Weekend Balita- March 21, 2020

LOS ANGELES EDITION

25 million workers worldwide could lose jobs from Covid-19–ILO

PAGE 10 VOL. XXIX NO. 12

March 21 - 27, 2020

THE LEADING SOURCE OF NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR FELLOW FILIPINO-AMERICANS

“STaY aT Home” PReVaILS IN CaLIfoRNIa “Safer at Home” in City of La, County

By ABNER GALINO

TOP STORIES

ON Thursday (March 19), California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued “Stay At Home” order to some 40 million people to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus or COVID-19.

Global News Covid-positive Filipino in Hong Kong recovers 8  US visa appointments postponed 8  Duque on home quarantine 8  Covid-19 vaccine trial begins: WHO 9  US plans helping out Boeing to prevent its downfall 10  No need for Covid-19 mass testing yet: DOH 10 

Sections DELISH. All-time Favorite Treats 11  TOURISM. P14-B allocation to span 3 years for tourism support: DOT 12  ENTERTAINMENT. Maine Mendoza starts ‘DoNation’ drive for Pinoys affected by lockdown 15  HEALTH & FAMILY. Is COVID-19 airborne? Only in confined hospital settings — DOH 16  FEATURE. How to stay sane in this crazy time 19  BUSINESS. Aboitiz sets P900-M support for team members amid Covid-19 crisis 20 

IT may not be business as usual for this Filipino restaurant in downtown Los Angeles, but business would go on for food services like this one as the “Safer At Home” order takes effect.

Photo by ABNER GALINO

Philippines now has 230 confirmed COVID-19 cases; one death hikes toll to 18 THE Philippines has recorded 13 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the total up to 230.

As of 12 noon on Friday, the Department of Health has also received report of one more patient dying of COVID-19, bring the total number of casualties to 18.

The latest casualty was a 65-year-old Filipino male from Quezon City with travel history to Singapore.

The number of patients who recovered from the disease

remained at eight.

Ve r ge i r e a g a i n u r ge d the public to follow countermeasures against the virus such as proper handwashing and socia l distancing measures, among others.

"Mag t ulungan po tayo para bumaba na ang kaso ng COVID-19 sa ating bansa," she said.

According to Vergeire, test kits have already been sent to the country's strategic subnational laboratories which PHILIPPINES

“STAY

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Dockweiler Beach RV Park may become Covid-19 quarantine zone

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Japan flu drug ‘effective’ in treating COVID-19 — Chinese expert

By MELDA GUERRA AN antiviral drug being used in Japan for treating influenza v ir uses shows ev idence that it is effective against the coronav ir us disease (COVID-19), according to Chinese government in a news conference held Tuesday in Dalian, the capital of China's Liaoning province.

The flu drug Favipiravir, sold under the brand name Avigan, was used recently in clinical trials conducted on 304 patients at Wuhan and Shenzhen hospitals. Results JAPAN

Newsom gave the order an hour after Los Angeles County officials and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti issued their “Safer At Home” order for the same purpose.

Both orders went into effect on Thursday night.

"We are confident the people of the state of California will abide by it. They’ll do the right thing, they’ll meet this moment, they’ll step up as they have over the course of the last number of week to protect themselves, their families and to protect the broader community, and this

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THE Dockweiler Beach RV Park is among the many locations being eyed by the Los Angeles County to house people who may have been ordered to isolate or

quarantine by the Department of Public Health for being sick with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Dockweiler Beach RV Park

located at According to a press release issued by City of El Segundo, the Dockweiler Beach and the adjacent RV park (12001 Vista Del Mar, Los Angeles) are DOCKWEILER

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Palace lauds biz firms’ contributions to fight Covid-19

By RUTH ABBEY GITA-CARLOS M A NIL A – Malacañang on Friday thanked the big business companies that are taking the initiative to help the government in its fight against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

In a press statement, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo was elated that more business f ir ms are extending assistance to individuals who are from the marginalized sector and on the frontline to stop the further

spread of Covid-19.

“The Office of the President wou ld l i ke to t h a n k t he c ont r i but ion s of s e ve r a l businesses in our fight to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019,” Panelo said.

Panelo said the Palace PALACE

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ABNER GALINO, Fil-Am News Editor

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“STaY... fRom PaGe 1 great state and the world we reside in," Newsom said during a press conference.

On Wednesday, the California governor directed the National Guard to be on alert and ready to step in and help stop the disease.

Newsom the soldiers could help in humanitarian missions, safeguarding the supply lines and other public safety measures.

“As Californians make sacrifices over the coming weeks and stay home, we are immensely grateful for medical providers, first-responders and National Guard personnel who are assisting those who are most vulnerable to COVID-19,” Newsom said in a statement.

Newsom has also sent a letter to President Donald Trump and requested for the immediate deployment of the USNS Mercy Hospital Ship to the Port of Los Angeles.

In the said letter, Newsom gave a staggering projection of about 25.5 million people, or about 56 percent of California’s population, would be infected by the coronavirus over a twomonth period.

“Safer At Home” in the City of LA and County

Also on Thursday, an hour earlier than Newsom’s press conference, L.A. County officials that included L.A. Mayor Garcetti, Pasadena Mayor Terry Tornek and Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia also went public to enlighten their constituents on a stronger attempt to increase social distancing measures and “flatten the curve.”

Similarly, the “Safer At Home” emergency order called on residents of the City of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles County “to stay in their residences and limit all activities outside of their homes beyond what is absolutely necessary for essential tasks.”

“We are all safer at home. Staying in our residences, being aggressive about hygiene, and practicing safe social distancing are the most effective ways to protect ourselves, the people we love, and everyone in our community,” said Mayor Garcetti.

“Each one of us is a first-responder in this crisis, and Angelenos understand that we have to make big sacrifices

right now to save lives. This isn’t forever — and we’ll get through it together.”

The order will be in place until April 19 unless extended.

Exempted in the order people delivering critical tasks such as “securing food and health, safety and medical necessities, as well as caring for children, elder adults, family, friends and people with disabilities.”

Many establishments not covered in previous orders, including clothing and

some other retail stores, are ordered to “cease operations that require in-person attendance by workers at a workplace.”

“The order takes effect Thursday, March 19, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.; however it shall be exempt, until Friday, March 20, 2020 at 11:59 p.m., to allow employees and business owners to access their workplaces to gather belongings or address other administrative needs, so long as social distancing requirements are followed,” said a statement from the mayor.

The L.A. County health order will also stay in effect until April 19.

L.A. County Public Health Officer Barbara Ferrer said during the press conference that the goal was to keep the number of COVID-19 cases down so as not overwhelm the county’s healthcare system.

Ferrer added that the disease “can strike almost everybody who lives here in L.A. County.”

Statements of LA County Supervisors

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Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, announced the “Safer at Home” public health order signed by L.A. County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis to take effect today.

“This is the next step in protecting our communities from the coronavirus and will have invaluable long-term effects,” Barger said.

“This order will increase social distancing while still enabling residents to shop for essential items at the market, pharmacy, and hardware store, and still be able to visit the bank or gas station.”

Barger encouraged L.A. County residents to find ways to give back, including supporting local businesses, checking in on their elderly neighbors, donating funds to local nonprofits, assembling hygiene kits for those in need, or giving blood.

Supervisor Janice Hahn: “This latest order enforces a simple fact: with this disease spreading, you are safer at home. Everyone can still get the food and supplies they need – but by staying at home right now, you are not only keeping yourself as safe as possible, you are helping make it safer for the grocery store workers, healthcare workers, first responders, and transit workers we are depending on to be in public.”

Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas: “I thank our Public Health Director for taking the difficult but necessary step of banning gatherings of 10 or more people and ordering the closure of non-essential businesses to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.”

“Far too many of our fellow Angelenos, however, cannot stay at home because they do not have one. It is our priority to bring as many of our homeless neighbors indoors immediately.

“Finally, I want to express my awe, appreciation and respect for the diverse ‘army for good’ who are on the front lines fighting this pandemic – the doctors and nurses at our hospitals; the street outreach workers who care for our homeless neighbors; the workers in grocery stores, restaurants, and other essential establishments and vital infrastructure; and many more.”

Safer At Home guidelines

Under the “Safer at Home” guidelines, L.A. County has directed residents to refrain from gathering in an enclosed space with more than 10 people.

The order directs businesses deemed nonessential, such as retail stores and malls, to close temporarily. It also orders CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

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Civil rights leaders encourage diverse California communities to “sanitize and self-respond” In the time of Coronavirus, the state´s diverse communities are told that participation in the U.S. Census is still crucially important, aside from safe and secure

By PILAR MARRERO Ethnic Media Services THE U.S. Census self-response phase went live on March 12, and civil rights leaders of diverse ethnic groups came together to remind their communities of the many legal and privacy protections guaranteed by federal law for people to participate in the decennial count.

They also encouraged them to continue to “self-respond” by phone, online or mail and outlined the steps they will follow to continue to reach out to hard-to-count communities, addressing at the same time the health emergency of the Covid-19 as an additional challenge in Census 2020.

“We encourage our communities to sanitize and self-respond”, said Jeri Green, 2020 Census Senior Advisor for the National Urban League.

The leaders emphasized that most Americans are now able to selfrespond to the Census in the privacy of their own homes without having to meet a Census taker or enumerator.

For example, people can go to https://2020census.gov/ and answer nine questions (seven for every person in the household other than the one filling out the questionnaire). They can also respond by phone or in

printed form.

S e vera l or ga n i zat ion s have mounted massive campaigns to help their communities maximize their participation, given that the data collected by the US Census is used in the distribution of resources, funding of services and political representation through drawing of districts for Congress, State Legislatures, etc.

B e t h Ly n k , C en su s c ou nt s campaign Director for The Leadership Conference Education Fund said the Census is “one of the most urgent civil rights issues facing the country and right now every person in the US has a chance to ensure a fair and complete count to all communities”.

K now ing that many in their communities have privacy concerns on the use of the data they will be sharing with the Census, the leaders reminded that the information has extraordinary levels of legal protection.

John Yang, president and executive d irec tor of A sia n A mer ic a ns Advancing Justice pointed to the laws that govern the use of the data given to the U.S. Census Bureau as “the strongest privacy protections allowed in the United States”.

Asian A mericans are among the communities where there are

DoCKWeILeR... fRom PaGe 1 not part of the city’s jurisdiction.

The said area, according to the same press release, is within the jurisdiction and control of Los Angeles County.

(CBOs) and government partners to support those in isolation or quarantine with comprehensive services to ensure their safety, health and well-being.

“Individuals that may be housed at this location will likely be those who cannot self-isolate/quarantine in their residence and need County support,” said the El Segundo report.

“Authorities said LA County will work with private sector providers, faith-based groups, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based organizations

Supportive housing facilities will be distributed across all areas of the County to limit disruptions as much as possible.”

“This is an emergency action that Los Angeles County is taking to comply with the Department of Public Health’s orders to keep the entire County safe.”

“Please avoid this area until further notice.”

“STaY... fRom PaGe 2 children’s playgrounds to close except those in childcare centers or schools.

First responders and t hose in healthcare, government, food services, transit, delivery, news, and other essential industries will still be on the job.

Grocery stores and restaurants that are doing delivery, take-out, and drive-thru

service will remain open.

The order directs businesses deemed nonessential, such as retail stores and malls, to close temporarily.

As of Wednesday afternoon, there are roughly 779 confirmed cases of the virus in California, and 16 people have died from the disease.

many undocumented immigrants and mixed-status households, which creates mistrust towards the government and could affect a complete count. Every person living in the United States by April 1 must be counted, and that includes undocumented immigrants.

“The confidentiality provision known as Title 13 prevents the government from using the Census data for any purpose other than the statistical one”, said Yang. “More importantly, the bureau and its employees are not allowed to share the data with any other government agency or officials for any reason”.

Certain information gathered by the Census cannot be published for 72 years, such as the name of the individual, business or organization, address or telephone number. Another layer of laws prohibits the use of data in any way against the individual who responded.

Yang pointed to their hotline for the Asian and Pacific Islander Community in several languages as a crucial resource to answer questions: 844-2020-API or 844-202-0204.

Other communities share the same privacy concern. This is a very important issue in black communities, said Green, of the Urban League, whose 90 affiliates are hard at

work reassuring their members of the security of the data and the importance of participation.

“We are fighting to ensure that the black population, including immigrants, lose no ground, be it economic, political or in civil rights”, she emphasized. “The stakes are too high, please go to makeblackcount. org to learn more about our efforts”.

Lycia Maddox, Vice President of External Affairs for the National Congress of American Indians (which also includes Alaska Natives) said that the tribal nations across the country present a special challenge due to restrictions they have imposed on access to their lands, due to the Coronavirus.

“These communities often have no access to online and broadband to self-respond, and these new security measures make it impossible for enumerators to visit them and it delays mail delivery”, Maddox said.

“We are as we speak working with different networks to come up with plans, and to increase community outreach and advertising”.

Lizette Escobedo, Census Director for the National Association of Latino and Elected Officials (NALEO) invited Latinos to call the bilingual SpanishEnglish hotline 877 ELCENSO or 877 CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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Baffled by COVID-19 pandemic, we need to look back at previous plagues

F

or most of us, our lives are at a halt due to this pandemic COVID 19. No one ever predicted that simple things such as hand shaking or even just hugging loved ones and friends can turn out disastrous. As of Wednesday, March 18, 2020, the US government predicts that we might have to live with this turmoil for the next two years or more.

