Cases await local officials imposing strict travel requirements, DILG warns

Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said local government units that will make it harder for travelers to complete quarantine and obtain documents for their trip will be asked to explain their decision, or worse, they may face cases.

PH to continue AstraZeneca vaccine rollout as more nations probe blood clot reports

The Philippines will continue to include Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines in its nationwide inoculation drive even as more European nations pause its use as blood clot reports are being investigated.

OCTA pushes for ‘hard GCQ’ to prevent further surge in infections

An independent research group that has been studying the country’s coronavirus situation is recommending stricter mobility restrictions particularly for Metro Manila, saying compliance with minimum public health standards alone is no longer enough at this point due to the dramatic surge in COVID-19 cases.

COVID-19 pandemic pulls foreign direct investments down in 2020

Foreign direct investments dwindled to $6.5 billion in 2020, down by nearly 25% from the year prior, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reported. The full-year figure is 24.6% less than the $8.7 billion recorded in 2019.

4 NCR cities reimpose curfew hours amid rising COVID-19 cases in region

Four cities in Metro Manila — Caloocan, San Juan, and Muntinlupa, and Paranaque — have again adjusted their curfew hours amid the rising COVID-19 cases in the capital region. Exempted from the curfew are healthcare workers, uniformed personnel and other law enforcers, city government officials on duty, public utility vehicle drivers, delivery services, and individuals facing an emergency.

LIST: Areas under lockdown in Metro Manila

Some local governments in Metro Manila have imposed lockdowns in several areas to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the region. Here is a list of areas that have enforced strict movement restrictions as of Tuesday.

Retailers oppose lower investment ceiling

The country’s group of retailers continued to oppose a proposal seeking to lower the required minimum investment for foreign retailers as this may imperil the viability of local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME). Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) vice chairman Roberto Claudio said there is no need to bring down the minimum paid-up capital for foreign firms entering the country’s retail sector as it is already open to anyone that can meet the $2.5 million requirement.