JUST IN: The DFA 'strongly deplores' the Chinese Embassy's statement on Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana's call for Chinese vessels to leave Julian Felipe reef, saying it contained 'blatant falsehoods' | @TristanNodalo
DFA: The Chinese Embassy statement contained blatant falsehoods such as claims of adverse weather conditions when there were none and the supposed non-existence of maritime militia vessels | @TristanNodalo
@TristanNodalo DFA rejects China's assertion that Julian Felipe Reef and its waters are their 'traditional fishing grounds.' Tradition yields to law whether or not it is regarded as traditional fishing | @TristanNodalo
@TristanNodalo DFA: For every day of delay, the Republic of the Philippines will lodge a diplomatic protest | @TristanNodalo
DFA also denounces the Chinese Embassy for calling Defense Sec. Lorenzana's statement ‘unprofessional,’ and warns them that they are guests in PH | @TristanNodalo
JUST IN: DFA says it will file diplomatic protests for each day Chinese vessels suspected to be maritime militia refuse to leave Philippine waters. bit.ly/2PrnB0v
BREAKING: The country’s COVID-19 tally hits 803,398 with 8,355 more infected, the DOH reports. Of the total, 143,726 are active cases.
Recoveries grow to 646,237 with another 145 confirmed, while 10 new fatalities raise the death toll to 13,435.
The DOH says three testing laboratories failed to submit their reports on time and were not yet included in the latest count.
The DOH earlier warned that the country may see an 'artificial' decline in new COVID-19 cases in the next few days because dozens of testing laboratories halted operations during the Holy Week. bit.ly/31JYCIf
DSWD Spokesperson Dir. Irene Dumlao on cash aid: Ang priority na mabibigyan ng financial aid ay mga beneficiaries ng social amelioration program under Bayanihan 1 and 2, at 'yung mga kabilang sa mga vulnerable sector na namumuhay mag-isa, persons with disabilities, solo parents
DSWD: Itong listahan na binahagi sa mga LGUs ay pwedeng maging basehan sa pagtukoy ng mga mabibigyan ng financial assistance bit.ly/3rQANJo
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire says there is no shortage of oxygen tanks in hospitals
DOH Usec. Vergeire says COVID-19 testing increased in March by as much as 63% compared to February, adds this will go up further with the use of antigen test kits
• 12,000 cases a day expected in the coming weeks, OCTA Research says
• More healthcare workers to be sent to Metro Manila
• Can gov't still afford more cash aid for those affected by ECQ?
What were the factors that led to an ECQ extension in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal?
Roque: Attack rates and healthcare capacity are at critical levels bit.ly/3cNRDUJ
The NCR Plus bubble could return to a more relaxed MECQ if PDITR strategy works, Roque says.
PDITR stands for Prevent, Detect, Isolate, Treat, and Reintegrate. bit.ly/3mjpGY2