Overall Situation
• On March 7, the Department of Health raised the COVID-19 Alert System Code to Code Red Sublevel 1.
• On March 8, with the recommendation of the DOH, the Office of the President declared a State of Public Health Emergency.
• On March 12, a Presidential Press Conference was conducted announcing the raising of the Philippines’ COVID-19 Alert Level System to Code Red Sublevel 2.
• On March 16, a Memorandum from the Executive Secretary was issued regarding Community Quarantine Over the Entire Luzon and Further Guidelines for the Management of the COVID-19 Situation.
• On March 16, the entire Philippines was placed under a State of Calamity.
• On March 25, a State of National Emergency was proclaimed, and President Duterte was granted Special Powers to resolve the COVID-19 outbreak.
Reports on Affected Populations
• As of April 1, 744 Patients Under Investigation (from the previous 657) are currently admitted in different facilities in Regions I, II, III, CALABARZON, V, VI, VII, VIII, X, XI, XII, CARAGA, CAR, and NCR.
• A total of 2,084 cases (from the previous 1.546) were confirmed in Regions I,II, III, CALABARZON, V, VI, VII, X, XI, CARAGA, CAR, and NCR. Of which, 88(from the previous 78) were reported dead and 49 (from the previous 42) have recovered.
• A total of 1,539 cities/municipalities in all regions declared suspension of classes.
• On March 17, a work from home arrangement was implemented in the government’s Executive branch, except PNP, AFP, PCG, and health and emergency frontline services, border control and other critical services, which shall ensure a skeletal work force.
• Work in all government offices were declared suspended on March 14 except for frontline services.
• Land, domestic air, and domestic sea travel to and from Metro Manila is suspended from March 15 to April 14 as declared by President Rodrigo Duterte during the Presidential Press Conference on March 12.
• The following areas were also declared under State of Calamity prior the declaration of the National State of Calamity:

REGION/PROVINCE/CITY/MUNICIPALITY DATE
REGION II
Isabela March 10
Region III
Balanga, Bataan March 17
Tarlac City March 16
Province of Pampanga March 16
Baler, Aurora March 18
MIMAROPA
Rizal, Palawan March 19
Culion, Palawan March 20
Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro Marcn 17
CAR
Ifugao March 17
Mt.Province March 17
NCR
Mandaluyong City March 15
Manila City March 12
Muntinlupa City March 16
Pasig City March 15
San Juan City March 15
Las Pinas City March 15
Malabon City March 15
Navotas City March 17
(Source: NDRRMC)

• 14.4 million non-regular workers and informal earners, or 3 out of 5 employed person in Luzon, are most at risk of lost wager and earnings due to the Luzon-wide lockdown. Many low-income Filipinos in poor-quality jobs or precarious work – or work that is insecure, low-paying, and lack benefits – face lost wages and earnings during the lockdown.
• There are already reports of workers faced with reduced work hours or forced leave due to limited operations of business establishments. Others, like small business owners and their employees have had significant loss of earnings due to the drop in customer traffic.
• Of the P27.1 billion spending plan for COVID-19 rolled out by the government, on P2 billion has been allotted as wage subsidy or financial support for displaced workers and P1.2 billion for social security unemployment benefits. Non-regular workers may not be able to avail of this cash assistance because of their irregular or informal status. (Source: IBON Foundation)
• The province of Davao Occidental is now the only province in the Davao region (Region 11) that remained free of COVID-19, even as neighboring provinces have recorded cases of outbreaks.
• The Lanao del Sur provincial government has deployed rolling stores and began distributing food packs to residents as part of its measures to stem the spread of COVID-19 in the province.
• Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana tested negative for COVID-19.
• Two days after Ilocos Norte Gov. Matthew Marcos Manotoc issued an executive order placing his province under total lockdown to prevent the intrusion of COVID-19, 2 of its PUIs were confirmed to have the dreaded disease.
