Life in the Time of COVID-19 

A FAQ for the rest of us 
 

Made by volunteer members of the Filipino Legal Community 

Ver.1 (15 March 2020)  

 

 
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Overview 
Life in the time of Covid-19 is uncertain, but hopefully the volunteers in this group can shed 
a little light on the murkier aspects of our new day-to-day brought about by the virus.  
Because, really, life does go on.  
A few things: 
1. As the situation is still fluid, with more information coming by the day, our hope is 
that this will be an e
​ volving ​document, and we will strive to release updates as new 
information or questions arrive. 
2. While we will bring the best of our knowledge and expertise to the answers given 
here, this document is meant to point the reader in the right direction, and i​ s in no 
way a substitute for actual legal advice.  
To start, here are a few useful resources: 
1. DOH COVID-19 Tracker - ​https://ncovtracker.doh.gov.ph/ 
2. Global COVID-19 Tracker - ​https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/ 
3. Various Government Issuances (will endeavor to update folder regularly)- 
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1dbRT4iMStLHFOtwuLiKtOfR3WpiwIetQ?usp=
sharing 
 
Please stay safe, everyone! 
- Your COVID-19 FAQ Project volunteers. 

FAQs on Freedom to Travel 

1. What does “Community Quarantine” mean?  
It is defined as follows: 
a. GENERAL COMMUNITY QUARANTINE - where movement of people shall be 
limited to accessing basic necessities and work; and uniformed personnel 
and quarantine officers shall be present at border points  
b. ENHANCED COMMUNITY QUARANTINE - where strict home quarantine shall 
be implemented in all households; transportation shall be suspended; 
provision for food and essential health services shall be regulated; and 
heightened presence of uniformed personnel to enforce quarantine 
procedures will be implemented. (​par. 3​, ​Memorandum from the Executive 
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Secretary re: Stringent Social Distancing Measures and Further Guidelines for the 
Management of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Situation [“SSDM”])  
2. Who determines whether an area is under General or Enhanced Community 
Quarantine? ​ - the LGU, taking into consideration the directives of the Department 
of Health (DOH) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) (​par. 
3, SSDM) 
3. Can I still go out?  
Yes, subject to certain restrictions. 
Mass gatherings are PROHIBITED. A mass gathering is a planned or spontaneous 
event where the number of people attending the event could strain the planning 
and response resources of the LGU where the event will be held. It includes movie 
screenings, concerts, sporting events and other entertainment activities, community 
assemblies and non-essential work related gatherings.  
Essential work-related​ meetings and religious activities may continue so long as 
strict social distancing is maintained. (​par. 2, SSDM) 
Mass public transport services, including the LRT, MRT and PNR shall continue to 
operate. (​par. 5., SSDM) 
4. What is Social Distancing? ​ - maintenance of a distance of at least one (1) meter 
radius between and among people attending events. (​ par. 2., SSDM) 
5. Can I leave town? Go abroad?  
a. DOMESTIC TRAVEL - Land, domestic air and domestic sea travel to and from 
the NCR shall be ​restricted​.Workers will be provisionally allowed to travel to 
and from the NRC, subject to review by the IATF; 
b. INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL - departing passengers shall be allowed transit 
through the NCR, provided proof of confirmed itinerary is presented, and 
provided further that there is no travel ban in place and that you can actually 
travel to your international destination (​ par. 7, SSDM) 
6. For those without a valid government-issued ID, how will they move around? 
A  certificate  of  employment  will  be  honored  by  the  authorities  to  prove  that  a 
person  has  the  right  to  travel  into  the  NCR  territories.  Proof  of  business  likewise 
may be accepted at checkpoints. (​par. 7, SSDM) 
7. What are the rules for those who have been identified as COVID-19 PUIs or 
PUMs? 
It  is  important  to  cooperate  fully  with  the  authorities.  Non-cooperation  of  persons 
or  entities  having  the  disease  or  affected  by  the  health  event  of  public  concern  is  a 
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prohibited  act  under  RA  11332  or  the  Mandatory  Reporting  of  Notifiable  Diseases 
and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act. Penalties include fines of Php20,000 
to Php50,000 and/or imprisonment of 1 to 6 months. Penalties include revocation or 
suspension  of  licenses,  civil  service  eligibility  by  the  PRC  for  any  medical 
professionals,  CSC  for  civil  servants.  Business  permits  and  license  to  operate  of the 
institution, agency, corporation, etc. shall be cancelled. (​Section 10, RA 11332​) 
 
