PH finds six cases of COVID-19 variant detected in South Africa, more cases of UK variant

Six cases of the South Africa variant, also known as B.1.351, were detected by the Philippine Genome Center when they conducted genome sequencing of the samples from COVID-19 patients. Three cases are considered local cases, two are returning overseas Filipinos, while the other case is still being checked if the patient is a returning OFW or a local case.

Galvez: Vaccination for general public could begin in May

Regular individuals may begin rolling up their sleeves for COVID-19 vaccine shots as early as May, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said Monday. Galvez noted that the Philippines expects to receive around 5.2 million to 9.5 million doses of Pfizer’s and AstraZeneca’s vaccines from the facility during that period. Initial vaccine procurements from manufacturers Sinovac and Novavax, along with the private sector’s purchase of 2.6 million AstraZeneca vaccine doses, are also expected to arrive then. 

Velasco sees Cha-cha ‘finished’ in House before end of May

Speaker Lord Allan Velasco sees the proposed economic amendments to the Constitution “finished” in the lower chamber by May 2021. Velasco said he has talked to Senate President Vicente Sotto III but the details of Cha-cha has yet to be discussed.

Sinopharm applies for emergency use of COVID-19 vaccines in PH

Chinese vaccine manufacturer Sinopharm has submitted its application for emergency use of its COVID-19 shots in the Philippines, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said on Monday. Roque received the news during his briefing. But minutes later, FDA Director General Eric Domingo said he is unaware of such an application. He said he does not know if the Chinese firm applied online over the weekend, adding they have not yet started the evaluation.

Arrival of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines to PH postponed – DOH

The arrival of 525,600 doses of anti-coronavirus vaccine from British manufacturer AstraZeneca will be delayed by a week due to global supply shortage, according to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.

Duterte considering to place Metro Manila under MGCQ

President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday said that he is considering placing Metro Manila under a more relaxed modified general community quarantine now that the country has received its first batch of vaccines. Duterte noted that he may allow more businesses to open once the country secured at least 2 million doses of anti-coronavirus vaccine.

PH receives first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines

The government received on Sunday the first shipment of vaccines against COVID-19. The vaccines, from Chinese drugmaker Sinovac Biotech, arrived at the Villamor Air Base around 4:10 p.m. Sunday and will later be delivered to COVID-19 referral hospitals in Metro Manila for the vaccine rollout on Monday.

Sotto pushes resumption of in-person classes
Senate President Vicente Sotto III pushed for the resumption of face-to-face classes in areas where there are few or no COVID-19 cases despite the absence of vaccines, shortage of classrooms and lack of proper health facilities and personnel to address the dangers to the health and possibly lives of children.

Foreigners now allowed to renew reentry permits at airport: Immigration bureau

Foreigners with valid Philippine visas may renew their expired reentry permits (RP) and special return certificates (SRC) upon arrival at the country's airports nationwide, the Bureau of Immigration said Sunday. The BI chief said the move will facilitate the unhampered entry of foreigners with existing valid visas who were not permitted to enter the Philippines when the COVID-19 pandemic struck last year.

IATF approves uniform protocols on local travel

The state task force against COVID-19 has approved uniform travel protocols across all local government units, easing quarantine and documentary requirements. Under the IATF Resolution No. 101, travelers still have to undergo COVID-19 testing if required by the LGU of their destination – the provincial government, and authorities of highly urbanized cities and independent component cities. In which case, only a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction or RT-PCR test will be honored.

BSP sees faster inflation in February

The central bank on Friday said February's inflation could settle at 4.7%, within its forecast range of 4.3% to 5.1%. The projection is quicker than the 4.2% inflation rate recorded in January. The government's move to implement a price ceiling on pork and chicken in the National Capital Region, coupled with stable rice prices and lower power rates, are seen to dampen inflation pressures this February, the BSP added.

#MayPasok: Duterte makes Nov. 2, Dec. 24 and 31 ‘Special Working Days’
The country will see fewer non-working days this year as three dates that have long been traditional holidays are now "special working days" on orders of President Rodrigo Duterte to help the economy recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.