Coronavirus Lockdown: Youth Market, Emmy-Winning Producer, and More!

More news about how the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines is being handled by the public and the government. 

Economic growth has hit a post-pandemic low according to Goldman Sachs.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/08/04/goldman-sachs-philippine-growth-hits-post-pandemic-low-on-weak-spending

Economic growth in the second quarter of 2026 may have slowed further to a post-pandemic low as Filipinos pumped the brakes on borrowing and spending, while public expenditure remained lackluster.

In a report obtained by the Manila Bulletin, US financial giant Goldman Sachs Group Inc. noted that Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) growth likely decelerated to 2.7 percent in the second quarter from an already five-year low of 2.8 percent in the first quarter.

“High-frequency indicators point to softer consumer credit growth, suggesting that weaker sentiment is weighing on household spending,” wrote Hui Shan, chief China economist at Goldman Sachs.

Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed that domestic bank lending growth slowed to a four-month low in June as household and corporate borrowers adopted a more cautious stance, dampening overall credit demand.

Outstanding loans from universal and commercial banks (U/KBs) expanded by 9.8 percent in June, cooling from this year’s peak of 12.1 percent in May. This marked the slowest pace of expansion since February’s 9.6 percent print.

Household spending growth had already plunged to a five-year low of three percent in the first quarter.

Private spending was further constrained by elevated fuel costs, which ate into disposable income that might otherwise have gone toward discretionary purchases. “Higher fuel-related expenses are likely crowding out discretionary spending in other categories,” Hui Shan said.

Fuel prices turned highly volatile after US-Iran military hostilities flared up in late February, with no clear timeline for resolution. A recent re-escalation in conflict has triggered another surge in global oil prices.

The Philippines’ vulnerability to Middle East tensions stems from its status as a net oil importer, sourcing nearly all of its crude oil requirements from the Gulf region.

During periods of heightened conflict, the Strait of Hormuz—a vital chokepoint through which roughly a fifth of global oil supplies passes—faces serious risk of disruption, leaving oil-importing nations exposed to supply restrictions or blockades by Iran.

Goldman Sachs also highlighted that construction, typically a key growth driver, lost momentum during the period. “Construction activity also appears to have lost momentum, as elevated input costs continue to weigh on project execution,” the investment bank noted.

“Meanwhile, we see little evidence of a meaningful rebound in government capital expenditure, which remains well below its historical run rate,” it added.

Attention now turns to the government’s fiscal response as it tries to engineer a rebound from the late-2025 economic slowdown, when infrastructure spending was severely curtailed by a high-profile flood control corruption scandal.

This muted growth trajectory complicates the monetary authorities' policy stance, particularly as consumer prices remain elevated.

Goldman Sachs expects headline inflation to moderate to 6.1 percent in July. If realized, this would mark the slowest rate of price increases in three months, down from April's peak of 7.2 percent.

Meanwhile, core inflation—which excludes volatile food and energy components—is projected to remain unchanged from the two-and-a-half-year high of 4.4 percent recorded in June. Because persistent inflation continues to pressure household demand, the BSP faces a delicate balancing act heading into its policy meeting.

Since Middle East hostilities erupted in the first quarter, the BSP has raised its benchmark rate twice, bringing it to 4.75 percent. The Monetary Board will hold its fourth policy meeting of the year on Aug. 27, followed by sessions on Oct. 22 and Dec. 17.

It's a continual uphill battle for the Philippines to fully recover and the Iran war is not helping.

The post-pandemic workplace continues to evolve. 

https://tribune.net.ph/2026/08/07/third-place-is-new-workplace

Flexible workspace operator The Flexi Group has expanded its footprint in the Philippines with the opening of Common Ground Digital Park McKinley Hill in Taguig City, its largest shared office in the country and the first under its Digital Park concept.

The launch also marks the start of a long-term partnership with Megaworld Corp. and MREIT Inc. to develop flexible workspaces across key business districts, reflecting the growing demand for office solutions that cater to hybrid work arrangements, startups and expanding enterprises.

Located at the Intellectual Property Center in McKinley Hill, the nearly 2,000-square-meter facility offers hot desks, fixed desks, private offices, meeting rooms and collaborative spaces designed for freelancers, startups, small and medium-sized enterprises, and multinational companies. It also features an expandable boardroom for up to 32 participants, soundproof call booths, and an event space that can accommodate as many as 80 guests.

The workspace is equipped with high-speed Internet, digital booking capabilities and administrative support services, allowing businesses to scale operations without committing to long-term office leases.

“The pandemic changed how companies think about offices,” said Roegan Taron, country manager of Common Ground Philippines. “We’re seeing growing demand from businesses that want flexibility without committing to rigid corporate leases.”

The company says flexible workspaces have become increasingly attractive to businesses operating under hybrid arrangements, allowing employees to work closer to home while maintaining access to professional office facilities. Startups and regional companies are also looking beyond traditional central business districts for more cost-efficient locations that still offer premium amenities.

Beyond providing desks and offices, Common Ground positions itself as a business ecosystem. The company regularly hosts networking events, workshops and industry talks to encourage collaboration among members, while a dedicated mobile app enables businesses across its regional network to connect, recruit and explore partnership opportunities.

The facility is also a temporary “swing space” for companies undergoing office renovations and offers meeting rooms and event venues that brands can rent for workshops, product launches and corporate gatherings.

“Our vision is to make Common Ground the third place people feel at home,” Taron said. “Your first home is where you live. Your second is your family’s home. Since people spend seven to 10 hours working every day, we want the workplace to become their third home.”

The partnership with Megaworld combines the property developer’s office portfolio with Common Ground’s flexible workspace expertise, paving the way for similar facilities across Megaworld townships. Common Ground currently operates workspaces in Makati, Bonifacio Global City, Ortigas and Quezon City, and is part of The Flexi Group’s regional network spanning Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

They have this backwards though. Your first home is where you live, your second home is work, and the third home or place is where you hang out to unwind like a cafe or bar. This company wants to transform the workspace into a cafe setting essentially. 

