DUTERTE EXTENDS PHILIPPINES LOCKDOWN UNTIL MAY 15, CHANGES COVERAGE

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte extended Friday the Philippines' lockdown

to May 15 and changed the areas covered by movement restrictions that

shuttered businesses for weeks.

The so-called enhanced community quarantine will remain in Metro Manila, the

Southern Tagalog and Central Luzon regions, Mindoro island, and the

provinces of Pangasinan, Benguet, Catanduanes, and Albay.

It will also be extended until May 15 in "high risk" areas: Cebu, Antique,

and Iloilo in the Visayas; and Davao del Norte, and Davao City in Mindanao.

"We are all at risk but do not increase the odds or chances of getting it

(COVID-19)," Duterte said in a televised address, wearing

a face mask.

"Low-risk" and "moderate" areas meanwhile will be under general quarantine

starting May 1, meaning people are allowed to go out of their homes to

access basic necessities and public transportation will resume at a

"reduced" capacity.

These areas are Abra, Ilocos Norte, La Union, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva

Vizcaya, Marinduque, Camarines Sur, Aklan, Capiz, Samar, Western Samar,

Zamboanga Del Sur, Lanao Del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental,

Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Davao Del Sur, Davao Oriental,

Sultan Kudarat, Lanao Del Sur

The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases recommended the

extension to the President after experts warned that lifting restrictions

too soon could spark a second wave of infections.

Since the lockdown started on March 17, over 50 million people in the

Philippine island of Luzon have been forced to stay home to contain the

spread of COVID-19. The May 15 lifting target is the second extension.

As of Thursday, the Philippines had a cumulative 6,981 confirmed COVID-19

cases, including 462 deaths and 722 recoveries.

LIST: ENHANCED, GENERAL QUARANTINE AREAS UNTIL MAY 15

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday approved the recommendation of

the Philippines' coronavirus task force to extend the enhanced community

quarantine in areas considered high risk to COVID-19.

The enhanced community quarantine was extended for 15 days up to May 15 in

the following provinces:

>NCR, Benguet, Pangasinan, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac,

Zambales , Batangas, Laguna, Cavite, Rizal, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental

Mindoro, Albay, Catanduanes

The following are under enhanced community quarantine but the status will be

checked before April 30.

>Antique, Iloilo, Aklan, Capiz, Cebu City, Davao Del Norte, Davao City,

Davao De Oro.

All other provinces not included in the list will be under general community

quarantine (GQC), Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said

The inter-agency task force also recommended the following for areas under

the general quarantine:

- All ports and airports will open for transportation of goods

- Children from 0 to 20 years old, seniors 60 and above and those with

health risks are advised to stay at home

- Partial mall opening for non-leisure shops

- Opening of priority and essential construction projects

- Public transport to operate at reduced capacity

- Curfew for non-workers

- Re-prioritizing of cash assistance from the social amelioration program to

ECQ areas

- Consider allowing high school and higher education institutes "to finish

and give credentials to students"

- 100 percent opening of agriculture, fisheries and forestry

- Food manufacturing and supply chain opening, including ink, packaging, raw

material, food retail, supermarket, restaurant take out and delivery only,

hospital, logistics, water, energy, internet, telecoms, media

- Recommended to open 50 to 100 percent of other manufacturing, electronics

and exports, e-commerce and delivery for essential and non-essential items,

repair and maintenance services, housing and office services

- Consider opening up to 50 percent on-site work and 50 percent work from

home of financial services, BPO, other non-leisure whole sale and retail

trade, and other non-leisure services

- Consider 100 percent closure of schools and re-opening up to September

- Limited resumption of construction

Roque said re-evaluation can be done during the extended lockdown period.

PALACE BACKS FILING OF PROTEST VS CHINA

MANILA — Malacañang supports the move of the foreign affairs department to

file two diplomatic protests against China for pointing a radar gun at a

Philippine Navy ship and declaring a Philippine territory as part of Hainan

province.

“It is necessary for the government to protest against China’s moves,” said

presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr., regardless of President DuterteÂ’s

pivot to Beijing since the start of his administration in 2016.

