkm/view Quote (extended from 14th April till the end of the month): The Enhanced Community Quarantine was due to end next week but would be extended until April 30 Link: https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/philippines/coronavirus-philippines-extends-covid-19-lockdown-to-end-of-april-1.1586228225807

Start of "community lockdown" in Metro Manila https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/254521-things-to-know-community-quarantine

Start of "community lockdown" in Metro Manila https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/254521-things-to-know-community-quarantine

Start of "community lockdown" in Metro Manila https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/254521-things-to-know-community-quarantine

"Utilities extend payment deadlines in light of COVID-19 (private companies initiative, therefore, cannot be counted for one of government relief efforts)" https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/3/17/LIST--Utilities-delaying-payments-in-light-of-COVID-19.html

"On midnight of Tuesday, March 17, the Philippine government will place the entire island of Luzon on lockdown" This enhanced lockdown is a stage up from the community lockdown in place from the 15th March. "public [should] go out of their homes only for essential tasks like going to work and getting basic necessities." https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/254783-full-text-guidelines-luzon-enhanced-community-quarantine

"On midnight of Tuesday, March 17, the Philippine government will place the entire island of Luzon on lockdown" This enhanced lockdown is a stage up from the community lockdown in place from the 15th March "public [should] go out of their homes only for essential tasks like going to work and getting basic necessities." https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/254783-full-text-guidelines-luzon-enhanced-community-quarantine

"On midnight of Tuesday, March 17, the Philippine government will place the entire island of Luzon on lockdown" This enhanced lockdown is a stage up from the community lockdown in place from the 15th March "public [should] go out of their homes only for essential tasks like going to work and getting basic necessities." https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/254783-full-text-guidelines-luzon-enhanced-community-quarantine

"On midnight of Tuesday, March 17, the Philippine government will place the entire island of Luzon on lockdown" This enhanced lockdown is a stage up from the community lockdown in place from the 15th March "public [should] go out of their homes only for essential tasks like going to work and getting basic necessities." https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/254783-full-text-guidelines-luzon-enhanced-community-quarantine

"all means of public transport is no longer allowed limiting the movement of people." https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/254783-full-text-guidelines-luzon-enhanced-community-quarantine

Many regions introduce measures such as "Only one person per family allowed to leave house" and curfews to ensure that the lockdown is adhered to https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/03/18/only-one-person-per-family-allowed-to-leave-house-manila-city-government/ https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/19/20/bacoor-lockdown-checkpoints-sa-boundaries-quarantine-pass-sa-kada-pamilya

"On midnight of Tuesday, March 17, the Philippine government will place the entire island of Luzon on lockdown" This enhanced lockdown is a stage up from the community lockdown in place from the 15th March "public [should] go out of their homes only for essential tasks like going to work and getting basic necessities." https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/254783-full-text-guidelines-luzon-enhanced-community-quarantine

"Foreigners banned from entering Philippines starting March 22" https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/730560/foreigners-banned-from-entering-philippines-starting-march-22-dotr/story/

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) granted on Monday, April 6, a 30-day grace period for residential rent, as well as commercial rent paid by micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). https://www.rappler.com/business/257171-dti-sets-grace-period-residential-commercial-rent-coronavirus-lockdown

Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17uiHk4FqkkU3UuLduB3BVt9WvrXy9HTT/view

Quote: He said President Rodrigo Duterte approved the "Small Business Wage Subsidy Program" — which is seen to help middle-class families — during the Inter-Agency Task Force meeting on Monday night. The program seeks to help around 3.4 million workers employed by small businesses that are affected by the enhanced community quarantine enforced over Luzon to curb the spread of COVID-19. The affected workers will receive a one-time financial assistance worth P5,000 to P8,000, depending on the minimum wage in their region. https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/4/14/Philippines-middle-class-income-cash-assistance-COVID-19.html

Enhanced lockdown extended in some areas, whilst relaxed to general lockdown in all others. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/735382/duterte-extends-enhanced-community-quarantine-in-ncr-7-other-high-risk-areas/story/