• The Department of Health Region VI said that there were 4 new COVID-19 cases in Western Visayas, 2 of whom have died while the other 2 are in stable condition. This brings to 22 the COVID-19 cases in the region.
• Anticipating a rise in cases of COVID-19 in the country, the government is preparing several large venues and hotels to serve as quarantine areas.
• The DOH defended its purchase of personal protective equipment, saying it went through the mandated procurement process at the Department of Budget and Management.
• The Clark International Airport will suspend all its commercial flights beginning April 3.
• The government is preparing to carry out “massive testing” of PUMs and PUIs for COVID-19, as well as health workers on the front lines of battling the pandemic.
• Lifting the Luzon lockdown for the COVID-19 pandemic and implementing new, localized quarantine zones must be data-driven, said the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
• Health workers who are experiencing mild symptoms will now be tested for COVID-19.
• The Integrated Bar of the Philippines said that it will extend legal help to protect COVID-19 frontliners, especially those who are being discriminated against because of risks of exposure to the virus.
• A businessman clarified details of a video conference call between government officials and influential business personalities, saying that it was simply “an exchange of ideas” to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The National Bureau of Investigation is “investigating and filing charges” against local executives who do not follow the national guidelines on how to implement the Enhanced Community Quarantine or the effective lockdown of Luzon to contain the spread of COVID-19.
• The number of Filipinos abroad infected with COVID-19 grew to 368, with majority of new cases reported in the Asia Pacific region.
• With the country about to enter its3rd week under a state of calamity, 18 million low-income Filipino households will still have to wait for cash aid, as the government’s database remains pending.
Update from Regions (STPRC, PCDR, CORDIS, CPRS, CVDRC, and LCDE):
Province Confirmed Cases PUI PUM Death Implementation of ECQ
CALABARZON
Cavite 50 213 3,028 6 Bacoor – lockdown
Tagaytay – lockdown
Dasmarinas – lockdown
Indang – lockdown
Alfonso – lockdown
Gen. Trias – lockdown
Laguna 39 717 5,644 3 Binan – lockdown since March 23
Batangas 27 175 4,396 2 Quarantine since March 15
Rizal 63 1,113 3,401 8
Quezon 9 207 2
Subtotal 188 2,425 16,469 21
MIMAROPA
Mindoro Occidental 2 150 1,406 1
Mindoro Oriental 1 42 1,659 Community Quarantine since March 14
Marinduque 3 75 744
Romblon 1 100 1,680
Palawan 1 58 282 San Vicente – lockdown since March 21
Subtotal 8 425 5,771 1
Aklan 27 4,123
Antique 15 3,707
Capiz 16 3,347
Iloilo Province 32 6,968
Iloilo City 1 20 1,438
Subtotal 1 110 19,628
CAR 4
Western Visayas 16 31 1,970
Total 217 2,991 43,838 22

Status of RC’s Mobility
Impact of ECQ in operations
• The ECQ has greatly affected operations in all RCs because of restrictions on mass/community gatherings.
• In the case of CorDisRDS, all activities were suspended since March 16. Two of their staff are still in Kalinga and could not return to Baguio City because no public transportation is allowed.
• STPRC had to postpone relief delivery operations for Taal Volcano eruption survivors. Two of their staff in Mindoro Occidental who attended activities in NCR and CALABARZON were required to take self-quarantine for 14 days (March 8-23). Three of their staff are stranded in the office. Staff with asthma and other medical conditions were required to stay inside the office or at home.
• ICRED’s registered that it is impossible for their staff to hold meetings, even online. Only the Executive Director has stable internet connection.
• ABI’s staff were advised to stay in the office and do office-based tasks. Field work is suspended. Phone calls to check the status of projects are done.
• CREST’s staff who live in the outskirts of Metro Manila have limited mobility because of the lack of public transport. All staff are instructed to work from home. Beneficiaries of their projects were advised by local officials to stay at home, observe physical distancing, and refrain from going around the community and conducting any form of assembly.
