More news about how the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines is being handled by the public and the government.
 |
| https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/04/18/opinion/columns/lessons-from-the-pandemic/2322940 |
I JUST attended the book launch of my childhood friend. The book is called “The Philippine Business and News: Lessons from the Pandemic,” written by my friend, the journalist Monsi Serrano.
Master painter Popoy Cusi made the book cover and the author’s portrait. His most recent work, “Palo Sebo,” was unveiled during the book launch.
Popoy told us during dinner that it took him six months to complete this wonderful work on the Filipino fiesta game. He also received the “Alab ng Likha: Parangal sa Pambansang Sining” during the book launch held at Hotel Okura Manila.
The award was given in recognition of Popoy Cusi’s outstanding achievements in the international arts, including his twice-earned distinction in “Who’s Who in International Art (Les Grands et Nouveaux Noms du Monde Artistique d’Aujourd’hui),” Switzerland. It was also given for his exceptional artistic contributions to the Embassy Night, through the creation of the official commemorative memorabilia artworks for the past three years. His works have elevated the event through creativity, cultural expression and Filipino artistic excellence. The award was handed out by the Swiss ambassador to the Philippines, Dr. Nicolas Brühl.
Serrano’s book is excellent reportage and commentary on what happened during the Covid-19 epidemic in the Philippines. It explores business, news, diplomacy and governance, offering a candid account of the Philippines’ real situation during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte. The book reveals uncomfortable truths that many supporters continue to ignore, even as the pandemic’s consequences linger. Part of the narrative comes from Serrano’s firsthand encounters with key figures, while tracking the country’s situation during the Duterte regime.
It was also reviewed by three ambassadors who gave it glowing recommendations for the readers. They included Franz Jessen, former European Union ambassador to the Philippines; Jaroslaw Roman Szczepankiewicz, former ambassador of Poland to the Philippines; and Anke Reiffenstuel, former ambassador of Germany to the Philippines.
Ambassador Jessen said that Monsi Serrano “provides a comprehensive overview of the numerous, often conflicting developments that the Philippines has experienced in recent years. The book is written with a deep love for the Philippines and its people, as well as a hopeful vision for the country to seize the opportunities that lie ahead...”
Ambassador Szczepankiewicz noted that the book “offers a candid and thoughtful examination of governance during the Covid-19 crisis under the Duterte administration. Through a careful blend of political, economic and social analysis, the book highlights the far-reaching consequences of leadership decisions and underscores the enduring importance of accountability, press freedom and ethical leadership.”
For his part, Ambassador Reiffenstuel said that the author “presents a clear and thoughtful account of the experiences of Filipinos during one of the most challenging periods in recent history. Serrano’s work is distinguished by integrity, analytical depth and a steadfast commitment to responsible journalism.”
The launch was held at the Yawaragi Restaurant of Hotel Okura Manila in the Newport Resorts complex. Conveniently located just across Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Hotel Okura is perfect for the harried traveler who wants well-appointed and luxurious rooms for their stay. The hotel prepared a grand buffet of well-loved Japanese food, so tasty that I went for seconds and thirds, and more... Lydia’s also sent a lechon (roasted pig) for those who hankered for the Filipino food beloved in celebrations and feasts.
Twenty current ambassadors attended the book launching, along with 34 representatives from different embassies. Among the speakers were the Norwegian ambassador, Christian Halaas Lyster, whom I had met twice at his official residence during the reception for two Norwegian writers who attended the Manila International Book Fair in 2024 and 2025.
Ambassador Lyster and his genial wife, Madame Catherine, welcomed the delegation of Filipino publishers, writers, artists and government officials led by National Book Development Board (NBDB) Chairman Dante Ang II and current NBDB Executive Director Charisse Tugade.
In his short speech, German Ambassador Dr. Andreas Michael Pfaffernoshnoscke was asked for more red carpets, and not red tape, for business to thrive further in the Philippines. The European Union head of delegation, Massimo Santoro, stressed the EU’s support for the Philippines, both in overcoming the pandemic and in maintaining a rules-based international order. He also voiced optimism about the ongoing negotiations for a free trade agreement between the EU and the Philippines, which he believes will jump-start job creation and economic growth. He also stressed the importance of the business sector in driving economic sustainability and digitalization, and thanked Monsi Serrano and others for their contributions.