It surely is unthinkable, but somehow it is possible due to the previous worldwide history of pandemics or plague since the first known plague was recorded in history.

The first recorded pandemic plague according to history was from the year 541 to 750, known as the plague of Justinian, which spread from Egypt to the Mediterranean all through Western Europe. This was the first known Bubonic plague. Bubonic was derived from the word ‘bucco’, a disease that was known to have started in "China, that spread through Africa, where the City of Constantinople imposed massive amounts of grain, mostly from Egypt to feed its citizens.

It was believed that the grain ships were the source of contamination for the city that had massive public granaries where rats and fleas abound. At its peak, the plague showed around 5,000 deaths in Constantinople everyday and the end result of it was it killed 40% of the city's inhabitants and it must have killed a quarter of its human population in Eastern Mediterranean, which is now known as the country of France.

In total, this plague or pandemic must have killed as many as 100 million people worldwide.

This was followed by the second plague pandemic from the year 1331 to 1855 , spreading from Central Asia to the Mediterranean and Europe and probably China. This plague was also called the "Black Death."

And the third known pandemic plague was from the year 1665 through 1666, also known as the Great Bubonic Plague, which occurred in England, believed to have originated also in China in 1331.This Great Plague in England killed an estimated 100,000 people, "almost a quarter of London's population in 18 months Bubonic Plague involving rats and the plague was known to be caused by "Yersinia pestis bacterium," which was usually transmitted through the bite of infected rat fleas," according to Wikipedia. During this pestilence, some preventive measures were done such as: the "quarantining of ships coming to London and ordering two other Naval ships in intercepting any vessel entering

the Thames' estuary." At the outbreak, "the King of England and his family left but they came back on February, 1666 when the pandemic slowed down and the British Parliament reconvened on September, 1666 and businesses thus opened up." This plague mostly affected the poor, because the wealthy people were able to move to their country estates or lived with relatives in other parts of England.

The third pandemic was recorded to have began in China's Yunnan province in 1855, spreading the plague to all inhabited continents, which ultimately killed more than 12 million people in India and China alone.

Medical casualty patterns indicated that waves of the pandemic may have come from two different sources: the first was believed to be Bubonic and was carried around the world through oceangoing trade, transporting infected persons, rats and cargoes nurturing fleas. The second source was more mysterious as the strain was primarily pneumonic in symptoms as it affects a person to person contagion. The only good part about this strain was that it was confined between Manchuria and Mongolia.

This pandemic reached Russia's rural areas near the Ural Mountains and the Caspian Sea. Due to massive efforts in patient isolation and hygiene, the

spread of the disease was reduced to around 420 deaths in the region.

The last significant Russian plague was in Siberia in1910 after a sudden demand of "marmot" skin (a substitute for sable) increased its price by 400 percent. This was because traditional animal hunters would not hunt sick Marmots and it was taboo to eat its fat from under the arm (the lymphatic gland that often had the plague), but due to its price increase, thousands of Chinese hunters from Manchuria not only caught the sick Marmots but ate their fat too, which was considered a delicacy. The plague lasted around 7 months and killed around 60,000 people.

For the next 50 years, the Bubonic plague circulated around different parts of the world but mostly found in Southeast Asia , with an epidemic in Hongkong in 1894, which resulted in 90% death rate, and in Mumbai, India the epidemic came in 1896 which reached the territory of Hawaii, where its Board of Health decided to initiate controlled burns of select buildings in Honolulu's Chinatown, thus leading to inadvertent burning of most of Chinatown until January 20, 1900.

The fourth pandemic occurred between 1895 through 1960, also started in China to various parts of the world notably India and the West Coast of the United States. Shortly thereafter, the plague reached San Francisco and the pandemic persisted on the outer islands of Maui and Hawaii (the Big Island) until it was finally eradicated in 1960.

In an online edition of "Nature Genetics," published on October 31, 2010, it was concluded that all four of the great waves of plague originated in China. To date, we are baffled as to why all these pandemics started in China. Let us therefore hope that this particular pandemic we're currently experiencing can be eradicated soon, before it wipes out all of us. Let us all fervently pray that the Lord above hears our fervent prayers now and forever May the lord Almighty bless us all.

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61 new cases of confirmed COVID-19 in Los Angeles County LOS ANGELES (March 20, 2020) – The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed 61 new cases of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Over the last 48 hours there have been 101 new cases. Because there are positive cases across the entire County, the public should not think one location is safer than the other. Additional information regarding some of the new cases are pending completion of an investigation.

To date, Public Health has identified 292 cases across all areas in LA County including two deaths, so everyone needs to practice social distancing and good public health hygiene.

Public Health is investigating these cases and will notify close c ont ac t s who are household members, i n t i m a t e pa r t ner s a nd healthcare pr ofe s sion a l s to assess and monitor them for signs and s y mptom s of illness. A ll confirmed cases are being isolated and close contacts are quarantined.

“Our State, County and Local leaders have entered the next phase in protecting the health of our population and slowing the spread of COVID-19,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Los Angeles County Public Health Director. “Non-essential businesses are ordered to close and everyone is ordered to be safe at home unless you are an essential worker. Essential services - those that ensure we have our medicine and healthcare, food to eat, water to drink, communications and electricity - may all remain open and operating. We thank all of those who are working in these essential roles for

their service during these very difficult times.”

An enhanced Health Officer Order was issued on March 19 closing all nonessential business and restricting all gatherings and events; the Order continues the previous closure and the new closures through April 19, 2020.

The Order can be found online:http:// publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/ Coronavirus/ Public Health has issued the following guidance during this time of increased spread: If you are mildly sick, stay home for at least seven days or until 72 hours

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PECHANGA ANNOUNCES TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF RESORT CASINO UNTIL END OF MARCH FOR HEALTH & SAFETY OF GUESTS AND TEAM MEMBERS TRIBAL Leaders today announced that the Pechanga Resort Casino will be temporarily closing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The closure will be effective Monday, March 16 at 12 p.m. through the end of March.

“As a Tribal Government and major employer of thousands of people, we have made the difficult decision to temporarily close Pechanga Resort Casino for the health and safety of our Team Members, Tribal Members, and guests due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Tribal Chairman Mark Macarro. “No matter what, the Pechanga family will rise to this challenge together with the strength, compassion, determination, and resilience that our ancestors instilled in us.”

Pechanga Team Members will receive their base pay and benefits during this temporary closure.

after being fever free, whichever is longer. Call your doctor if you are concerned and/or your symptoms worsen. Individuals who are elderly, have underlying health conditions or pregnant should consider contacting their providers earlier when they are sick.

Public Health reminds LA County residents to do their part by adhering to the Order by always practicing social distancing.

Please see the locations were cases have occurred and additional things you can do to protect yourself, your family and your communit y on the Public Health website: http:// publichealth.lacounty.gov/

CIVIL... fRom PaGe 2 352-3672 where there will be live paid operator answering questions and watching for reports of potential scammers or disinformation.

The organization has trained 3500 Census Ambassadors to assist the community in 15 states in filling out the Census and has launched two national campaigns, “Hágase contar and Hazme contar” focused on the larger Latino community and children younger than four, which experienced a large undercount in the 2010 Census.

Additional paid media campaigns will remind people that there is absolutely “NO CITIZENSHIP QUESTION” in the Census and addressing “fears of data privacy and cybersecurity”.

A n addit iona l ad c ampaign targeting Latina Millennials who are English-dominant was launched 2 months ago.

“Ensuring an accurate count seems like a heavier lift as every day happens folks have mentioned, we are committed to working with national local and media partners to do what we can to ensure that Latinos are heard, seen and counted this 2020 census”, she added.

In the face of the Coronavirus pandemic, organizations are revising the way they conduct the outreach to

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maintain community safety, “Several grassroots organizations are moving to phone banks and text banks because the table opportunities are very restrictive right now and we want to exercise caution”, said Yang.

“We are also leaving drop off literature in supermarkets, community centers, and clinics”.

Ditas Katague, from the California Complete count office, said that the state of California has spent more than all the other states combined to reach out to the hardest to count populations and ensure everyone participates.

“The investment is unprecedented, a total of 172.2 million dollars and is larger than all other states combined, we are on a league of our own”, said Katague. “We have unique challenges, a diverse population, and a large geographic size. We have 120 partners throughout the state and we are coordinating the largest mobilization of partners in our state´s history”.

The leaders reiterated that their overall goal is that every Californian understands that the Census is not only “safe and secure”, and vital for the future of all the communities.

“The goal is to ensure that everyone is invited and able to participate in the 2020 Census”, said Beth Lynk of the Leadership Conference.

About Pechanga Resort Casino Pechanga Resort Casino offers one of the largest and most expansive resort/casino experiences anywhere in the United States. Voted the number one casino in the country by USA Today and rated a Four Diamond property by AAA since 2002, Pechanga Resort & Casino provides an unparalleled getaway, whether for the day or for an extended luxury stay. Offering more than 5,000 of the hottest slots, table games, world-class entertainment, 1,090 hotel rooms, dining, spa and golf at Journey at Pechanga, Pechanga Resort & Casino features a destination that meets and exceeds the needs of its guests and the community. Pechanga Resort & Casino is owned and operated by the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians. For more information, call toll free (877) 711-2946 or visit www.Pechanga. com. Follow Pechanga Resort & Casino on Facebook and on Twitter @PechangaCasino.

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Effect of the Coronavirus towards our Real Estate Prices Why is the coronavirus pushing down mortgage interest rates?

It may seem perplexing that a virus that could result in lower mortgage interest rates. Everything is a cycle that sooner or later will affect us. Thank globalization. China is the world's second-largest economy, with a worldwide supply chain. So what happens there affects businesses around the world, which then affects global financial markets. Amid market turmoil, investors tend to pull money out of the stock market and park it in safer, more stable U.S. Treasury bonds.

And when bonds are strong, mortgage rates fall.

Rates dipped 9 basis points to 3.51% for 30-year fixed-rate loans as of Jan. 30, according to Freddie Mac. The panic surrounding the disease could keep them low, or even push them lower. The only thing in recent memory to compare it with is the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, in late 2002

and early 2003. During the resulting panic, mortgage interest rates also dipped.

"SARS was barely a blip in the U.S. real estate market," says Yun. But there weren't nearly as many Chinese buyers shopping for homes in the U.S. back then. "We don't know what's going to happen."

There could also be a downside to lower rates—while they will likely spur more buyers to get into the market at a time when buyer activity is already ramping up, sellers may respond by boosting their list pr The deadly outbreak of the coronavirus from China, which has sickened thousands around the world and terrified millions more, is taking a toll on global financial markets as well—and the effects are likely to extend to the U.S. luxury real estate market.

While there are only 11 confirmed cases of the virus on American soil,

the U.S. housing market is already feeling the effects of what could soon be declared a pandemic. Mortgage interest rates have dipped, and the already sluggish luxury real estate market has depended in recent years on an injection of Chinese buyers.

"China has been the most important source of foreign demand for real estate," says Lawrence Yun, chief economist at the National Association of Realtors®. Wealthy Chinese buyers often purchase luxury properties, such as high-rise condos, in California and New York. "The upper-end market can expect to be softer as a result."

Buyers from China spent about $13.4 billion on U.S. homes from April 2018 through May 2019, according to the NAR's most recent data on foreign buyers. While that may sound impressive, it actually represents a 56% drop from the previous 12-month period. Chinese

buyers have been spending less on U.S. real estate as their government has tightened rules on how much money can leave the country, U.S. immigration rules have tightened, and trade talks between the two nations have heated up.

But with the temporary ban on any foreigners who have been in China in the past two weeks, and cancellations of many flights from China to the U.S., a lot of would-be Chinese buyers can't get into America, putting any home-purchase plans they may have on ice.

Rates are so low now please take advantage and lower your rates!

Thanks for your inquiries and comments, please stay safe and keep your family safe. Call Ken Go of 1st Innovative Finance Group for any of your Real Estate Finance questions, call Ken at 562-508-7048. NMLS 238636 BRE 01021223

Is Bankruptcy The Answer To Your Debt Problems?

A LOT of people who are contemplating bankruptcy as a solution to their debt problems often wonder if it can be avoided at all. They fear that they might be making the biggest mistake of their lives.

If you are struggling with debt problems and are starting to feel hopeless about your situation because you are not getting anywhere in spite of your efforts, at what point do you consider filing bankruptcy as an option?

Bankruptcy scares a lot of people and that’s understandable because everything that they’ve heard about it from friends, family and co-workers is negative. But is bankruptcy really all that bad?

Well, most people don’t even understand it. The law says that bankruptcy is nothing more than a fresh financial start when you are no longer in a position to help yourself.

Of course, this is not what the bill collectors want you to think. They want you to think that this is the ‘worst’ thing that you can ever do and that it will ruin your chances of ever buying a house or getting credit again. These are the lies that they want you to believe because they know that once you file bankruptcy, they can no longer get any of your money.