• CVDRC’s office was closed since March 18. Implementation of projects were put to a halt. Staff are doing paper works at home. Communication is only through text messages and calls. All staff are immobilized by the lockdown.
Conduct of needs assessment
• Since almost all provinces are under ECQ, RCs cannot conduct needs assessment on the field.
• CorDisRDS , ABI, and CVDRC do needs assessment through phone communication with PO contact persons and leaders.
• STPRC gathers data thru texts and chats. They are a member of the research and monitoring group for COVID-19 in Southern Tagalog. Fedbacking is via chat. They gather data on medical situation, health workers and hospitals situation, water supply, support from the government, and human rights.
Vulnerable towns:
• Baguio City and Abra since they have confirmed cases
• Quezon, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Occidental, and Batangas since they have not fully recovered from Typhoons Tisoy and Ursula and the Taal Volcano eruption.
• Caba. La Union where are 2 positive cases. La Union (interior parts of San Fernando City, Bauang, Aringay, Caba, Agoo, Naguilian, and Bagulin); Ilocos Sur (Sinait, Cabugao, Magsingal, San Juan, Vigan, Santa, Candon, Narvacan, Sta. Maria, Sta. Lucia, Salcedo, Sta. Cruz, Tagudin, Suyo, Sigay); Ilocos Norte (Adams, Pagudpud, Vintar, Nieva Era, Dumalneg, Marcos, Piddig, Pinili, Batac, Currimao, Badoc, Laoag)
• Santiago City, Tumauini and Alicia in Isabela; Baggao, Amulung, and Tuguegarao City in Cagayan; Bayombong and Solano in Nueva Vizcaya
Operation of Local Markets
• Local markets are still operational.
• In Tabuk City, each family is allowed to purchase limited basic needs once a week. In Bontoc, Mt. Province, there is scheduled time for marketing per barangay. In Kalinga, there is decreasing supply because of the limitation in the movement of goods.
• In some places like San Fernando City and Bauang in La Union, there are satellite markets in barangays. Market schedules mechanisms were also installed. In some areas, local markets are only open 5 days a week to give way to disinfection. However, due to travel restrictions, people are forced to walk to the market places, pharmacies, banks, and remittance centers.
Remittance Centers and Banks
• Only some remittance centers and banks are open.
• In Southern Tagalog, BDO, Metrobank, and Palawan Pawnshop are closed. Banks in cities are open but not all branches. Only 1 branch of Palawan Pawnshop is open in Los Banos. Other banks like PNB and BPI are only open up to 1:00pm.
• In Ilocos, remittance centers and banks are open but are very far from their location.
Public Transport
• Public transport is not allowed.
• In Baguio City, in-city transportation is limited to 2-3 jeepneys but names of passengers are listed, physical distancing is observed, and fare increased.
• In Southern Tagalog, some LGUs provide free ride for people going to the market, but physical distancing is also observed.
• In Cagayan Valley, travel is next to impossible.
Handling of Authorities on Patients, PUIs, ad PUMs
Situation in Hospitals
• In Southern Tagalog, provincial and district hospitals are already congested even before the COVID-19 outbreak. PAMANA hospital in Calamba, Laguna had a dietary staff test positive for COVID-19 and was forced to close for 14 days. Majority of the hospitals are not capacitated due to lack of PPEs. There are reports that primary hospitals do not accept patients with COVID-19 symptoms (Ibaan, Batangas). There are no quarantine areas in municipalities and barangays. Not all towns have big drugstores, and residents of small towns are not allowed to enter other towns (San Juan and Lipa City in Batangas). There are also reports that patients for dialysis from Kalayaan town in Laguna were not allowed to pass thru checkpoints. There is also no transport for health workers.
• Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center refuses non-COVID-19 patients except those with special needs like chemotherapy and dialysis. There are 7 hospitals in the region which can cater COVID-19 cases but they are not considered referral hospitals. The nearest referral hospital is in Baguio City.