Enhanced lockdown extended in some areas, whilst relaxed to general lockdown in all others. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/735382/duterte-extends-enhanced-community-quarantine-in-ncr-7-other-high-risk-areas/story/

Enhanced lockdown extended in some areas, whilst relaxed to general lockdown in all others. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/735382/duterte-extends-enhanced-community-quarantine-in-ncr-7-other-high-risk-areas/story/

Enhanced lockdown extended in some areas, whilst relaxed to general lockdown in all others. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/735382/duterte-extends-enhanced-community-quarantine-in-ncr-7-other-high-risk-areas/story/

Enhanced lockdown extended in some areas, whilst relaxed to general lockdown in all others. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/735382/duterte-extends-enhanced-community-quarantine-in-ncr-7-other-high-risk-areas/story/

Enhanced lockdown extended in some areas, whilst relaxed to general lockdown in all others. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/735382/duterte-extends-enhanced-community-quarantine-in-ncr-7-other-high-risk-areas/story/

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) granted on Monday, April 6, a 30-day grace period for residential rent, as well as commercial rent paid by micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). https://www.rappler.com/business/257171-dti-sets-grace-period-residential-commercial-rent-coronavirus-lockdown

Cebu City, Mandaue City under ECQ; more Luzon provinces now MECQ until May 31 [ECQ means near total lock-down] https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1276001/cebu-city-mandaue-city-under-ecq-more-luzon-provinces-now-mecq-until-may-31 Source: governmental resolution https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/files/2020/05/20200515-IATF-RESOLUTION-NO-37.pdf What does ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) means: "total lock-down" https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2020/05may/20200515-omnibus-guidelines-on-the-implementation-of-community-quarantine-in-the-philippines.pdf

Cebu City, Mandaue City under ECQ; more Luzon provinces now MECQ until May 31 [ECQ means near total lock-down] https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1276001/cebu-city-mandaue-city-under-ecq-more-luzon-provinces-now-mecq-until-may-31 Source: governmental resolution https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/files/2020/05/20200515-IATF-RESOLUTION-NO-37.pdf What does ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) means: "total lock-down" https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2020/05may/20200515-omnibus-guidelines-on-the-implementation-of-community-quarantine-in-the-philippines.pdf

Cebu City, Mandaue City under ECQ; more Luzon provinces now MECQ until May 31 [ECQ means near total lock-down] https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1276001/cebu-city-mandaue-city-under-ecq-more-luzon-provinces-now-mecq-until-may-31 Source: governmental resolution https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/files/2020/05/20200515-IATF-RESOLUTION-NO-37.pdf What does ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) means: "total lock-down" https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2020/05may/20200515-omnibus-guidelines-on-the-implementation-of-community-quarantine-in-the-philippines.pdf

Cebu City, Mandaue City under ECQ; more Luzon provinces now MECQ until May 31 [ECQ means near total lock-down] https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1276001/cebu-city-mandaue-city-under-ecq-more-luzon-provinces-now-mecq-until-may-31 Source: governmental resolution https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/files/2020/05/20200515-IATF-RESOLUTION-NO-37.pdf What does ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) means: "total lock-down" https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2020/05may/20200515-omnibus-guidelines-on-the-implementation-of-community-quarantine-in-the-philippines.pdf

Cebu City, Mandaue City under ECQ; more Luzon provinces now MECQ until May 31 [ECQ means near total lock-down] https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1276001/cebu-city-mandaue-city-under-ecq-more-luzon-provinces-now-mecq-until-may-31 Source: governmental resolution https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/files/2020/05/20200515-IATF-RESOLUTION-NO-37.pdf What does ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) means: "total lock-down" https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2020/05may/20200515-omnibus-guidelines-on-the-implementation-of-community-quarantine-in-the-philippines.pdf

Cebu City, Mandaue City under ECQ; more Luzon provinces now MECQ until May 31 [ECQ means near total lock-down] https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1276001/cebu-city-mandaue-city-under-ecq-more-luzon-provinces-now-mecq-until-may-31 Source: governmental resolution https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/files/2020/05/20200515-IATF-RESOLUTION-NO-37.pdf What does ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) means: "total lock-down" https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2020/05may/20200515-omnibus-guidelines-on-the-implementation-of-community-quarantine-in-the-philippines.pdf