For one proucer the pandemic exposed the primary barrier preventing Filipino creators from realizing their ideas specifically, the difficulty of securing financial backing and producers willing to front the money.

https://entertainment.inquirer.net/679900/emmy-winning-producer-comes-home-to-build-a-studio-for-filipino-stories

Michael Carandang spent 20 years in American television, from “The Jerry Springer Show” to a Daytime Emmy with “The Tyra Banks Show.” On Monday, August 3, he stood in a Makati cinema to launch the studio he says will let the next generation of Filipino creators skip the trip abroad.

Goat Creative Studios, a Manila-based production company co-founded by Carandang and entrepreneur Jonathan M. Sterling, marked its official launch at Greenbelt Cinema 4 with a media event, an advance screening of its first reality docuseries “Celeste Unscripted,” and the reveal of its first documentary film: “Songbird,” on the life and career of Regine Velasquez.

The studio pairs Carandang’s two decades of experience in American and Philippine television with the backing of Sterling, an entrepreneur and investor who has lived in the Philippines for about five years — and who is clear about which of the two runs the shows.

“One of the things that I’m good at is identifying good people. When I first met with Michael and saw the vision that he had, and his reputation in the industry — I mean, he also has an Emmy, right? Let’s not underplay that. Mike will never put that out there, but he’s actually a very accomplished producer,” Sterling said.

That resumé runs deep. Carandang told the media he started his television dream on “The Jerry Springer Show,” won the Daytime Emmy as part of “The Tyra Banks Show,” and worked on “America’s Next Top Model” before moving back to the Philippines in 2012, where he directed around 17 installments of “Making MEGA,” the country’s first fashion documentary series.

But Carandang said the pandemic exposed the one problem that stops Filipino creators more than any other.

“If you ask a lot of creators, the number one thing that would stop them from actually making their idea into something real is: who’s going to pay for it?” he said. “We have so many amazing creators in the Philippines, so many talented producers. But nobody’s willing to front the money.”

That is the problem Sterling built Goat to solve. For him, the studio is as much an investment in the country as in a company.

“I really want to invest in the Philippine economy and hire more and more Filipinos,” Sterling said. “There are so many talented people in this country. Rather than the top people going to Hollywood or LA to work, we offer them an option here — where you can work for a top-quality studio while still being in your local culture, around your friends and family.”

Producer Michael Carandang noted that while the Philippines has an abundance of amazing creators and talented producers, funding remains scarce. This hurdle prompted entrepreneur Jonathan M. Sterling to step in and back Goat Creative Studios to solve this exact financial gap and invest in local talent.

Employment for the youth is at a new post-pandemic low.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/08/12/youth-job-market-stalls-across-region-including-philippinesilo

 

Young people across South-Eastern Asia and the Pacific, the subregion that includes the Philippines, are facing worsening employment prospects as youth joblessness and disengagement rise despite the region’s relatively low headline unemployment rate, according to the International Labor Organization (ILO).

In its Global Employment Trends for Youth 2026: Back to the future report published last Tuesday, Aug. 11, the Geneva-headquartered ILO said the global youth unemployment rate rose to 12.4 percent in 2025 from its post-pandemic low of 12.3 percent in 2023, equivalent to 67 million unemployed young people worldwide.

The global share of young people not in employment, education or training (NEET) also increased to 20 percent in 2025 from 19.7 percent in 2023, adding nine million young people to bring the total number in NEET status to 257 million. More than two-thirds of young people in NEET status were women.

South-Eastern Asia and the Pacific was among the subregions where both the youth unemployment rate and NEET rate increased between 2023 and 2025, signaling a halt in the improvement of youth labor market conditions.

While the subregion’s youth unemployment rate remained below 10 percent in 2025, the ILO cautioned that low unemployment does not necessarily signal healthier labor market conditions, as it can mask deteriorating job quality or rising inactivity among young people.

Country-level data also showed that 11 of 22 economies in South-Eastern Asia and the Pacific with available information recorded higher youth unemployment rates in 2025 than in 2023, while four were unchanged and seven posted lower rates.

The region also had one of the world’s widest disparities between youth and adult unemployment. Together with Southern Asia, South-Eastern Asia and the Pacific posted youth-to-adult unemployment rate ratios of between five and seven, meaning young people faced a risk of unemployment several times higher than adults.

First-time jobseekers were also encountering increasing difficulty entering the labor market. The share of unemployed people aged 20 to 29 who were first-time entrants in South-Eastern Asia and the Pacific rose to 45.8 percent in the latest period from 44.3 percent around 2016.

The ILO said rising tertiary education attainment could partly explain later labor market entry, but evidence of high unemployment among those aged 20 to 24 and shrinking employment suggests that first-time job entrants are confronting an increasingly challenging labor market.

Young people with tertiary education in South-Eastern Asia and the Pacific also had a higher unemployment rate of 6.9 percent in 2025, compared with 6.1 percent among those with secondary education and 3.7 percent among those with basic education.

At the same time, the region’s youth employment-to-population ratio (EPR) declined by more than two percentage points from 2023, while the longer-term decline from 2016 to 2025 pointed to greater competition among young people for available jobs. The ILO cautioned, however, that a lower EPR is not automatically negative because some young people may remain in education rather than enter the labor market.

For 2026, the ILO expects the subregion’s youth unemployment rate to ease to 9.1 percent from 9.5 percent in 2025 and further decline to nine percent in 2027.

The number of unemployed young people in the region is also projected to decline to 4.7 million in both 2026 and 2027 from 4.8 million in 2025.

However, the region’s NEET rate is projected to increase further to 16.4 percent in 2026 and 16.5 percent in 2027 from 16.3 percent in 2025, corresponding to 19.4 million and 19.7 million young people, respectively, from 19.2 million last year.

Another emerging challenge is artificial intelligence (AI). The ILO estimated that 8.1 percent of jobs held by people aged 15 to 29 in South-Eastern Asia and the Pacific are among occupations with significant or high AI exposure, equivalent to about 7.16 million jobs.

The report called for integrated policies that create employment opportunities, prepare young people for work through quality education, apprenticeships and lifelong learning, improve employment services and active labor market programs, and strengthen social protection and support for disadvantaged groups.

The ILO also recommended a human-centered approach to AI governance, investment in both technical and social skills, stronger lifelong learning systems, modernized employment services, and wider social protection coverage.

Earlier, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the country’s unemployment rate rose to 4.9 percent in June, equivalent to 2.59 million unemployed Filipinos.

