The financing arm of the Department of Trade and Industry has started the release of loans to help micro and small enterprises recover from the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic’s impact and expects to complete the disbursement of funds under the P1-billion lending program by the end of next month.

With 42 new deaths yesterday, the Department of Health has documented the highest number of fatalities from coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 in three months.

With almost 10,000 new cases reported in the past week, the government is intensifying its surveillance and contact tracing efforts as well as swabbing – via polymerase chain reaction testing – for coronavirus disease 2019 at all ports of entry.

With the world hit by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, President Duterte has declared 2020 as the “Year of Filipino Health Workers” to recognize the “invaluable contribution” of Filipino doctors, nurses and medical workers here and abroad in dealing with COVID-19.

The Quezon City Hall of Justice main and annex buildings have been ordered temporarily closed after four court officers and employees tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019.