Cebu City, Mandaue City under ECQ; more Luzon provinces now MECQ until May 31 [ECQ means near total lock-down] https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1276001/cebu-city-mandaue-city-under-ecq-more-luzon-provinces-now-mecq-until-may-31 Source: governmental resolution https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/files/2020/05/20200515-IATF-RESOLUTION-NO-37.pdf What does ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) means: "total lock-down" https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2020/05may/20200515-omnibus-guidelines-on-the-implementation-of-community-quarantine-in-the-philippines.pdf

Quotation: Most businesses were allowed to re-open and some public transportation came back to normal, per orders approved May 28 by President Rodrigo Duterte. A percentage of domestic flights started taking off again, too. Link: https://www.voanews.com/east-asia-pacific/philippines-allows-soft-post-lockdown-reopening-avert-dire-economic-fall

Quotation: Most businesses were allowed to re-open and some public transportation came back to normal, per orders approved May 28 by President Rodrigo Duterte. A percentage of domestic flights started taking off again, too. Link: https://www.voanews.com/east-asia-pacific/philippines-allows-soft-post-lockdown-reopening-avert-dire-economic-fall

Quotation: Most businesses were allowed to re-open and some public transportation came back to normal, per orders approved May 28 by President Rodrigo Duterte. A percentage of domestic flights started taking off again, too. Bars, dine-in restaurants and schools will remain closed while minors and the elderly are still asked to stay home. Link: https://www.voanews.com/east-asia-pacific/philippines-allows-soft-post-lockdown-reopening-avert-dire-economic-fall

Quotation: Most businesses were allowed to re-open and some public transportation came back to normal, per orders approved May 28 by President Rodrigo Duterte. A percentage of domestic flights started taking off again, too. Bars, dine-in restaurants and schools will remain closed while minors and the elderly are still asked to stay home. Link: https://www.voanews.com/east-asia-pacific/philippines-allows-soft-post-lockdown-reopening-avert-dire-economic-fall

Philippine officials have placed a central city back under strict lockdown and retained quarantine restrictions in the capital for another two weeks as coronavirus infections continue to spike alarmingly. President Rodrigo Duterte approved in a televised meeting Monday night with key Cabinet officials a recommendation to lock down Cebu city anew and retain quarantine restrictions in metropolitan Manila where many of the nearly 26,500 infections and more than 1,000 deaths have been recorded. Link: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/latest-india-train-carriages-virus-beds-71250586

"The Philippines is getting back to business after one of the world’s strictest coronavirus lockdowns spanning nearly three months, allowing restaurants to reopen for dine-in customers in an effort to keep people in work." Source: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-philippines-restau/as-economy-slumps-philippines-lets-eateries-reopen-to-recoup-job-losses-idUSKBN23N20T As of July 1, most workplaces are closed.

Metro Manilla, Benguet, Cavite, Rizal in Luzon, Ormoc in Leyte, some cities in the Visayas (Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, Talisay) and Minglanilla in Cebu will remain under a general community quarantine until July 15. Source: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1299868/duterte-metro-manila-stays-under-gcq-until-july-15

"DOTr opens all public transport as metropolis recovers from quarantine. As modes of public transportation have gradually resumed, the metropolis is also slowly going back to life with many workers returning in the road after more than two months of being cooped up at home during the hard lockdown." Source: https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/06/22/dotr-opens-all-public-transport-as-metropolis-recovers-from-quarantine/

http://archive.fo/1LOtm Online materials, training made available as CHED prepares for opening of classes

Quotation: Most businesses were allowed to re-open and some public transportation came back to normal, per orders approved May 28 by President Rodrigo Duterte. A percentage of domestic flights started taking off again, too. Bars, dine-in restaurants and schools will remain closed while minors and the elderly are still asked to stay home. Link: https://www.voanews.com/east-asia-pacific/philippines-allows-soft-post-lockdown-reopening-avert-dire-economic-fall