Many of the new entrants to the labor force were fresh graduates, with about half of the 639,000 new entrants still looking for jobs as of June.

But then again unemployment has risen across the board according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Coronavirus Lockdown: World Cup, Farm Aid, and More!

More news about how the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines is being handled by the public and the government. 

The Philippines women's baseball team is going to the World Cup.  They would have gone in 2020 but the World Cup was cancelled then. 

https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/07/29/sports/ph-womens-baseball-team-out-to-prove-its-worth-in-world-cup/2393668/amp

The Philippine women’s baseball team qualified for the WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup for the first time in 2020 but was not able to play because the event was called off by the World Baseball Softball Confederation due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

This year, the Philippines will finally have its chance to show its wares at the World Cup after the team was granted a wildcard entry.

In recognition to the Philippine women’s baseball program's upward trajectory, the Filipina batters were granted entry and will debut in the World Cup group stage slated from Aug. 23 to 27.

The Philippines is pooled in Group Tainan in Taiwan.

National team assistant coach Jennifer Singh said that the Filipina batters are out to prove they belong among the world's best as they try to make the top three of the group stage to advance to the World Cup finale next year in Rockford, Illinois.

“The whole team, PABA (Philippine Amateur Baseball Association), and PSC (Philippine Sports Commission) are very happy. Since 2019, this has been our goal — to qualify for the World Cup. We were not able to continue in 2020 because of the pandemic," said Singh in an interview with The Manila Times.

“We did not expect that we would be given the chance to make it to the World Cup. So, this is an opportunity we really will not waste. We will give our best.”

As a player, Singh was part of that 2019 national team that qualified for the World Cup by finishing third in the Asian Cup.

The former University of the East standout recalled how the Filipina batters were dejected after the 2020 World Cup was canceled.

“We have been preparing for this for several years. In 2023, we lost to Korea in the Asia Cup, which served as the World Cup qualifier," said Singh. 

"Then in 2025, we had some visa problems with our players. When we faced Korea again, only nine players arrived on the day of the Korea-Philippines game. We fell short there.”

Those setbacks, however, are now behind her as she looks to help the national team in a coaching capacity.

Singh said the team, made up of UAAP standouts and veteran players, is determined to prove it deserves a place in the World Cup.

“From the moment we received the invitation that we were chosen as the wildcard team, we became committed. We are focused on discipline, working hard in training, and improving the way our players perform," said Singh.

“We are not focused on how we earned our spot in the World Cup. What matters to us is how we will carry the name of the Philippines. We want to show the country and the whole world that the Philippine women’s baseball team has the ability to compete against the best of the world. We hope that through our performance in the World Cup, more Filipinos will support baseball and that the sport will continue to grow in our country.”

The Philippines, ranked 21st in the world, is pooled with No. 5 Venezuela, No. 7 Cuba, No. 15 Great Britain, No. 6 Taiwan, and No. 1 Japan, which it will face to open its campaign on Aug. 23.

After Japan, the Philippines face Cuba, Taiwan, Great Britain, and Venezuela in that order.

“Japan is a team we have already faced three times from 2019 to 2025. We can say that they are really a strong team but our team will still fight," said Singh.

“In fact, during our last game against Japan in 2023 when I was still a player, we played against Japan and we lost at 7-1. Among all the teams that Japan faced, though, we were the only ones who were able to complete seven innings. We were not subjected to the mercy rule.” 

It's great they get another shot at the title. 

The economy continues to sink post-pandemic. 

https://business.inquirer.net/603002/postpandemic-low-economy-likely-grew-by-just-2-5-in-q2-says-uap

The Philippine economy may have lost further momentum in the second quarter, with growth slipping to another postpandemic low as stubborn inflation weighed on consumer spending and weak business confidence curbed investment.

This is according to University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) economists, who lowered growth forecast for the April-to-June period to 2.5 percent from the previous estimate of 2.6 percent. If realized, it would be weaker than the already subdued 2.8 percent expansion in the first quarter.

In its latest The Market Call report, UA&P said there were signs of relief in June after oil prices had eased following a ceasefire between the United States and Iran. Inflation slowed to 6.4 percent from 6.8 percent a month earlier, though it remained more than double the 3 percent target of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

That respite, however, appears to have been short-lived. As the Gulf conflict enters its sixth month, renewed fighting has sent global crude prices back to more than $100 a barrel, raising costs for oil-importing economies like the Philippines.

“Some soft recovery is underway, though persistent above-target inflation and subdued business optimism may undermine the recovery narrative,” the economists said.

UA&P warned that the outlook remained overshadowed by what it called a triple threat: higher oil prices, an outsized minimum wage increase and severe El Niño conditions. Together, those factors are seen to push inflation beyond 7 percent again, forcing the BSP to keep monetary policy tight.

Since April, the central bank has raised its benchmark interest rate by a cumulative 50 basis points to 4.75 percent in an effort to contain inflation, though higher borrowing costs also risk further slowing economic activity.

UA&P said mounting inflationary pressures could drive long-term government bond yields higher and prompt an additional 50 basis points of rate hikes from the BSP.

Even so, it expects the local financial markets to remain largely range-bound until there is clearer progress toward peace in the Middle East.

“Trading will likely center around second quarter earnings reports, with some leeway in store as companies signaled conservative forward earnings guidance in the thick of the Middle East conflict,” the report said. 

That's what you get when you shut down the economy for years. The Iran war doesn't help either. 

A new study is out about Food Security which is tied directly to the pandemic and raising prices.  Food security is more than aiding farmers. 

https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/08/03/supplements/food-security-demands-more-than-farm-aid/2396594

A study by Maria Galveia and Edison Macusi titled “Climate change resilience and food security of small-scale fishing communities in the South-eastern Mindanao, Philippines,” published in July 2026, documented how climate change variability has affected small-scale fishing communities in four Mindanao municipalities.

During his State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. highlighted food security as one of the important lessons that the government learned over the past months -- and how by technology and good governance can the country overcome the many variables in food production, such as climate change and pestilence -- can provide sustenance for Filipinos.

“We are strengthening our agriculture system to guarantee the supply of food and lower its price. Various programs such as investments, farm inputs, equipment, knowledge and insurance will help farmers and fisherfolk,” the President said in Filipino.