From a legal standpoint, here are a few helpful questions you should be asking to help you assess whether it’s time for you to consider filing for bankruptcy:

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(1) Are you struggling to pay even the minimum payments on your credit cards? (2) Have you started borrowing money just to be able to cover your basic living expenses such as rent or mortgage, food, gas, etc? (3) Have you lost track of how much you owe? (4) Are bill collectors calling you because CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

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Preparing your Estate for the Covid-19 Pandemic THE Covid-19 Pandemic is a scary reality which affects everyone globally and has shut down the global economy. Individuals over 65 are more at risk of having serious complications with this virus. Although we cannot completely control how we would respond to such virus, we can prepare our finances and estate incase the worst happens.

Legally, there are several ways you can do this.

1. Create a Living Trust If you pass away w it h at least $166,250 in gross assets and you do not have a living trust (even if you have a will), your beneficiaries would have to open up a probate case before title to the assets can pass to them. When I say gross asset, I mean regardless of how much debt you owe on them. For example, if you own a house valued at $350,000 at the time of your death, it does not matter that your mortgage balance is $300,000, a probate case has to be opened in order to pass title to that property. The same is true with other types of assets such as owning a business, a professional practice, bonds, equities, etc. This is a very low threshold to exceed specially in California where real estate prices, even after the economic crisis, remains in the upper end of the curve among the 50 states.

Commencing a probate case is expensive and a very slow process.

Someone qualified will have to file a Petition with the probate court to have someone appointed as executor or administrator. The Petitioner's attorney gets paid a statutory rate for attorney's fees commencing with 4% of the gross estate. The probate referee will have to be paid for appraising the assets of the estate. If it is necessary to post bond, the premium on the bond would have to be paid as well. There is also the cost of administering the estate such as selling some of the assets to satisfy the estate's obligations and to divide the estate according to the will or the intestate line of succession if there is no will. The entire process

self.

4. Last Will and Testament A Last Will and Testament allows you to designate how your assets will be distributed after you pass away.

This allows you to customize how your estate will be divided and distributed.

In the absence of a Will, you would pass away intestate and the probate court would simply follow the California intestate succession laws which are in the probate code. could take up years specially if certain beneficiaries and creditors file certain claims. The probate court file would be public record.

On the other hand, if you have a living trust, your estate can avoid the entire court system and court supervision. In certain situations, the process may also save you estate taxes which may be substantial if your assets exceed a certain threshold. Basically, you and/or your spouse can be named as the initial trustee of the trust while you are alive. The trustee is the person who manages the trust. This means you retain control of all your assets the same way as if you never had a trust.

For revocable trusts, you can later on, at any time during your lifetime, revoke the entire trust if you change your mind.

The assets held in your living trust will be managed by the trustee and distributed according to your directions without court supervision and involvement when you pass away. This can save your heirs time and money.

Since the trust would not be under the direct management of the probate court, your assets and their value and your beneficiaries' identities would not become a public record. Your heirs and beneficiaries would still have to be notified about the living trust and advised, among other things, of their right to obtain a copy of the trust.

Having a trust is also beneficial in case you become incapacitated. The person you name as successor trustee can step up and manage the assets in your trust on your behalf.

MINDING YOUR FINANCES… FROM PAGE 6 you have accounts in collection? (5) Have creditors taken legal action against you such as filing a lawsuit, obtained a judgment and threatening to garnish your wages or levy your bank account?

If you said “yes” to any or most of the above, you could be in a financial danger zone and I suggest that you take immediate action before your situation gets worse.

If you own a home and have assets that may be at risk if you were sued by your creditors, it is in your best interest to find out how you can protect what you have from creditors who are trying to collect from you.

A lawsuit can lead to a judgment against you- and it can attach as a lien to your home which makes the debt secured while also earning interest. The lien may stop you from refinancing your mortgage and could be a hindrance in trying to sell your home unless the underlying debt is paid in full.

A judgment can also be enforced by garnishing your wages and attaching your bank accounts. This is not what you want, is it? So why wait for the worst to happen if there is something you can do right now to prevent all of the above from happening.

Never ignore your debts because they could come back and haunt you when you least expect them. I’ve seen this happen many, many times.

At the very least, you should consult with an experienced attorney so you can plan in advance what you should do if your financial situation gets worse.

I believe that bankruptcy should be a last resort and that you need to exhaust all debt relief options before resorting to it. But I also believe that a lot of people put off the decision to file bankruptcy for too long that they needlessly suffer in debt when they could have acted sooner to rebuild their finances and their life.

Since 1997, I have helped thousands of clients get out of debt in order to live more financially secure lives. Let me help you determine if bankruptcy is right for your situation or if other options are available in order for you to avoid it. Call Toll-Free 1-866-477-7772 to schedule a free office consultation. We have offices in Glendale, Cerritos and Valencia.

(None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped over 5,000 clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call RJB Offices at TOLL FREE 1-866-477-7772).

2. Power of Attorney A power of attorney designates another individual the power to manage your financial affairs on your behalf.

You can limit this power and define what the scope of the power you are giving your attorney in fact. A power of attorney is also revocable if you decide to cancel the power you have given this individual. By giving another person the power of attorney, you do not lose the power to manage your financial affairs. You can continue to make financial decisions on your own affairs.

3. Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare A Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare allows you to designate specific individual to have the power to make healthcare decisions on your behalf incase you no longer have the capacity to make decisions for yourself due to health conditions. You can define the scope of your agent’s authority. This is also revocable if you change your mind in the future. Your agent will have the authority to access and review your medical records and sign any authorization on your behalf.

This is helpful incase you are unable to make healthcare decisions for your-

Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation.

Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APC is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com

8

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Saturday-Friday | March 21- 27, 2020

Chaleff Rehwald, The Premiere Caregiver Rights Law Firm, Expands in 2020 to Become Chaleff Rehwald Peterson!

CHALEFF REHWALD, the leading law firm representing caregivers in wage theft actions, is expanding in 2020. We are happy to announce the addition of our new partner, Lauren Peterson. With Ms. Peterson’s addition, Chaleff Rehwald will become, Chaleff Rehwald Peterson.

For the past 4-years, we have devoted ourselves to helping in-home and facility caregivers who have been the victims of wage theft.

Through effective advocacy, we have recovered tens of millions of dollars in unpaid overtime for underpaid and overworked caregivers.

We are recognized for scholarship in the area of caregiver rights and are known in the industry as tenuous litigators of wage theft cases. Our passion is driven by the simple fact that we represent clients who both deserve and need our help.

Ms. Peterson’s elevation to partner represents a continuation and expansion of the firm’s core mission of obtaining justice for caregivers. Ms. Peterson has been employed as an associate attorney with the firm for over 6 years. She was there at the beginning, when the firm recognized the urgent need for caregiver rights advocates. She was instrumental in developing the legal theories and litigation strategies of our practice that

has made the firm wildly successful in helping caregivers.

Ms. Peterson leads the firm’s practice representing caregivers who work for Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (“RCFE”). This area of law could be described as a niche within a niche. The rules and standards governing RFCE caregivers are different, and arguably more intricate, than the rules that govern domestic caregivers, providing oneon-one care.

More importantly, litigating RFCE caregiver overtime cases requires an entirely different strategy and approach. Working on these cases has also forced Mrs. Peterson to expand her core competencies beyond caregiver rights, and into such diverse areas as fraudulent trans-

fers and bankruptcy law. While a challenging practice area, helping RFCE caregivers is vital, as many RFCE owners engage in wage theft purely for profit, knowing full well that they are violating the law. We see bad operators prey on economically desperate caregivers, many of whom are undocumented, believing that these individuals will not stand up for their rights. Ms. Peterson has proven this assumption wrong and held these bad operators accountable for their unlawful wage theft.

Ms. Peterson’s sense of justice and passion for assisting marginalized members of society has made her a fiercely impactful litigator, one who is respected and feared by the defense bar.

Chaleff Rehwald Peterson is also

expanding in other ways. We have added two new law clerks to support the attorneys in handling their caseloads. Alexandria Fish and Cara Crofts are both recent law school graduates who are excited to make a positive change in the domestic worker community. Under the supervision of attorneys, they assist the lawyers at Chaleff Rehwald Peterson with the day-to-day aspects of litigation, mediation and settlement. They allow Chaleff Rehwald Peterson to more effectively and efficiently represent caregivers.

Chaleff Rehwald Peterson also released a new website in 2020, that is focused on providing caregivers the information they need to stand up for their rights. www.caregiverovertime.com More efficient, hungry and energized than ever, Chaleff Rehwald Peterson is devoted to making 2020 “The Year of The Caregiver.” It is estimated that there are over 300,000 domestic workers in the state. If just a small percentage of those caregivers take a stand against wage theft in 2020, and pursue claims, we firmly believe that the industry will be changed for good!

Be part of the movement that changes an industry! Put a stop to domestic caregiver wage theft!

This article is an attorney advertisement written by Daniel Chaleff, employment law attorney at Chaleff Rehwald Peterson in Woodland Hills. Our examples are of a general nature and are not a guarantee regarding the outcome of your individual matter. The law firm focuses on caregiver rights. Please call us at (818) 807-4168 for a free and confidential consultation. Or visit us at www.caregiverovertime.com to learn more about caregiver overtime law. We offer a 24-hour chat line on our website.

GLOBAL NEWS

Covid-positive Filipino in Hong Kong recovers

By JOYCE ANN L. ROCAMORA

MANILA — Another Filipino has recovered from the highly-contagious coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in Hong Kong, the Philippine Consulate General reported on Friday.

In a statement, the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong said the Filipino was certified Covid-19 free and discharged from the hospital on March 20.

At present, only one Filipino Covid-19 positive patient remains at a hospital in isolation and the Consulate General is extending all necessary assis-

tance.

"Let us continue to remain vigilant and together we can win the fight against Covid-19!!!

Mabuhay ang mga nagkakaisang Pinoy sa Hong Kong (Long live the united Pinoy in Hong Kong)," the Consulate General said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported that two Filipinos tested positive for the Covid-19 in Singapore, bringing to 13 the total number of confirmed Filipino cases in the city-state.

"Through the information from the Singaporean Ministry of Health, the embassy confirms that the 12th and 13th Filipino nationals who were confirmed positive with Covid-19 are currently confined in hospitals," the DFA told reporters.

Of the 13 Filipinos who contracted the disease, two have already been discharged.

The Philippine embassy in Singapore remains in close coordination with local authorities and stands ready to help the remaining patients. (PNA)

US visa appointments postponed IN response to the Covid-19 measures implemented by the government, the United States Embassy in Manila has also suspended its rou-

By MELDA GUERRA

tine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments and notarial services beginning March 16.

“All applicants should monitor their e-mail address on record for visa appointment updates. We will resume routine services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date at this time,” the Embassy said in a statement.

But it reminded that the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee is valid and may be used for a visa application in the country where it was purchased within one year of the date of payment.

“There is no fee to change an appointment and visa application fees are valid for one year in the country where the fee was paid,” it said.

(Source: US Embassy Manila)

Duque on home quarantine HEALTH Secretary Francisco Duque 3rd on Thursday quarantined himself after a department official tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

“Yes, Secretary Duque is on home quarantine, but currently asymptomatic,” said Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire in a text message Thursday.

Vergeire also said Duque has underlying conditions like asthma and hypertension.

“He has already been tested for Covid-19 as he is asthmatic and hypertensive,” she said.

The result of the test on the 63-year-old Duque will be known in two to three days.

Given his conditions and age, the Health chief is considered vulnerable to the respiratory disease, whose fatalities are mostly old people, people with other illnesses, or both.

Vergeire also confirmed on Tuesday that a DoH director from their central office tested positive for the new coronavirus.

As of noon Thursday, the Philippines has 202 confirmed Covid cases, with 17 deaths and seven patients recovered.

The DoH on Thursday reported 15 new cases, pushing the count to 217 from 215 on Wednesday.

The DoH also announced another case of recovery, bringing that count to eight.

A 48-year-old from Cavite, tagged as PH20, was admitted at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Muntinlupa City on March 7.

He has since been discharged after testing negative for the virus twice, but the DoH did not say when.

There are 338 persons under investigation for Covid-19 in the country, either confined in government-chartered hospitals or in home quarantine.

The DoH also has 2,825 people under DUQUE III monitoring. (TMT)

Saturday-Friday | March 21- 27, 2020

GLOBAL NEWS

Duterte’s 2nd Covid-19 test lies with Duque’s results: DOH

By RUTH ABBEY GITA-CARLOS

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte would only be advised to repeat his test for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), in the event that Health Secretary Francisco Duque III tests positive for the infectious disease, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Friday.

This comes after Duterte had close contact with Duque who is currently under home quarantine after a DOH director tested positive for Covid-19.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Duque is still “in good condition” and now awaiting the results of his Covid-19 test.

Vergeirre said Duterte need not take another test for Covid-19 for now, unless Duque’s pending test results show that the Health chief is infected with the coronavirus disease.

“Kapag lumabas po ang resulta ni Secretary Duque at kung sakaling ito po ay mag-positibo siya, saka po natin bibigyan ng abiso si Presidente para mag-test ulit at para mag-quarantine (If Secretary Duque’s test result turns out to be positive, we will advise the President to take another test and undergo self-quarantine),” she said in a Palace press briefing.

In an interview with dzMM on Friday, Duque assured the public that he was “okay” and not exhibiting any red-flag symptoms of Covid-19 infection.