8. What’s happening in Makati? 
As of this writing, Mayor Binay has issued Executive Order No. 20, which provides 
the following: 
a. Makati is on COMMUNITY QUARANTINE; 
b. The following are CLOSED: 
i. City run facilities, to wit:
1. University of Makati and its facilities,
2. Covered Courts,
3. Multi-purpose Halls,
4. Swimming Pools,
5. Public Schools and its facilities.
6. Barangay halls;
ii. Malls;
iii. Bars;
iv. Theatres;
v. Schools;
vi. Gyms, basketball courts, badminton courts and other similar
establishments.
c. The following will have LIMITED OPERATIONS
i. CITY HALL - open with skeletal force to continue to deliver vital and
essential services, however, access will be limited to enforce social
distancing.
ii. Ospital of Makati (Osmak), the Makati Health Department and the
Health Centers in various barangays, the Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Office (DRRMO), Public Safety Department (PSD),
Department of Environmental Services (DES) and Makati Action
Center (MAC) shall continue to operate and maintain the full
deployment of its personnel
iii. While the malls shall be closed, the following establishments in its
premises shall be allowed to remain open:
1. Groceries,
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2. Pharmacies,
3. 24/7 Convenience stores,
4. Hardware stores,
5. Health Clinics, diagnostic centers and laboratories, and
6. Restaurants with take-out or delivery services. Dine-in in such
restaurants will not be allowed.
iv. Restaurants outside of malls - delivery and take-out only
v. Hotels and the like can continue operating, but restaurants can only
serve their own guests
d. ENHANCED COMMUNITY QUARANTINE - implemented for persons
positive with Covid-19, PUIs and PUMs; if found within a condominium, the
entire condominium can be placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine.
e. CURFEW - from 8pm to 5am, from March 16 to April 14, 2020. Exempted
are:
i. Those working in businesses with a work schedule within the curfew
hours,
ii. health workers,
iii. authorized government officials,
iv. those traveling for medical or humanitarian reasons,
v. persons transiting to airport for travel abroad,
vi. persons providing basic services and public utilities,
vii. persons delivering food and medicines, and
viii. essential skeletal workforce of the City Government of Makati.

FAQs for Employers & Employees 

1. What are the options available for my business during this community 
quarantine?  
Given the limited mobility of employees, suppliers and customers, it is inevitable 
that business will suffer a loss in revenue. Hence, aside from outright termination of 
workers or total closure of establishments, the DOLE through Labor Advisories Nos. 
9 and 11, provided guidelines on opting for “flexible working arrangements” as a 
better alternative to the above choices.  
Link to DOLE Labor advisory for easy reference: 
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● Labor Advisory 09-20​ “Guidelines on the Implementation of Flexible Work 

Arrangements as Remedial Measure due to the Ongoing Outbreak of 
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) 
● Labor Advisory 11-20​ (page 2 ​here​) “Supplemental Guidelines Relative to 
Remedial Measures in View of the Ongoing Outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 
2019 (COVID-19) 
 
2. What are the “flexible working arrangements”? 
Flexible work arrangements, which are temporary in nature, refer to alternative 
arrangements or schedules other than the traditional or standard work hours, 
workdays, and workweek. 
It is one of the coping mechanisms and remedial measures in times of economic 
difficulties and national emergencies and is recognized as beneficial in terms of 
reducing business costs and saving jobs while maintaining competitiveness and 
productivity in industries. 
Examples are the ff:  
a. Telecommuting/work from home -​ work arrangement in which the employee 
works outside the office, often working from home 
b. Reduction of workdays or work hours -​ normal workhours or workdays are 
reduced i.e 4-day workweek 
c. Rotation of workers​ - employees are rotated or alternately provided work 
within the week i.e employees are split into 2 shifts. 1 shift works M-W-F, 
another shift works T-TH-S 
d. Implementation of forced leaves ​- employees are required to go on leave for 
several days or weeks utilizing their leave credits, if there are any 
 