The President enumerated these generic programs for agriculture and fisheries without any specific end goal or a robust program, making it an insufficient statement to address one of the pressing problems of the country.

It is correct that at its core, agriculture must be strengthened — from farming to fisheries and livestock — as this industry provides food. However, there are multiple factors that should be considered.

The Galveia and Macusi study showed that while Mindanao is less prone to storms, the frequent typhoons have caused infrastructure and livelihood damages and exacerbated by socio-economic conditions and lack of accessibility to resources. These enumerated factors are important to be considered when it comes to strengthening agriculture.

Global problems also indirectly affect food security. The study of Marvin Joseph Mentefrio and Anacorita Abasolo titled “Pandemic lockdowns and their impacts on urban-based agrarian livelihoods and food security in a Provincial City in the Philippines,” published on March 11, 2025, details how the Covid-19 pandemic affected food security among urban-based agrarians.

The study illustrated how the pandemic forced residents to alleviate hunger through subsistence food sources. However, these food sources leave people in debt because they acquire the sources through credit. These findings indicate another layer of food security: accessibility through affordability even amid crisis. Food must, ultimately, reach family tables for it to be utilized effectively.

Increasing food prices is a common plea among Filipinos. “From price stability to food security: what are the drivers of price volatilities in Philippine vegetable markets?” published on Jan. 21, 2026 by Jennifer Hinlo and Yoonsuk Lee, details how domestic market dynamics affect vegetable price volatility. The main factor, according to the study, is demand volatility and followed by supply shocks. Seasonal production and smuggling and illegal trade are also understated factors.

While these studies are only a fraction of the overall image of food security in the Philippines, these findings collectively show that food security is a complex issue that may not be addressed simply by helping farmers through programs. The administration must step up to carefully assess how multiple socioeconomic factors play into the issue instead of offering short-term solutions. This will help nation building as a whole as well.

The people need price stability.  And with inflation, that stability is not there. 

Spider-Man: Brand New Day has set a post-pandemic box office opening record.

https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/movies/2026/08/04/2546900/spider-man-brand-new-day-sets-philippine-post-pandemic-opening-weekend-box-office-record

Cash continues to flow for "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" as it approaches a week in Philippine cinemas.

The latest solo outing of Tom Holland as the web slinger scored big on its opening day in the country last July 29 as it raked in nearly P96 million.

That made "Brand New Day' the biggest opening day box office in the Philippines since the pandemic, and the third-biggest opening day ever in the country behind the last two "Avengers" movies, "Endgame" and "Infinity War."

It also set a new opening day gross record in the Philippines for any "Spider-Man" movie and a film released by Sony Pictures.

New data from distributor Columbia Pictures show the movie has now set a new record for the biggest post-pandemic opening weekend in the Philippines.

"Brand New Day" accumulated P586.9 million on its opening weekend in more than 700 cinemas nationwide — again a record for any "Spider-Man" film and just behind the previously mentioned "Avengers" films for opening weekend hauls.

August 1, Saturday, was a particularly special day for moviegoers as fans celebrated "Spider-Man Day" to commemorate the superhero's debut in 1962.

Columbia Pictures also released a list of Philippine cinemas where "Brand New Day" grossed the most during its opening weekend.

SM Megamall led the pack with P15.4 million, followed by Power Plant and Trinoma with around P14 million apiece.

SM Seaside Cebu (P8 million) and Robinsons Antipolo (P7.78 million) rounded out the Top 10 as the highest-grossing opening weekend cinemas outside of Metro Manila.

"Brand New Day" will continue to screen in all sorts of Philippine cinema formats, including ScreenX and 3D/4DX, and hopefully open in IMAX once "The Odyssey" finishes its exclusive run in those specialty cinemas.

The film picks up with Holland's Peter literally forgotten by the rest of the world to preserve his identity and the safety of his closest friends MJ (Zendaya) and Ned (Jacob Batalon) but is thriving as Spider-Man.

The webslinger comes face-to-face with a mysterious figure capable of jumping consciousnesses — but not his — as he grapples with all sorts of pain as a result of his struggling identity

That's good news for local theaters. 

Coronavirus Lockdown: Tighten COVID-19 Screening, Subic Dump, and More!

More news about how the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines is being handled by the public and the government. 

It's starting to look like 2020 all over again with the Cebu Provincial Board urging health authorities to tighten preventive measures at all points of entry to this province following a spike in Covid-19 cases in Quezon City this month. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/750327/cebu-pb-urges-tighter-covid-19-screening-at-entry-points-amid-quezon-city-spike

The Cebu Provincial Board is urging health authorities to tighten preventive measures at all points of entry to this province following a spike in Covid-19 cases in Quezon City this month.

The call was made through a resolution approved during the Provincial Board’s regular session on Monday, July 20, 2026.

The resolution, authored by Board Member Dason Larenz Lagon, requested the Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH-7) and the Cebu Provincial Health Office to collaborate in preventing the possible entry and spread of Covid-19 in Cebu.

The measure cited the localized increase in COVID-19 cases in Quezon City in July 2026, although the infections reported there were mild and isolated.

Despite this, the Provincial Board said early mitigation measures should be prepared to prevent possible cases from emerging or spreading in Cebu.

“It is, therefore, very appropriate to prepare early mitigation measures in order to abate any possible cases of Covid-19 that may arise in the future,” the resolution stated.

The board further called for strengthened preventive measures at Cebu’s points of entry, where health authorities may coordinate efforts to help prevent a rise in Covid-19 cases in the province.

The resolution also recalled the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country. The disease claimed numerous lives when it spread nationwide.

It cited the government’s duty to protect public welfare under Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991.

The resolution will be furnished to DOH-7 and the provincial health office for their information and immediate action.

But the DOH has said there is nothing to worry about so why is the Cebu Provincial Board urging such a drastic and unneeded measure. 

The Aeta community in Subic said it consented to the temporary use of part of its ancestral domain as a garbage disposal site in 2020 after the local government explained that COVID-19 restrictions had disrupted waste transport to accredited landfills. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2267157/subic-dump-temporary-fix-during-pandemic-aeta-leaders

Aeta leaders in this town said the decision to allow a portion of their ancestral domain to be used as a temporary garbage disposal site was made with the tribe’s consent at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when lockdowns disrupted the transport of waste to accredited sanitary landfills outside the province.