“We do it if it is necessary, with or without the COVID-19. We will continue

to protect and push for the integrity of our national territory and our

sovereign rights,” Roque said.

He noted that the protest highlighted the PhilippinesÂ’ serious concern on

ChinaÂ’s move to establish the Paracel (Xisha) and Spratly (Nansha) in the

South China Sea as districts under Sansha City.

He said China declared its commitment that it would not conduct any

reclamation activities in the South China Sea.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locson Jr. said the contents of the

diplomatic protests filed by the Philippines are “strictly confidential.”

DUTERTE WARNS OF MARTIAL LAW DECLARATION IF NPA ATTACKS CONTINUE

President Rodrigo Duterte warned of declaring martial law if “lawlessness”

of, and disruption of aid delivery by members of the New PeopleÂ’s Army

continue in this time of COVID-19 crisis.

In a public address aired Friday morning, Duterte said he is notifying the

military and the police that he “might declare martial law,” citing a recent

attack of the communist rebels against soldiers escorting aid distribution.

DOH: 15,000 DOCTORS, NURSES, OTHER HEALTHCARE WORKERS NEEDED IN COVID-19

BATTLE IN PHILIPPINES

MANILA — The Department of Health (DOH) said on Thursday that it will need

around 15,000 doctors, nurses, and other health workers to aid in the fight

against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

However, the government is still processing the hiring budget.

“Sa estima ng DOH, 15,000 health workers ang kinakailangan natin na tumulong

sa COVID-19 response na kailangan i-emergency hire,” Health Undersecretary

Maria Rosario Vergeire said during a televised briefing.

Vergeire said the current DOH budget is not enough to hire that many

personnel but they have already requested the Department of Budget and

Management for additional funding.

For now, the DBM has approved funding for 857 additional health workers.

THE REST

========

DUTERTE GREETS MUSLIMS AS RAMADAN STARTS TODAY

MANILA — President Duterte has expressed confidence the devotion and

sacrifices of the countryÂ’s Muslim community will affirm their commitment to

foster unity and solidarity with their fellowmen regardless of religion and

creed, especially at the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan today.

“Let this occasion give us peace amidst the adversity and challenges we face

each day, as you embody the religious insights and epiphanies you have

gleaned from this undertaking, may you be moved to advance our collective

resolve to eschew misguided ideologies so that we may achieve a truly

progressive and inclusive society,” the President said in a statement

yesterday.

“As you read the revelations of Allah with renewed dedication and vigor, may

the sacred text inspire you to further lead a life of purity and clarity,”

he said.

Muslims in the country begin today the observance of the Ramadan season

without the nightly taraweeh prayer in mosques, as precaution against

coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

NOGRALES OUT, ROQUE IN AS IATF SPOKESMAN

MANILA — Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles has been eased out as spokesman of

the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases after

presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. and his team moved to centralize in

his office all data and information related to the governmentÂ’s efforts to

fight the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Roque confirmed the change in the governmentÂ’s communications strategy

during his virtual presser yesterday.

“There is a directive from the Office of the Executive Secretary that

information sharing will now be centralized through the Office of the

Presidential Spokesperson,” Roque said when asked if he is taking the lead

in the dissemination of information related to the COVID-19 efforts of the

government.

Roque confirmed the change in the governmentÂ’s communications strategy

during his virtual presser yesterday.

“There is a directive from the Office of the Executive Secretary that

information sharing will now be centralized through the Office of the

Presidential Spokesperson,” Roque said when asked if he is taking the lead

in the dissemination of information related to the COVID-19 efforts of the

government.

Apart from himself, Roque said Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire

has been authorized as spokesperson for COVID-19 related issues.

Roque did not say what prompted the sudden change of communication strategy.

AGENCIES TO PROPOSE TRANSPORTATION GUIDELINES FOR AFTER ECQ

The government's task force on the coronavirus disease 2019 has ordered

agencies to propose guidelines on the possible resumption of public

transportation in case the enhanced community quarantine is relaxed in some

areas.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque says the transportation, interior,

tourism and health departments and the quarantine bureau would study and

recommend protocols for air, land and sea travel subject to existing

measures on social distancing and isolation.

"So it will be a new norm. You may no longer have a seatmate in buses. No

one will stand in buses and even in queues, there should be social

distancing. But the president will still decide on this," Roque says.

