COVID-19: Philippines eases lockdown in Manila capital
Millions of people returned to work in the Philippines’s Manila capital on June 1 as one of the world's strictest and longest COVID-19 lockdowns was eased to help resuscitate the economy.
Checking body temprature in the Philippines (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Millions of people returned to work in the Philippines’s Manilacapital on June 1 as one of the world's strictest and longest COVID-19lockdowns was eased to help resuscitate the economy.
After nearly three months of applyingthe blockade order, public transport such as trains and shuttle buses are allowed to operate in Manila but on a limited scale.
The majority of businesses are allowedto reopen, while residents can leave home without a permit. However, schools, barsand restaurants are still closed. Currently, both children and the elderly inthe country are required to stay at home unless they need to go out to buy necessities.
Earlier, the Philippine government relaxed restrictions in small towns outsideManila.
The Philippine Ministry of Healthreported that the country recorded 552 new casesof COVID-19 and three deaths on the same day, raising the totals to 18,638 and 960,respectively.
The Philippines currently has thethird highest number of infections and the second highest number of deaths inSoutheast Asia.
In Thailand, the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration under the Thai governmenthas suggested considering a long holiday in July to make up forthe cancellation of Songkran festivities that was supposed to be in April.
However, the centre said thisplan is only possible if the Thai people are able to help bring the new COVID-19cases to only one digit, or better at zero.
Previously, the Thai governmentdelayed the Songkran holiday slated for April 13-15 until "further notice"for fear that large gatherings and the homecoming of revellers could exacerbatethe COVID-19 outbreak.
Meanwhile, the Indonesi𒁏an Ministry ofHealth announced that the countryconfirmed 467 more COVID-19 patients and 28 deaths on June 1, bringing thetotal of infections and fatalities to 26,940 and1,641, respectively./.
The Philippine government is eyeing a stimulus package worth 846 billion pesos (16.7 billion USD) to enable a full economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez.
The facility will integrate multiple components, including mining operations, a smelter, high-pressure acid leach (HPAL) processing, and production of precursors and cathodes.
A participant in the Malaysia Economic Forum 2025 said despite challenges, there are significant opportunities in AI, digital transformation, and green technologies, requiring the country to balance both risk and potential thoughtfully.
Themed “emerging trends in terrorism and violent extremism”, the event drew over 200 participants from domestic and international agencies, discussing the rapid evolution of terrorism and the need for stronger regional and global cooperation.
Indonesia aims to start nuclear power generation by 2034, with a government roadmap already in place to develop small modular reactors (SMRs) with capacities ranging from 300 to 500 megawatts.
The package, endorsed on June 24, comprises 481 projects designed to boost GDP by an additional 0.4% and generate temporary employment for about 7.4 million people nationwide.
An Indonesian official emphasised that energy security is extremely essential amid global geopolitical and economic fragmentation, highlighting the need for the energy industry to strengthen resilience and responsiveness in the face of fluctuating oil prices and the shift to clean energy.
ASEAN must deepen collaboration through platforms such as the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) to ensure regional responses keep pace with the rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape.
Speaking at the launch of the Indonesia Economic Prospects June 2025 edition on June 23 in Jakarta, Turk noted that Indonesia’s gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 4.9% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year.
Anti-dumping duties will continue to be imposed on producers from China and Japan while those on relevant exporters from the RoK and Vietnam will be terminated, starting from June 23.
A specialist police unit has acquired a fleet of off-road vehicles to help officers navigate rough, unpaved terrain – and flood waters – to respond more quickly to public security incidents.
The pact covers goods, services, investments, intellectual property rights, customs facilitation, competition policy, sanitary and phytosanitary, trade and sustainable development, government procurement and economic cooperation.
The talent programmes mark another milestone in the technical partnership between PETRONAS and the Energy Institute, which focuses on three pillars: promoting decarbonisation and operational excellence through innovative solutions, enabling informed decision-making with expert advice, and nurturing the next generation of energy professionals.
The firefighters found an active blaze at the lorry depot located in the city of Pasir Gudang near the state capital of Johor Bahru, with flames spreading quickly due to strong winds and igniting a neighboring disused oil storage area.
Investigators believe the operation is part of a broader scam network involving romance scams, where victims are lured into fake relationships and persuaded to transfer money.
Ambassadors, Consuls General, along with staff and their families, joined traditional sports and cultural activities of Southeast Asia and performances bearing regional identity, thus contributing to strengthening unity and the ASEAN community spirit in New York.
Checking body temprature in the Philippines (Photo: VNA) 
