By: Patrick Villalobos PRESIDENTIAL Adviser for Entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo Founder Joey Concepcion is supporting the breath testing for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) from an Israel-based tech-company to help detect infection across industries, especially in the tourism and smallscale business sectors badly hit by the pandemic.  This came few days after his exclusive meeting with… Read More Concepcion supports breath testing for Covid-19

The Government of Japan has delivered Avigan tablets for 100 patients to the  Department of Health on August 6 as part of its emergency grant aid to countries severely affected by COVID-19.  Japan-made anti-flu drug Avigan has drawn interest from many countries for its potential to prevent viral replication, even as its effectiveness against the… Read More For COVID-19 patients! Japan-made anti-flu drug Avigan arrives in the PH

The Social Security System (SSS) has so far approved P15.63 billion in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) calamity assistance loans as of July 28, 2020. SSS said another P190.02 million in unemployment insurance benefits (UIB) from July 1 to 27 this year, to tide over workers hit hard by the pandemic’s economic fallout.  The SSS said it has approved 14,186 applications for… Read More SSS approves P15.63 B calamity loans as of July this year

The government has ordered the temporary suspension of some businesses after Metro Manila and other nearby provinces placed again under Modified Community Quarantine from August 4 to 18 this yer. The DTI said the  sectors not allowed to conduct physical business under MECQ from August 4 to 18 include the following: Barbershops and salons Testing… Read More Govt temporary closes barbershops, salon and other businesses from Aug. 4-18

The World Bank has disbursed a total of $1.2 billion as of April this year  in concessional financing to the Philippines to support the government’s efforts in containing the spread of the coronavirus pandemic and providing emergency relief to families most affected by this unprecedented global health and economic crisis.   Since April 2020, the World Bank… Read More PH receives $1.2B loan from World Bank to fight COVID-19

The Department of Public Works and Highways said the construction of  the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge is on track to be completed by March next year despite the lockdown due to COVID-19.  According to DPWH, he Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge Project is now 56 percent completed while Binondo-Intramuros Bridge Project is now 36 percent completed. Pouring of foundation for… Read More DPWH sees completion of Binondo-Intramuros Bridge by March 2021

The Philippines is set to receive additional support from the Japanese government to help fight against COVID-19.  The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is giving laboratory equipment and supplies for use of the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM) and San Lazaro Hospital as virus cases rise.  The laboratory equipment and supplies will further boost… Read More PH to get additional support from Japanese gov’t to fight COVID-19

The Department of Finance is proposing to ban the unauthorized sale of liquor, cigarettes and other “sin” products in the electronic marketplace to ensure that these vice-inducing goods are no longer accessible to minors.  Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III  issued the statement after finding out that digital commerce platforms such as Lazada are selling popular… Read More Gov’t to ban unauthorized sale of liquor, cigarettes via online

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) is supporting the  move of the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) of the Philippines to explore digital platforms in allowing investors to access investments in retail treasury bonds (RTB). “The launch of BONDS.PH app comes at a very opportune time. When the country is in most need of financing, this… Read More NEDA supports digital platforms to invest in retail bonds

By Patrick Villalobos, Contributor AS the country reels from the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) crisis, mass testing is key to maintain the health situation under control and expedite economic recovery, according to an economist. “Test, test, test, and isolate is the only way to save the jobs and livelihoods of our Filipino people,” Presidential Adviser… Read More Mass testing needed to defeat virus—Concepcion