Outline

Philippine Economy Amidst the Pandemic

Introduction:

Philippine Economic Decline.

It all started when two Chinese couples visited the Philippines, unknowingly
infected by Covid-19 during January 2020. Little did they know that it would
lead up to the rapid decline of the economic stability of our country.

Based on research from other mediums,the nominal GDP of services and goods produced
in the Philippines 2020, amounted to P17.9 trillion. 4.5 million Filipinos were made
jobless by the pandemic and its ensuing lockdown in 2020.

As the ‘Enhanced Community Quarantine’ issued on 17th of March, 2020, the recession of

the Philippines was truly noticeable and worsened during the second quarter, to be exact

on the 6th of August 2020. The Philippine Statistical Authority (PSA) has reported that this

was the lowest quarterly growth since 1981.

The second quarter decline was too high, and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the

Philippines dives into -16.5 percent. The Philippines is one of the worst GDP growth among

the ASEAN countries. It was much worse compared to the -0.7 percent of the first quarter.

Imports and Exports

No imports and exports are restricted, due to the high demand of health

supplies to address the COVID 19. All health emergencies are exempted from

taxes and fees by the Republic Act No. 11469 otherwise called “Bayanihan to

heal as One Act.”

All import requirements and application for medical supplies, equipment and protective
equipment are made simpler and sufficient.
The Highlights of the Philippine Export and Import (January 2020)

1. The external trade increases to 4.1 percent.

The country’s total external trades in goods as of January 2020 totaled to

15.08 Billion USD, which represents an increment of 4.1 percent from the

14.48 Billion USD during January 2019.

2. Exports have increased by 9.7 percent.

The total of January 2020 exports is 5.79 Billion USD, an increase from last

year's January of 5.28 Billion USD. This was due to the increase of export

sales of minerals.

3. Export of electronic products is one of the biggest at 55.9 percent of all exports.

The export of electronic products continues to be the top earning of the

Philippines with a total of 3.23 Billion USD.

4. Export of manufactured goods increased by 7.5 percent.

By major types of goods, export of manufactured goods accounted for 81.3

percent of the total exports of the country with a value of 4.70 Billion USD.

5. America is one of the highest contributors on the highest export values.

The Unites States of America compromised the highest export value of

941.73 million USD or a share of 16.3 percent total exports of January 2020.

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 6. Export to East countries accounts for 49.9 percent.

By economic bloc, 49.9 percent of the country’s merchandise exports in

January 2020 or 2.89 Billion USD went to East Asian countries.

7. Imports have been increased to 1.0 percent.

Total imported goods of January 2020 of 9.29 billion USD compared to the

9.20 billion USD of January 2019. The top 10 major imports are on mineral fuels,

lubricants, and related materials.

8. Import of electronic products account for 25.3 percent of the total imports.

Among the import groups, the imports are heavily counted in the electronic

products. It is valued at 2.35 Billion USD. This is the 25.3 percent of total

imports in the Philippines.

9. Import of raw materials and intermediate goods contracts by 3.7 percent.

By major type of goods, imports of raw materials and intermediate goods

totaled for the largest share of 37.8 percent to the total import value. It

dropped not that significantly from 3.65 Billion USD of January 2019 to 3.51

Billion USD of January 2020.

10. People’s Republic of China (PORC) has the highest import value.

The People’s Republic of China was the country’s biggest supplier of

imported goods with 25.5 percent of total imports as of January 2020.

11. Imports from East Asian countries comprise about 48.7 percent.

By economic bloc, East Asia was the biggest supplier of the country’s imports

in January 2020.

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Import and Export in the times of Covid-19
For as long as we lack the answers on how big the financial loss and how long the
pandemic will last, it will be impossible to fully gauge the impact of COVID-19 on the global
economy and international trade. Even though we initially expected the pandemic to have a
short-term impact on supply chains, we now understand that a prolonged deceleration in the
economy will result in more severe problems for the supply chains on the medium and long
terms in Asia and other regions. These interruptions in the supply chains have already
begun to appear in fronts other than health and medication and are expected to continue as
the effects of the pandemic are felt in an increasing number of countries.

