MANILA, Philippines — Senator Francis Tolentino has filed a bill that would institutionalize a three – installments payment scheme on basic utility bills during a state of calamity. 1473 or the “Three-Gives Law” as the country grapples with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Under the bill, a moratorium on the payment of electric, water and telephone bills during the entire duration of a state of calamity will be imposed. At present, only Metro Manila and other “high risk” areas remain under an enhanced community quarantine until May 15 while a general community quarantine has been imposed on moderate to low-risk provinces since May 1. As of Monday afternoon, Philippine health officials have confirmed 9,485 COVID-19 cases in the country.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer May 05, 2020 04:58 UTC