In an interview on Sunday, Aeta Ambala Chieftain Francis Santos said he was familiar with the discussions held in 2020, having served on the tribal council before assuming the post of chieftain in April this year.

Santos said the Subic municipal government sought the community’s approval after explaining that travel restrictions had prevented garbage from being transported to an accredited sanitary landfill outside Zambales.

He said municipal officials first consulted the non-Indigenous family occupying the 5-hectare (ha) property under a Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-issued Certificate of Improvement before meeting with Aeta elders and leaders because the site forms part of the tribe’s ancestral domain.

“They explained to us that the garbage would only be placed there temporarily because it was during the pandemic and the local government could no longer transport the waste,” Santos said.

He stressed that the decision was made collectively by the tribe and was not authorized solely by the chieftain.

Barangay Captain Jonel Serrano confirmed the account, saying the municipal government asked local officials early in the pandemic to identify a temporary disposal site after restrictions prevented waste from being hauled to sanitary landfills in Pampanga or Bataan.

Serrano said he directed municipal officials to the occupant of the 5-ha property and advised them to obtain the consent of the Aeta community because the land is part of an ancestral domain.

He said the temporary use of the site began in March 2020.

According to the Subic Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office, the municipality previously transported its garbage to the Floridablanca Enviro Park Project in Barangay Pabanlag, Floridablanca, Pampanga, a sanitary landfill operated by Floridablanca Enviro Corporation.

Santos said the tribe agreed to the temporary arrangement because it understood the difficulties faced by the municipal government during the pandemic.

“We agreed because we didn’t want the garbage to pile up and rot in Subic. We understood the situation at the time because it was during the pandemic,” he said.

He added that the area had long been occupied by non-Indigenous families even before the Aeta Ambala community was issued a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title on Jan. 12, 2016. Portions of the 1,302-ha ancestral domain in Barangay Naugsol remain occupied by non-Indigenous residents.

Under the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act, activities affecting ancestral domains generally require consultation with and the participation of the Indigenous community. A Certificate of Improvement recognizes improvements introduced on public land but does not establish ownership.

The Inquirer sought confirmation from the DENR on whether a Certificate of Improvement had been issued for the property but had yet to receive a response.

The municipal government has since stopped using the site and is hauling out the waste as part of a rehabilitation program ordered by the DENR after the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) found the operation violated Republic Act No. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.

The issue gained national attention after Indigenous leaders and environmental advocates questioned the use of part of the ancestral domain in Sitio Tibag as a garbage dump. They also questioned why the EMB reportedly discovered the operation in 2022 but ordered its closure only in 2025 and called for administrative and criminal accountability, compensation for affected Indigenous communities and an independent assessment of the environmental damage.

In previous interviews with the Inquirer, Aeta leaders opposing the dump said the operation had contaminated their water source and forced some families to stop farming portions of their ancestral land.

On Monday, environmental nongovernment group Mother Earth Foundation (MEF) said the open dump should never have existed, calling it a clear case of “environmental injustice” and a violation of indigenous rights.

In a statement, MEF, which has promoted ecological solid waste management systems for over 25 years, expressed support for the Aeta community’s calls for accountability.

“The controversial dump in the ancestral domain of the Aeta Community is not an isolated incident; it reflects a persistent pattern of environmental injustices,” said the MEF

Last week, Sen. Robinhood Padilla filed Senate Resolution No. 513 seeking an inquiry into the operation of the garbage dump, including possible accountability, rehabilitation measures and legislative reforms to strengthen the protection of Indigenous peoples and their ancestral lands. 

The dump has since been closed, and the municipality is removing the waste under a DENR-ordered rehabilitation program after authorities found it violated the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. The issue has sparked calls for accountability, with Indigenous leaders, environmental groups, and lawmakers raising concerns about environmental damage, Indigenous rights, and delays in shutting down the site.

The Philippines continues to struggle as post-pandemic economic growth slows down.

https://bworldonline.com/top-stories/2026/07/28/766223/philippines-to-be-4th-slowest-growing-asean-economy-this-year-amro/

THE PHILIPPINES could be Southeast Asia’s fourth slowest-growing economy this year despite limited spillovers from the Middle East conflict, as its heavy reliance on imported oil and weak investment climate continue to weigh on growth, the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) said.

In its latest ASEAN+3 Regional Economic Outlook, AMRO kept its Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) growth projections unchanged at 4.1% this year and 5.5% in 2027.

Both forecasts are still within the National Government’s growth targets of 3.5%-4.5% for 2026 and 5%-6% for 2027.

“The Philippines is one of the countries in the region that has been harder hit by the oil shock so far,” AMRO Chief Economist Dong He said in a virtual news briefing on Monday. “That’s reflected in both the lower growth rates we forecast for the Philippines this year than last year, but also the significantly higher inflation than 2025.”

If realized, Philippine economic growth this year will even be slower than the post-pandemic low of 4.4% in 2025. Energy shocks from the Middle East war rippled through the country’s domestic economy rapidly, dragging its GDP growth to 2.8% in the first quarter. 

For this year, AMRO’s growth forecast for the Philippines is the fourth weakest among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), ahead only of Brunei (1.9%), Thailand (2.4%) and Myanmar (2.5%). The Philippines is expected to trail Vietnam (7.5%), Indonesia (5%), Malaysia (5%), Cambodia (4.9%), Singapore (4.8%), and Laos (4.6%).

Mr. He said he is “cautiously optimistic” on the Philippines as the expected boost from artificial intelligence (AI) provides the economy some relief.

“Overall, I think the Philippine economy is benefiting from the AI cycle, but it has some specifics in terms of its oil exposures to the Middle East. It’s probably a lack of strategic reserves in terms of oil supply that’s reflected in these numbers,” he said.

For 2027, AMRO expects the Philippines to be the second fastest-growing economy in ASEAN, behind Vietnam (7.3%), and ahead of Indonesia (5.1%), Cambodia (4.9%), Laos and Malaysia (4.7%), Singapore (3.1%), Myanmar and Thailand (2.5%), and Brunei (1.7%).

According to Mr. He, the country’s investment slump, particularly in infrastructure, will continue to affect domestic activity throughout the year. For the long term, he said the Philippine government should focus on resolving key issues to attract more investments.