Commercial and Financial Troubles Increased by the Coronavirus

So far, we can pinpoint four financial issues resulting from uncertainty, volatility, and flight of
capital, which have been intensified by the coronavirus pandemic:

● Stock Market Crash

● Currency Depreciation
● Oil Price Contraction
● Loss of Value of Gold
● International Trade and Manufacturing Weakening

This weakening of global trade is the result of these factors, mainly:

1. Reduced trading between exporters and importers.

2. Decline of the economy, which lowers the demand of goods in general.
3. Issues in the supply chain ranging from mid-chain manufacturers to finished-goods
manufacturers.

Keeping trade flowing requires cooperation and trust – for example, that the market
will supply essentials, that countries will not impose export restrictions,and that
imports do not pose health risks. This is a particular challenge at a time of trade
tensions, where the international trading system was already subject to an increased
number of new restrictions and distortions, from tariff that increases among major
traders, to significant government support in key sectors. Efforts at dialogue to
manage and prevent tensions through ongoing negotiations are now complicated by
mobility restrictions. But in the context of the severe economic strain from COVID-
19, it is more important than ever to avoid escalation of the current trade tensions.

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 The fact that COVID-19 is affecting international trade patterns should not surprise
anyone. But understanding exactly how requires looking into fine-grained data.

Let’s begin by looking at total monthly exports for the world’s largest export economies:
China, the US and Germany. China experienced a sharp fall in exports during February, but
recovered quickly and was back to normal by March. The US and Germany, however,
experienced a dip in exports in April, but did not recover quickly.

ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF THE PHILIPPINES

Only the following industries had a relatively positive outlook:

1. Agriculture, forestry and fishing (1.6%)

2. Information and communication (6.6 %)

3. Financial and Insurance activities (6.8%)

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4. Public administration and defense: Compulsory social activities (8.3%)

Only the government’s expenditure grew by 22.1% while the rest—household,

growth capital formation, imports and exports—fell.

Recession and Inflation

National Statistician Claire Dennis S. Mapa

said that 51.7% of food is considered in the

inflation in November 2020, due to not only

by COVID-19 but also

by the typhoons.
Mapa said, “Ang datos
natin ay nagpakita nga
na ang sources ng
pagtaas ng inflation ay talagang nasa food basket natin. [Our data
showed the sources of inflation are really in our food basket].
[These are] vegetables, meat, and fish so these are really
influenced by the supply and you have typhoons in November so it

affected these prices,” Mapa said in the press briefing on Friday.” After the downfall of

9.0% in the first quarter, 2020, The government hopes to rise up again in the

2nd Quarter. By financing transactions of the government from the

consumers and household markets.

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The Sector of primary sources for jobs may have 3.4 million, in addition between April and
July. The sector in Agriculture and Industry have 2.1 million to 2 million. Causing the rate of
job loss to have major downfall to 17.7% in April to 10.0% in July.

The inflation in the Philippines is 2.4% in 2020. While the oil price is stabilized during April of 2.2% and

2.4% . On the other hand the Philippine Gross Domestic Product

will grow at 2.0% in 2020 following through the enhanced

community quarantine. Household spending will remain flat as

unemployment levels are stuck to 5 million while inflation keeps

on going upward and the little power for purchasing is

disappearing slowly.

The Country’s Recession and Unemployment

Jeepney divers who lost their livelihoods begs for financial support due to the outbreak of
COVID 19 at Quezon City, Metro Manila. July 30, 2020.

Based on Philippine Statistics Authority the Philippines has recorded the

worst economic growth since 1981.

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PSA announced the decline of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 16.5% in the second quarter.
Thereby officially marking the start of the Recession or the general decline of the Economic
Stability of the country.

“This is the effect of the lockdown measures,” said by the government to prevent the

further outspread of the virus. By the end of June, the country’s financial losses had been

8.6 trillion pesos.

