This Week in Metro Manila (March 28 to April 3, 2020)

Get a comprehensive roundup of COVID-19 news in Metro Manila here.

By: Denisse Shawntel Tan | March 28, 2020

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Metro Manila, Safety measures, coronavirus, quarantine procedures

The dry season officially starts, and Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon are still under the enhanced community quarantine. President Rodrigo Duterte signed ‘Bayanihan to Heal as One Act of 2020’, granting him emergency powers. Meanwhile, safety measures are being implemented to lessen the risk of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Metro Manila. Free rides are also offered to medical frontliners and returning OFWs. Circulating fake news about the quarantine procedures is also debunked by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). Speaking of local governments, Mandaluyong, Las Piñas, and Muntinlupa all made stricter rules as the number of confirmed cases in the country increased.

Quarantine Updates

Duterte signs ‘Heal As One’ Act

President Rodrigo Duterte signed the ‘Bayanihan to Heal as One Act of 2020’ on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 [1]. The bill allows Duterte “exercise powers necessary and proper”to address the coronavirus outbreak in the country.

Under this act, cash aid would be given to low-income families and health workers will get a special risk allowance along with their regular hazard pay. In case health workers will get the virus, the expenses will be shouldered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). PhP100,000 will also be given to health workers who will contract the virus, and families of health personnel who die of COVID-19 while on duty will receive PhP1 million.

The emergency powers granted to the president are based on Article VI section 23 (2) of the constitution, which allows the president to exercise necessary powers during a national emergency. Before the bill was signed, lawmakers removed unconstitutional features in budgetary provisions and takeover of businesses. Extension of presidential special powers were also removed.

Spreading fake news is punishable under Bayanihan to Heal as One Act

According to the Section 6 of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, those who will spread fake news and information will be fined not less than PhP10,000 but not more than PhP1 million and will serve two months in prison [2]. This measure aims to lessen public panic and confusion often caused by false information.

IATF listed new additions to enhanced quarantine guidelines

The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) added new requirements and exemptions to the guidelines on the Luzon lockdown. For one, stranded OFWs in hotels, which ceased operations, will be accommodated. Issuance of visas to all foreign nationals and visa-free privileges has also been suspended—with the exemption of foreign spouses and children of Filipinos.

Foreign nationals with visas will not be allowed entry into the country. Exempted from this are accredited foreign government and international organization officials and their dependents, spouses and children of Filipino nationals that have remaining valid visas [3].

DILG debunks fake PNP infographic

DILG has debunked the circulating quarantine infographic that indicates a specific time for ‘travel ban’ during the enhanced community quarantine. DILG spokesman and undersecretary Jonathan Malaya also denied the age limit for those who will go out of their homes. The public is encouraged to be vigilant when it comes to sharing fake information and just follow what is mentioned in the existing guidelines [4].

Travel News

NAIA offers free hatid-sundo services to OFWs

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) returning to the country or leaving the country for work amidst the enhanced community quarantine can now use the ‘Hatid-Sundo’ service to and from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).The free ride service was established by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and has three routes: North Luzon, South Luzon, and NCR1. Trips will be 7:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 6:00 PM for each route [5]. For detailed routes, check OWWA’s website and Facebook page for complete details.

Free ride services for frontliners

Since public transportation is prohibited in Luzon, free ride services for frontliners are now being provided. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) created three new P2P service routes: PITX to Quezon City General Hospital via Makati/Pasig, PITX to San Lazaro/Chinese General Hospital via Manila Taft, and BFCT to San Lazaro Hospital via East Ave/E. Rodriguez Ave [6]. Each of these routes will pass various hospitals in Metro Manila, as listed below.

PITX to Quezon City General Hospital via Makati/Pasig
• Makati Medical Center
• St. Lukes Medical Center – BGC
• Rizal Medical Center
• The Medical City – Ortigas
• East Avenue Medical Center
• Philippine Heart Center
• Lung Center of the Philippines
• Quezon City General Hospital

PITX to San Lazaro/Chinese General Hospital via Manila Taft
• Pasay City General Hospital
• Adventist Medical Center Manila
• Philippine General Hospital
• Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center
• Manila Doctors Hospital
• University of Sto. Tomas Hospital
• San Lazaro Hospital
• Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center
• Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center

BFCT to San Lazaro Hospital via East Ave/E. Rodriguez Ave

• Quirino Memorial Medical Center
• East Avenue Medical Center
• Philippine Heart Center
• Lung Center of the Philippines
• Providence Hospital
• Capitol Medical Center
• St. Lukes Medical Center - East Ave.
• University of Sto. Tomas Hospital
• San Lazaro Hospital

Safety measures such as social distancing, regular disinfecting, and body temperature checks will be practiced daily.

