CHINA REPORTS ZERO NEW DOMESTIC VIRUS CASES FOR 1ST TIMEBEIJING - China on Thursday marked a major milestone in its battle againstthe coronavirus pandemic as it recorded zero domestic infections for thefirst time since the outbreak emerged, but a spike in imported casesthreatened its progress.The stark reversal comes as nations across the world have shut down in adesperate effort to contain the pandemic, with more people now infected andhaving died abroad than in China.There were no new cases in Wuhan -- the central city where the virus firstemerged in December -- for the first time since authorities startedpublishing figures in January, according to the National Health Commission.Wuhan and its 11 million people were placed under strict quarantine on Jan.23, with more than 40 million other people in the rest of Hubei provinceentering lockdown in the following days.The rest of China also enacted tough measures to limit public gatherings.There were 8 more deaths in China -- all in Hubei -- raising the nationwidetotal to 3,245, according to the commission.There have been nearly 81,000 infections in China but only 7,263 peopleremain sick with the COVID-19 disease.The global number has shot past 200,000, with more than 8,700 deaths.On Wednesday, Hubei authorities announced they were partially opening itsborders to allow healthy people from low-risk areas to leave the province ifthey have jobs or residences elsewhere. This also excludes Wuhan.Life has slowly started to return to normal in the rest of the country, withpeople back at work, factories up and running, and schools in some regionsresuming or preparing to go back to class.DOF: DEADLINE OF FILING OF TAX RETURNS MOVED TO MAY 15MANILA - Filing of tax returns has been moved to May 15 from April 15, asrelief for tax payers who were unable to prepare for filing amid thelockdown in Luzon, the Department of Finance said.In a statement Thursday, DOF said the Bureau of Internal Revenue "hasextended the deadline for the filing of 2019 annual Income Tax Returns by amonth to May 15, 2020."The Finance department however urged those who are ready to file their ITRsbefore April 15 to do so "in order to help the Duterte administration raiseenough funds for the scaled-up national efforts to slow the spread of thenovel coronovirus [disease] known as COVID-19."President Rodrigo Duterte placed all of Luzon under enhanced communityquarantine from March 17 until April 12 and ordered restricted movementoutside each homes.Mass transportation has likewise been suspended.DOF said BIR Commissioner Caesar Dulay signed Revenue Memorandum Circulardated March 18 granting the one-month extension for income tax filing andpayments "without the imposition of penalties to taxpayers."PHILIPPINES MAY CHANGE COVID-19 TESTING RULES WITH MORE KITS COMING: PALACEMANILA - Authorities might change protocols on testing for the novelcoronavirus with the expected arrival of additional screening kits,Malacanang said Thursday.The Philippines currently has some 1,000 COVID-19 testing kits reserved forpatients under monitoring who are showing symptoms of the disease, saidCabinet Secretary Carlo Nograles.Manila expects to get a "considerable" number of additional kits, bothdonated and purchased, he said."With more kits coming, then perhaps there is a chance that we will beupdating the protocols," Nograles told reporters."We leave it to the DOH kung ano iyong pinakamagandang procedure na gagawinto all of those testing kits that we expect to come," he said.COVID-19 test kits by the University of the Philippines are expected to beavailable in 2 to 3 weeks, according to one of its developers, scientistRaul Destura.China will donate 100,000 test kits to the Philippines, Foreign AffairsSecretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. said Wednesday. China's Alibaba founder JackMa will also give Manila 50,000 kits, according to Sen. Manny Pacquiao.PHILIPPINE SHARES DIVE AT RESUMPTION OF TRADING, AS COVID-19 RATTLES WORLDMARKETSMANILA -- Philippine shares fell on the resumption of trading Thursday,tracking the decline in world markets as policy action to fight the COVID-19pandemic's impact on the global economy failed to halt the running selloff.Trading was halted shortly after the Philippine Stock Exchange reopened at9:30 a.m. after the main index breached the 10-percent decline required totrigger a "circuit breaker."At 10 a.m., the