Duque was tested for Covid-19 because he has asthma and hypertension, and belongs to the elderly population, Vergeirre said.

‘Fit and healthy’ On Monday, Duterte was with

Duque when the implementation of month-long enhanced community quarantine in Luzon was declared.

Duterte already underwent a test for Covid-19 at Bahay Pagbabago in Malacañan on March 12 after having close contact with some Cabinet members who have direct exposure to an infected individual.

On March 13, Duterte’s test results bared that he was negative for the coronavirus disease.

In an interview with ANC on Thursday, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo maintained that Duterte remains “fit and healthy” despite his recent interaction with Duque.

Panelo said Duterte, 74, is asymptomatic and can still perform his duties well.

“I would like to assure our countrymen that he is fit and healthy. Wala siyang sakit. Wala siyang sintomas ng kahit ano (He is not sick. He is not exhibiting any symptoms of Covid-19),” he said.

The Philippines now has 217 Covid-19 cases, with 17 deaths and eight cases of recovery. (PNA)

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Covid-19 vaccine trial begins: WHO GENEVA — The first vaccine tria l for the deadly coronavirus has begun, the World Health Organization (W HO) head said Wednesday.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the t r ia l bega n “just 60 days after the genetic sequence of the virus was shared by China”.

He did not say where the trial is being held.

W hile the trial is a milestone, health officials say it will take at least 12 to 18 months for a vaccine to be available for public use.

At the virtual news conference held at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, he said more than 200,000 cases of t he v irus have been conf irmed a nd over 8,000 deaths reported worldwide.

Tedros praised the resea rcher s a rou nd the world who he said

PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE AND HEALTH SECRETARY FRANCIS DUQUE III

are acting together “to systemically evaluate ex perimenta l t herapeutics".

“Multiple small trials with different methodologies may not give us the clear, strong evidence we need about which treatments help to save lives,” he said.

It was for this reason that the WHO and its partners were organizing a study in countries in which some of the untested treatments are compared with each other.

Countries that have confirmed they will join the “solidarity trial" include Argentina, Bahrain, Canada, France, Iran, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland and Thailand.

“We know that many countries now face escalating epidemics and are feeling overwhelmed,” said Tedros noting that there is also hope.

Countries could do many things such as physica l d ista nci ng measures -- like

c a nc el i ng s p or t i ng events, concerts, and other large gatherings which can help slow transmission of the virus.

They can reduce the burden on the health system and help make epidemics manageable, allowing targeted and focused measures.

“But to suppress and c ont r ol e pidem ic s , countries must isolate, test, treat and trace,” Tedro cautioned.

“If they don’t, transm ission cha i ns ca n continue at a low level, then resurge once physical distancing measures are lifted.”

He said that the WHO continues to recommend that isolating, testing and treating every suspected case, and tracing every contact, must be the backbone of the response in every country.

“This is t he best hope of prevent i ng widespread communit y transmission,” s a i d Te d r o s .

(Anadolu)

10

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No need for Covid-19 mass testing yet: DOH

Saturday-Friday | March 21- 27, 2020

25 million workers worldwide could lose jobs from Covid-19–ILO sented in low-paid jobs and affected sectors,” ILO said.

Impact review Here in the Philippines, the growing number of Covid-19 cases, which already reached 202 as of March 18, will “definitely” cause it to review its projected labor impact of Covid-19.

Last month, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) estimated the disease may lead to the displacement of 30,000 to 60,000 workers.

As of March 18, Labor Assistant Secretary officer in charge Dominique R. Tutay said 125 companies nationwide have implemented flexible work arrangement and temporary suspension of their operations due to Covid-19.

None of the 11,000 workers employed by these companies are considered permanently displaced for now.

By SAMUEL P. MEDENILLA

By RUTH ABBEY GITA-CARLOS

MANILA — There is no need yet for a mass testing of Filipinos for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), the Department of Health (DOH) said on Friday.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire issued the statement as she admitted challenges in the government’s testing and laboratory capacities for Covid-19.

Vergeire, however, ensured that the government is ready to undertake such measure to address the Covid-19 outbreak.

“Sa ngayon po, hindi pa naman nakikitang kailangan nating gawin itong mass testing na ito (For now, we don’t see the need to do mass testing),” she said in a Palace press briefing.

She said the proposal is possible, once there are enough resources.

“Nasa talaan, nasa mapa, nasa radar na kung sakaling dumating ‘yung panahon (It is in our plans, in our map, in our radar that when the time comes) and if we have enough resources and the government can do it, and it is already imperative for the government to do it, gagawan po natin ‘yan (we will do it),” Vergeire said.

In South Korea, anyone who had close contact with a Covid-19 patient can avail of free tests for the novel coronavirus.

Vergeire, however, noted that the move made by South Korea does not apply to the Philippines due to the limited number of test kits.

She said people in the Philippines who can only be tested for Covid-19 are those who have been showing severe symptoms of the disease, the elderly, and high-risk pregnant women. “‘Yung mga napapabalita po na may delay, totoo po ‘yun (Reports about delay in testing are true). We are being challenged right now with our testing capacity and laboratory capacity,” Vergeire said.

Vergeire noted that the Food and Drug Administration has already approved four Covid-19 diagnostic kits for commercial use.

But she clarified that the approved test kits can only be used by hospitals or laboratories with testing capacity.

In a radio interview on Friday, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said around 125,000 test kits from China and South Korea are expected to arrive in the Philippines on Saturday.

“May paparating na (We expect the delivery of) 25,000 from South Korea and 100,000 from China tomorrow,” Duque said.

As of Friday noon, the Philippines has 230 positive cases of Covid-19 that was first detected in Wuhan, China in December 2019.

Around 18 Covid-19 patients died while eight others already recovered. (PNA)

GLOBAL NEWS

BUSINESS MIRROR AROUND 25 million workers are now at risk of losing their jobs from the pandemic novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19), which the International Labour Organization (ILO) has now tagged as a global “labor and market shock.”

Based on its projection of the impact of Covid-19 on global GDP, the ILO said the virus may cause unemployment to rise between 5.3 million (“low” scenario) and 24.7 million (“high” scenario) from a base level of 188 million in 2019.

The projected figure is higher compared to the global 22 million unemployment during the 2008-2009 global financial crisis.

“This [Covid-19] is no longer only a global health crisis, it is also a major labor market and economic crisis that is having a huge impact on people,” said ILO Director-General Guy Ryder.

With more unemployed workers, ILO estimates income losses for workers will reach $3.4 trillion by the end of 2020.

“This will translate into falls in consumption of goods and services,

in turn affecting the prospects for businesses and economies,” ILO said.

Increased inequality The labor arm of the United Nations also expects Covid-19 to increase the underemployment rate worldwide.

As more countries enforce travel restrictions and quarantine measures because of the disease, the working hours and wages of many companies will be reduced.

“Following travel bans, border closures and quarantine measures, many workers cannot move to their places of work or carry out their jobs, which has knock-on effects on incomes, particularly for informal and casually employed workers,” ILO said in its “Covid-19 and World of Work: Impacts and Responses” reports.

ILO said people in less protected and low-paid jobs, particularly youth and older workers as well as women migrants, will be the most vulnerable to the “job crisis” caused by Covid-19.

“The latter are vulnerable due to the lack of social protection and rights, and women tend to be over-repre-

Mitigating measures To minimize the employment impact of Covid-19, ILO recommends protective measures at the workplace.

It also urged governments to introduce policies to protect employment and incomes of workers.

Such policies include unemployment benefits, social assistance, and public employment programs, employment retention schemes, and time-bound financial/tax relief and income smoothing measures to support business continuity.

“These measures not only cushion enterprises and workers against immediate employment and income losses, but they also help prevent a chain of supply shocks [e.g., losses in workers’ productivity capacities] and demand shocks [e.g., suppressing consumption among workers and their families] that could lead to a prolonged economic recession,” ILO said.

ILO cited the Philippines among the countries with such existing policies, particularly its new unemployment insurance benefit from the Social Security System. (businessmirror.com.ph)

US plans helping out Boeing to prevent its downfall ANKARA — US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said his administration is planning to provide financial assistance to aviation company Boeing amid coronavirus pandemic and declining jet orders.

"Boeing got hit hard in many different ways," Trump said during press conference.

"We have to protect Boeing... We'll be helping Boeing," Trump added, confirming reports from Boeing that it was in talks with the US government regarding a short-term financial relief.

"Obviously when the airlines aren't doing well then Boeing is not going to be doing well. So, we'll be helping Boeing," Trump justified his move, not giving details about the relief package.

American airliners have knocked on the door of the federal government for USD50 billion in financial assistance for passenger airlines, along with USD8 billion for cargo airlines and USD10 billion for the nation's airports.

Decrease in orders According to Eturbonews website, which provides global travel industry news, Boeing’s gross aircraft orders for 2019 slumped to an all-time low triggered largely by a decrease in orders for the 737 model.

Last yea r, Boeing received only 69 unit orders for the mo del, a steep drop of about 91.7 percent from the 837 orders received in 2018.

TRUMP

Its top-selling aircraft model was grounded worldwide after two crashes that cost hundreds of lives and hit the company nearly USD19 billion financially per its filings.

Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET-302 crashed on March 10 shortly after taking off from an Addis Ababa airport, killing all 157 onboard.

The model was also involved in an October 2018 crash outside of Jakarta, Indonesia. All 189 people on board Lion Air Flight JT610 were killed.

Many countries, including the US, Turkey, Russia and Iran, grounded the model over security concerns.

Technical problems A preliminary congressional report released earlier this month by the US House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure accused the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of "failing its duty to identify key safety problems and to ensure that they were adequately addressed during the certification process," calling the agency's review "grossly insufficient".

"The combination of these problems doomed the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines flights," said the investigative report.

Boeing has also been accused of lack of transparency. (Anadolu)

Saturday-Friday | March 21 - 27, 2020

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11

RECIPES / MEAL IDEAS / COOKING GUIDES

ALL-TIME ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ FAVORITE ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ TREATS Now that the family is complete under ‘quarantined’ at home, homemakers are already preparing a weekly menu of simple but nutritious dishes to serve their loved ones. Breakfast and snacks are a challenge because the bagets (young ones) seem to get hungry fast.

Here, we give you breakfast and snack suggestions to serve for all members of the family.

CHAMPORADO

Ingredients • 5 pieces tablea pure chocolate • 1 3/4 cups glutinous rice • 3/4 cup granulated white sugar • 6 to 8 cups water • powdered or condensed milk Cooking Instructions Pour water in a cooking pot and bring to a boil.

Put-in the tablea and stir until it is dissolved in boiling water.

Pour in the rice and let the water boil again. Set the heat to low-medium stirring constantly to avoid from sticking. The rice is cooked when it absorbs the water (about 15 to 25 minutes).

Add the sugar and stir until it dissolves.

Place the champorado in individual serving bowls and top with powdered or condensed milk.

Serve with tuyo, dried fish which is the most reliable and lifetime partner of champorado.

PALITAW Ingredients • 2 cups glutinous rice flour • ½ cup granulated sugar • 1 cup water • ½ cup sesame seeds roasted • 1 cup grated coconut

Cooking Instructions Combine glutinous rice f lour with water and mix until a dough is formed.

Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough then mold into a ball-shaped dough.

Flatten the ball-shaped dough using the palm of your hands.

Boil water in a cooking pot then put-in the flattened dough.

When the flattened dough starts to float, remove from the pot and set aside, allowing water to drip.

Combine sugar and roasted sesame seeds then mix well.

Roll the rice cake in grated coconut then in the sugar-sesame seed mixture.

Arrange in a serving plate then serve.

OTHERS THAT DON’T REQUIRE MUCH TIME TO COOK

• Nilagang Sweet Corn. Sprinkled with a bit of salt or a spread of butter, boiled sweet corn is a perfect munch for everyone.

• Banana-Peanut Sandwich. This is easy. Just slice some sweet banana, put on bread, and spread the peanut butter on top. Close with another half of the bread and serve.

• Hard-boiled egg. This nutrition-packed breakfast or snack food may be eaten as is, or chopped then mix with mayonnaise for a delish sandwich spread.

• Pancakes. Follow directions on the box and cook. Serve with hotdogs if desired. —IDGC

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12 BALITA Saturday-Friday March 21 - 27, 2020

TOURISM

DISCOVER THE WONDERS OF THE ‘PEARL OF THE ORIENT SEAS’

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P14-B allocation to span 3 years for tourism support: DOT

By JOYCE ANN L. ROCAMORA MANILA – The PHP14-billion allocation for several tourism programs and infrastructure would span three years to help mitigate the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) on the industry, Tourism Secretary Bernadette RomuloPuyat said Tuesday.

The tourism industry, which contributed 12.7 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP), and provided 5.4 million jobs in 2018, was the hardest hit sector since the Covid-19 outbreak.

From February to March alone, the estimated foregone revenue amounted to more than PHP40 billion, with more losses expected in the coming weeks as the entire Luzon has been placed on enhanced community quarantine.

"In order to prepare for the eventual return of regular operations once the pandemic has subsided, it is imperative for the government to infuse more funding for construction/ rehabilitation of tourism infrastructure while tourist sites are either closed or with only a few tourists," Romulo-Puyat said in a text message.