Assessment by Authorities
• Authorities are conducting assessments.
• In some areas, they have to resort to lockdown for contact tracing like in Nagbuyugan, San Fernando City and Mamat-ing Norte, Naguilian in La Union.
Awareness-raising Measures by Authorities
• Authorities are conducting awareness-raising/information dissemination measures.
• In CAR, IEC materials are given at every checkpoint, and updates are posted online.
• In Mindoro, information dissemination is thru radio and TV, while in Quezon, they are giving out flyers.
• In Ilocos, social media paged of government agencies and LGU are active in providing information on the situation of COVID-19 in their respective areas. However, no widespread information dissemination measures have been made on the ground level except for tarpaulins in local markets.
• In Eastern Visayas, the local authorities focus only on the dissemination of information about the curfew and other policies provided in the Executive Orders.
Disinformation about COVID-19
• There are some disinformation on COVID 19, like the extended lockdown, drinking alcohol as medicine, closure of markets and grocery stores, which resulted to crowded markets. Another disinformation is the virus being airborne.
Assistance Received from LGUs and CSOs
Assistance from LGUs
• The first batch of food packs were distributed in some areas of CAR.
• In Mindoro Occidental, barangays in San Jose, Magsaysay, Rizal, and Calintaan started relief delivery on March 30.
• In Ilocos, majority have not received ample amounts of relief from LGUs/agencies. DSWS RO1’s remaining food packs won’t cover the population and are almost expired. They are still waiting for food packs from the national office. In some areas, food packs were provided but not sufficient. In most areas, onlu 100 packs are given per barangay ranging from (2 sardines, 1 soap, 2 sachets 3-in-1 coffee) to (5 kilos rice, 4 sardines, 3 cans corned beef, 2 pcs noodles, 2 pcs soap, 3 sachets 3-in-1 coffee). Areas with reported relief distribution are – La Union: Naguilian, Agoo, Bauang, Sto. Tomas, Sudipen, San Fernando City; Ilocos Sur: Cabugao, Sinait, Vigan City; Ilocos Norte: Piddig, Laoag. In Naguilian, they are capable of providing relief goods for 100 pax per barangay for 3 weeks. In all reported cases of relief distribution, only indigent families are given food packs. In Guerrero, Bauang, La Union, their calamity fund is only P20,000.
• In Santiago City, the LGU gave 10kg rice to tricycle drivers.
• There are relief operations conducted by the LGU in Northern Samar. But some LGUs have not yet provided assistance to its people.
Social Welfare Programs
• Social welfare programs of DSWD are suspended in some areas.
• In San Narciso, Quezon, 4Ps payout only resumed on March 27, with only 80 persons per day allowed to get their money. Social pension distribution is also temporarily suspended in Cagayan Valley.
• In Ilocos, 4Ps programs are not suspended.
• In Western Visayas, all activities, including 4Ps payout, were suspended.
Assistance from CSOs
• The private sector and local organizations are providing assistance like face masks and improvised PPEs among health workers but these are not enough.
• In San Agustin, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, churches provided food packs for tricycle drivers. In Palawan, Happy Givers gave food packs (rice, canned goods, noodles, etc.) to stranded students in Palawan State University.
• Redemptorist Missionaries in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte provided free meals for frontliners in Laoag City General Hospital.
Vulnerable Groups
ECQ Situation of Vulnerable Groups
• Classes in all levels were suspended. At first, there were pre-arranged online quizzes among college students but was not sustained because many students do not have stable internet connection.
• In Batangas, classes only resumed on Fe. 3 in areas affected by the Taal Volcano eruption. Classes were again suspended due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
• The urban poor in Tacloban City are now suffering from hunger due to the lockdown which resulted to the closure of unessential establishments where many work in.
Food Security
Farming and Fishing Activities
• In CAR, farming activities were disrupted in the early days of the ECQ when they were required to get permit/pass. However, farming activities are now allowed.