Professor Dindo Manhit, the CEO and founder of the Stratbase Group, wrote an astute foreword. He said: “What makes this book special is how the author combines his personal experiences, professional knowledge and deep understanding of the Filipino spirit. He shares stories about the struggles that journalists, diplomats and business leaders faced during the pandemic. He also talks about how Filipino entrepreneurs showed resilience, how the media dealt with disinformation and how other countries supported the Philippines during tough times.”
Among these corporate angels who helped the country during the Covid-19 pandemic were the ALC Group, CDO Foodsphere, GCash, Lydia’s Lechon, Mekeni Food Corp., Meralco, San Miguel Corp., Grab and Hotel Okura.
Serrano’s book is available at the philbiznews.com website.
I have not read this book but it sounds like an interesting read. What does the author have to say about the economically devestating lockdowns? What does she have to say about Duterte and the Pharmally scandal?
High debt contracted during the pandemic continues to bind the Philippines.
 |
| https://www.socialnews.xyz/2026/04/18/high-debt-ties-philippines-hands-in-response-to-energy-crisis-imf/ |
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has called on the Philippines to adopt a more targeted fiscal response to its ongoing energy crisis, warning that limited budget buffers constrain the government's ability to provide broad economic support, especially to the vulnerable sectors, local media reported on Saturday.
According to local media reports on Saturday, Krishna Srinivasan, director of the IMF's Asia and Pacific Department, said at a press conference recently that rising public debt, now around 60 per cent of gross domestic product, up from 41.5 per cent before the COVID-19 pandemic, has reduced fiscal flexibility.
Srinivasan suggested that the Philippines should use the fiscal buffers efficiently, emphasising the need to prioritise aid for the most vulnerable sectors, reports Xinhua news agency.
He stressed the need for the Philippines and other import-dependent economies with limited oil and gas reserves to carefully manage resources amid global fuel volatility.
In its latest World Economic Outlook, the IMF downgraded its 2026 growth forecast for the Philippines to 4.1 per cent, sharply lower than the 5.6 per cent projection issued in January, reflecting mounting external pressures and domestic constraints.
Meanwhile, the United States Department of the Treasury has extended a waiver permitting the delivery and sale of sanctioned Russian oil already loaded onto vessels, pushing the deadline to May 16, according to a document released on its official website.
The earlier 30-day waiver had expired on April 11.
The renewed license, issued on Friday (local time), is part of the administration's broader effort to stabilise global energy prices, which have surged amid the ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran.
The decision comes against the backdrop of several countries facing problems with the impact of rising energy costs and supply disruptions.
At the same time, the waiver continues to impose strict restrictions on dealings involving certain countries.
The move comes shortly after remarks by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who had indicated that Washington does not intend to continue such waivers indefinitely amid rising geopolitical tensions.
Meanwhile, global oil prices saw a sharp decline of around 9 per cent on Friday, settling near $90 per barrel after Iran temporarily reopened the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy transit route.
However, the broader conflict has already triggered what the International Energy Agency described as the worst disruption to global energy supplies in history.
The war, which entered its eighth week on Saturday, has reportedly damaged more than 80 oil and gas facilities across West Asia.
All those pandemic loans have come back to haunt the Philippines.
The Iran war is bringing back pandemic memories in all the wrong ways. Shell closed its oil refinery in Tabango in 2020.
 |
| https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/04/19/2521904/philippines-should-boost-oil-reserves-build-refineries |
The Philippines should simultaneously build facilities for strategic oil reserves and additional domestic refineries to combat future pump price shocks, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said.
Garin is backing proposals to establish a 90-day national oil reserve, which would provide a longer lead time for fuel companies to secure supplies, from the current 60 days the Philippines can handle.
“Building up reserves, though, is not enough. I would couple the national reserve with an additional refinery,” Garin told The STAR’s online show “Truth on the Line” on Thursday night.