SAMPALOC LOCKDOWN: 950 COPS, SOLDIERS DEPLOYED

MANILA — At least 950 policemen and soldiers were deployed yesterday to

enforce a 48-hour “hard lockdown” in Sampaloc, Manila where cases of the

coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) reached over 100.

The lockdown started at 8 p.m. last night and will last until 8 p.m.

tomorrow.

Sampaloc recorded the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the city at 106 as

of Wednesday.

Mayor Isko Moreno completed the distribution of food packs and financial

assistance to residents in 192 barangays in the district.

DUTERTE RAISES REWARD MONEY FOR COVID-19 VACCINE DISCOVERY TO P50 MILLION

MANILA- President Rodrigo Duterte raised Friday the reward money for the

discovery of a vaccine against the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to P50

million.

Duterte said the bounty could even go as high as P100 million if he becomes

"happy."

"I am raising the bounty to P50 million because it is a collegial thing," he

said in an address aired Friday.

"Baka sa ligaya ko, another P50 million, kung maligaya ako masyado," he

added.

The President initially offered up to P10 million in reward money to any

Filipino who can discover a vaccine against COVID-19.

The world has yet to find a vaccine and cure for the rapidly spreading

COVID-19 but there are drugs being tested worldwide as possible treatment

for the respiratory disease.

DICT TO CONVERT INTERNET CAFES INTO DIGITAL CLASSROOMS

MANILA — The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)

is looking at convertingc nationwide into digital workplaces and classrooms

as a result of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon and in parts of

the Visayas and Mindanao to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus

disease 2019 (COVID-19).

ICT Undersecretary Eliseo Rio Jr. said they expect the resurgence of

internet cafés in the post-lockdown scenario as a result of the protracted

lockdown when many employees and students resorted to working from home and

relied mostly on the internet.

“DICT under Secretary (Gregorio) Honasan has a program to come up with

digital classrooms, digital workplaces,” Rio told The STAR.

With the existing internet cafes in many barangays, Rio said these shops

could be tapped by the DICT to become digital workplaces and classrooms.

6 ABU SAYYAF KILLED, 8 SOLDIERS WOUNDED IN SULU CLASH

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Six Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed while eight soldiers

were wounded in an encounter in Patikul, Sulu on Wednesday night.

The military said soldiers of the 45th Infantry Battalion (IB) clashed with

an undetermined number of bandits in Barangay Latih at around 6 p.m.

Maj. Arvin John Encinas, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) spokesman,

said the bandits withdrew after about 35 minutes of gunfights.

Encinas said pursuing troops recovered the bodies of three of the

fatalities, who were identified as Guro Khalid, Udal Muhamadar Said and an

alias Budah.

“Based on reports, three more enemies were killed and many others were

wounded,” Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., Joint Task Force Sulu and 11th

Division commander, said citing intelligence reports.

The wounded soldiers were initially brought to a military hospital at Camp

Gen. Teodulfo Bautista in Barangay Bus-bus, Jolo. They were later

transferred to the Camp Navarro General Hospital.

Encinas said the bandits could be the same group that soldiers of the 21st

IB encountered on April 17.

MAKATI ADOPTS E-MONEY TRANSFER FOR CASH DISTRIBUTION

MANILA — Makati is set to release the second wave of financial assistance

for transport workers in the city using electronic money transfers to avoid

physical contact among the beneficiaries, Mayor Abby Binay announced

yesterday.

Binay said each beneficiary would receive P2,000 through the Makatizen card

and GCash.

Makati is the first local government to adopt contactless method in

disbursing cash aid to workers affected by the enhanced community

quarantine.

For drivers who are Makatizen cardholders, the cash grant will be credited

to their e-wallets. Those who have no Makatizen cards can receive the aid

through GCash.

Binay said a total of 8,376 registered jeepney, tricycle and pedicab drivers

would benefit from the assistance.

“They can also use the amount to buy food and other products, pay bills or

send money to relatives in the provinces through the GCash app,” Binay said.

DOH LAUNCHES KIRA, THE KONTRACOVID CHATBOT

The Department of Health on Thursday launched an automated chatbot that will

answer the publicÂ’s queries about the novel coronavirus.