3. Am I required to implement flexible working arrangements? What if my 
employees are demanding it? 
DOLE recommends and encourages the implementation of flexible working 
arrangements, but leaves it to the discretion of the employers whether to 
implement it or not. It is not demandable on the part of the employees. It is also not 
the responsibility of the employer to provide the tools with which the employees 
can work from home, e.g. strong internet connection, electricity, utilities, etc. 
However, while not mandatory, this is something for employers to consider in 
crafting their respective business continuity measures. 
 
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4. What is the process for going about and implementing flexible working 
arrangements?  
a. Employers and employees meet to explore adopting flexible working 
arrangements in order to cushion and mitigate the effect of the loss of 
income.  
b. Publish a copy of Labor Advisory No. 9, 2020 in a conspicuous location in the 
workplace 
c. Notify DOLE through the Regional/Provincial/Field Office which has 
jurisdiction over the workplace using the Establishment Report Form on 
COVID - 19 (“Report Form”) to the employers’ respective DOLE 
Regional/Provincial/Field Offices having jurisdiction over their businesses. 
d. For Flexible Work Arrangements, employers are required to submit to DOLE 
at least one (1) week prior to implementation. Given the current 
circumstances, we advise employers to still comply with the notification even 
if the arrangement has already been implemented or the one (1)-week notice 
proves to be too prejudicial, and likewise indicate in the Notice to DOLE the 
justifiable reason why the one (1)-week notice period cannot be complied 
with. 
 
5. What are the forms needed to file with DOLE?  
a. Fill out an E
​ stablishment Report ​(download ​here​) 
 
6. Do we need to pay employees if they are put on forced leave? 
a. No. Under the principle of no work, no pay. However, leaves of absences of 
employees during the community quarantine period shall be charged against 
the workers’ existing leave credits. The remaining unpaid leaves during the 
quarantine period may be covered and subject to conditions provided in the 
proposed COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program. As of this date, no 
details on this program have emerged. Note that in normal circumstances, a 
“forced leave” without pay is not generally allowed by the law, however, these 
are special circumstances and the DOLE expressly granted the same through 
their recent issuances. We encourage employers to exercise such discretion 
on the formulation and implementation of the arrangements, in utmost good 
faith, by taking into consideration the Guidelines’ purpose to mitigate the 
employees’ loss of income, as well. 
b. However, this does not prevent you from taking the initiative and paying your 
employees nonetheless. This finds basis under the principle of management 
prerogative which allows employers to implement rules and measures it 
deems appropriate for their teams.  
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7. Small business owner: Employees were advised not to come into work until 
after lockdown, but employees only have five days of sick leave, and SBO does 
not want to eat into their holiday leave. If SBO gives them half a month’s pay 
for the lockdown, will this be compliant with labor laws? 
The principle of “no work” “no pay” also applies. The half-month’s pay for the 
lockdown is in the nature of financial assistance that is provided by the SBO.   
 
8. How does this affect computation of 13th month pay? 
As of this writing, no rules are given out by DOLE for any adjustments, but it would 
be safe to assume that we follow the regular rules for now.   
9. NCR is now under quarantine. What if my employees live outside NCR. Will 
they be allowed to travel to and from home to work? 
Yes. The solution is to provide them with a Certificate of Employment which they can 
present at checkpoints. The certificate should show that the employee is living 
outside NCR but the workplace is within NCR. This should be supplemented by a 
Company ID which shows both workplace and residential addresses. Here is a 
suggested template ​on the Certificate of Employment with some tips on 
implementing it. 
10. Can an employee residing outside of Metro Manila come to work?  
Residents of nearby cities and/or municipalities outside of Metro Manila shall be 
allowed to report for work during the quarantine period, provided they present 
proof of employment AND residency in checkpoints, such as: 
i. Identification Card (ID) containing the Company’s address/place of work AND 
employee’s place of residence. (It has to be both); 
ii. Certification of Employment (“COE”) issued by the Company which shall state 
the place of work. 
 