The country has hosted four refineries: the oldest, operated by Caltex; two managed by Shell and one under Petron.
However, only Petron’s refinery in Limay, Bataan, is operating, capable of producing 180,000 barrels of finished petroleum products daily, equivalent to 30 percent of national demand.
In 2003, Caltex’s refinery in San Pascual, Batangas, which opened in 1954, was replaced with a “world-class” import terminal because the facility was no longer equipped to produce cleaner fuels.
Shell quietly closed its baseoil refinery in Pililia, Rizal, in 2002 and shut down its Tabangao refinery in Batangas City in 2020 due to the impact of the pandemic.
Garin said it’s better to have more domestic refineries, as they provide supply stability at a time when geopolitical tensions create uncertainty in energy flows.
“You see it in the prices of Petron, they are usually lower than most of the gas stations because it’s refined here. They buy crude oil, refine it here, and produce diesel, gas and kerosene for domestic use,” the energy chief stressed, adding, “That’s more stable and prices are better.”
Economist Joey Salceda noted in a commentary that when pump prices skyrocketed the first time in mid-March, Petron was one peso away from Flying V and Seaoil, the two cheapest brands in the country. Shell and Caltex were more expensive by P6 to P7, respectively.
Salceda, a former Albay lawmaker, stressed that Petron’s refinery is the closest thing to a strategic oil reserve because it could absorb shocks.
“Petron is a partial defense against the import bill rather than a contributor to it,” Salceda said.
“Importing finished product costs more per unit than importing crude and processing it domestically. The value-added that accrues abroad when we import finished products is value-added we are giving away,” he added.
The loss of domestic refineries, however, can be traced back to the Downstream Oil Deregulation Law of 1998, which freed the industry from government regulation.
The law imposed a three-percent uniform tariff on both imported crude oil and imported refined products, eroding refineries’ competitive advantage, since the raw material was previously taxed at lower rates.
Companies with refineries must also make a public offering of at least 10 percent of their common stock – a rule that has no counterpart for pure importers of refined products.
When Caltex shut its refinery in 2003, then-country chairman, Timothy Leveille, cited the drastically different economics it faced under the deregulation law.
“It costs us more to manufacture our products at Batangas than it costs our competitors to import theirs,” Leveille said.
These are some of the complex matters that Congress would have to address if both chambers take up amending the 28-year-old deregulation law – a measure that Garin said works well in good times but not in bad times.
“When the deregulation law passed, we disposed of everything, including the refinery. It’s all private now,” she said.
“Was that correct? Maybe that was a correct decision at the time. But times change, and I think we need to revisit having more of a national reserve and refinery,” she added.
Now there is only one refinery open which only exacerbates the energy crises and forces the Philippines to rely on other nations.
Pandemic conditions are coming back for college students as classes migrate online once more.
 |
| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1273283 |
A lawmaker on Monday urged local government units to provide support to college students encountering difficulties in meeting class requirements due to a lack of access to digital resources.
This, after the Commission on Higher Education allowed higher education institutions to shift fully to online classes amid the ongoing oil crisis.
“Sadly, due to the oil crisis we seem to have reverted to ‘pandemic mode’ with the shift to online classes. But that shouldn’t mean that inequities and gaps that were observed during the pandemic should continue to exist,” Solid North Party-list Rep. Ching Bernos said in a statement.
“In this regard, I hope that our LGUs can also provide support to students who lack resources to ensure that they are not left behind in their studies. This national crisis must not become an education crisis.”
She noted that during the pandemic, various LGU interventions helped students cope with the shift to online learning.
These include the establishment of free Wi-Fi hubs, internet voucher systems and subsidies, and the distribution of tablets, cellphones, and laptops, among the key interventions various LGUs have implemented that have had a positive impact on online learning.
“I believe that once again, our LGUs can be instrumental in ensuring that the educational crisis we are facing does not deepen further,” Bernos said.
The lawmaker has also called on local governments to explore service contracting agreements in public transport for the benefit of commuters.
"We have reverted back to pandemic mode." However, the Philippines has had several years to learn how to make the adjustment. Hopefully "pandemic mode" does not become a regular thing.
