“Our request right now, is not just at Metro Manila, but also for areas of concern all over the Philippines to be given support,” Robredo said in mixed English and Filipino. 

“Apart from vaccinations and adherence to minimum public health safety standards, each of us needs discipline,” Eleazar said. 

The Philippines’ dollar surplus is still poised to shrink this year, but the new forecast is now bigger than the previous one on the back of “better-than-expected” global economic outlook.

The chief of the Philippine National Police on Friday instructed cops to refrain from imposing any sanctions on violators who are caught not wearing face shields, saying that they should be cautioned instead following recent confusion over the government's standing policy. 

A fresh report from the UN refugee agency showed global displacement figures swelled by around three million in 2020 after an already record-breaking year in 2019, leaving a full one percent of humanity uprooted and displaced.