"Christmas parties will not be allowed while our situation is like this," Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said.

Metro Manila mayors have recommended the placing of the capital region under GCQ until the end of the year, noting that protocols on economic activity can be relaxed without downgrading the quarantine classification. 

"The focus of our operations has always been, and will continue to be, cooperation alongside our Indo-Pacific allies and partners in promoting regional stability," Wikoff said.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the department’s estimates showed the government needs around P12.1 billion to vaccinate priority populations.

Payment terms of state debt continued to shorten as of August, an unwarranted consequence of investors remaining jittery to bet for the long haul, but government assured settling should not be a problem especially with interest costs at record-lows.