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In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, new ways of interacting are rapidly affecting our way of life. As we continue to stay and work at home, however, data privacy concerns may have been pushed into the sidelines.

DUE to the extension of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) issued Revenue Memorandum Circular 43-2020 to provide relief to taxpayers in filing returns and paying due taxes. Taxpayers during the ECQ may:

The government has extended the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in certain high-risk COVID-19 areas to May 15. In addition, for moderate- and low-risk areas, a modified form of general community quarantine (GCQ) will be implemented beginning May 1. During these extraordinary times, social distancing is the new normal and staying at home is a civic duty. More importantly, more and more people are lending a hand to communities.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic has resulted in significant disruption, and presents unexpected challenges for organizations of all sizes and sectors across the world. As we have seen, the spread of Covid-19 throughout communities is quickly changing how people live and work and how businesses operate.

ON APRIL 6, 2020, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) released Revenue Regulations (RR) 9-2020, granting further benefits from donations during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in relation to the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) of 1997, as amended. RR 9-2020 provides that donations or gifts made for the sole and exclusive purpose of combating Covid-19 during the state of national emergency shall be exempt from donor’s tax and shall be considered fully deductible against the gross income of the donor-corporation or donor-individual, granted that documentary evidence of such is provided. Such donations are limited to cash donations; donations of all critical or needed health care equipment or supplies; relief goods such as, but not limited to food packs (rice, canned goods, noodles, etc.) and water; and use of property, whether real or personal (shuttle service, use of lots or buildings).

At a time when all hope seems lost, witnessing people coming together to help each other in the battle against COVID-19 may be what’s needed to have one’s faith in humanity restored. Frontliners, from health care workers and emergency response teams to grocery workers and food delivery riders, are being lauded as heroes, and rightfully so. Whether it is our lives or dinners that are on the line, these frontliners work hand in hand and with the rest of the world, despite the risk to their personal safety every time. The Bayanihan spirit we have been seeing these past few weeks is a show of solidarity that is definitely one for the ages.

Imagine a learning environment, whether in a school or corporate setting, where learners are given the opportunity to choose topics that interest and engage them by truly personalizing their learning experience.

Last week, many believers all over the world celebrated the most important event in the Christian calendar — Holy Week. For devout Christians like me, Holy Week is a time for prayer, sacrifice, repentance, and reflection. This year, however, Holy Week was celebrated differently in response to the government’s call to contain the transmission of COVID-19. Christian rituals and local traditions were carried out without crowds, while masses were televised or streamed online. Undoubtedly, this outbreak continues to affect life in more ways than we could have imagined. We can bear witness to how this pandemic brought new meaning and significance to our lives. It invited us to see the greater reality of what is important in life, brought many people back to their faith, and inspired people to show more kindness and empathy for others.