• In Rizal, there reports that IPs cannot bring their produce to the market. Their produce are carried by jeepneys every 3 days while jeepney drivers take turns in getting the produce and selling it in the City. IPs are staying in their “kaingin” for fear of the virus. In Bacoor, Cavite, fisherfolks are not allowed to go to their mussel and oyster farm. In Mindoro Oriental, only those who own farms are able to continue farming. In Mindoro Occidental, fisherfolks are not allowed to go fishing. Even the “pangilaw” is not allowed.
• In Ilocos, farming and fishing are permitted in all areas. However, they are having problems selling their goods. In Agoo, La Union, they were not able to sell their products in Baguio City and nearby provinces due to the travel restriction. Their produce was not even sold in the public market due to limitations in public transport and decrease in sold commodities like fish in the public market. Those who were not able to secure permits in selling fish in their own barangay resorted to house-to-house selling. The same is true for tobacco farmers. They were told to sell their produce in their own barangays. However, tobacco leaves are not for consumption and trading centers are far from their barangays. Some tobacco farmers resorted to selling their produce secretly by carrying large quantity of their produce and walking to trading centers which are kilometres away from their homes. Communities are now in distress due to lack of food because of the hampered livelihood. There are reports that in some areas, people resorted to eating mango, bagoong, and vinegar with rice.
Price of basic commodities
• There is an increase in prices of basic commodities even if there is a price freeze due to the national state of calamity.
• In Agoo, La Union, half cavan of rice increased from P780-P830 to P930-P950. Vegetable prices have increased by P5-P10 per kilo.
• In Easter Visayas, prices of some agricultural products increased by 10%-20%.
Access to Food
• In Mindoro Occidental, farmers could not sell their farm produce outside their barangays. In Batangas, residents rent a tricycle to get to the market. Those who do not have enough money have to walk. In Lemery, they are only given window hours to buy food in the market. In one barangay, residents are only given an hour to go to the market despite its far location and only after a barangay certification is secured.
Sufficiency of LGU’s food assistance
• LGU’s food relief is not sufficient for one month.
• In Occidental Mindoro, PUMs in quarantine received 10 kilos of rice. Most residents received 2 kilos of rice.
• In San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, they were given 5 kilos rice, 6 pcs canned goods, and 6 sachets 3-in-1 coffee. In other municipalities, those who received relief packs were those who are near the highway. Those living in interior barangays may not receive goods especially the IPs who are afraid to go out.
• In Laguna, not all barangays received food packages.
• In Palawan, not all residents received relief goods.
• In Quezon, the relief distribution started on March 24 in 3 barangays in Sang Francisco, Quezon (2 kilos rice, coffee, 5 pcs canned goods). Relief distribution started on March 25 in San Narciso and march 27 in San Andres.
• In Ilocos, LGUs won’t be able to hold for more than 1 month. Small municipalities won’t be able to provide food for more than 3 weeks. Other necessities like face masks, disinfectant, alcohol and thermal scanners are all sold out since January.
• In Eastern Visayas, LGUs expressed that they don’t have enough funds to shoulder the food of the affected families for one month. They have already informed the national government but have not received any response.
WASH and Medical Assistance
Water Supply Interruption
• In areas affected by the Taal Volcano eruption, water is not yet potable.
• In Cagayan Valley, low water pressure is experienced.
Hygiene Kits
• In Brooke’s Point, Palawan, barangay officials created and distributed disinfectant solutions to residents due to lack of stock of alcohol and hand sanitizer. In other areas, no hygiene kits were provided.
Information campaign on COVID-19
• In CAR, there are IECs distributed and information is frequently posted online.
• In Ilocos, there are no reported cases of information campaigns except for social media posts of government agencies and LGUs, and posting of publication materials in public markets.
• In Santiago City, Isabela, there is a mobile barker that announces why there is a lockdown, and what to do to avoid infection.