Dubbed as the “friendly” KontraCOVID bot, KIRA (Knowledge Informs

Responsible Action) can help the public assess if they are at risk of

contracting COVID-19 and answer questions about COVID-19 and quarantine

guidelines.

BILIBID REPORTS FIRST COVID CASE

MANILA — The New Bilibid Prison (NBP) reported yesterday its first case of

the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19.

An inmate of the NBPÂ’s medium security compound tested positive for

COVID-19, according to the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).

The inmate was hospitalized at the NBP infirmary on April 17 after

manifesting symptoms of the virus.

The prisoner was transferred to the Research Institute for Tropical

Medicine, where he remains confined.

At least 40 inmates at the overcrowded Bilibid were placed under isolation,

the BuCor said.

BASILAN, SULU, TAWI-TAWI STILL COVID-FREE

MANILA — The island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi have not

recorded any coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case.

Saffrullah Dipatuan, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)

health minister, said no one among the 127 suspected COVID-19 patients in

the provinces tested positive for the virus as of Wednesday.

Two suspected COVID-19 patients in Sulu, who died recently, tested negative

for the virus, according to the Sulu Integrated Provincial Health Office.

Basilan listed eight suspected cases while Tawi-Tawi recorded six.

Dipatuan said the prompt action of an inter-agency task force on COVID-19 to

enforce physical distancing as well as distribute relief goods prevented

crowding in markets and other public places.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

'25 YEARS OF PURE JOY': GRETCHEN BARRETTO GREETS DAUGHTER DOMINIQUE ON HER

BIRTHDAY

MANILA – Gretchen Barretto took to social media to greet her only daughter

Dominique a happy birthday.

Even though they are currently miles apart, Barretto said Dominique manages

to be her source of pure joy for 25 years now.

Barretto then told her daughter the things she hopes they could do in the

years to come.

“Here’s to more tickle nights, singing, dancing, stage playing all our our

home & oh lots of drinking,” her unedited caption reads on Instagram.

To which, Dominique replied with a sweet but simple “I love you” to her mom.

Aside from Barretto, DominiqueÂ’s aunt Claudine also greeted her through an

Instagram post.

Sharing an old photo of them together, Claudine wrote: “Happy happy birthday

to my Big baby Dominique I luv u more than you’ll ever know.”

SPORTS

FOOTBALL: NO MATCHES WITH FANS UNTIL 2021 - MEDIAPRO CHIEF

Spectators are unlikely to be able to return to football stadiums until next

year at the earliest due to the continued threat of the novel coronavirus,

according to Jaume Roures, the head of Spanish media company Mediapro which

broadcasts La Liga.

Roures, whose company also manages the international broadcasting rights for

the Spanish top flight and broadcasts the Champions League, also predicts

the end of colossal transfer fees for players due to the pandemic.

All major sports competitions have been put on hold worldwide due to the

spread of the pandemic although some European soccer leagues such as

Germany's Bundesliga are planning to return to action, albeit in closed

stadiums, next month.

Spanish soccer stake holders are discussing how and when to start playing

matches again in a bid to complete the season and avoid potential losses of

one billion euros and their plans involve matches without spectators.

Roures believes supporters will not be able to return to stadiums for the

remainder of this year.

"It'll be at least a year before there's a vaccine and we can't put anyone

in danger before then, there's no way to have social distancing when you

have 20,000 people in a stadium," he told Spanish radio station Onda Cero on

Thursday.

"I'm saying that we won't be starting 2021 with fans in stadiums, unless the

scientists of the world can surprise everyone and come up with an accessible

vaccine before then, something which scientists say is not possible."

"Even if this season can be completed, the clubs are losing lots of money,

and they are going to continue losing it if we cannot have fans at stadiums

and there will be no money from tickets," Roures added.

"This means players will not earn as much and we're going to see the end of

these crazy transfer fees, they have already ended. And I think it's a

positive thing as we won't have directors throwing money around any more."

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 50.67

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Collective judgment of new ideas is so often wrong that it is arguable that

progress depends on individuals being free to back their own judgment

despite collective disapproval. - W.A. Lewis