PSE Index or PSEi was down nearly 18 percent to 4,378.72.The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' Monetary Board will meet later Thursday andGovernor Benjamin Diokno is expected to deliver at least a 25-basis pointcut in the benchmark interest rate.The decline was expected according to PSE President Ramon Monzon, who toldANC's Market Edge that talks with the Securities and Exchange Commissionwere ongoing to institute a series of circuit breakers and other measures toaid the market.Trading was suspended for 2 days as the Philippines was placed under a stateof national calamity with Luzon island, home to half the population, underlockdown to stop the spread of COVID-19.The trading floor is closed and transactions are made remotely from Thursdayin support of the enhanced community quarantine that requires people to stayat home and limits transportation to essential goods and frontliners.QUEZON CITY 'HOT ZONES' DECLARED5 Manila barangays under tighter quarantineMANILA - The Quezon City government yesterday declared as "hot zones" thehouses of city residents found positive for the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) and placed them under full quarantine.Mayor Joy Belmonte said the residents in hot zones would not be allowed toleave their homes. Food and other essential supplies would simply bedelivered regularly at their doorsteps.A 500-meter radius, called "warm zones," will be established around thehouses with confirmed COVID-19 cases.Belmonte said residents in these "warm zones" would be under strictmonitoring and would have to go through thermal scans if they need to go outto buy basic commodities such as food and medicine.The local government placed Barangays Tandang Sora and Kalusugan under"heightened enhanced community quarantine" to prevent the spread of theviral respiratory disease to other villages.BEWARE OF ONLINE SCAMS DURING COVID-19 LOCKDOWN, PHILIPPINES URGES PUBLICMANILA -- The Department of Information and Communications Technology onThursday asked Filipinos to be mindful of their safety online, as theCOVID-19 lockdown requires them to stay at home for at least a month.Here is the full text from the DICT, which is in charge of the Philippines'communication infrastructure:1. Be wary of unverified and unproven COVID-19 websites or applications thatrequire you to give your personal data.These websites and applications might be used by online scammers or mightcontain viruses, malware, ransomware and other cyber threat intrusions.Cybercriminals will do anything to obtain personal information, especiallyyour financial and banking details. These could come disguised assolicitations or surveys about COVID-19, among others.Furthermore, unproven apps might give a false sense of security orinaccurately expose you to risk. Keep your data safe and use only trustedwebsites and applications2. Do not open messages or attachments from unknown sources.Be wary of emails/messages especially those concerning COVID-19. Take timeto review the authenticity of the email or message, and do not click on thelinks or attachments.3. Be wary of fake news. Review and confirm information/sources.Stay tuned in to trusted government and news sites or social media platformsfor real and updated information on COVID-19, and do not share unverifiedinformation about the situation as not to spread fake news that could incitemore panic among the people.If you have time to spare, help your friends by verifying the information orsources they share. Contact them directly to clarify whatever falsehood theyshared and share with them verified facts about the COVID-19.PHILIPPINES TO ENSURE 24/7 ENERGY SUPPLY, AS LOCKDOWN SEEN TO SLOW POWERPROJECTSMANILA - The Department of Energy said it was committed to providing "24/7"power, as the Luzon lockdown to stop the spread of COVID-19 threatened todelay some infrastructure investments.Some foreign contractors and workers were barred from traveling while delaysin the delivery of imported parts and equipment needed for energy facilitieswas observed, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said in a statement.While defeating the virus is the "primordial concern," Cusi said the DOE "iscommitted to fully coordinate and provide 24/7 energy services."Electricity demand dropped by around 30 percent due to the lockdown imposedby the government to contain the virus, he said.AID READY FOR