Medical ‘brain drain’ comes back to haunt virus-stricken Philippines
WELLA, a 20-year-old fresh nursing graduate, chose to stay and work at a private hospital in Manila that’s caring for several of the more than 2,000 coronavirus-stricken patients in the country.
Banks ordered to give 30-day grace period for loans
THE government ordered all lenders to give a 30-day grace period for all loan payments that are falling due within the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) period.
Gradual lifting of ECQ eyed
THE LIFTING of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon in mid-April would be gradual, Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said on Wednesday.
PHL plans rice imports amid lockdown
THE government is planning to import 300,000 metric tons (MT) of rice to ensure there is enough domestic supply as Luzon remains under enhanced community quarantine.
Virus to cut Philippine growth — World Bank
THE Philippine economy is seen growing at a slower pace this year due to the fallout from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, and may even contract by as much as 0.5% if the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine will be extended, the World Bank said in a new report.
Inflation likely slowed in March as oil price plunges
THE overall rise in prices of widely used goods likely slowed in March, the central bank said on Tuesday, as oil prices plunged and food prices remained stable due to a price freeze amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak.
PHL airlines seek gov’t help to survive virus
LOCAL AIRLINES are appealing for government help, as the “catastrophic impact” of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic threatens their survival.
LGUs obtain more funds to fight virus
AT least P130 billion could be freed up from local government units’ (LGU) budgets to help them address the growing fallout from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) after the National Government allowed them to use their development funds.
Economy may shrink by as much as 1.9% — Nomura
THE Philippine economy may contract by as much as 1.9% this year if the Luzon-wide lockdown is expanded nationwide and lasts until May, according to a report by Nomura Global Research.
Big fund managers buy PHL stocks in ‘mega sale’
BIG Philippine money managers are cautiously plowing back money into the nation’s equities, seeing cheapened valuations as an opportunity they have been waiting for, although the market has yet to bottom out.
P31 billion allocated for food sufficiency measures
THE government is allocating P31 billion for measures that would ensure there is enough food supply during the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine.
PHL may go into recession — Diokno
THE Philippine economy could go into recession this year, central bank Governor Benjamin E. Diokno said on Sunday, as the coronavirus pandemic brings everything to a standstill.