State-run PTV suspends Laging Handa briefing amid rising COVID-19 cases

State-run broadcaster People's Television Network (PTV) will not be holding the regular Laging Handa briefing on the government’s COVID-19 response from March 17 to 21 due extensive disinfection amid rising coronavirus cases.

In a statement, PTV said that the station will go off air on March 17, and resume broadcast on March 18 and that its flagship programs Laging Handa Public Briefing and Ulat Bayan “will be back on air on Monday, March 22.”

“This is an effort to ensure the safety and well being of its employees and staff at this time of rising COVID-19 cases in the country,” PTV said.

PTV then assured the public that it will continue to serve the public’s need for news and information with constant updates via its Facebook and other social media pages.

A full resumption of regular programming, on the other hand, will be announced in a separate statement.

The Philippines has been recording over 4,000 new COVID-19 cases for the last week and a half.

The total number of active COVID-19 cases in the country is at 57,736.—AOL, GMA News