BusinessWeek Mindanao (April 1, 2020)

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Briefly Fallen frontliner BUTUAN City — The flag at the Capitol of the Province of Dinagat Islands (PDI) is flown in half-mast to honor the front-liners who died due to the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) starting Monday (March 30).

Gov. Arlene “Kaka” Bag-ao said the gesture aims to show the province's solidarity with health workers and front-liners who continue to fight and risk their lives to ensure the health and safety of Filipinos.

“The half-mast of the flag is in solidarity with our frontliners who passed away due to Covid-19 while in the line of duty,” said Bag-ao, who issued the directive on Friday (March 27).

Davao tightens grip DAVAO City – Mayor Sara Z. Duterte has assured Dabawenyos that banks, groceries, money remittance centers will not close should the city be placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to contain the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

In an interview over a radio program on Monday, Duterte urged residents to remain calm because essential services will continue to operate just as it does under the current community quarantine level.

She said the public will be given advance notice should ECQ be implemented if residents fail to comply with the current quarantine restrictions.

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OW-income residents whose livelihoods have been affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) community quarantine in Northern Mindanao will receive cash and other assistance from the regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

In a statement on Monday, the DSWD 10 (Northern Mindanao) said social amelioration packages, ranging from P5,000 to P8,000, would be given to families belonging to the vulnerable sectors, as mandated under Republic Act 11469 or the "Bayanihan to Heal as One Act". “ The Emergency Subsidy Program includes the DSWD’s provision of food and non-food HELP/PAGE 9

LOCKDOWN BEGINS. What used to be vibrant bus terminal in San Francisco town in Agusan del Sur teeming with all routes going to Davao, Butuan, Tandag and Bislig even on midnight is now eerie deserted. The province has declared a lockdown beginning today as it tightens its grip against the spread of Covid-19. photo by chris panganiban

AgSur starts lockdown

By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN, Contributing Editor

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur—The entire province of Agusan del Sur will be under

VIETNAMESE RICE. Laborers unload sacks of rice from Vietnam aboard MV Hai Phuong Sea on Monday, March 30. The ship, which arrived Sunday, carried 268,000 sacks of rice for a rice trader here, which supplies parts of Northern Mindanao. The city government initially purchased 20,000 bags from the cargo intended for the food packs it is distributing to 60,000 households as Iligan imposed an enhanced community quarantine as part of the measure to contain COVID-19. mindanews photo by richel v. umel

lockdown starting today, April 1, as provincial officials wanted to make sure that the

rising cases of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) in Davao region will not spread in this landlocked province.

LOCKDOWN/PAGE 9

Avoid politicking in DAFAC listing, brgy chairmen told

By MARK FRANCISCO, Staff Writer

AT least two officials from the city government of Cagayan

de Oro called on all barangay chairmen in the 80 villages of

the city to avoid politicking in the listing of persons displaced in the ongoing AVOID/PAGE 9

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3 recover from Covid-19 in NorMin; positive cases at 13

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AGAYAN DE ORO CITY -Health officials announced Monday that three of the 13 patients who tested positive of 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) have already recovered.

Dr. Adriano Subaan, Region 10 director of Department of Health, said via teleconference during the Inter-Agency Task Force on Covid-19 in the region, that the three patients who recovered were part of the 17 patients under investigation (PUIs).

Subaan clarified that only four of the 13 Covid cases are residents of Northern Mindanao while the rest are from outside the region.

Likewise, Subaan said the four patients from Region 10 are residents of Iligan City, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, and this city.

"The DOH is conducting contact tracing and heightened disease surveillance though Barangay Health Emergency Response Team (Bhert) in the communities and the

Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (Sari) surveillance team in the hospitals," he said.

As of Monday, the four of the patients are confined at the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) here, said Dr. Jose Chan, the hospital’s medical director.

The patient from Iligan--a 67-year-old female--was brought to NMMC on March 19 and was reported to have traveled to Metro Manila and Bulacan between Feb. 28 and March 3.

Meanwhile, the other

Covid-19-positive case is a 45-year-old male from Jimenez town in Misamis Occidental, who also has a travel history to Thailand and Metro Manila. He was admitted at a hospital in Ozamiz City on March 24.

The provincial government of Misamis Occidental is now tracing passengers of a March 14 morning flight of the Philippine Airlines who may have direct physical contact with the said patient.

Misamis Occidental Governor Phillip Tan on Monday called on the passengers to report and observe a 14-day home quarantine while being monitored by health personnel.

On the other hand, the third case admitted at

NMMC on March 24, is a 67-year-old male from Tubod, Lanao del Norte, with no known exposure to a Covid-19 patient.

The last case, also known as “patient 597,” is a 71-year-old male from Cagayan de Oro.