Key Policy Responses as of July 1, 2020 The government launched a 4-pillar socioeconomic strategy against COVID-19, which includes support to vulnerable groups and individuals, expanded resources for frontline medical workers, as well as fiscal and monetary measures. FISCAL The government launched a PHP 595.6 billion fiscal package (about 3.1 percent of 2019 GDP) for vulnerable individuals and groups, which includes the following measures: (1) PHP 205 billion cash aid program (1.1 percent of 2019 GDP) for 18 million low-income households, under which eligible households are expected to receive cash transfers of between PHP 5,000 and PHP 8,000 a month for a period of two months; (2) over PHP 56 billion social protection measures for vulnerable workers, including for displaced and overseas Filipino workers (0.3 percent of 2019 GDP); (3) over PHP 54 billion on COVID-19-related medical response (0.3 percent of 2019 GDP); and (4) PHP 120 billion (0.6 percent of 2019 GDP) credit guarantee for small businesses and support to the agriculture sector. Financial assistance will also be provided to affected micro-, small-, and medium-size enterprises (MSMEs) and vulnerable households through specialized microfinancing loans and loan restructuring. http://archive.fo/sGZ1z

MONETARY AND MACRO-FINANCIAL The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has reduced its policy rate four times in 2020 by a cumulative 175 bps to 2.25 percent and lowered the reserve requirement ratio for commercial banks by 200 bps to 12 percent, effective from April 3. To support the government’s programs to counter the impacts of COVID 19, the BSP purchased PHP 300 billion worth government securities (about 1.5 percent of 2019 GDP) through a repurchase agreement with the government, made secondary market purchases of government securities, and remitted PHP 20 billion as dividend to the government even though it is no longer required to make dividend payments to the government under the newly amended BSP charter. The BSP has also announced a series of regulatory relief measures for the banking sector, including: (1) a temporary relaxation of requirements on compliance reporting, penalties on required reserves, and single borrower limits; (2) easier access to the BSP’s rediscounting facility; (3) a temporary relaxation of provisioning requirements (subject to the BSP approval), and (4) a relaxation of prudential regulations regarding marking-to-market of debt securities. These relief measures are intended to encourage banks, in turn, to provide financial relief to their borrowers (e.g., temporary grace period for loan payments). To encourage extension of loans to enterprises, particularly, micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), the BSP allowed loans to MSMEs to be counted as part of banks’ compliance with reserve requirements, temporarily reduced their credit risk weights to 50 percent, and assigned zero risk weight to loan exposures guaranteed by the Philippine Guarantee Corporation. http://archive.fo/sGZ1z

The government will further ramp up its efforts by conducting tests even to people who are not exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19. The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has approved the expansion of the testing strategy to fully utilize the 10 million reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PRC) test kits procured by the Budget and Health departments, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said. http://archive.fo/vZekn

Department of the Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said in the Laging Handa public briefing that the Philippines is aiming to double its current 50,000 contact tracing teams nationwide in order to beef up the country’s COVID-19 response. Malaya said the target is to hire more contact tracers before the end of the month, while there are also volunteers helping in the contact tracing efforts by the government. He explained that the additional contact tracers would be immediately deployed particularly in areas with a high number of recorded COVID-19 cases. He said they will prioritize hiring those graduates of medical allied sciences, graduates of criminology, and other similar courses. Meanwhile, he urged interested applicants to prepare their Personal Data Sheet so that they will be able to submit their application immediately by the time the department announces the start of hiring. http://archive.fo/T1Yww