11. Are freelance/self-employed workers covered by the curfew and community 
quarantine? What documents would you need to pass through checkpoints? -  
Proof of business likewise may be accepted at checkpoints. (​par. 7, SSDM) 
 
12. Are there cash loan facilities that can be availed of to tide employees over 
during this no-work, no-pay period? - P​ ag-IBIG Fund members who reside in areas 
declared under a state of calamity and are affected by such disasters can avail of the 
Pag-IBIG Fund Calamity Loan. The loan seeks to provide immediate financial assistance to 
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help members recover from the effects of such calamity. It comes at a low interest rate of 
5.95% per annum. The loan is payable within 24 months and has a deferred first payment. 
To date, only Quezon City and San Juan have declared state of calamity. 
https://www.pagibigfund.gov.ph/STL_MPL_Calamity.html#calamitylanding 

 
 
13. Are there available benefits for workers affected by Covid-induced layoffs and 
closures? - ​ SSS premium-paying members can avail of unemployment benefits 
equivalent to a half of their average monthly salary credit for a maximum of two 
months if they are displaced because of redundancy, installation of labor-saving 
devices, retrenchment, closure or cessation of operation, and disease or illness. 
They should have paid the requisite minimum number of monthly contributions for 
three years to qualify for this unemployment benefit, twelve of which should have 
been made in the last eighteen months. (Section  14-B, RA 11199; 
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1096455​;​https://www.dof.gov.ph/sss-ready-to-pay-
unemployment-benefits-of-workers-affected-by-covid-induced-firm-layoffs-closures​) 

FAQs on Business 
1. Can I remain open for business?  
Manufacturing, Retail, Service Establishments are advised to remain in operation 
during the quarantine period provided that social distancing and other safety and 
health measures are strictly observed. 
The call to remain open is emphasized for businesses that provide ​essential services 
such as banks, grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants with online delivery service, 
and medical facilities.  
2. What is Force Majeure and how does this affect my contracts? 
"Force  Majeure",  also  known  as  "fortuitous  event"  or  "acts  of  God",  refers to events 
which  could  not  be  foreseen,  or which, though foreseen, were inevitable. (Civil Code 
Art 1174). The Covid 19 pandemic is an example of force majeure. 
The  general  rule  is  that  no  one  is  liable  on  a  contract  during  the  existence  of  force 
majeure.  If  because  of  force  majeure,  it  becomes  impossible  for  the  other  party  to 
comply  with  his  or  her  obligation  under  the  contract,  he  or  she  is  exempt  from 
liability.  (Civil  Code  1262)  This means that he or she is excused from performing the 
obligation under the contract, and would not have to pay damages. 
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There  are  exceptions  though,  such  as  when  the  law  or  a  provision  of  the  contract 
says  otherwise,  or  when  the  nature  of  the  obligation  requires  the  assumption  of 
risk. (Civil Code 1174) 
3. What are the examples of situations when the law makes a person liable even 
if there is force majeure? 
For  example,  if  the  person  who,  under  the  contract,  is  liable  to  deliver something is 
already  in  delay  even  before  the  fortuitous  event  occured,  he  or  she  is  still 
responsible  for  any  fortuitous  event  until he or she delivers. (Civil Code Art 1165) An 
example  of  this  is  if  you  were  supposed  to  deliver  something  prior to the COVID-19 
situation,  the  current  situation,  at  best,  will  only  exempt  you  from  liability  for  the 
current period, but you would still be liable for the previous delay. 
Furthermore,  the  person  must  not  be  guilty  of  negligence,  otherwise  he  or  she 
would  still  be  liable  even  if  there  is  force  majeure.  (Tan  Chiong  vs inchausti, 22 Phil. 
152) 
4. May we stipulate in the contract in advance that parties will be liable even if 
there is force majeure? 
In  advance,  yes.  Not  after  the  force  majeure  has  taken  place  unless  both  parties 
agree. 
5. So what does this all mean with respect to the contracts I have? 
At the end of the day, it means that both sides will need to be reasonable. This is a 
new situation and sitting down with the person on the other side of the contract to 
renegotiate is something that is encouraged.  
The general rule is that the force majeure event must ​actually ​prevent one or both 
parties from performing their side of the contract, whether partially or wholly. If this 
is not the case (ex. you can perform on the contract via the internet or without being 
hampered by the new regulations), then there is no force majeure to speak of and 
you would not be excused. COVID-19, in short, is not a get-out-of-jail free card to do 
work that you can (and should) do.  
6. What if my goods are in transit through Metro Manila i.e Business in Bulacan 
and Customer in Cavite? - T
​ he movement of cargoes to and from the NCR, on in 
such other places which may be the subject of a community quarantine, shall be 
unhampered​. This should then include cargo in transit through Metro Manila.  
 
