Government is bracing for a possible surge in coronavirus infections as the holiday season approaches, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said late Monday night. 

The health department on Monday warned the public against going to crowded places with the threat of the coronavirus still looming amid the approaching holiday. 

While the Philippine government wants everyone to have access to COVID-19 vaccines, immunization won't be mandatory as only half of the population needs to be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity, Malacañang said Monday.

A Senate leader on Monday called on the Duterte administration to settle the issue of unreleased hazard pay and other allowances to health workers dealing with the coronavirus pandemic before the year ends. 

"Fitch does not expect asset quality deterioration to peak until well into 2021," it said.