She said the PHP14 billion funding, to be sourced from the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority's (TIEZA) own budget, will cover various tourism development initiatives.

DOT Announces the Guidelines on Hotels and other Accommodation Establishments during the Enhanced Community Quarantine THE Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) on Operations of Accommodation Establishments During the Enhanced Community Quarantine issued on 18 March 2020 states that no hotels, resorts, tourist inns, motels, and the like are allowed to operate, except those with the following: 1. Foreign guests with existing bookings under any accommodation establishment in the Philippines as of 17 March 2020; 2. Long staying guests with existing bookings as of 17 March 2020; and 3. Guests who are employees of neighboring basic establishments (e.g. supermarkets, hospitals, medical facilities, utility companies, BPOs, and the like). New bookings of only these guests are allowed.

M o r e o v e r, a l l a c c o m m o d a t i o n establishments that are allowed to operate must report on a regular basis to the DOT the number of their staff comprising its skeletal workforce, as well as details about the guests booked with them.

Said hotels are also expected to maintain limited operations and staff, ensure proper sanitation and disinfection, and implement social distancing measures.

The DOT appeals to accommodation establishments to significantly reduce their rates for health workers and other frontliners who are affected by the shutdown of mass transportation.

"Everyone’s cooperation is needed at this time to help flatten the curve. Let us help those who cannot stay at home, those who work at the front lines every day," said Sec. Bernadette Romulo-Puyat. (DOT)

Of the identified projects, more than PHP5 billion will be allocated to infrastructure in Bohol, Iloilo, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Corregidor Island, and other tourist destinations. The projects will be implemented within the year and are seen to create thousands of jobs during the construction phase.

TIEZA would also focus on the rehabilitation of tourist destinations but not limited to sewer treatment plants in Coron, Palawan (PHP500 million), Puerto Galera (PHP 300 million), and Burnham Park in Baguio City (PHP400 million).

Among others, TIEZA will work with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for the night rating of airports -- a PHP1.284 billion project that would allow the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines to waive its collection of landing fees from airlines estimated at about PHP440 million a year.

With the aviation sector reeling from the impact of Covid-19 and temporary restrictions on flights, RomuloPuyat said the initiative "could help offset the operational losses of the airlines affected by travel restrictions and canceled flights."

Meanwhile, more than PHP800 million is earmarked to improve road access to a number of tourism sites in the country for the next three years.

She said the TIEZA Board has also approved the PHP1.022 billion funding for the crafting of regional tourism development plans and masterplans.

"TIEZA will work with the Department of Tourism, other relevant government agencies and the rest of the tourism stakeholders to re-invigorate the tourism sector and provide fresh opportunities again for the tourism enterprises and workers after the outbreak has subsided," Romulo-Puyat said. (PNA)

Saranggani Bay Festival (Sarbay Fest)

S

arangani Bay Festival, also known to the locals as Sarbay Fest, is the country’s biggest beach event.

For years, it has been drawing hordes of sun worshipers and party people from all over the archipelago to bask in summer in one of the best kept-secrets in the country. The festival is held on every third week of May in Saranggani Province.

The festival pays tribute to the importance of the Bay which for years has sustained life because of its rich marine resources.

The festival is also a venue to inculcate to all stakeholders the importance of protecting and conserving the bay through eco-tourism.

Sarbay Fest features sports competitions, nightly parties and lots of other exciting activities.

It includes jet ski races, frisbee tournaments, SJ battles and marathon.

Other activities include the amazing bike ride, known as the SarBay MTB challenge, mountain biking race, and the spellbinding fire dancing exhibitions.

A new feature of the festivities is the introduction of a tourist boat that will provide a cruise around Sarangani Bay where guests enjoy the panoramic vista of the long stretch of white sand.

After battling the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) in a not too distant future, the Sarbay Fest is a fitting choice to visit for relaxation and get rid of those nervous tensions or anxieties brought about by the novel coronavirus 2019. (Source: DOT/ pilippines.travel)

Saturday-Friday | March 21 - 27, 2020

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Ang census ay nangyayari kada sampung taon para mabilang ang lahat ng naninirahan sa United States.

Ang mga numerong ito ang nagde-determine ng representasyon para sa lahat ng antas ng pamahalaan.

Paraan ito upang tayo’y pakinggan! Ang pagsagot sa kaunting katanungan ay munting pagsisikap na malayo ang mararating.

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After raising P3.3M, Bela Padilla starts distributing goods to street vendors affected by quarantine

Photos of Padilla aboard a military truck, loaded with the bundled goods, made the rounds on Twitter.

Padilla, in her own tweet, shared photos of a grocery store and the packed items earlier on Thursday, indicating she had just purchased them hours before the distribution.

Another photo from Padilla showed an elderly woman receiving a pack from a military personnel, along what appears to be Roxas Boulevard.

Padilla, 28, launched the fundraiser just four days ago on Monday, as reports of street vendors losing their livelihood due to the month-long quarantine emerged.

MANILA — After raising P3.3 million, actress Bela Padilla on Thursday started distributing goods to street vendors affected by the Luzon-wide community quarantine amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

"Our favorite taho, dirty ice cream and banana cue vendors won't be able to secure enough money to guarantee food for their families at the end of the day for one month until our community quarantine is over," wrote in her gogetfunding.com fundraiser.

The amount raised, she explained, would be used in "16 ways," including the packed goods, and split among the 16 cities of Metro Manila.

In three days, the fundraiser reached nearly P1.4 million, past its goal of P1 million. Then on Wednesday, Padilla reported that one individual donated P2 million to her cause.

(ABS-CBN News)

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Maine Mendoza starts ‘DoNation’ drive for Pinoys affected by lockdown MANILA — Maine Mendoza is using her wide social media reach for good as she launches an online fund drive to help Filipinos affected by the lockdown in Luzon because of the novel coronavirus.

The actress and TV host asked for donations on Facebook, saying she will send P1,000 per household for groceries and other essentials.

"Consider yourself blessed if, despite all, you can purchase food and sanitation supplies (even hoard!) for your homes. But what about those workers who live on a day-to-day basis? Now that they are obliged not to go to work, how can they survive?" she asked.

"This leads me to start this drive. I will be launching my DoNation Drive to help in my own little way, those who are greatly affected by this catastrophe," she continued. "I know how hard it is for these people nowadays to sustain their living, so I decided to

share as much as I can to them."

Mendoza directed her social media followers to a mobile number and e-mail address for their donations, saying any amount "no matter how big or small will go a long way."

She also promised to "personally facilitate all the donations" and to "try my best to accommodate as many people as I can."

In a follow-up post, Mendoza said PUV drivers, construction workers, street and market vendors, and other laborers who are unable to provide proof of employment may also avail of the donations.

"Kahit ano po ang trabaho niyo, puwedeng-puwede po kayo mag-send ng e-mail," she assured. (ABS-CBN News)

More free movie options as Regal Films releases classics on YouTube MANILA — Regal Films is the lat- releases on a given day. platform iWant, where over 1,000 est showbiz giant that is treating ABS-CBN has similarly made movies are free to watch, as well as Filipinos to free streaming of its available a wide array of its film Cinema One's YouTube page. (ABSfull movies, amid the month-long productions via its streaming CBN News) community quarantine due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

The Lily Monteverde-led group has actually been releasing full films on YouTube — one per day — since the start of the month. However, following the implementation of the Luzon-wide quarantine early this week, it has since expanded its offerings according the themes.

Movies with strong women leads, horror classics, comedies, feel-good fa m i ly stories, and action flicks are among the rotating genres that Vilma Santos stars in ‘Sister Stella L’, one of the Regal Films movie now available to stream for determine uploaded free on YouTube. Regal Films

Concert in time of social distancing: How Sponge Cola staged show from 4 different locations MANILA — Four frames, one live show: it was the unique image of a band's concert in the time of social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic.

As Sponge Cola and singer Karylle streamed their episode of "Bayanihan, Musikahan" on Friday, viewers of the Facebook Live session saw the band members inside their respective homes.

Using an app, Yael Yuzon and wife Karylle, Gosh Dilay, Erwin Armovit, and TedMark Cruz were able to go live in the same video, divided into four frames.

However, the group did not perform together. Lead singer and guitarist Yuzon, along with Karylle, were the ones who performed throughout the episode.

Apparently due to connection issues, their respective broadcast had slight delays, potentially affecting a synchronized performance.

Numerous times, Sponge Cola and Karylle reminded viewers about safety measures against the spread of COVID-19, and experssed gratitude to frontline workers amid the Luzon-wide quarantine.

They also urged followers to join the "Bayanihan, Musikahan" fundraiser, which will benefit the most vulnerable sectors affected by the pandemic. (ABS-CBN News)

Ryan Cayabyab and other local artists launch Facebook live concert to raise funds for those affected by COVID-19

Ryan Cayabyab National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab launched a series of home concerts with other local musicians through Facebook live to raise donations for sectors of society affected by COVID-19.

Cayabyab sang some of his favorite compositions, including the nostalgia-inducing hits like “Kailan”,"Limang Dipang Tao", and "Can This Be Love."

He said during his livestream, “Itong FB live concert, iba po ang format nito. Hindi rin ito broadcast. Dalawang araw ko pong binuo ito. “ The music veteran is one of the founders of “Bayanihan, Musikahan” an online concert series featuring Filipino musicians aiming to help those affected by the COVID-19 crisis in the country.

Cayabyab also explained that the artists performing during the livestream will be determined by an invitation from a previous performer, with at least one singer going live per day from their own Facebook page.

He has invited the singers Ebe Dancel, Sponge Cola, Karylle, and Top Suzara to join in performing.

The World Health Organization has declared the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic. Over 179,000 cases have been confirmed worldwide and more than 7,000 people have died as of Tuesday, March 17, 2020. (GMA News)

Vice Ganda donates masks, other supplies to frontliners battling COVID-19

Sponge Cola, along with singer Karylle, stage an online concert as part of the ‘Bayanihan, Musikahan’ series. Facebook: Sponge Cola

MANILA — As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to affect the lives of Filipinos, with a lockdown over Luzon imposed following a rise in confirmed cases that now stand at 230, with 18 deaths, as of this Friday, “It’s Showtime” host Vice Ganda has donated supplies to the frontliners battling its spread.

Vice Ganda shared on Instagram photos of the boxes of face masks, disposable medical gloves, safety goggles, alcohol, and disinfectant spray that he and his team sent to a number of hospitals across the metro.

The list includes the Lung Center of

the Philippines, the Quezon City General Hospital, the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila, and the Philippine Children's Medical Center.

In all caps, Vice Ganda told the country's health workers: “Maraming maraming salamat po sa lahat ng mga frontliners para sa pagmamahal at pagkalinga ninyo sa mga madlang people!!! Mabuhay po kayo! Pagpalain ng Diyos ang inyong kabayanihan.”

Vice Ganda’s charity act comes a few days after he announced the financial assistance he would be giving the more than 400 employees of his cosmetic line, Vice Cosmetics, in the form of the early release of their 13th month pay and service incentive leaves, loans, and a non-conditional cash assistance program. (ABS-CBN News)

16

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Health & Family

FDA releases list of approved Covid-19 kits

By MA. TERESA MONTEMAYOR

MANILA — The Department of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released on Thursday a list of approved coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) test kits for commercial use.

In a statement, the FDA said the kits are PCR-based reagent kits used in laboratories and not point-of-care or do-it-yourself kits.

“FDA has released an initial list of approved kits with Special Certification.

There are still pending applications that are due for evaluation. The list shall be regularly updated," FDA Director General Eric Domingo said.

Domingo said the manufacturers of the kits have complied with the requirements as stated in the FDA Memorandum No. 2020-006 or the “Issuance of Special Certification for Imported Test Kits of Covid-19”.

Saturday-Friday | March 21 - 27, 2020

Is COVID-19 airborne?

Only in confined hospital settings — DOH

By ARIANNE MEREZ

MANILA — The Department of Health clarified Wednesday that the rapidly spreading new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) may only be airborne in confined hospital settings.

Latest studies show that COVID-19 is still transmitted through droplet transmissions and close contact with a person infected with the disease, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said.

Vergeire made the clarification in response to a US study that showed that when the virus is carried by the droplets released when someone coughs or sneezes, it remains viable, or able to still infect people, in aerosols for at least three hours.

New coronavirus can persist in air for hours and on surfaces for days: US study “Ito pong artikulong ito ay tinutukoy nila mga setting ng ospital… So 'yung airborne na sinasabi is in a confined hospital setting,” she said.

(The study refers to hospitals settings…So the airborne transmission that they are referring to is in a confined hospital setting.)

“Ito pong sakit na COVID-19 is still transmitted through droplet transmissions and close contact,” she said.

VERGEIRE COVID-19 may be fatal for the elderly, the immunocompromised, and those with underlying medical condition but 80 percent of cases globally showed a high chance of recovery "without needing special treatment," according to the World Health Organization.

WHO said COVID-19 symptoms include fever, tiredness, and dry cough.

Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea.

The spread of the disease has been classified as a global pandemic that prompted the Philippines to declare a state of public health emergency, state of calamity, and lock down the northern island of Luzon.

(ABS-CBN News)

MEDICARE, MEDI-CAL, AND THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS “FDA is hard at work in processing Covid-19 related applications during this time. We ask the public and stakeholders to be analytical of COVID-19 test kits that they may encounter as we have identified some applications which appear to be suspicious and unauthorized," he added.