"On July 7th, 2020, the Philippine authorities have announced that foreign nationals will not be allowed to enter the country. This applies to all foreigners outside the Philippines including those with immigrant, non-immigrant, and special visas. Exceptions include: Accredited Foreign Government and International Organization officials and their dependents Foreign spouses and children of Filipino nationals Foreign airline crew" https://www.philippinesvisa.com/travel-restrictions/ Note by Babu Ahmed: "On Tuesday, July 7, the government of the Philippines announced that non-essential travel abroad can resume with immediate effect, under certain conditions imposed to ensure traveler's safety. A ban on non-essential travel overseas was imposed on March 17 due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Despite a recent rise in COVID-19 cases, all outbound travel restrictions have now been removed. Those traveling abroad must observe any restrictions in place at their final destination and will have to undergo a COVID-19 test and a mandatory quarantine period on return to the Philippines. They will also be required to submit confirmation of tickets, visas, and health insurance prior to travel, as well as signing a declaration form. Along with the easing of restrictions, a terminal at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) in Manila is set to reopen on Wednesday, July 8. The Philippines has yet to open to inbound tourism, with only returning Filipino nationals, their families, and foreign diplomats among the few permitted to enter the country. http://archive.fo/bzcYu"

President Rodrigo Duterte signed a law that gives him the power to reopen schools later than August during a state of emergency, Malacañang announced on Monday, July 20. The new law allows the President, upon the recommendation of the education department, to "set a different date" for the start of classes nationwide or in specific parts of the country. Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11480 on Friday, July 17, amending a previous law. The new law covers all grade schools and high schools, including foreign and international schools. It will take effect upon publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/07/20/news/latest-stories/duterte-signs-law-on-school-opening/743731/

On 16 July, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte is enforcing partial coronavirus restrictions in the capital for another two weeks, and warned that stricter curbs would be reinstated if the rise in new cases and deaths does not slow down. Operations of shopping malls and dine-in eateries remain limited. https://www.todayonline.com/world/philippines-extends-partial-restrictions-capital-contain-covid-19

On 16 July, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte is enforcing partial coronavirus restrictions in the capital for another two weeks, and warned that stricter curbs would be reinstated if the rise in new cases and deaths does not slow down. mass gatherings are still banned. https://www.todayonline.com/world/philippines-extends-partial-restrictions-capital-contain-covid-19

On 16 July, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte is enforcing partial coronavirus restrictions in the capital for another two weeks, and warned that stricter curbs would be reinstated if the rise in new cases and deaths does not slow down. Social distancing still remains enforced on public transport. https://www.todayonline.com/world/philippines-extends-partial-restrictions-capital-contain-covid-19

A city of some 250,000 in Metropolitan Manila is set to go back under lockdown. https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/fresh-lockdown-for-250000-in-manila-as-coronavirus-surges

No new policy until the start of the A.Y.

Most businesses were allowed to operate, but with the reimposition of the MECQ in Manila on 3 Aug, only few businesses are open at a 50% capacity: https://mb.com.ph/2020/08/03/no-public-transport-allowed-under-mecq-dotr/ https://pcoo.gov.ph/news_releases/metro-manila-put-under-stricter-mecq-for-two-weeks/

No change in policy found

No change in policy found

I don't think it ever reached total confinement (so, probably it was 2T all along): most of the country is in GCQ which is not a very strict form of quarantine, whilst only the national capital region is under a stricter lockdown, MECQ, but not the strictest (ECQ). https://pcoo.gov.ph/news_releases/metro-manila-put-under-stricter-mecq-for-two-weeks/

No new income support measures found and the one introduced in April is long gone. The one-off payment of 5000/8000 PHP to poor families was meant to last for the months of April and May.

I think that the previous submission makes reference to the CB's easing of requirements to other banks, and not to individuals.

Regular briefings by the ministry https://www.covid19.gov.ph/ + news on government's reponses here: https://pcoo.gov.ph/news-releases

Good testing capacity, many asymptomatics are being tested, but through contact tracing, not because it is really generally available. */ https://theaseanpost.com/article/how-philippines-fighting-covid-19 https://catholicphilly.com/2020/07/news/world-news/manila-bishop-tests-positive-for-covid-19-says-hes-asymptomatic/