The Department of Labor and Employment announced that 2,068 companies

had been closed resulting in 69,000 workers to be unemployed amid the global

health crisis.

The First quarter of

Pandemic
Recession is seen lingering.
The First quarter struck the country into

a rapid decline from the (GDP) Gross

Domestic Product of 2020 which is 9.8% to 1.6% of 2021.

The first quarter of 2020, the beginning of the last decade towards the achievement of
Agenda 2030 including the SDGs, witnessed significant game-changing developments in the
Philippines and in the world. While the country office just began implementing its response
to the series of earthquakes in Mindanao, the Taal Volcano erupted in January 2020,
affecting nearly 460,000 people within 14-km radius from the island. In the same month,
the country announced its first case of COVID-19. As WHO declared the COVID-19 outbreak
a pandemic and as the number of confirmed cases in the Philippines quickly escalated
from just 3 cases on 01 March to 2,311 cases on 31 March 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte
declared a National State of Health Emergency and eventually called for an "Enhanced
Community Quarantine" in several areas across the country in March 2020, including Metro
Manila.

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) declined by 0.2% in the first quarter of 2020, the first
contraction since the fourth quarter of 1998. The main contributors to the decline were:

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Manufacturing; Transportation and Storage; and Accommodation and food service
activities. Among the major economic sectors, Agriculture, forestry, and fishing; and
Industry contracted by 0.4% and 3.0%, respectively. On the other hand, Services posted a
growth of 1.4% during the period. On the expenditure side, items that declined are: Gross
Capital Formation (GCF), 18.3%; Exports, 3.0%; and Imports, 9.0%. Meanwhile, Household
Final Consumption Expenditure (HFCE) and Government Final Consumption Expenditure
(GFCE) posted positive growths of 0.2% and 7.1%, respectively. In addition, Net Primary
Income (NPI) from the Rest of the World dropped by 4.4% resulting in the 0.6% contraction
in the Gross National Income. Estimates on the first quarter 2020 National Accounts of the
Philippines (NAP) are based on the 2018 base year following the recent revision and
rebasing of the NAP series.

Issues

Of the three months

anuary

The Taal Volcano begins to erupt, prompting PHILVOCS to

raise the alert level to 4 until January 26.

The Sandiganbayan has acquitted former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Alan Purisima
and ex-PNP Special Action Force chief Getulio Napeñas of graft and usurpation charges for
their involvement in the anti-terrorist operation that led to the deaths of 44 SAF commandos in
Mamasapano, Maguindanao on January 25, 2015

President Rodrigo Duterte signs Republic Act No. 11467, which hikes the excise taxes on

alcohol and imposes new duties on heated tobacco and vapor products effective January 1,

2020.

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The Sandiganbayan found former MRT General Manager Al Vitangcol III and PH Trams

incorporator Arturo Soriano, guilty of graft and violation of Procurement Law, for awarding

MRT3's maintenance contract to an unqualified joint venture, PH Trams and CB&T, in 2012

February

A state of calamity is declared by the provincial government of Davao Occidental, due to

the African Swine Fever outbreak, a first for the Davao Region.

The Philippines announced that it will terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement with the U.S.

The announcement is rescinded on June 1.

President Rodrigo Duterte signs Executive Order No. 104, or the Improving Access to

Healthcare Through the Regulation of Prices in the Retail of Drugs and Medicines, that

imposing a limit on the prices of several medicines and drugs.

The Senate public services committee begins its hearing on the issues surrounding the

franchise renewal of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation

March

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) confirms that suspected syndicates brought in an estimated

$370 million into the Philippines in December 2019, with the help of Armed Forces of the

Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP) and airport police escorts.

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Code Red Sublevel 2 was declared in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and issuing a

partial lockdown on Metro Manila to prevent a nationwide spread of the said disease.

Luzon is under enhanced community quarantine due to coronavirus pandemic in the

country as announced by the President in his evening address last March 16, 2020. This

expanded the community quarantine imposed in Metro Manila on March 15. Quarantine

measures in other parts of the country of varying levels were imposed as well in the

following months.