Domingo also urged the public to be vigilant about the entry of counterfeit products and "be watchful of those who try to take advantage of the current situation". (PNA)

NOWHERE in our nation’s recent history have we been so challenged as a nation. What started out as a medical outbreak in Wuhan, China has now affected almost all countries in the world, the United States of America included. The impact has not been confined to the field of health care, but also spreads across the economic, social and political areas as well. This crisis affects both rich and poor, males and females, colored and whites. In short, We are all in this together.

Amidst all the political noise, the federal government under President Trump closed the border to would be visitors from China early on. Later, with new information coming in, he also closed the border to those coming from Europe, including the United Kingdom and Ireland. (It was clarified, however, that U.S. citizens and permanent resident cardholders may come in anytime). Vice President Pence was appointed the Coronavirus Task Force head to oversee the government’s response to the crisis.

While there are a number of unfortunate situations like the shortage of test kits availability and projected lack of hospital beds just in case the number of cases surge to catastrophic levels, it is refreshing to note that the federal government, thru the Task Force, are working very hard to address the crisis.

From what we know as of this writing (Monday, March 16, 2020 10:30AM PST), the virus generally infects all, but the elderly and those with underlying conditions (e.g. diabetes, heart disease, immune-compromised, cancer survivors, etc.) are mostly susceptible to its deleterious effects. Hence, the nursing homes, which are mostly populated by those most at-risk group, have been temporarily closed to visitors which may include close relatives of residents. The most at-risk group has also been advised to stay home and avoid places with wide social contacts like the casinos, restaurants, movie theaters, and the like.

In a rare display of public-private partnership, President Trump, together with some heads of large insurance companies, announced that there will be no co-pay for testing for the coronavirus. And, anticipating that “the situation will get worse before it gets better”, according to Dr. Fauci, President Trump, in the company of the heads of Walmart, Target, Costco, and others, announced that very soon, based on the need, makeshift structures will be built on their parking and other areas, to house testing facilities for the coronavirus.

The U.S. Congress, acting in a bipartisan manner, will soon enact a legislation, increasing, among others, the budget for Medi-Cal so beneficiaries of the program will not hesitate to seek medical help if their situation so warrants.

During this crisis, We have seen, so far, how our leaders can set aside political differences for the sake of the country. Also worth noting is how the captains of industries responded to the needs of the American public in these times of need.

While We are not yet “out of the woods”, how people can come together, despite our differences, during these trying times, makes everyone of us feel fortunate and proud that We are Americans.

If you need help, you may call me at 323 535 7373 or, e-mail at: leo.balita@gmail.com.

Joleo “Leo” Monsalud, RICP@ holds CA life and health license # 0G55218 as well as Non-Resident licenses for Nevada and Michigan. He helps members choose the right Medicare plan for them. He studied for MBA and Law at the University of the Philippines. He used to work for United Laboratories, Inc. as vice-president assigned as general manager of a division.

Saturday-Friday | March 21 - 27, 2020

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17

SIMPLE EXERCISES YOU CAN DO AT HOME

By TERRY CAGAYAT

NO more excuses. Now that we have enough time at home, let us focus our energy in thinking of ways to be healthy and fit — and at the same time fight the onslaught of any virus that may infect us. Let us exercise — even for just 15 minutes every day.

This exercise routine is so simple you don’t need a treadmill or a trainer to do it and it’s an amazing way to burn calories and shed fat.

All you need is the willingness to set aside time to get fit and strong in this challenging time.

Let’s do this!

JUMPING JACKS - Stretch your arms and legs.

- Stand erect, keep your spine and head straight, arms resting beside your body, and feet together.

- Bending your knees slightly, jump in the air as high as you can.

- Spread out your legs a little wider than shoulder-width apart as you jump.

- Stretch your hands simultaneously, in line with the shoulders.

- While coming down, make sure your feet rest on the floor and are shoulder-width apart, while your hands are stretched out above the head.

- Do 6 reps at first try, then increase as you go along SPOT JOGS - Stand straight with your feet shoulder-width apart and hands by the sides of your body.

- Lift your knees as high as possible and jog in one spot.

- Make sure you spot jog continuously at least for 60 seconds.

- Repeat as necessary

IS BANANA FOR REAL?

SKIPPING/JUMP ROPE - Stand straight. Keep your spine and head erect, and hold the rope with the hands behind your body.

Make sure that the hands are at least one foot away from your body, or there are chances of you tripping over.

- Swing the rope forward and hop over it, allowing it to move behind your body.

- Jump on your toes. Allow your wrists and hand to move along with the handles.

- Do 2 sets of 30 reps each, to begin with, increasing your reps to 100 with time.

HIGH KNEE MARCH - Stand on the floor, keeping your spine and head erect. Your feet should be together, while the hands rest beside your body.

- Lift your feet, one at a time, allowing your knees to come until your waist.

- Simultaneously, move the opposite hands – left hand with right knee and vice versa.

- Maintaining the pace, march continuously for 50 counts, which ideally takes 20 seconds.

- Do 3 such sets to reap the maximum benefits.

DANCING Dance as a form of aerobic and cardio exercise promotes full body and mind improvement. Dancing to your favorite music helps to improve physical fitness and mental health and develops social skills.

(Source: stylecraze.com)

By DRA. CHANITA NODEL

I HEARD bananas are also out of stock because of a post that said “bananas can fight COVID”.

This is partly true. A group of scientist has identified a banana protein called lectin that has been shown to be effective against viruses. But this protein is degraded by stomach acid in its natural form. This protein, called Banlec, is the modified form already. SO EATING FRESH BANANAS MAY NOT ACTUALLY HELP YOU FROM GETTING CORONAVIRUS. Other fruits that can help viral infection are kiwi, apples, oranges, lemons, kalamansi, acerola berries, guava, pineapple... ginger, turmeric, garlic, cayenne pepper (siling labuyo), malunggay and other green leafy veggies, dahon ng atis, lemon grass (tanglad) etc honey and the minerals magnesium, zinc, selenium, fulvic, and colloidal silver.

Kung sumakit lalamunan... mag slice ng turmeric or ginger at gawin parang candy or gumawa ng tea... lagyan ng lemon, kalamansi at homey.

Fight Corona Virus. Strengthen our immune system!

HOME REMEDIES WHILE ON SELF-QUARANTINE THIS is how we flatten the curve... kill the virus by doing heat therapy using blow dry or we can do “TUSUOB / YOUTUBE OB” or “SU-OB”. I don’t know what that is called in Tagalog. But in Cebu, when we have fever, my grandmother would boil leaves (atis, tanglad, mayana, avocado, guava, peppermint, thyme, rosemary... any of this available), you can add ginger or garlic too, if you have CTMD or massage oil put a few drops or put a little power balm. Put that boiling mixture inside a pan with a wide mouth (don’t fill to the brim to avoid spilling it), wrap the bottom part with a towel (make sure when you touch is not hot anymore) or put a pillow between the pan and your legs so you will not burn your legs, cover yourself with a thick blanket then put your face a few inches from the pan... far enough so as not to burn your face). Inhale the mixture repeatedly until there’s no more steam coming out from the pan. Repeat 2x a day if you’re not symptomatic but there are already positive cases in your area, if you’re symptomatic do this 5x/day, for prevention once daily. Take your natural supplements and drink alkaline water (with trace minerals) or Buko water or water with lemon or kalamansi or lime. I strongly believe this will be more effective than using blow dry alone.

Now, we are really going back to natural means to combat this virus as no drugs or vaccines can cure us from this disease.

In 2008, when SARS came out, I already did research and found out that WHO and CDC already set out guidelines for a possible pandemic.

I read articles saying that, the Coronavirus was just a few mutations away to cause a pandemic.

Since then, I have lectured about this countless of times... preaching good health to prepare for a possible pandemic but people don’t listen because they probably didn’t believe it’s ever gonna happen. Even up to this day, we are still complacent. This guy is very correct, we don’t exactly know the actual cases because we don’t have the capacity to test everyone who are going to the hospitals for the test. I remember when my daughter got exposed to a positive case of H1N1, we were referred to San Lazaro. In the hospitals... the so called “SOCIAL DISTANCING” is not practiced. There were also no hand sanitizers available because we were made to go to a make shift tent. We waited several hours lining in queue with no air conditioning. No one was stopping “NON EXPOSED” to accompany the so called “EXPOSED”. Then after testing, we were just told to go home and come back to get the results after 3 days. We were not given instructions on how to quarantine and where to go just in case my daughters’ condition worsened. My daughter was just lucky because I am a doctor but what about others who have no knowledge about health. This is the kind of health care system we have.

Those who went home and who came from an area with a positive case, please be responsible and quarantine yourself for 14 days. If you know of relatives or friends coming from Manila then

please advise them to quarantine. Don’t wait for your local health officials to tell you. There were thousands who went home to their respective provinces, the government cannot track all of them.

What we are in, is a serious matter and we should really let it sink in our heads and most especially hearts. We should understand that our government CAN NOT DO THIS ALONE. It’s high time, we should show our love for this country. Let us coordinate with our local health offices and volunteer ourselves for whatever we can contribute, if you hoarded masks and alcohol... sha re it to our front liners (we need to keep our health workers healthy who are working round the clock), donate food, donate money, and let us all join hands to pray for our country and for the world.

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Saturday-Friday | March 21 - 27, 2020

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By BY MELDA GUERRA AND TERESITA CAGAYAT

PHILIPPINES — As the country struggles to find ways to fight the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), several kindhearted people and organizations continue to spread positivity and go out of their way to help our countrymen, especially those directly affected by the outbreak, to cope with the pandemic. In their own little way, they give back, donating their millions, giving away free food and other essentials such as COVID testing kits and medical supplies, unselfishly caring for the sick (never mind if they get infected themselves), working nonstop so that we have enough food to tide the days.

Amid this health scare, they are there to lend a helping hand, constantly thinking of ways to ease our kababayans plight.

They are the good samaritans in our midst.

Jack Ma to donate 50,000 COVID-19 testing kits Alibaba founder Jack Ma will donate 50,000 testing kits to the country which will be coursed through Senator Manny Pacquiao’s foundation. This, Senator Pacquiao has confirmed in a post on his social media accounts on Tuesday.

"We’re excited to announce the Jack Ma Foundation, in partnership with the Pacquiao Foundation, is pledging 50,000 test kits to combat COVID-19 in the Philippines," the senator posted.

SM Group pledges P100 million for COVID-19 testing kits, supplies In the statement, the group said the amount would go toward providing personal protective equipment (PPEs), test kits, alcohol, and other medical supplies to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), and other hospitals.

"As there is a local shortage of personal protective equipment - face masks, gowns, visors, hoods, gloves, and shoe covers, SM is bringing these PPEs in for government hospitals who badly need them," it said.

San Miguel Corp. to give away food, alcohol sanitizers The country’s largest conglomerate is looking to produce 70 percent ethyl alcohol and distribute the product for free to communities through their local government units. It is also donating to government units its own brand of disinfectant powder, which is safe for humans as extra protection against the virus.

The company is also working on distributing food donations to poor communities where daily paid workers have been especially hard hit.

US government has committed $2.7 million to PH The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines announced Tuesday that the U.S. government has committed more than Php139 million ($2.7 million) to support the Philippine Department of Health (DOH) in its response to COVID-19 in the country.

The U.S. government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), will collaborate with Philippine government counterparts to establish and implement internationally-recognized infectious disease threat prevention and response strategies, and enhance infection control.

Health care workers, frontliners Doctors, nurses, caregivers, lab technicians, hospital utility workers. You are this generation’s heroes, selflessly giving your time — and life — just to serve those in need. You walk the extra mile, literally!, to give direct care to sick children, the elderly, and others who need medica l attent ion t he most, never minding the fact that you might get infected yourself. You put your life on the line to serve others.

We honor you all for serving our people and our country in this difficult time.

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Amid the COVID-19 pandemic

HOW TO STAY SANE IN THIS CRAZY TIME

By Melda Guerra

A

fter Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte imposed a Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine, people are forced to stay home to prevent themselves from contacting the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The first three/five days at home with the family is sweet, harmonious, happy, as this is the first time in a while that the whole family is complete — bonding with each other, eating altogether, watching movies cramped on the sofa, throwing banters at each other, or just laughing at corny jokes.

As days drag on, however, boredom and stress creep in. The excitement of being ‘tied’ to home is slowly fading. Teenagers start to lock themselves in their respective rooms, busy with their smartphones that when mother calls them for lunch, they reply, “later, mom!” The little ones are getting uneasy too, littering (their toys) all over the place. The hubby, meanwhile, has patented the couch as his exclusive use, doing everything on it for lack of better things to do. Mother now feels more stressed out and tired what with all the household chores she has to finish.

In only about five days ‘quarantined’ at home and with the threat of COVID-19, one may go mental. But here’s the thing.

This is the time to be resilient, strong, and positive amid the chaos. Below are tips to stay sane in this crazy time: • Practice social distancing from each member of the family. Yes, have some ‘me’ time. Do what you enjoy doing — reading

books, sewing, gardening — ‘away’ from the family even just for two hours each day. This rejuvenates your spirit and promotes a healthy disposition.