The govt is trying to rely on contact tracing, but the actually implemented policy totally depends on Local Government Units (LGUs): "On the other hand, the contact tracer (CT) program of the government, which is critical in breaking the “chains of transmission” of the COVID-19 virus, is still weak. As of 18 of June, there were 54,042 CTs nationwide who are part of the 3,397 local “contact tracing teams” (CTTs), but only 21,341 are trained CTs. According to the WHO, the ideal contact tracer to population ratio is 1:800 to fully cover the over 109 million Filipinos. In effect, the country needs another 135,000 CTs. The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) as lead agency of the government’s CT program, has proposed the hiring of around 50,000 CTs – as opposed to the estimated 82,537 CTs needed – to the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF). It is expecting approval on its proposal soon to commence the hiring process. Though such an initiative is late in coming, it is still a much needed and welcome initiative." */ https://theaseanpost.com/article/how-philippines-fighting-covid-19 https://mb.com.ph/2020/08/02/barangay-contact-tracing-teams-pushed/ https://mb.com.ph/2020/08/03/pma-ph-needs-to-strengthen-contact-tracing-efforts/?__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=b2bcb8c56aeb531b63e21031f28ed21053e4262e-1596492202-0-Ach4FQu1Fk7nX9hczC_wq4ca2-LSexYbfFyhre-kttVWOKC5Vcafiml5qJhg-KpV-lRzxFPa7EmLQzl0jyV6nBg6Xn3AM-WuLAuKx2GBGZrU5SxxQiYNb9TsY_F_a1LMvrhhj-mHzbpu1QaV6E_5RyPcrDLpFk4Na_acMg4uIbwEX7KZsVLiL_Yry6eZEZ8Ty8k1IVHQSzm9TPSHtm3mFH9TSTz3uJWy4DQm5yuQUX7nSsbu1mgqnUnDwSB-4dkd1JCLXxVHGB9fFxUi3tZzXdUi6QYJRosMauPRDUnFBZ2HxUgdrIyDv92AisOmDPbqAkrWF8svfSkTQM12ANMy7AVq0GzXDFKzQTk06YWkiz0pVhy-Rz8lgSDCZCm5bZzFqHvMOdeX5auAM5itzhQbRRC6LKmwRVnq8sEQHrwVgivN

No public transport allowed because of the imposition of the MECQ in Manila https://mb.com.ph/2020/08/03/no-public-transport-allowed-under-mecq-dotr/

Following the declaration made by President Duterte on August 2nd, a Memorandum from the Executive Secretary announced that up until 11:59pm on 18 August, the National Capital Region and the provinces of Laguna, Cavite, Rizal and Bulacan will be put under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from 4 August. See the memorandum here, archived: http://archive.vn/fX50v

As of August 6th, financial service providers are allowed to operate at full operational capacity and employees of such providers are allowed full mobility in performance of their functions. See the updated resolution, archived: http://archive.vn/AkVX3

On 10 August, President Duterte announced in a public address that he wants the Philippine National Police (PNP) to assist in the government’s contact tracing efforts to stop the spread of the virus as they have the necessary resources to help local officials. See the news release, archived: http://archive.vn/K0NGN

Despite calls for postponement, it still appears that 2020/21 school year will commence on August 24th as per the decision made by the Department of Education in mid-May ( http://archive.vn/pn97H). However, what is notable is that the current enrolment rate is only around 83.1 percent the of last year’s figure of 27.7 million, which an education official states could result in the number of out-of-school-youth increasing to four million as a result of the pandemic. See the article here on CNN Philippines, archived: http://archive.vn/yi8SR However, it is noted in an article from the Philippine News Agency that the Department of Education has noted that only schools considered “low risk” the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) will have limited face-to-face classes, and that other “blended learning” will be incorporated. It has been announced by Malacañang (the Presidential Palace) that at least 50% of public schools in National Capital Region (NCR) will be converted into isolation centres for those infected with COVID-19. See the article on the Philippine News Agency website, archived: http://archive.vn/RsxUd

'The National Capital Region (Metro Manila), Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal are subject to General Community Quarantine (GCQ) measures from 19 August. ' http://archive.fo/Ua86M. Under GCQ public transport is allowed with strict social distancing

'The National Capital Region (Metro Manila), Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal are subject to General Community Quarantine (GCQ) measures from 19 August. ' http://archive.fo/Ua86M