Second Quarter of Pandemic

End of the Growth

The growth of the GDP of the Philippines ended in

the second quarter of 2020 in the midst of Covid-

19.

The Philippine Statistics Authority released the data of the second quarter and it was one of

the darkest times of the Philippine economy. Dipping on the negative marks with 16.9

percent compared to the data of 2019 second quarter’s 5.4 percent.

The three major industries of the country had a slump on the services and industry while

agriculture is at a positive value with 1.6 percent compared to last year of the same quarter

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with 0.7 percent. Industry and services have dropped significantly at last year’s 2.5 and 7.5

percent to -22.9 and 15.8 of the 2020’s second quarter.

The main contributors of this drop

This was the manufacturing of -21.3 percent,

construction with -33.5 percent, and transport

and storage with -59.2 percent. Among the major

economic sectors only agriculture, forestry, and

fishing (AFF) increased to 1.6

The Philippines is in the "middle of the pack" when compared to countries with the same

credit rating, as the finance secretary pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic has driven

numerous economies into recession. So far, the country's second quarter slide is the worst

when compared to neighboring Indonesia’s -1.2 percent, Singapore’s -6.5 percent, and

Vietnam‘s 2.1 percent

The Recovery Plan

The economic team is anticipating the passage
of the ₱140-billion Bayanihan to Recover as
One Act, saying it will help boost economic
activity and provide help to the worst hit
sectors, which in turn should usher in a
rebound to growth come 2021. Bangko Sentral
ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said
separately that "the worst is behind us," with
economic performance seen to be better in the last two quarters of the year. The team
sees a recovery to a 6.5-7.5 growth for 2021 and 2022. For his part, the Bank of the
Philippine Islands lead economist Jun Neri said the country’s economy might have
already experienced its worst as it transitions to the new normal.

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Timeline of Covid-19 during Second Quarter

April

April 1

● Protesters demanding food aid were arrested by Quezon City police.

● President Duterte ordered soldiers to protect themselves from violent unruly
protesters and quarantine violators

April 3

● Three hundred eighty-five new cases were confirmed, thereby surpassing the 3,000
mark, bringing the COVID-19 cases in the Philippines to 3,018. Also recorded were
twenty-nine new deaths and one new recovery, bringing the death toll to 136 and
recovered patients to 52.

April 9

● Two hundred six new cases were confirmed on April 9, bringing the COVID-19 cases
in the country to 4,076. Twenty-one new deaths and twenty-eight new recoveries
were recorded, bringing the death toll to 203 and recovered patients to 124.
April 14
● Two hundred ninety-one new cases were confirmed on April 14, bringing the
COVID-19 cases in the country to 5,223. Twenty new deaths and fifty-three new
recoveries were recorded, bringing the death toll to 335 and recovered patients to
295.
● President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the Small Business Relief Program to help
some 1.6 million small businesses and their 3.4 million employees affected by the
implementation of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon and other areas
of the country
April 24
● During a press conference that was held at 8 am, Duterte announced another
extension for the enhanced community quarantine until May 15, 2020, but only for
selected provinces that are considered as high-risk areas. Other provinces will be
placed under general community quarantine effective May 1, 2020.
● Two hundred eleven new cases were confirmed on April 24, bringing the COVID-19
cases in the country to 7,172. Fifteen new deaths and forty new recoveries were
recorded, bringing the death toll to 477 and recovered patients to 762

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April 29
● Two hundred fifty-four new cases were confirmed on April 29, bringing the COVID-19
cases in the country to 8,212. Twenty-eight new deaths and forty-eight new recoveries
were recorded, bringing the death toll to 558 and recovered patients to 1,023.
April 30

● The Supreme Court has allowed reduced bail and release on own recognizance
as modes of release for indigent detainees during pandemic.
● President Duterte issued Executive Order No. 112, s. 2020 – placing ECQ in NCR,
Central Luzon (except Aurora), CALABARZON, Benguet, Pangasinan, Iloilo,
Cebu, Bacolod City, and Davao City; and GCQ for the rest of the country May 1–
15, 2020.