“That is how to strengthen private investment so that the production capacity and the infrastructure will be strong enough to support higher medium-term growth in terms of dealing with, for example, extreme weather conditions to make the Philippine economy much more robust against these natural disasters. So, some of the governance issues relating to infrastructure investment will have to be resolved,” he added.

So, this year the Philippines is the 4th weakest in the ASEAN but next year it will experience a boom and become the second fastest. If true that will be miraculous. 

Coronavirus Lockdown: Cyber Scams, Careful Interpertation, and More!

More news about how the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines is being handled by the public and the government. 

While there have been spikes in COVID-19 cases in Quezon City and Baguio the DOH says there has been no such spikes in the Central Visayas. 

https://mb.com.ph/2026/07/15/no-unusual-spikes-in-covid-cases-in-central-visayas

The Department of Health-Central Visayas (DOH-7) clarified that there is no unusual spike in Covid-19 cases in the region.

The agency issued the clarification to allay fears after some Metro Manila local government units (LGUs) reported an increase in Covid cases.

The DOH-7 clarified that if there are advisories circulating online, they came from surveillance data by concerned LGUs.

"In the case of Region 7, our monitoring through the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) is continuous. Based on the latest data, we don't have any unusual spikes," said DOH-7.

The DOH-7, however, advised people to continue observing standard health precautions to avoid contracting Covid-19.

The public was advised to immediately seek medical attention if symptoms are noticed and to isolate or wear a mask when necessary to protect their families and communities.

The DOH-7 said Covid-19 continues to exist in the region. The agency added that RESU occasionally records isolated cases, similar to other common respiratory illnesses.

“We want to emphasize that cases are very few, highly isolated, and completely manageable,” the DOH-7 said.

Of course everyone is still encouraged to observe "standard health precautions to avoid contracting Covid-19."

The DOH says cases are actually down by 70% in 2026.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2265467/doh-covid-19-cases-down-by-70-this-year

The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday said cases of Covid-19 in the country remain low, with the number of infections this year declining by 70 percent.

In a statement, the agency said there were 1,532 confirmed cases of Covid-19 recorded from Jan. 4 to July 11, lower than 5,070 infections recorded in the same period last year.

“While the number of reported cases remains low, the public is encouraged to continue practicing simple but effective health habits to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 and other respiratory illnesses,” the DOH said.

The agency called on the public to regularly wash their hands with soap and water, cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and maintain proper hygiene to prevent the spread of disease.

Individuals with symptoms of respiratory illness were also advised to seek consultation at the nearest health center or health-care facility and follow appropriate measures to prevent further transmission of infection.

“Covid-19 may present without symptoms or as a mild to severe respiratory illness,” the DOH said. 

“Common symptoms include fever, chills, sore throat, cough, runny or clogged nose, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and loss or change in taste or smell,” it added.

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines previously urged the public to remain vigilant against Covid-19 after areas such as Quezon City recorded a spike in infections, but stressed that there was no need for alarm because recent cases have less severe.

The health experts recommended that the public follow several precautions to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, such as wearing face masks and avoiding crowds when sick, and getting tested for Covid-19 should they develop symptoms.

But, again, the public is encouraged to practice basic health standards. 

While there has been a reported surge in cases in Quezon City the DOH says don't be hasty when it comes to interpreting that data. 

https://www.panaynews.net/doh-downplays-covid-19-surge-data-needs-careful-interpretation/

The Department of Health (DOH) has urged the public not to misinterpret reports of a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases in Quezon City, stressing that the reported 265.22-percent surge was based on a relatively small number of infections and does not indicate a widespread resurgence of the disease.

The advisory came after the Quezon City government reported 146 COVID-19 cases as of July 1 and said infections had increased by 265.22 percent over the previous three weeks.

DOH spokesperson Albert Domingo said the agency is coordinating with the Quezon City Epidemiology and Surveillance Division (QCESD) to determine the cause of the increase, which appears to be limited to specific locations or health facilities where close contact among individuals may have contributed to the rise in cases.

“The Department of Health (DOH) and QCESD are investigating these cases that seem to be isolated in specific areas or health facilities, where the close proximity of individuals may have played a role in the recorded increase,” Domingo said.

He emphasized that percentage increases alone can be misleading when the actual number of cases remains low.

“Citing the percentage increase (“265%”) does not accurately reflect the small absolute number, and requires much caution in interpretation,” he said.

DOH data showed that Quezon City logged 125 cumulative COVID-19 cases as of July 4, representing a 68-percent decrease from the 389 cases recorded during the same period in 2025.

The health department said only 17 of the recent patients, or 14 percent, required hospitalization, while 108 cases, or 86 percent, were treated on an outpatient basis. Around 70 percent of those infected have already recovered.

Nationally, COVID-19 infections continue to trend downward, with only 719 cumulative cases recorded as of June 20, 2026, compared with 3,579 cases during the same period last year.

Despite the sustained decline, the DOH urged the public to remain vigilant by practicing regular handwashing and proper hygiene, particularly during the rainy season when influenza-like illnesses, dengue, leptospirosis, and water-borne diseases are more common.

Well, seeing as how the authorities scared everyone to death and shut down the economy for about two years it's no wonder that the public would be concerned. 

Post-pandemic cyber scams are on the rise and have been evolving. 

https://mb.com.ph/2026/07/17/cyber-scams-evolve-as-syndicates-outmaneuver-marcos-pogo-ban

Organized criminal syndicates have proved resilient in the face of regulatory shifts in the Philippines, reinventing their operations to avoid shutdowns after a government purge dismantled many of their once-flourishing cyber scam hubs.

When the Philippines was grappling to survive through the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, criminal syndicates repurposed shuttered casinos and hotels, according to the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) report published this July.

This was the period when lockdowns and border controls were tightened, leading to the collapse of Southeast Asia’s legal and illegal gambling industries.

To claw back lost income, these idle casinos and hotels were repurposed into cyber scam hubs. These facilities turned into places filled with human trafficking victims forced to conduct different kinds of scams and money laundering.

Domestically, these cyber scam hubs hid under the mask of offshore gaming. APG, a regional money-laundering watchdog, cited a case study revealing that Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) had trafficked not only Filipinos but also foreign nationals, including Cambodians, Vietnamese, and other Southeast Asians.