MASS TRANSPORT DRIVERS IN CAINTA, RIZALMANILA - Tricycle, pedicab, jeepney and UV Express drivers in Cainta whoselivelihoods are affected by the suspension of mass transportation in Luzonwill soon receive help, Mayor Kit Nieto said.Nieto directed tricycle drivers to coordinate with their associationpresidents on Thursday and in the coming days."Sa kanila ko idadaan ang mga tulong para tukoy ang ma pamilyang apektado ngpagkakatigil ng inyong mga pasada," the mayor said in a Facebook post.The town mayor noted that there are more than 5,000 families that aredependent on drivers of tricycle in Cainta.Nieto also asked pedicab, jeepney and UV Express drivers in Cainta to "findways to reach the municipal office" or send him a message at 09175333121 forcoordination on how to receive the aid.He did not specify what form of aid will be given to the mass transportdrivers.Government workers meanwhile will receive their full salary.FOOD PACKS, MILK FOR CHILDREN, VITAMINS FOR THE ELDERLYDistribution of food packs for 6,000 individuals for 30 days, and of VitaminC for the elderly will continue. There will also be milk for childrenavailable in health centers, Nieto said.In an earlier post, Nieto said he will give food stubs to barangay captainswho will have the discretion to whom these will be given. The food packswill be delivered directly to the residences of the people.Those whose work has been suspended and with no means to buy food will beprioritized, he added.Misting and fumigation across Cainta will also continue.Nieto said he directed the police to implement a curfew from 8:00 p.m. to5:00 a.m. "Bawal muna ang tambay," he added.ISKO MORENO ORDERS HOTELS, MOTELS TO PROVIDE ROOMS FOR HEALTH WORKERSMANILA - Manila City Mayor Francisco Moreno Domagoso on Wednesday afternoonsigned an executive order calling for 531 hotel rooms to be opened forhealth workers.Executive Order No. 17, an order commandeering motels and hotels in the Cityof Manila as staging area of healthcare workers of the six city hospitals ofManila and other national government hospitals located within the City ofManila, was signed by the Manila mayor on Wednesday.This was in response to the suspension of mass transportation owing to thepresident's declaration of enhanced community quarantine on Monday night."Said suspension has made it difficult for the City of Manila's healthworkers as well as health workers of the national government to travel toand from their station of work in the City of Manila," the executive orderread.Julius Leonen, the city's public information chief, confirmed that thesewould be free of charge for health workers.According to Leonen, Sogo Hotel was set to provide 421 rooms, while Town andCountry and Eurotel would provide 60 and 50 rooms, respectively.The information chief also disclosed that Robinsons Malls, 168 Mall andSettimo Drago Ratto Properties Inc. have "answered the city government'sappeal to waive rental fees for their tenants."HOLY WEEK CELEBRATION SHIFTED ONLINE OVER COVID-19 THREATMANILA - The celebration of Holy Week and other church activities will beheld online, Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said Thursday asLuzon observes a region-wide lockdown due to the threat of the newcoronavirus (COVID-19).Mass services were earlier shifted online following government's ban on massgatherings in a bid to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which has killed 17people and infected 202 others in the Philippines.The Filipino faithful are urged to observe fasting and days of prayer everyFriday, Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said."Sana po ngayong nasa bahay tayo talagang nagsusumamo tayo sa Diyos," hetold radio DZMM."Kung anuman ang ating matitipid sa ating fasting, ibigay po natin angtulong sa mga nangangailangan, lalong-lalo na 'yung mga informal settlers,day-to-day lang na nagtatrabaho."Donations may be coursed through local parishes or Caritas Manila, Pabillosaid.The bishop also invited the laity to join in the praying of the rosaryworldwide at 9 p.m., as called for by Pope Francis."Sana makiisa tayo dito ngayon, nakikita natin na talaga ang hirap masugponito pero meron tayo isang nakakatanging tulong at yan ang divineintervention," he said.The Quiapo Church in Manila, meantime, remains open for individuals whowould like to pray and those who do not have any place to rest for thenight, according to