May
May 1
● The enhanced community quarantine has been replaced with the general community
quarantine in certain areas with lower risk of community transmission. Meanwhile,
high-risk areas such as Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Central Luzon (except Aurora), and
several other provinces are still under the enhanced community quarantine.
May 3
● Two hundred ninety-five new cases were confirmed on May 3, bringing the COVID-19
cases in the country to 9,223. Four new deaths and ninety new recoveries were
recorded, bringing the death toll to 607 and recovered patients to 1,214

May 6

● The country breached the 10,000-mark in its tally of COVID-19 cases with 320 fresh
cases recorded, bringing the total to 10,004.
● Twenty-one new deaths and ninety-eight new recoveries were recorded, bringing
the death toll to 658 and recovered patients to 1,506.

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 ● President Duterte signed Executive Order No. 114, s. 2020, institutionalizing and
creating a council for Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Program as a framework for
balanced regional development and as an aid to decongest cases in the NCR
May 31
● The Enhanced Community Quarantine in Luzon ends, as most localities downgrade to
either general community quarantine or modified general community quarantine.

June

June 1

● President Duterte downgraded NCR to GCQ together with Davao City, Cagayan
Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Pangasinan, and Albay from June 1–30,
2020.
● CAB ordered to cancel scheduled domestic flights including the sale of tickets
as IATF-EID is yet to approve proposed flight routes.
● Cavite lifted liquor ban while reiterating that consumption will only be allowed
inside individual homes as announced by Governor Jonvic Remulla

June 28
● WHO data reported that the Philippines has the fastest COVID-19 cases rise in Western
Pacific region.
June 29
● Cebu City became the new epicenter of the COVID-19 in the country with 4,562 cases
surpassing Quezon City with 3,161 and Manila with 2,290 cases
June 30
● St. Paul's Hospital in Ilo-Ilo City went on lockdown after six doctors tested positive for
the disease.

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Third Quarter of Pandemic
The performance of the Philippines is having a resurgence. From the -16.9 of the

2nd quarter. It has raised extravagantly to the -11.5 of the 3rd quarter. Having a +22.9 on

the growth of the GDP and a +21.1 on the GNI. Data provided by Philippine Statistics

Authority.

The highest income per GDP in 2020 is the agriculture department. Topping at 1.2 percent,

second will be the services at -10.6 and lastly industry at -17.2 percent. In contrast to the

third quarter of the last year, agriculture is 3.0, services is at 7.3, and the industry at 5.4

percent.

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Due to the lifting of some strains of the quarantine, the economy is getting opened once

more but with limited actions and movement. Still the unemployment of many Filipinos is a

huge slump to the country’s economic stance and the economy will be dependent on the

household consumption of every filipinos. The economy will be handicapped in the

remaining months ahead given the challenging market. Said Mapa

The Philippines was the biggest loser of the third quarter. On the other hand Vietnam had

resisted the downturn that posted 2.6 percent in the 3rd quarter. Singapore and Indonesia

had posted on a one digit drop of 7 percent and 3.49 percent.

According to the Philippine Statistical Authority (PSA) that the unemployment rate of the

Philippines is at a high stance at 17.7 percent of all Filipinos jobless. This is totaled to 7.25

million Filipinos. Also the labor force participation rate was at 55.6 percent. Approximately

41.02 million Filipinos out of 73.7 million of Filipinos aged 15 and above.

Timeline of covid-19 during Third Quarter

July

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July 3
● President Rodrigo Duterte signs the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (Republic Act No.
11479), a measure that giving the government more powers to act against persons
or groups falling under what critics say is a dangerous and vague definition of
terrorism.

July 8
● Pope Francis names former Manila Archbishop Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle as a
member of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, the Catholic Church's
central office on the promotion of understanding among religions.

