News Report
13 November 2020 Local
1. COVID-19 tally of Phl cases
The Philippine Star, 12 November 2020, p. 1
New COVID-19 cases: 1,407 Active cases: 32,682
Death toll: 7,721 (+11) Recoveries: 362,417 (+211) Total number of confirmed cases: 402,820
2. Ondoy-like floods trap thousands The Philippine Star, 13 November 2020, p. 1
The fast rising flood brought by Typhoon Ulysees made people trapped, as
thousands of houses were submerged, like what was experienced during Typhoon Ondoy in 2009. The most affected areas are Marikina and Rizal. Furthermore, some parts in Pasig City were also flooded due to the overflowing of Marikina River.
3. Rody defends PH arbitral victory The Manila Times, 13 November 2020, p. 2
President Duterte reiterated the Philippines arbitral victory against China in the South China Sea, during his speech in the plenary session of the 37th ASEAN Summit. He added that its importance should not be ignored by any country, no matter how powerful the country is.
4. Extended VFA suspension welcomed The Manila Times, 13 November 2020, p. 3
The US Embassy in Manila stated that its country has welcomed the decision of President Duterte to extend the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) for another six months. The extension was announced through Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Wednesday, November 11.
Korea -
Economic
5. PH expects 2 more World Bank loans worth $880 M The Philippine Daily Inquirer, 13 November 2020, p. B1
The Philippine will secure two more loans from the World Bank worth $880 M to further support the country’s economic recovery and agriculture sector amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The first loan worth $600 M is scheduled for approval on Dec.
16 and will be handled by the Department of Finance, while the other loan is for approval on Dec. 15 and will be extended to the Department of Agriculture.
6. China-backed trade pact up for signing at ASEAN Summit Manila Bulletin, 13 November 2020, p. B1
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which is said to be the world’s largest trade pact in terms of GDP, will be signed this week as confirmed by Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the online ASEAN Summit.