The Manila government also deploys 189 units of e-trikes to ferry healthcare workers for free [7]. Units are distributed to the following hospitals:

• Gat Andres Hospital
• Ospital ng Tondo
• Justice Jose Abad Santos General Hospital
• Ospital ng Sampaloc
• Ospital ng Maynila
• Santa Ana Hospital

Flights moved to NAIA Terminal 1

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) announced that they will be streamlining all remaining flights and operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 starting March 28, 2020. The move is done as a measure to lessen the exposure of airport workers to COVID-19. Airlines that will operate from NAIA Terminal 1 are as follows:

• All Nippon Airways
• Asiana Airlines
• Cathay Pacific
• China Airlines
• Eva Air
• Gulf Air
• Hong Kong Air
• Japan Airlines
• Jeju Air
• Korean Airlines
• Qatar Airways
• Royal Brunei
• Singapore Airlines

Muntinlupa and Las Piñas are now under 24-hour curfew

Muntinlupa City Council passed City Ordinance 2020-074 last March 20. The ordinance imposes a 24-hour curfew in the city, since the previous 8:00PM to 5:00AM curfew was found not to be an effective deterrent for some residents [8]. Meanwhile, the Las Piñas City Government has also placed the entire city under the same 24-hour curfew to limit people’s movements.

In Muntinlupa, no person is allowed to go out under any circumstances except frontliners, essential providers, those who will buy basic commodities, safety personnel, and emergency cases. First offense violators will have their offenses recorded and their city-granted benefits will be revoked. Those who commit last offense will not be given any assistance or relief until the end of the quarantine period. Meanwhile in Las Piñas, only holders of quarantine passes are allowed to go out. Residents going out of the city for work must bring an ID or certificate of employment [9].

Mandaluyong strictly imposes no dine-ins, take outs, and drive-thrus

The Mandaluyong local government banned dine-ins, take outs, and drive-thrus in the area. Mayor Carmelita Abalos said penalties and jail time will be given to establishments that will violate the ban. Abalos furthers that only deliveries are allowed to operate. The measure is to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as Mandaluyong City currently has 13 confirmed cases as of writing [10].

Shopping News

Shoppers allowed to enter supermarkets without face masks

Cabinet secretary Karlo Nograles clarified that customers can still enter supermarkets without face masks. Nograles refutes claims that there is an order to deny entry to those who are not wearing protective gear against COVID-19. Supermarkets and groceries are only required to practice social distancing.

Angkas now offers food delivery

Angkas launched their own food delivery service last March 23. The motorcycle ride-sharing app’s food delivery service will have a delivery fee of PhP60 within the three -kilometer radius of the store. An additional PhP10 will be charged per kilometer for up to five kilometers. 100% of the delivery fees will go to the bikers.

To order, check Angkas’s list of partner restaurants, call the restaurant, pay for your food (cashless is encouraged), then provide needed contact info for the rider. The delivery fee should be in cash. No-contact delivery will also be implemented for safety.

Utilities News

Water and power meter reading suspended

Meralco and Manila Water both suspended their meter reading and bill activities due to the month-long Luzon quarantine. Customers with meters scheduled to be read from March 17 to April 14 will have their billing based on their average consumption for the last three months, Meralco said in their advisory. The difference in the estimated average and actual meter reading will be reflected on the next bill after the quarantine period. Manila Water and Maynilad will also base their bill reading on computed average consumption for the past three months [11]. Utilities companies like Meralco, Maynilad, and Manila Water have also extended their bill payments for 30 days.

Health News

The Medical City in Pasig City and St. Lukes in Quezon City and Bonifacio Global City have announced that they have reached their capacity to hold patients amidst the COVID-19 outbreak.

As of writing, The Medical City has 18 positive cases, 64 PUIs, and 137 healthcare workers admitted in the hospital. For St. Lukes, both hospitals are currently housing 48 confirmed cases, 139 PUIs and 592 frontline healthcare workers and staff currently on quarantine. Both hospitals encourage the public to practice preventive measures to lessen the spread of the virus. Makati Medical Center also announced on Tuesday, March 24, that the hospital reached its full capacity for COVID-19 cases and will no longer be accepting in the coming days.

TB patients can get month’s supply of medicines

In time for world TB day, the Department of Health (DOH) announced on their Facebook page that patients with tuberculosis can get a month’s worth supply of medicine during the Luzon enhanced community quarantine.

Global News

Tokyo 2020 Olympics postponed

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics has been postponed due to the worldwide COVID-19 outbreak. The event was supposed to begin on July 24, and it will be moved to a date in summer 2021 [12]. Japan currently has 1,277 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of writing.

Along with the Olympics, several sports events have been postponed due to the coronavirus. The NBA has already cancelled its season, Euro 2020 is postponed until summer 2021, and the first eight grand prix of Formula 1 season have also been delayed along with the Monaco Grand Prix.


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[1] https://bit.ly/2y9OtJb
[2] https://bit.ly/2QOxiUe
[3] https://bit.ly/3dwBIbL
[4] https://bit.ly/39lBp0c
[5] https://bit.ly/2JiUK7H
[6] https://bit.ly/3anLJGs
[7] https://bit.ly/2QQaEur
[8] https://bit.ly/39hOF5X
[9] https://bit.ly/2WJUlD8
[10] https://bit.ly/3dzkFpy
[11] https://bit.ly/2QQaIdF
[12] https://bit.ly/2UFsTnt

About Denisse Shawntel Tan

Denisse Tan is currently a work in progress: she’s an aspiring writer, artist, and fashion designer! She’s trying to figure out how to manage her time in achieving all of her goals while also taking in life as humanly possible. Aside from art, she’s a big fan of the color pink, disco music, Bratz dolls, and Genshin Impact. By age 35, she plans to travel to New York City 🗽.

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