July 10
● After 12 hearings which started last May 26, the House of Representatives, particularly on
the Committee on Legislative Franchises, voted 70–11 to deny the franchise application of
ABS-CBN.

July 17
● President Rodrigo Duterte signs Republic Act No. 11480, which allows the president to move
or reschedule the start of the school year in an event of a state of emergency or state of
calamity.

July 21
● Joel Apolinario, the founder of the Kapa Community Ministry International and 23 others
were arrested in Surigao del Sur.

July 23
● Four soldiers died and another was injured after a Philippine Air Force (PAF) helicopter
crashed while taking off at the Cauayan Air Station in Isabela.

July 27
● Dr. Roland Cortez, the chief of the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH), who was
criticized over its handling of COVID-19 cases in the said facility in April 2020, was shot dead
]
in Quezon City. On August 25, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) has filed murder
complaints against seven suspects who were allegedly involved in the killing of Dr. Cortez.

July 29
● The Department of Agriculture through the Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI) has
confirmed the detection of the avian influenza A(H5N6) virus in an egg-producing farm in
San Luis, Pampanga.

July 30

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 ● After 9 years of hiding, former Dinagat Islands congressman Ruben Ecleo Jr., who was
accused in the case of murder of Alona Bacolod-Ecleo in 2002 and anomalous 3
construction projects which undertaken between 1991 and 1994, during his term as mayor of
San Jose, Dinagat Islands, was arrested in San Fernando, Pampanga.
● Wesley Barayuga, the board secretary of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO),
was shot dead in Mandaluyong City.

August

August 4
● The Senate Committee of the Whole begins its hearing on the alleged irregularities and fresh
controversies surrounding the state-run Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).
On August 7, President Rodrigo Duterte formed a task force to investigate alleged corruption
at the said agency. On August 18, Ombudsman Samuel Martires issued a six-month long
preventive suspension against 13 PhilHealth officials. On August 24, PhilHealth senior vice
president for the legal sector Rodolfo del Rosario Jr. tendered his irrevocable resignation
from his post. On August 26, PhilHealth president and CEO Ricardo Morales resigned from
his post amid allegations of corruption plaguing the state insurer and his battle with
lymphoma. On August 31, President Rodrigo Duterte named former NBI chief Dante Gierran
as the new head of PhilHealth. On September 14, President Rodrigo Duterte approved the
recommendations of a task force to file criminal and administrative charges against Morales
and several other executives in connection with irregularities in the state insurer. On October
2, the inter-agency task force created to investigate alleged anomalies in the said agency
has filed criminal complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman against Morales and
several other agency officials over fund disbursements through the controversial Interim
Reimbursement Mechanism (IRM), a system where advance releases are made to hospitals
in case of unforeseen events. On October 8, PhilHealth announced that a total of 43 senior
officers have either tendered their courtesy resignation or retired from service.

August 6
● The government has formally launched the One Hospital Command system which aims to
improve the referral system and interoperability of public and private health care facilities
catering to COVID-19 patients in the country.

August 10
● Randall "Ka Randy" Echanis, the peasant activist and National Democratic Front of the
Philippines (NDFP) peace consultant, was killed in Quezon City.

August 13
● Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) leader Anduljihad "Idang" Susukan, was arrested in Davao City.
August 18
● A 6.6–magnitude earthquake hit the island of Masbate, leaving one person killed and injured
43 others.

August 24

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 ● At least 15 people were killed while 75 others were injured in twin explosions that ripped
through Jolo, Sulu.

August 25
● The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, chaired by Senator Richard J. Gordon, announced and
recommended the filing of criminal charges against former health secretary Janette Garin,
former budget Secretary Florencio Abad and former Philippine Health Insurance Corporation
(PhilHealth) president & CEO Alexander Padilla for allegedly diverting ₱10.6 billion of funds
to construct barangay health centers and procure dental trucks which supposedly had not
been utilized at all in December 2015.

