MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Congress on Tuesday approved a bill declaring a national emergency and authorizing the president to launch a massive aid program for 18 million families and tap private hospitals and ships in fighting the coronavirus outbreak. President Rodrigo Duterte can reapportion the executive department's budget under the legislation, which will also punish people disobeying quarantine orders and spreading “false information” about the outbreak, legislators said. The state of national emergency will last for three months but can be extended by Congress. Duterte is expected to sign the bill into law soon. Most residents have been ordered to stay home and work and classes have been suspended under the monthlong containment.

Source: International New York Times March 24, 2020 11:01 UTC