7. Do I still need to continue paying mandatory SSS contributions during this 
period? - ​ If the self-employed member realizes no income in any given month, he 
shall not be required to pay contributions for that month. He may, however, be 
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allowed to continue paying contributions under the same rules and regulations 
applicable to a separate employee member. (Section 11-A, RA 11199) 

FAQs for Government Offices and Services 

1. What Government Offices will be open in the coming days and what services 
will they provide? 
 
OFFICE  OPERATING  SERVICES PROVIDED  SOURCE 
SCHEDULE 

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH 

Philippine Senate  March 16, 8am to  Senate is in recess  Senior Senate 
3pm  Staff member 

House of Representatives  Work suspended  Skeletal force in key  https://bit.ly/3

until 12 April  departments only  9RYSXV 

JUDICIARY 

Supreme Court of the  March 16 (Flexible  Skeletal force, but  https://bit.ly/2

Philippines  Work Arrangement)  “normal operation” is  WggZ5Y 
expected 

Courts w​ ithin ​the  Court hearings are  Judges on stand-by  https://twitter.

National Capital Judicial  suspended in all  to hear on urgent  com/SCPh_PIO
Region, including  first, second and  matters  /status/123841
collegiate courts  collegiate courts    517679941632
until March 18  These courts ​s​hall  0/photo/1​; 
  operate only with a  https://bit.ly/2I
  skeleton staff  ZL2ap 
effective from March   
15-April 12, 2020.  http://sc.judici
ary.gov.ph/110
12/ 

Courts o
​ utside t​ he  Fully operational by    https://twitter.
National Capital  March 19  com/SCPh_PIO
/status/123841
517679941632
0/photo/1 

EXECUTIVE BRANCH 

Securities and Exchange  March 16  No changes  https://bit.ly/3

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Commission  announced, so far  9RKUp7 

 

Philippine Competition  March 16 (skeletal  Expect limited  https://bit.ly/2

Commission  workforce)  services  xG3xOD 

Philippine Ports Authority  March 16  No changes   PPA HRMD 

Head Office  (skeletal workforce) 

Insurance Commission  Work suspended  Receiving only  https://bit.ly/2I

until 12 April 2020  PmlNH 

Land Registration  Skeletal workforce  Only electronic   

Authority  beginning March 16  transactions will be 
available; no public 
services except on 
exceptional 
circumstances 

Department of Foreign  Skeletal workforce  DFA branches   https://bit.ly/3

Affairs  from March 16 to  will operate on  cY6YjK 
April 14  shortened 
schedules; applicants 
with no u​ rgent need 
for consular services 
(including passport 
applications) are 
advised to defer 
their visits 

Intellectual Property  Work is suspended  Court hearings are  http://www.ipo

Office  from March 16 to  suspended; no  phil.gov.ph/ad
April 14, but a  receiving of  visories/?fbclid
skeletal workforce  documents -  =IwAR3rk2kps
shall be maintained  deadlines (including  84RdXGDcXZ2
payments) falling  M-_DtiJ87lOrO
due from 16 March  V22J_VWjHL_y8
2020 to 14 April 2020  hC4A_nI_bW6v
may be filed on 15  U 
April 2020; no   
manual filing of 
applications but 
online filing may be 
made. 