“Local e-money wallets were used as pass-through accounts for laundering low-value scam receipts from unwitting local or foreign individuals,” the case study detailed. “Some funds were also routed through online gaming platforms linked to the POGO license, masking illicit revenues as gambling winnings.”

This post-pandemic surge in illegal activities was occurring at such an unprecedented pace that a single raid on a POGO compound in Las Piñas in mid-2023 led to the rescue of over 2,700 individuals being coerced into conducting scams. Another mid-2024 raid on an illegal POGO rescued a comparable number of victims.

According to the report, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s ban on “offshore gaming and related operations had a significant and immediate impact on the prevalence of cyber scam hubs in the Philippines.”

Significant impact, however, does not equate to eliminating these cyber scamming schemes. Criminal operations in the Philippines have adapted to the 2025 legislation by decentralizing and relocating to regulatory grey zones.

APG said the strategy involves breaking up large-scale operations into smaller, mobile units that are spread across different locations within cities or regions. These operations may be housed in hotel rooms, private homes, vacation rentals, or even entire floors of commercial buildings.

“By dispersing their activities, criminal syndicates are able to obscure operational footprints, complicate investigative efforts, and minimize the risk of large-scale enforcement actions,” it added.

Meanwhile, APG noted that cyber scam hubs “can operate at scale in regulatory grey zones, where state authority and oversight is weak.” This advantage allows large compounds to be relocated and rebranded when regulatory oversight tightens.

Data cited by APG show cyber scam hubs are located in special economic zones such as the “Clark Freeport Zone, Bamban in Tarlac, and Cebu in the Philippines.” Some are found in border areas, urban centers, and remote rural areas.

Well, there is a lot of politics going on here.  Duterte legalized the POGOs and now they are criminalized.

Coronavirus Lockdown: Manageable, Don't Panic, and More!

More news about how the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines is being handled by the public and the government. 

COVID-19 is spiking in Quezon City but experts say these are mild cases. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2259232/expert-most-covid-19-cases-now-mild-despite-qc-spike

Most COVID-19 infections currently circulating in the country are generally mild and resolve within a few days, an infectious disease expert said Tuesday, urging the public to remain cautious but not alarmed despite a recent localized spike in cases reported in Quezon City.

Speaking on state-run PTV-4 on Tuesday, Dr. Rontgene Solante of San Lazaro Hospital said the current rise in COVID-19 cases in Quezon City should not be a cause for public concern because the prevailing variants are no longer associated with severe disease in most patients.

“This is not something to be concerned about because most of the COVID-19 cases we encountered only experienced mild symptoms such as colds and coughs, and would eventually recover within three to four days,” he said.

Solante explained that the increase in COVID-19 cases in Quezon City was “normal,” as it coincides with the rainy season from June to November, when respiratory viral infections—including influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus, and COVID-19—typically become more common.

He stressed that while infections continue to occur, the circulating COVID-19 variants are the same strains that have been spreading since 2024, which are “no longer as virulent and are generally not associated with severe illness or death.”

Data from the Quezon City Epidemiology and Surveillance Division (QCESD) showed that confirmed Covid-19 cases increased by over 265 percent to 84 from June 11 to July 1, up from 23 cases recorded between May 21 and June 10.

Since January, the Quezon City government has recorded a total of 146 confirmed cases.

Of the recent cases, only 17 or 14 percent required hospital admission, while 108 or 86 percent were managed as outpatients, according to the Department of Health.

Around 70 percent, or the majority of the patients, have already recovered.

Children aged 14 years and below accounted for the largest share of confirmed COVID-19 cases at 30 percent.

Meanwhile, adults aged 25 to 29, and senior citizens aged 60 and above each accounted for 16 percent of cases.

Solante said the large number of COVID-19 cases among children aged 14 and below in Quezon City may be due to increased exposure in schools, where classrooms are often crowded and students interact closely with one another.

“Children in this age group are already attending school, and classrooms are usually crowded. Some students have colds or coughs, so transmission can easily occur,” he said.

Children below age 14 make up the majority of cases. Has the vaccine worn off? Did it ever work?

Experts are warning parents to stay vigilant but and refraining from panicking. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2261183/health-experts-to-parents-stay-vigilant-on-covid-19-dont-panic

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines (PIDSP) has called on parents to remain vigilant against COVID-19 amid an uptick in infections, but stressed that there is no reason for alarm, as recent cases have been less severe.

In a statement on Facebook on Thursday, the group reminded the public that COVID-19 continues to circulate in communities, and that the actual number of cases may be higher than reported because many people are no longer getting tested for the virus when they develop respiratory symptoms.

However, the group also stressed that there is “no need to panic,” noting that “there is currently no evidence that the circulating strains are causing more severe illness than those seen in recent years.”

“Most children continue to experience mild disease, although infants, children with underlying conditions, and other vulnerable individuals remain at higher risk for complications,” PIDSP said.

The group called on parents to remain vigilant and take several precautions to prevent the spread of the disease and other respiratory illnesses, including staying at home should they or their children develop signs of a respiratory disease, such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, among others.

PIDSP also advised the public to wear face masks in crowded or poorly ventilated indoor areas, and when they are sick or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. The public was also urged to avoid unnecessary crowds if they are already unwell or if COVID-19 is reportedly circulating in their area.

The group added that individuals who develop symptoms of the virus should consider getting tested for COVID-19, especially before returning to school or work or when visiting someone at higher risk for complications.

It also called on parents to immediately seek medical attention if their children have difficulty breathing, persistent high fever, signs of dehydration, and unusual sleepiness.

“There is no need for alarm, but this is a good time to renew healthy habits that have helped keep our families safe,” the group said.

On July 5, the Quezon City Epidemiology and Surveillance Division (QCESD) reported that cases of COVID-19 in the city have increased by 265.22 percent in a span of three weeks. It said confirmed cases rose to 84 from June 11 to July 1, from just 23 in May 21 to June 10.

QCESD said total cases of COVID-19 in Quezon City for this year was now at 146, and urged the public to take preventive measures to prevent the further spread of infections.

The health monitoring unit later stressed that there is no cause for alarm as reported cases have been mild with no evidence of clustering or severe illness.