its parochial vicar Fr. Douglas Badong."Binubuksan po pag walang misa para sa mga gustong magdasal nang personal attulugan sa gabi ng mga walang matuluyan," he said.FAST, STABLE INTERNET FOR 'MISSION CRITICAL' COMMUNICATIONS DURING LOCKDOWN:OFFICIALMANILA -- The Philippines will ensure steady internet connection for"mission critical" agencies during the coronavirus lockdown that has put astrain on data infrastructure, a Cabinet official said Thursday.Data connections could slow as people work and stream from homes since thelack of fiber to home connections shifts the burden to cell towers, saidDepartment of Information and Communications Technology Usec. Eliseo Rio."Sisikapin natin na yung talagang mission critical communications,tuloy-tuloy at mabilis pa din," Rio told DZMM. Government access could beseparated from public internet access of needed, he said.Globe Telecom and PLDT Inc said Wednesday they were working to ensure stabledata connections during the Luzon-wide lockdown, which is expected to lastuntil April 12."We are always monitoring the quality of service," Rio said.ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLEBELA PADILLA PREPARES TO SEND FOOD TO STREET VENDORS AFTER RAISING P3.3MMANILA - Bela Padilla said that the first three batches of food carepackages she is sending to street vendors who are struggling to feed theirfamilies because of the imposed lockdown due to the coronavirus (COVID-19)are set to be released this Wednesday.The actress shared that she has raised P3.3 million in three days with hercampaign, "Pagkain para sa Pinoy," which aims to feed "our favorite taho,dirty ice cream, and bananacue vendors" who won't be able to rely on theirnormal sources of income during the month-long quarantine period.She dedicated the whole of her Wednesday talking with local governmentunits, other celebrities, and fans who are willing to help her infacilitating the distribution of the packages.Padilla has already closed her fundraiser page, but she has been retweetingvarious other charity efforts for those people who still want to extend helpin any way they can.It was last Tuesday when the Metro Manila lockdown was "enhanced" to coverLuzon. This Wednesday, the number of confirmed cases in the country passedthe 200 mark.SPORTSNBA CHIEF DEFENDS LEAGUE OVER VIRUS TESTS FOR 'WEALTHY'LOS ANGELES -- NBA commissioner Adam Silver defended the league's swifttesting of players for the new coronavirus on Wednesday as the vast majorityof Americans face long waits to be tested for the disease.New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio slammed NBA teams for being able toaccess COVID-19 tests after it emerged four members of the Brooklyn Nets,including superstar Kevin Durant had tested positive.Several NBA teams including the Nets, Utah Jazz, Boston Celtics, TorontoRaptors and Los Angeles Lakers have been tested for the illness in privatefacilities despite shortages of testing kits."We wish them a speedy recovery," de Blasio said of the Nets players in apost on Twitter."But, with all due respect, an entire NBA team should NOT get tested forCOVID-19 while there are critically ill patients waiting to be tested."Tests should not be for the wealthy, but for the sick."In an interview with ESPN on Wednesday, Silver said a total of 8 NBA teamshad undergone tests.But while Silver acknowledged de Blasio's criticism, he defended thedecision to test players, saying the NBA was acting on advice of publichealth authorities."I of course understand his point in that it is unfortunate we are in thisposition that it's triage when it comes to testing, so the fundamental issueobviously is that there are insufficient tests," Silver said."I'd only say in the case of the NBA is that we've been following therecommendations of public health officials."US authorities have come under fire for lagging behind in deploying testkits, which health experts have said allowed the virus to spread beyond thecountry's ability to detect it.The NBA imposed an indefinite suspension on games after Jazz player RudyGobert tested positive for the coronavirus last week.Teammate Donovan Mitchell was also confirmed to have contracted the disease.Silver said the league had acted swiftly after the initial clusters ofpositive cases was confirmed.INDICATORSFOREX $1 = P 51.05THOUGHT FOR THE DAYThe more frugal I am forced to be the more resourceful I become. - JeffreyFry