Department of Labor and  Starting March 16,  Regular services  DOLE 

Employment  work schedule for  Administrative 
(Central/Regional/Field  all will be from  Order No. 99, 
 12 
 

Offices and Bureaus)   Monday to  Series of 2020; 

  Thursday, 7AM to  https://www.p
& DOLE Attached  7PM  na.gov.ph/artic
Agencies:  les/1096368 
Philippine Overseas 
Welfare Administration, 
Overseas Workers 
Welfare Administration, 
Professional Regulation 
Commission 

National Labor Relations  Work Suspended  1. SEnA Unit,  NLRC 

Commission   from March 15 to  Complaint Unit  COVID-19 
April 12  and Labor  Advisory No. 2. 
Arbiter’s offices 
shall be CLOSED; 
2. CAshier and 
Docket unit - 
Skeletal Work 
Force 
3. Docket shall only 
receive appeals 
and pleadings; 
4. All mandatory 
conciliation and 
mediation are 
considered 
TERMINATED and 
parties are 
mandated to 
FILE POSITION 
PAPERS one (1) 
month from the 
date of their 
scheduled 
conference; 
5. All other hearings, 
including SEnA 
conferences ,are 
reset one (1) 
month from date 
of scheduled 
hearing. 

Government Service  GSIS Head Office to  Options, without  https://web.fac

Insurance System  remain closed until  having to go to a GSIS  ebook.com/no
March 17, skeletal  branch:  tes/governme
workforce and WFH  nt-service-insu
arrangements   1. 905 GWAPS  rance-system/
 13 
 

machines installed  gsis-head-offic

nationwide.  e-to-remain-cl
Through GWAPS,  osed-until-tues
members can also 
day-17-march-
check their 
membership 
2020/2563671
records and their  687221355/ 
loan balances 
2. Access membership 
records via the 
Internet through 
the eGSISMO 
(Electronic GSIS 
Members Online). 
3. For inquiries about 
the latest GSIS 
programs, 
members and 
pensioners may visit 
the GSIS website 
(gsis.gov.ph) and 
GSIS Facebook 
account.  
4. Members and 
pensioners based in 
Metro Manila may 
also call the GSIS 
Hotline at (02) 
8847-47-47; 
1800-88474747 (for 
Globe and TM 
subscribers – free 
with minimum ₱8 
load); or 
1800-10-8474747 
(for Smart, TNT and 
Sun subscribers - ₱8 
per call) 

 
2. Will BIR adjust its deadlines? 
As of 15 March 2020, the BIR has not announced any reprieve from their deadlines - 
April 15 deadline for income tax return filing. However, “the government ​can allow 
amendment of returns without payment of interest, subject to certain conditions like no 
variance of more than 25 percent.” (​https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1096722​) 

 
3. Will the SEC be relaxing its reportorial requirements? 
 14 
 

While the Commission is finalizing measures to help companies with the Covid-19 
outbreak, the public is assured that the SEC will be extending the deadline for filing 
of the audited financial statements for 60 days. 
(​http://www.sec.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/2020PressRelease_SEC-finalizi
ng-measures-to-help-companies-cope-with-COVID-19-outbreak_.pdf​) 
 
However, under Section 17 of the Securities Regulation Code, all publicly listed 
companies are mandated to disclose, using PSE EDGE not later than 12 noon of 16 
March 2020, the following: risks and impact of COVID-19 on their business operation 
and all measures to mitigate the risks that it will undertake or has undertaken. 
http://www.sec.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/2020Notice_FilingOfCurrentRe
portSec17SRC.pdf 
 
4. Are the payments of utilities (water, electricity, etc) and bank amortizations 
suspended during this period? 
No announcement has been made on this matter.