• Observe social distancing from social media. Turn off that TV, stop scrolling Facebook posts, do not look at celebrity Instagrams, stop reading Twitter posts, put away your phone and other gadgets in the house. Just sit down and smell the aroma of your piping hot coffee, paint your nails some blazing colors for a change, put on that sweat pants and start stretching. It feels good to rest your mind from the chaos of the world even for just a short time.

• Develop a new hobby. If you lack interest at solving crossword puzzles, for example, now is the time to start it. Not only will it sharpen your knowledge but it may also help prevent dementia. As long as the new hobby will lift your spirit, go ahead and do it.

• Bring out old photographs. You may call on the family to leaf through the photo albums and reminisce the memories each picture brings. Surely, if kuya (older brother) finds something interesting, he will share it on his social media accounts, like a ‘throwback.’ Of course, ate (older sister) won’t be left behind.

PHILIPPINES... from Page 1 include the Southern Philippines Med ic a l C enter, Vicente Sot to Memorial Medical Center, Baguio General Hospital, and some hospitals in Metro Manila.

“Ngayon po, sila po ay nag-uumpisa na mag test, at hopefully bibilis na po ‘yung pag-test natin,” Vergeire said.

In response to questions on why there are only limited hospitals allowed to test patients for the virus, Vergeire said that it is a “complicated process.” “[A]ng pag-sagagawa po ng test na ito for COVID-19 ay isang masalimoot, no,

it’s a complicated process. It’s highly technical, it’s highly scientific,” she said.

During the testing process, Vergeire said that health care workers inactivate the virus.

“Ibig sabihin po parang pinapatay natin ‘yung virus para matanggal natin siya doon sa kanyang core at magawa po ang testing,” she said.

“Doon pa lang po sa proseso na ‘yon, napakalaki ng risk ng health care workers na mahawa sa sakit during inactivation of [the] virus while testing,” she added. (GMA News)

JAPAN... from Page 1 showed that patients who were given Avigan recovered in less time than those patients who did not take the drug. Chinese scientists also discovered that coughing and other lung conditions, such as pneumonia symptoms — as shown in X-rays — of those tested markedly improved compared to those who did not take the drug.

“It has a high degree of safety and is clearly effective in treatment,” Zhang Xinmin, director of the science ministry's China National Center for Biotechnology Development, said in the news conference.

According to Tokyo-based media outlet Nikkei, Zhang revealed that infected patients who took favipiravir tested negative after a median of four days, compared to 11 days in the control group.

“There were no clear side effects,” added Zhang.

The antiviral drug Avigan was developed by Fujifilm Toyama Chemical and is being manufactured by China’s Zhejiang Hisun Pharmaceutical as treatment for influenza viruses.

Believing in the effectivity of favipiravir (a.k.a Avigan), medical authorities in Beijing have reportedly already recommending the drug and that Zhejiang Hisun Pharmaceutical

has already got an official approval last month to produce the drug and is ready to speed up the production of a generic version, Pharmaceutical Technology reported.

While China is going gaga over this antiviral medicine, Japan, however, has reservations as favipiravir appears to be less effective in patients with severe conditions.

“We’ve given Avigan to 70 to 80 people, but it doesn’t seem to work well when the virus has already multiplied,” a source from the Japanese Health Ministry told Mainichi Shembum newspaper, citing news and media outlet The Guardian.

While there is no known cure or approved vaccine against COVID-19 to date, massive effort is being done to halt this health pandemic. The Guardian has reported that researchers at the Oxford University will begin clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccine in the United Kingdom (UK) next month.

If the testing goes well and produces positive results, they will move to a larger scale to determine the effectivity of the vaccine at protecting people from infections.

According to reference website, Worldometer, nearly 245,916 have now been confirmed infected with the coronavirus globally.

• Play some board games as a family. It can be chess this week then Scrabble the next. Have variety to beat boredom and have some small treats ready for the winners.

• Have each one clean their closet. Not only will this put order in their aparador (closet) but most often than not, things that you’ve been looking for for so long will suddenly appear.

Cleaning closets will also eliminate clothes that don’t fit or are not being used anymore, which you can resell or donate.

• Reconnect with old friends and relatives. Now is the time to message them. Just a simple

“Keep safe” is enough to let them know you’re thinking of them in this challenging time.

• Dance your stress away. Gather the whole family, play that Tala song, and start dancing to its beat.

Let the bagets (young ones) teach you how to do it.

This can be one epic activity everybody will love to participate in.

• Bring out that videoke and sing to your heart’s delight. Make sure though that you don’t disturb the peace of your neighbors.

Whatever it is that you want to do to keep sane, do it. Remember, what we go through at this present time will come to pass. Be happy.

PALACE... from Page 1 appreciated the move of McDonald's Philippines to allocate its PHP500million fund to support its employees and the communities, including the frontliners and the marginalized sector affected by Covid-19 crisis.

He sa id t he gover n ment w a s grateful that McDonald's Philippines contributes funds not just to those who are addressing the Covid-19 outbreak but also to those who are in a difficult situation to access food as a result of their situation.

“The model of McDonald's Philippines' unselfish act is worth emulating for aside from continuing paying the salaries of its employees who are not able to report for work, it also provides a premium pay and special benefits to those who can,” Panelo said.

Panelo also commended to CocaCola Philippines for re-channeling its PHP150-million advertising budget to the government’s Covid-19 relief and response efforts. “ The Pa lac e c om mend s t he se companies for the consideration it has placed on the welfare of its employees and fellow countrymen, especially at this time when the country needs all the help it can get to get through this public health crisis,” he said.

The Philippines now has 230 confirmed cases of Covid-19.

More than 3.5 million Filipinos in Luzon were confined to their homes until April 12 after President Rodrigo Duterte placed the entire island under an enhanced community quarantine to stop the transmission of Covid-19. (PNA)

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Coca-Cola PH redirects P150-M fund for Covid-19 aid

By KRIS CRISMUNDO

MANILA — Beverage company Coca-Cola Philippines is redirecting its PHP150-million budget for advertisement to support relief and response efforts amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) outbreak.

“It is in this light that the Coca-Cola System in the Philippines and the rest of Southeast Asia has decided that all commercial advertising of Coca-Cola and all our brands will be put on hold, effective immediately,” Coca-Cola Philippines president and general manager Winn Everhart said in a statement Friday.

The company said the PHP150 million would be diverted to help meet the daily hydration needs of health workers and front-liners.

It has begun delivering beverages to hospitals, it

added.

The company has partnered with TOWNS Foundation and the UP Medical Foundation to provide health workers with personal protective equipment.

It will also give relief goods to the most vulnerable families and communities by partnering with Caritas Manila and Rise Against Hunger.

Coca-Cola Philippines will give expanded credit items to its distribution partners that serve sari-sari stores and carinderias.

“We are deeply concerned about the growing impact of Covid-19 in the Philippines, especially in the most vulnerable parts of our communities. It has always been people first for the company, as a matter of principle,” Everhart said. (PNA)

Peso, stocks recover on bargain hunting MANILA — Both the Philippine peso and stocks index ended the week on a positive note due to consolidation after the weakness mainly brought about by anxieties on the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) developments.

T he loca l cu r renc y i mproved aga inst t he US dolla r a nd even climbed to 50.97 from its 51.1 close a day ago.

It opened the day at 51.15, better than its 51.3 start in the previous session.

It traded between 51.24 and 50.75, resulting in an average of 50.947.

BDO chief strategist Jonathan Ravelas said the peso improved by 0.12 percent against the US currency weekon-week on profit-taking after it tested the 51.85 levels.

“Fears slowly creeped in after the WHO (World Health Organization) declared it a pandemic and the rising Covid-19 cases in the country caused the peso to test the 51.85 levels after a lockdown was placed all over the country,” he said.

Ravelas expects the local currency to “move sideways to up.”

“Only a sustained break above the 51.30 will signal another attempt towards 51.50/51.85 levels,” he added.

After two days of decline, with a two-day trading suspension in between, the Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) gained 3.36 percent, or 155.34 points, to 4,778.76 points Fri-

day.

All the other gauges mirrored the main index, with the All Shares up by 2.33 percent, or 67.07 points, to 2,948.65 points.

Financials registered the highest increase with 6.67 percent and was followed by the Holding Firms, 3.75 percent; Property, 2.48 percent; Services, 1.07 percent; Industrial, 0.79 percent; and Mining and Oil, 0.66 percent.

Volume totaled to 659.466 million shares amounting to PHP6.66 billion.

Gainers surpassed losers at 117 to 85, while 30 shares were unchanged.

Ravelas said this week’s close “highlights the bears are in control.”

Bear territory happens when stock values fall at least 20 percent from recent high and stay where for some time.

Ravela s sa id t he ma in index fell 17.52 percent week-on-week for the fourth consecutive week after “investors cashed in their portfolios and held cash a s con f idence waned after rising Covid-19 cases in the country and a lockdown was effected all over

the land.”

“With the swift break below the 5,000 levels like a hot knife through butter, hints that there are still some risks to the downside towards the 3,800-4,000 levels in the near-term,” he said.

Ravelas expects some bargain hunting given the steep drop this week.

Regina Capital Managing Director Luis Limlingan said the PSEi’s close Friday was expected after “investors bought shares in the index which has not traded in these levels for around eight years.”

He attributed this development to general improvement of the US dollar due to strong demand as the coronavirus pandemic is threatening to cripple economic activity, prompting investors to sell assets to keep their money in cash. (PNA)

Saturday-Friday | March 21 - 27, 2020

Aboitiz sets P900-M support for team members amid Covid-19 crisis MANILA — The Aboitiz Group has earmarked PHP900 million in assistance to help its team members cope with the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic following the announcement of a national state of calamity.

This amount covers the early release of the end-March salary and the 13th or 14th month pay of the Group’s over 11,000 team members across its strategic business units in power, banking and financial services, food, infrastructure, and land.

The Aboitiz Group will also cover Covid-19-related medical expenses of any affected team member.

In a statement Friday, Aboitiz Group President and Chief Executive Officer Sabin Aboitiz said there is a lot of anxiety and “during these trying times, we understand financial security is critical for all.”

Aboitiz said the best way the Group can support the government’s campaign against Covid-19 is to let its team members stay home.

“The Covid-19 pandemic remains at large, and we wish that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy in your homes,” Aboitiz said in a message sent to Aboitiz team members.

Malacañang and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) cited the Aboitiz Group as one of the top Philippine conglomerates that have extended benefits to its employees during the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine.

The Aboitiz Group also provides regular updates to all its team members, especially on quarantine guidelines.

To safeguard the welfare of its team members, the Aboitiz Group has implemented work-from-home schemes in Luzon and Visayas.

The company will also be providing or paying for adequate communication access for team members who need it.

Online courses that build work-from-home competencies have been rolled out, and a team member donation and management program support for no-work, no-pay personnel were also launched.

The company also implemented reduced work hours in keeping with local curfews where applicable and provided adequate accommodation, food, and transportation for the skeletal workforce, particularly for its banking and financial services units UnionBank and CitySavings, who handle critical functions and have to report to work. (PR)

BSP expects PH economic recovery in 2021

By JOANN VILLANUEVA

MANILA — Monetary officials forecast a rebound of the Philippine economy from the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) by next year.

In an e-mailed reply to journalists’ queries, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said its policy-making Monetary Board (MB) continues to see the services sector like the tourism, trade, and remittance channels to be greatly affected by the global

pandemic.

The BSP said the economic hit further deepens following the implementation of a Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine from March 17 to April 12, after the initial quarantine for Metro Manila alone since March 15.

“The latest assessment assumes a U-shaped recovery with the impact of Covid-19 lasting until H2 (second half) 2020 but with the economy expected to rebound by 2021,” it said.

Economic managers place the preliminary estimates of Covid-19’s economic impact on the domestic economy this year to be around 0.31.0 percentage point.

This year’s growth target is between a range of 6.5-7.5 percent.

On T hu rsday, the MB

slashed the central bank’s key policy rates by 50 basis points, bringing the total rate cut to date to 75 basis points, to help ensure the sustained growth of the economy and after noting the leeway given by the projection that inflation rate will remain within the government’s 2-4 percent target until 2021.

To date, the BSP’s overnight reverse repurchase (RRP) facility rate is 3.75 percent, the lowest since the 3.50 percent in July 2014.

The central bank said its officials are “prepared to use the full range of its monetary instruments and to deploy monetary policy and regulatory relief measures as needed in fulfilment of its price and financial stability objectives.”

“In calibrating its monetary policy settings, the BSP will continue to be data-dependent, guided by our inflation outlook over the policy horizon and the risks surrounding such outlook as well as data on demand conditions,” it said.

The BSP said its MB considers the latest rate cut as appropriate to support the country’s growth momentum and uplift market confidence against stronger headwinds.

“The BSP has already cut the policy rate by 75 bps thus far in 2020. We will

continue to monitor the situation to determine if further reductions are warranted,” it said.

The central bank said its officials are also looking into a range of other supplementary measures that may be required to support non-inflationary and sustainable growth over the medium term.

These measures are aimed at ensuring adequate domestic liquidity and credit in the financial system as well as lowering borrowing costs for affected firms and households.