Just renew healthy habits they say. But really, if COVID is supposed to be endemic now and part of the regular cast of rotating viruses, then why is this news?

COVID-19 cases are rising in Baguio but the mayor says the situation remains manageable. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/746399/rise-of-covid-19-cases-in-baguio-remains-manageable-mayor

Since the beginning of 2026, the city has logged 41 confirmed Covid-19 cases, and while infections are increasing since May, Mayor Benjamin Magalong assured residents that the situation remains under control. 

Magalong stated on Saturday, July 11, that the reported infections have all been mild and there is “no cause for alarm.”

He noted that most of the confirmed cases involve healthcare workers and hospital personnel rather than the general public.

“The circulating virus is Covid-19 itself, cases reported have been mild, and there is no cause for alarm,” the mayor said.

According to Magalong, the City Health Services Office, in coordination with hospitals, is closely monitoring the cases and implementing measures to contain infections within health facilities.

The mayor directed local health authorities to remain vigilant and strengthen infection prevention measures in hospitals while assuring residents that healthcare facilities remain safe and fully capable of serving the public.

Magalong also urged the public to continue observing basic health precautions, including wearing face masks in crowded areas, washing hands regularly, and staying home when experiencing symptoms of illness.

He said the city government will continue to provide updates as necessary and called on residents to respond with “calm and confidence, not fear.”

One local doctor has assessed the situation in the nation and has the following advice.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/07/14/covid-19-whats-new-and-should-we-be-worried

Last week, I received a flurry of messages from friends and strangers when the Quezon City government announced a 265 percent increase in Covid-19 cases over the last three weeks. Despite the pandemic having ended three years ago, many people still get anxious whenever there is a spike in cases.

The unprecedented lockdowns and deaths during the pandemic are still seared into people’s memories. Many of us, especially health care workers, have some form of post-traumatic stress disorder from those terrible times.

While a 265 percent increase sounds alarming, it is important to put this into perspective. If you read the report closely, the actual numbers are an increase from 23 to 84 cases. A total of 146 cases have been recorded for 2026. Most of these were managed as outpatients and a little over 10 percent were admitted with no reported deaths. About 70 percent have recovered while 30 percent are still active cases as of this writing.

Addressing this concern, the Department of Health also pointed out that nationwide, total cases of Covid-19 are actually lower compared with last year, from 3,579 cases in 2025 to the current 719 cases as of June 20, 2026.

What are the possible reasons for this increase? First, these numbers likely represent only a small number of the actual cases circulating since routine testing for Covid-19 is no longer done. From a healthcare perspective, we only routinely test those patients who are at risk for progression to severe disease or who already have severe disease. Other reasons for testing might be routine surveillance by the health department as well as contact tracing for epidemiologic investigation. Without proper context, it is very difficult to determine whether this represents an accurate picture of case numbers in the community.

Second, overall trends are more important than one of two data points which can just be a random spike. Finally, it is important to look at these case numbers on a per capita basis since there are three million people who live in Quezon City, not counting transients.

Since Covid-19 has become endemic, we expect it to exhibit some seasonality just like other respiratory viruses like influenza. There will be some periods of the year where we will see an increase. This is part of the natural selection process where SARS-CoV-2 needs to find its niche among the different seasonal respiratory viruses like influenza and RSV. There are no new variants of SARS-CoV-2 that have recently made an appearance. The latest designated variant under monitoring (VUM) is still XFG, which was designated as such in 2025.

Unfortunately, we currently have no genomic data to describe the current cohort of cases, but unless the increase is sustained, there is no reason to believe that a new local variant is emerging.

Nevertheless, these increases in cases need to be carefully monitored like other seasonal viruses such as the flu. They can increase pressure on the healthcare system especially when more than one respiratory virus is resurgent. In addition, an increase in the number of cases should prompt mitigation strategies and risk reduction measures for the most vulnerable.

At these times, the elderly and the immunocompromised should wear good quality masks and be extra careful around crowds. We still don't have any updated vaccines that have been approved locally, but the old vaccines seem to still be protecting us. Mortality for previously vaccinated individuals who get Covid-19 remains low. Yearly updated vaccines are being released in the US and other developed countries. Unfortunately, our local FDA has not approved any of these updated vaccines for release.

Medications remain effective against the current SARS-CoV-2 circulating variants. We don't have remdesivir available locally anymore, but nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid) is still available and still works on the most recent variants. There are ongoing efforts by local medical groups such as the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (PSMID) to convince pharmaceutical companies to market remdesivir anew since it is the only approved drug for severe Covid-19.

Paxlovid remains effective for decreasing the risk of progression of mild and moderate Covid-19 to severe Covid-19. However, it is quite expensive compared to remdesivir. There is one other effective oral drug for preventing mild to moderate Covid-19 from progressing to severe Covid-19. Ensitrelvir, an inhibitor of the protease enzyme used by SARS-CoV-2, has been approved in Japan and is used in a similar fashion as Paxlovid but is currently not available or approved in the Philippines.

Most recently, ensitrelvir has been found to be effective when used as post-exposure prophylaxis. Post-exposure prophylaxis means that someone who has already been exposed to Covid-19 can take the medication to prevent the disease altogether. Ensitrelvir was found to decrease the risk of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 on RT-PCR by 67 percent if taken shortly after exposure to a Covid-19 infected person. This is a significant development because neither remdesivir nor Paxlovid were ever shown to prevent the development of Covid-19 symptoms in similar post-exposure prophylaxis studies.

What has been previously effective for post-exposure prophylaxis has been monoclonal antibodies which are quite expensive and need to be infused intravenously. Moreover, some of the monoclonal antibodies lost efficacy as new variants emerged, which shouldn’t be a major issue with ensitrelvir since it isn’t an antibody. This means that there is now an oral drug that can be given to the vulnerable population if they are exposed to a known Covid-19 case, especially if they haven’t gotten an updated vaccine booster.

Covid-19 continues to evolve but it seems to be settling into an endemic niche and is no longer the deadly disease it once was. There is no indication of a more deadly and more transmissible new variant so there is no need to overreact or panic. We still have effective medications, and non-pharmacologic interventions such as masks. Listen to reliable sources of information and see your doctor if you get sick and are concerned it might be Covid-19.

COVID-19 is now an endemic niche disease. Nothing to see here folks!