(File photo) MANILA - Metro Manila, along with 47 other areas in several parts of the country, will remain under Alert Level 1 until March 31, Malacanang said on Tuesday. This, after the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) approved the new alert level classifications in the country, acting Presidential Spokesperson and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said in a press statement. "The Inter-Agency Task Force on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, placed the National Capital Region, along with 47 other areas, under Alert Level 1, effective March 16, 2022 until March 31, 2022," Andanar said. Only Metro Manila and 39 other areas have been placed under the most lenient Alert Level 1 for the first half of March. The provinces of Nueva Ecija, Zambales, and Batangas, as well as the cities of Lucena, Cebu, Ormoc, Tacloban, and Butuan have been added to the roster of places in the country where Alert Level 1 will be implemented from March 16
(File photo) MANILA - Malacanang is expecting an additional PHP9.4 billion worth of economic activity following the de-escalation of the National Capital Region (NCR) and 38 other areas to lowest Covid-19 Alert Level 1 and some areas to less restrictive Alert Level 2 from Level 3. "Ang expectations po natin na additional is (our expectations is additional) PHP9.4 billion worth in economic activity per week and 170,000 less unemployed individuals in the next three months kung tuluy-tuloy pa po itong pag-aalert level 1 natin (If Alert Level 1 continues)," Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, acting presidential spokesperson, said during the Palace press briefing. Nograles said National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Karl Chua will also be presenting the actual projected impact of easing restrictions. "Presumable during Talk to the People ay mapagbigyan din po siya ng pagkakataon na mas ma-project niya anuman ang magiging epekto nitong Alert Level 1 sa ati
PNP chief, Gen. Dionardo Carlos (2nd from left) and AFP chief, Gen. Andres Centino (right) (File photo) MANILA - Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos on Monday said he and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff, Gen. Andres Centino will look into apparent cases of escalating election-related violence in Mindanao. Speaking during the regular flag-raising ceremony in Camp Crame, Carlos said he earlier traveled to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and General Santos City due to reports of an "increase in the intense political rivalry incidents in one week". "Babalik po kami ni (AFP) chief of staff Centino sa (We will return to)BARMM, Caraga, in Soccksargen, because these are the areas where we find presence of threat groups and private armed groups. So that's a commitment based on my talks with Gen. Andres Centino, we want to make sure the elections are going to be peaceful," Carlos added. He also said
(PNA file photo) MANILA - Areas that will be downgraded to Alert Level 1 from March 1 to 15 should ensure the proper wearing of "well-fitted" face masks whether outdoors or indoors in private or public establishments and when taking public transportations by land, air, or sea. Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, also acting presidential spokesperson, said in a briefing on Monday that workplaces should ensure a safe environment now that 100-percent capacity is allowed. "Para magkaroon ng malusog at ligtas na workplace, kailangan maging aktibo ang health officers (To have healthy and safe workplaces, health officers must be active)," he said. Face masks may be removed only when eating and drinking, participating in team and individual sports in venues where ventilation standards can be maintained, and when doing outdoor sports or exercise activities where physical distance can be maintained. There should be a contingency plan in workplaces and proper air exchange, accor
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez (File photo) MANILA - The maximum capacity of indoor venues for campaign sorties is still 70 percent even in areas placed under the lowest Alert Level 1 from March 1 to 15, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Monday. "There is nothing else to relax there except the number of people who can enter the venues. It maxes at 70 percent. We want to keep, still don't want to do 100 percent. Obviously, there is still a pandemic, only Level 1," Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in a virtual media briefing. On Sunday, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) said 39 areas, including the National Capital Region, will be placed under the most lenient Alert Level 1 classification for the first half of March. Under Alert Level 1, the IATF said there are no restrictions in terms of indoor and outdoor capacities. Everyone can undertake intrazonal and interzonal travel without regard to age and