Medical Assistance
• In La Union, a doctor launched an online consultation.
• In Cagayan Valley, medical consultations provided by the LGU is for free.
Areas Designated for Quarantine
• There are areas designated for quarantine in Baguio City.
• In Sofronio Espanola, Palawan, they identified classrooms that can be used as quarantine areas as a preventive measure. In Marinduque, they are preparing PTADC (Tamayo, Sta, Cruz) for possible use as Isolation Treatment Center.
• The rest of the RCs reported that there are no designated areas for quarantine.
Shelter/Displacement Incidents
Community Displacement
• There are still families in evacuation centers in areas affected by the Taal Volcano eruption – Laurel: 43 families, Talisay: 175 families
Temporary Shelter for Street Dwellers
• There are no reported cases of LGUs providing temporary shelter for street dwellers.
Livelihood
Main Source of Livelihood
• Most of the affected people are farmers, ambulant vendors, construction workers, and fisher folks.
• Majority of the people work in the informal sector.
Disruption of Livelihood
• In Silang, Cavite, only a few peasant families were given agricultural loans. Fisher folks are not allowed to go to their mussel and oyster farm in Bacoor. Since the Cavite LGU has no jurisdiction over the PEZA, some companies have gone on voluntary production shutdown. Exposure risk for workers as they travel to and fro is very high.
• In Mindoro Oriental, only those who own farms are able to continue farming. In Mindoro Occidental, farmers could not sell their farm produce outside their barangays.
• In Batangas, contractual workers are not sure if they will be given financial assistance package from DOLE or if they will be provided with free shuttle services with PPEs or will be terminated for being unable to report for work. A sugar mill in Nasugbu provided shuttle services only to regular employees.
• Daily wage earners or families of construction workers, drivers, and vendors are the most affected.
• Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises are also affected.
Alternative Sources of Income
• There are no alternative sources of income identified.
Negative Coping Mechanisms
• Most people turn to loan and mortgage. Incurring debts from individual usurers and micro-financing company are now common.
Protection Issues
Increase presence of uniformed personnel
• Military operations continue in all areas. People ask why operations continue after declaring ceasefire.
• ICRED’s staff, Marissa Pugyao, was visited by the military on March 15 and 16.
Curfew
• A curfew from 8:00pm to 5:00am is imposed.
Crime and Harassment Incidents
• On March 20, local officials in Sta. Cruz, Laguna put 5 youth who violated curfew in a dog cage. Another was arrested for spreading fake news in social media.
• In Baggao, the military did not allow a man who died in the city hospital to be buried in his hometown.
Emergency Response Efforts
• On March 12 and 13, CDRC conducted staff meeting to discuss initial response plans.
• On March 16, employees were advised to work from home.
• Regular publication of situational reports.
• Published statement on COVID-19
• Regular information sharing and awareness-raisin on social media platforms.
• Launched Call for Donation online.
• Efforts to raise funds continue.
• Regular updates to funding partners.
• Initial communication with partners (CARE Philippines and World Jewish Relief)
• Coordination with CREST.
• Acquired humanitarian pass from Quezon City
Resources Available
• Standby emergency funds
• Prepositioned goods at the CDRC warehouse
Expressed Needs
• For responders and front liners – N95 masks, latex gloves, personal protective equipment, alcohol, humanitarian pass, vehicles, medical support
• For families in need – food relief pack, hygiene and protection kit, vitamins
• For communities – disinfection tents, alternative livelihood
Coordination
• Citizens’ Disaster Response Network
Contacts
• Kim Augiline Leduna, Executive Director, (insert cellphone number), info@cdrc-phil.com
• Malen Serato, Field Operations Department, 0916-499-1410, fod@cdrc-phil.com
• Hanna Fiel, Research and Public Information Department, 0945-8355589, hanna.fiel.cdrc2019@gmail.com
• Cora Jazmines, Local Partnerships Department, 0928-182-4969, lpd@cdrc-phil.com