“These include, but are not limited to, recalibrating the interest rate corridor settings; suspending the term deposit facility (TDF) auctions as market conditions warrant; and ensuring banks’ access to liquidity-enhancing facilities such as the rediscounting facility,” it said.

The BSP said a combination of targeted and well-coordinated health, fiscal, and financial market measures will be crucial in limiting the economic fallout from the pandemic due to the medical nature of the shock.

“In this regard, we believe the National Government has ample fiscal space for such measures, as reflected in its low debt-to-GDP ratio,” it added.

(PNA)

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FOR DD HOME IN CHINO CALL M-F @ I have a beautiful 4 bedroom house in Silver Strand, Oxnard, CA. It is walking distance from the beach & harbor. I am a retired Health Care Professional seeking Nurses and/or Doctors to share my home. Each room I’m renting has it’s own Private Bathroom. The monthly cost is $1000 (unfurnished), or $1200 (furnished). Rooms avaialable October 1st, 2018. st

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O Glorious S and inspire th You are so po the Heart of Miracles... th beseech you out your pro letting fall fr me your chil experiences Therese, my known every through you.

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way to reach my ideal, You who give me the divine gift to forgive and forget the wrong that is done to me and who are in all instances CAREGIVERS of my life with me. I, in this short dialogue, want to thank You for HYHU\WKLQJ DQG FRQÂżUP RQFH PRUH WKDW , QHYHU ZDQW WR EH VHSDUDWHG CAREGIVER from You no matter how great the material desires may be. I want Tagalog speaking female, healthy, to be with You and my loved ones in Your perpetual glory. Amen. honest, non smoker, w/ Nursg.

(A person must pray this for three consecutive days without stating background. Permanent livehis wish.

After 8:30A the 3rd in day the wish will be granted, no matter how in: Sat. 8:30A. to Mon. GLIÂżFXOW LW PD\ EH 3URPLVH WR SXEOLVK WKLV DV VRRQ DV \RXU IDYRU KDV Atwater Village, LA, CA. Call 323Visit www.Balita.com 21 - Godfor bless - ATENear VIV Beach Rooms Rent 913-1906. been granted. Grateful Thanks)

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O Glorious St. Therese, whom Almighty God has raised up to aid and inspire the human family, I implore your Miraculous Intercession.

You are so powerful in obtaining every need of body and spirit from the Heart of God. Holy Mother Church proclaims you ‘Prodigy of Miracles... the Greatest Saint of Modern Times.’ Now I fervently beseech you to answer my petition (mention here) and to carry out your promises of spending Heaven doing good on earth...of letting fall from Heaven a Shower of Roses. Little Flower, give me your childlike faith, to see the Face of God in the people and H[SHULHQFHV RI P\ OLIH DQG WR ORYH *RG ZLWK IXOO FRQÂżGHQFH 6W PRAYERS 7KHUHVH P\ &DUPHOLWH 6LVWHU , ZLOO IXOÂżOO \RXU SOHD ÂľWR EH PDGH PRAYER TOto BLESSED known everywhere’ and I will continue lead VIRGIN others to Jesus (Never known to fail). O Most Beautiful Flower of Mt. Carmel, Fruitful through you. Amen THANK YOUof -Heaven, ABA Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Vine, Splendor

AVOID DYNAMIC NURSING SERVICES FOOD DYNAMIC NURSING SERVICES We are hiring Caregivers, WASTE

I have a beautiful 4 bedroom house in Silver Strand, Oxnard, CA. It is walking I have a beautiful 4 bedroom house in Silver in Strand, Oxnard, CA. Itat is walking person distance fromfromthe beach &Apply harbor.

I am a Care retired Health Care Professional distance the beach & harbor.

I am a retired Health Professional Nurses and/or Doctors to share#D, my home.

Each roomhome.

I’m rentingEach has room 747seeking N. Lake Ave. Pasadena, CAI’m91104 seeking Nurses and/or Doctors to share my renting has it’s own Private Bathroom. The monthly cost is $1000 (unfurnished), or Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm(unfurnished), or it’s own$1200 Private Bathroom.

TheOctober monthly cost is $1000 (furnished).

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to be with You and my loved ones in Your perpetual glory. Amen.

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from You no matter how great the material desires may be. I want

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everything and confirm once more that I never want to be separated

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of my life with me. I, in this short dialogue, want to thank You for

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and forget the wrong that is done to me and who are in all instances

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way to reach my ideal, You who give me the divine gift to forgive

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Holy Spirit Thou who make me see everything and show me the

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Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein you are my Mother. O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my necessity (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (3 times). Holy Mary, I place this cause in your hands (3 times). 3 Our Father, 3 Hail Mary, 3 Glory BeSay this prayer for 3 consecutive days. You must publish it, and it will be granted to you.- KORY

PRAYER TO SAINT JUDE

Most Holy Apostle St. Jude Thaddeus, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the name of the traitor who delivered your beloved Master into the hands of the enemies has caused you to be forgotten by many, but the Church honors and invokes you universally as the patron of hopeless cases and of things despaired of. Pray for me who am so needy; make use, I implore you of that particular privilege accorded to you to bring visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolations and succor of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings particularly (here mention your petition) and that I may bless God with you and all the elect throughout eternity. I promise you, O blessed Jude to be ever mindful of this great favor, and I will never cease to honor you as my special and powerful patron and to do all in my power to encourage devotion to you. Amen. THANK YOU - ARDY

PRAYER TO SAINT THERESE

O Glorious St. Therese, whom Almighty God has raised up to aid and inspire the human family, I implore your Miraculous Intercession.

You are so powerful in obtaining every need of body and spirit from the Heart of God. Holy Mother Church proclaims you ‘Prodigy of Miracles... the Greatest Saint of Modern Times.’ Now I fervently beseech you to answer my petition (mention here) and to carry out your promises of spending Heaven doing good on earth...of letting fall from Heaven a Shower of Roses. Little Flower, give me your childlike faith, to see the Face of God in the people and experiences of my life, and to love God with full confidence. St. Therese, my Carmelite Sister, I will fulfill your plea ‘to be made known everywhere’ and I will continue to lead others to Jesus through you. Amen THANK YOU - SHAHELA

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22

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Saturday-Friday | March 21 - 27, 2020

FASHION / CELEBS / TRENDS / VIRAL NEWS

'Favorite ni Mama': Vico Sotto becomes inspirational meme anew as Pasig earns praise for coronavirus measures Eight months into his first term as Pasig City mayor, Vico Sotto is being called "Mama's favorite" anew, as his local government earned praise for its proactive measures amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

The tag, a reference to his mother Coney Reyes' role in the modern classic "Four Sisters and a Wedding," was first assigned to Sotto when he was elected to his position in May 2019, as photos of the screen veteran with her son made the rounds online.

Those photos, of a proud Reyes hugging Sotto or raising his hand, circulated again on social media Wednesday, as netizens lauded the mayor's leadership style amid uncertainties and loss of livelihood during the Luzon-wide quarantine.

Vico Sotto is hugged by his mother, Coney Reyes, after his

proclamation as Pasig City mayor in May 2019. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News In particular, Sotto made headlines when he pushed that tricycles be allowed on the road — despite the national government banning public transport — for health workers and in case of medical emergencies.

Sotto's name as well as his city became trends on Twitter, too, amid reports that the mayor's office bought disinfectant drones, prepared food packs for frontliners and vulnerable residents, and vowed full salaries for government workers, among others.

On Thursday, #ProtectVico ranked atop the trending list, after blogger Mocha Uson posted a status critical of Sotto's decision to permit tricycle operations.

Uson happened to be one of

CONEY Reyes shares a light moment with her son, Vico Sotto, after his proclamation as Pasig City mayor in May 2019. the cast members of "Four Sisters and a Wedding," where her character was dragged by a Salazar sibling portrayed by Angel Locsin. Co-

Catriona Gray makes most out of time at home by working on book

C

atriona Gray is staying productive at home amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.

On Instagram, the Miss Universe 2018 titleholder revealed that she is making the most of her time by working on her book.

"Using my time to write my #ConqueringYourUniverseBook! So excited for you all to gain a deeper insight to my journey thus far!" she said.

T it led "Conquer ing Your Universe," Gray's writing project was first announced in December 2019 as the beauty queen signed a contract with ABS-CBN Books.

In a previous interview, Gray described her book as "a collection of lessons that I've learned in the past couple of years that I feel really allowed me to achieve

what I did."

She added that "it's not about just pageantry" as the contents of her book "can be applicable to anyone from whatever walk of life."

On Thursday, Gray took to Instagram to share her message

Want to help people with Down Syndrome? Buy a pair of socks for P50!

For only P50, individuals can purchase a pair of comfy and fashionable socks in Vigan City through the ‘Lots of Socks’ Campaign adapted by the Students of Arts and Sciences Organization (SASO) of the University of Northern Philippines (UNP).

Initially launched by the Down Syndrome International, the campaign aims to celebrate those with Down Syndrome (DS) diagnosis in line with the World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) on March 21.

Why socks? The campaign explains that a chromosome looks a little like a sock and people with Down’s syndrome have an extra copy of the 21st chromosome, which is a great way to open up conversations and help raise awareness.

In the Philippines, National Down Syndrome Consciousness Month is being observed every February to promote awareness and acceptance of persons with DS into society.

of gratitude to "every other person who doesn't have the opportunity to stay at home."

"Knowing that they are out there, working tirelessly, being away from their families, gusto ko lang sabihin maraming, maraming salamat po sa lahat ng servicemen at servicewomen natin. To all the medical staff, doctors, nurses, lab technicians, medical admin staff, and health workers," she said.

Gray went on: "To all the cashiers, supermarket staff, truck drivers, and those who work in getting foods and goods to the rest of the population, to the security guards, policemen and women, and military personnel -- thank you. Thank you for your service in this time of need." (ABS-CBN News)

In aid to raise funds for people with DS diagnosis, SASO is encouraging individuals to buy a pair of socks.

John Ray Barcena, Governor of SASO, said, “Other than raising funds, we want to convey a message, or create an open conversation on diversity, uniqueness, inclusion, and acceptance. We want to raise awareness that these people with down syndrome are no different from us. Thus, we must include them in our community.”

Barcena said that they purchased the socks in the locality as it is cheaper, easier and more convenient in terms of transportation.

“We have five recipients from the Stimulation and Therapeutic Center (STAC) in Vigan City. But we plan on extending to other schools and municipalities as well,” he added.

Barcena pointed out that they are giving them art/school materials, and hygiene kits but most importantly provide them an exciting experience.

“We started selling the socks ever since we posted it on our Facebook page last February so it’s been a month-long campaign. And we plan on inviting our recipients at our university on the 23rd of

ney Reyes' other (onscreen) children, one fan quipped, would be ready to defend Sotto in a similar fashion. (ABS-CBN News)

Iloilo town uses TikTok to urge locals to stay home

By Gail Momblan ILOILO CITY (PNA) – Calinog town in Iloilo province has utilized the popular TikTok, a video-sharing social networking service, to encourage its locals to stay at home while the province is observing a general community quarantine.

Through its tourism office, the Calinog local government has opened on Tuesday a “TikTok challenge” where Calinognons can upload indoor videos.

“Since there are no classes already, this is what we see as a venue for the entertainment of the youth for them to avoid going out of their houses in a bid to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19),” Maria Angela Forro, executive assistant for tourism affairs said in a phone interview.

The challenge is open to Calinog residents of any age who can upload a 15 to 30 seconder Tiktok video at the Municipality of Calinog Tourism Site Facebook page.

“They will be using the hash-

March,” he said.

However, due to the suspension of classes and cancellation of mass gatherings and activities because of the threat of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), the campaign continues but the distribution will be conducted this April hoping that the outbreak will be resolved and the

tag #CovidFreeCalinog for us to monitor,” she said.

The TikTok videos will revolve around a single theme that will be identified by the local government every three days.

“For the kick-off, we have the “Labada” challenge. That will be the theme for three days and the top 20 persons who will get the most number of likes will win a PHP50 load,” she said.

The challenge can be participated individually or by group, provided that participants observe social distancing measures.

Forro also urged other local government units to come up with creative steps in responding to the pandemic.

It is one way, she said, to somehow lighten up the mood and avoid panic behaviors while the country is fighting against Covid-19.

The challenge funded by the local government will end on April 14.

situation will go back to normal.

Interested buyers can message the official Facebook page of SASO or go directly to their office in UNP located at the second floor of the College of Arts and Sciences, Barangay Tamag, Vigan City.

Barcena added, “We also accept donations. We even have people outside our province like from Manila and Pangasinan who donated money, which was really overwhelming.”

“We really take no credit. We are glad to be instruments of change in our society. Often times, people are too busy and kind of overlook things. For instance, people with Down syndrome need to be noticed not just because they need help or support but because of what they can contribute to our society, their talents, confidence, and the list goes on,” he said.

Want to join the cause? Buy a pair! Your 50 pesos will not Samples of packed pair of socks of the Students of only help our beneficiaries but Arts and Sciences Organization’s (SASO) Lot of Socks will also level up your fashion.

Campaign. (Photo from the official Facebook page of We hope for your support. Let’s rock those socks! (PIA-Ilocos Sur) SASO)

Weekend BALITA

Saturday-Friday | March 21 - 27, 2020

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23

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24

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Saturday-Friday | March 21 - 27, 2020

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