August 26
● Former Davao del Norte Representative Antonio "Tonyboy" Floirendo Jr., has been
convicted of graft over the deal between his family-owned Tagum Agricultural Development
Co., Inc. and the Bureau of Corrections in 2003.

September
September 1
● The Senate Committee of the Whole, announced and recommended the filing of criminal
charges against former PhilHealth chief Ricardo Morales, Health Secretary Francisco Duque
III and several other officials over the alleged irregularities in the state health insurer.
● The Supreme Court (SC) has dismissed a petition of Citizens Urgent Response to End
COVID-19 (CURE COVID-19), that asking the tribunal to compel the government to conduct
proactive mass testing for COVID-19, efficient contact tracing and isolation, and effective
treatment of positive cases
● The Office of the Ombudsman has issued Memorandum Circular No. 1, that limited the
public access to Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) of government
officials, allowing release only for official investigations, by court order, or upon authority from
officials themselves.

September 3
● The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) begins its dumping of
powdery-white sand on the baywalk of Manila Bay as part of the rehabilitation program of the
said bay. The ₱389-million beautification project received criticism from the environmental
groups. On September 8, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia issued a cease and desist
order on two companies involved in the extraction and sale of the dolomite used in the said
beautification project.

September 7
● President Rodrigo Duterte has granted an absolute pardon to US Marine Lance Corporal
Joseph Scott Pemberton who was convicted of killing of transgender Filipino woman Jennifer
Laude in 2014. On September 13, the Bureau of Immigration has deported Pemberton from
the Philippines.

September 8

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 ● The Department of Agriculture (DA) has formally named Davao City, hometown of President
Rodrigo Duterte, as the Cacao Capital of the Philippines.

September 9
● The Supreme Court (SC) has unanimously denied the petition of Atty. Larry Gadon that
seeks to nullify the law that renamed the Manila International Airport as the Ninoy Aquino
International Airport.

September 11
● President Rodrigo Duterte has signed the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Republic Act
No. 11494), which provides a COVID-19 relief package worth ₱165.5 billion.

September 15
● The Supreme Court has rejected a request of Atty. Larry Gadon and the Office of the
Solicitor General to secure the statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) of SC
Associate Justice Marvic Leonen for a possible quo warranto petition.
● The Supreme Court has junked the plea for protective writs filed by Francis and Relissa
Lucena, the parents of Alicia Jasper Lucena, the alleged missing activist after it was found
out that she was not missing after all.

September 16
● Former Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio has joined Former Foreign
Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales in a
landmark case seeking to punish Chinese leader Xi Jinping over his country's destructive
activities in the South China Sea
● The European Parliament has adopted a resolution urging the Philippine government to drop
charges against Rappler chief Maria Ressa and renew the franchise of ABS-CBN
Broadcasting Corporation.
● Four personnel of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) were killed after a military helicopter
crashed in Lantawan, Basilan.

September 22
● The Sandiganbayan has upheld its December 2019 decision ordering associates of the late
dictator Ferdinand Marcos to return assets off their shares in Eastern Telecommunications
Philippines, Inc. (ETPI) to the Philippine government for being ill-gotten.

September 23
● Facebook has removed a network of fake accounts and pages allegedly linked to the
Philippine military and police due to coordinated inauthentic behavior (CIB), a violation of its
community standards.

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September 29
● The Taguig Regional Trial Court Branch 266 has convicted seven men of multiple murder
and multiple attempted murder over the deadly explosion at the Roxas Night Market in
Davao City in 2016.

September 30
● Voted 184–1–9, members of the House of Representatives have rejected House Speaker
Alan Peter Cayetano's offer of resignation in a swift move that came in the wake of reports
that his term-sharing agreement with Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco was to take effect
in October.
● The Supreme Court, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, has required the
Commission on Elections and the Office of the Solicitor General to comment on pending
issues in the election protest filed by defeated candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
against Vice President Leni Robredo.

Fourth Quarter of Pandemic

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Full year of Gross Domestic Product declines 9.5% and worst on record.

Economic planning secretary Karl Chua said, “ Private Consumptions remained weak.” And
restrictions reduced household spending to 2.2
billion pesos according to the government.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is likely

out of ammunition or investments to

provide, because of the policy rate of

2.0% amid the inflation continuing to

grow 2-4%, according to Nicholas

Mapa from ING Bank.

Among the major economic sectors,

Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing (AFF)
registered at -2.5 percent growth rate in the
fourth quarter of 2020. The services had
posted -8.4 percent and Industry is -9.9 percent respectively. The annual basis of the growth
rates are as said: The AFF sector at -0.2 percent, Services at -9.1 percent and lastly Industry
at -13.1.

The contractions of the Philippine Economy seems likely to improve in the fourth quarter of

2020, but the full year gross domestic product decline is expected to hit more than 9

percent caused by the pandemic and the typhoons.

“The 2021 budget is 4.5 trillion pesos though it is higher than the 2020 budget

but will not likely move any percent higher in the economy,” a word from the

government.

“This government made a difficult decision of imposing community quarantines as it put a

premium on saving lives and protecting communities” Chua said

“While beefing up our health capacity, this is not without consequence. Like any policy

decision that comes with trade-offs, this one came at a huge cost to the economy and the

people” he added

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In terms of per capita, the GDP fell to -10.7 percent during 2066 against the 4.5 percent in

2019. While the gross national income dropped to -12.7 percent compared to 3.7 percent of

the previous year.

The Philippines has allocated 73 billion pesos to the vaccines, as the DOF earlier said the

amount includes 40 billion pesos coming from multilateral agencies, 20 billion pesos from

domestic sources, and 13.2 billion pesos from bilateral agreements.

Monthly Issues of Fourth Quarter.

October 1-5
● Sandiganbayan, Valenzuela City Fire officials had ceased the fire on the Kentex

Factory, resulting in 72 people deceased. On the other hand at 5, online classes

have started in public schools.

October 12-23
● House of Representative leadership crisis, After Rep.. Lord Allan Jay Velasco declared

the election of Alan Peter Cayetano being “illegal”. It only ended when Rep. Velasco

announced his resignation.

● Typhoon Molave hits Bicol Region and Southern Luzon causing casualties worth 4

billion pesos.

● Super Typhoon Goni makes landfall on Catanduanes and it’s the strongest tropical

cyclone in 2020ehich hits wind record of 1=minute resulting to worth 17 billion

pesos of damage.

November 11-13
● Typhoon Vamco makes landfall on Patnanungan and General Nakar Burdeos, Luzon

causing casualties worth 20 billion pesos.

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 ● The overflowing of the Magat dam, releasing water to the Cagayan river, results in

some city flooding.

December 20-25
● Police officer Jonel Nuezca fatally shoots civilians Sonya Gregorio and her son, Frank, in
Paniqui,Tarlac causing renewed discussion over police brutality.
● December 25 – The Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) has formally declared the Communist
Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing New People’s Army (NPA) as terrorist
groups.

Philippines Before Pandemic

Taal Volcano Eruption

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Taal Volcano of the Philippines exploded on January 13,2020 with an alert level of 4 out of 5
lasting hours into a day. Causing giant clouds of ash causing volcanic lightning and lava
fountains kilometers higher than the empire state building. While it causes cracks on the
streets within 14 km. radius, government announced an evacuation immediately.

According to The Philippine National Disaster Risk Reduction and

Management Council (NDRRMC) 53,000 people stayed for many days in

evacuation.

According to The Philippine National Disaster Risk Reduction and

Management Council (NDRRMC) 53,000 people stayed for many days in

evacuation.

Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue(EDSA)

The symbol of the region’s traffic problems with 2-3 hours to get into Makati from Quezon
city. Not only is it a transportation problem but also a health problem as the vehicles emit
carbon dioxide, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and other particles and gases that give us lung
problems. RA 8749 of Clean Air act concluded 67 percent of 35,849 vehicles tested in 2018
failed their emission tests.

First Quarter Monthly Issues

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