Covid-19 patients from outside the region include a 66-year-old female from Lanao del Sur, who was intercepted at the Laguindingan Airport in Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental on March 13.

RECOVER/PAGE 11

31 stranded foreign tourists flown out of Siargao Island BUTUAN City – The Department of Tourism in the Caraga Region (DOT-13) has facilitated a chartered flight on Sunday (March 29) that ferried 31 stranded foreign tourists from Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte.

DOT-13 OIC Director Mary Jean Camarin told the Philippine News

Agency on Monday (March 30) that the 31 foreign tourists were ferried directly from Siargao Island to Manila.

“This is the sixth chartered flight that the Department of Tourism has facilitated to fly out foreign tourists who were stranded and distressed in Siargao Island and other tourist destinations in the Caraga Region,” Camarin said.

The foreigners, she added, were stranded when the community quarantines were implemented in different areas to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

A total of 462 foreign tourists were already flown out from the region to Manila this month, Camarin said.

“At present, there are FLOWN/PAGE 11

CAGAYAN DE ORO MAIN BRANCH P & J Lim Bldg., Tiano Brothers Kalambagohan Sts., Tel. # (08822) 727-829 * Telefax # (088) 856-1947 CAMIGUIN BRANCH B. Aranas St., Poblacion, Mambajao, Camiguin Tel. # (088) 387-0491 CORRALES BRANCH Corrales Ave., Cagayan de Oro City DIVISORIA BRANCH Atty. Erasmo B. Damasing Bldg., #61 Don A. Velez St., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 857-3631 LAPASAN BRANCH Lapasan Hi-way, Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-6739 CARMEN BRANCH Vamenta Blvd., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-2011

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CorporateWorld 55 Davao BPOs comply with quarantine rules WEDNESDAY|APRIL 1, 2020

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AVAO City -- Some 55 Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) offices are complying with Mayor Sara Z. Duterte's directive to contain the spread of the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

In a statement on Friday, the Davao City BPO 2019 coronavirus disease Task Force (BPO Covid-19 TF) said the BPOs have transitioned to work from home

arrangement, or onsite as long as they maintain a skeletal workforce with the provision for accommodation and shuttle services to their employees.

All of the compliant BPOs are registered under the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), the task force said.

Duterte's Executive Order 20 allows BPOs to continue operating as long as they reduce their workforce, observe

social distancing in their premises, provide temporary accommodation arrangements within the vicinity of their offices, and provide their employees with shuttle service.

Failure to comply cannot comply with either of the two options would mean immediately closure, Duterte's order warns.

On top of these, the BPO Covid-19 TF said all BPOs are also required to submit detailed

contingency plans "for reference and guidance during monitoring."

Meanwhile, the task force said 14 BPOs have indicated they will temporarily close during the community quarantine.

It said the task force will closely work with the BPO Association of Davao, the ICT Davao, and other industry players to ensure the smooth operations of their establishments during the quarantine.

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Toyota Motor shifts factories to face shields TOYOTA MOTOR Corp.’s idled manufacturing facilities in the US will make much-needed face shields and masks, and the Japanese automaker is closing in on deals with medical-device makers to help them boost production.

The carmaker said Friday it will start mass production of face shields early next week to supply hospitals near its plants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Texas. Toyota also said

it is finalizing pacts with at least two companies to make breathing ventilators and respirator hoods, and it’s looking for partners to make protective masks. The company on Thursday extended its shutdown of North American factories for two weeks.

“With our plants idled and our dealers focused on servicing customers, we are eager to contribute our expertise and knowhow in order to help quickly bring to market

the medical supplies and equipment needed to combat the COVID-19 crisis,” Ted Ogawa, Toyota’s newly appointed head of North American operations, said in a statement. “Our message to the medical equipment community is we are here to help, please utilize our expertise.”

The company is the latest carmaker in the US to provide its manufacturing expertise to help stop the outbreak.

Ford Motor Co. has

paired with General Electric Co. and 3M Co. to make medical equipment, and General Motors Co. is trying to make ventilators at a plant in Indiana.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV also aims to make 1 million masks a month at a plant in China to supply to US health workers. Tesla Inc. has donated masks and ventilators and held talks with Medtronic Plc on helping them boost production.

Intellectual property filings up nearly 10% in 2019

THE Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) received a record-high in annual filings for intellectual property protection totaling 47,282 last year, a nearly 10-percent rise from the 43,300 applications in 2018.

In a statement Wednesday, IPOPHL said filings for trademarks (TM) posted the biggest annual growth at 10 percent to 39,399 from 35,672.

Bulk of the filings were in agricultural products and services, followed by pharmaceuticals, health, cosmetics; scientific research, information and communication technology; management, communications, real estate, and financial services; and textiles -clothing and accessories.

Residents were the biggest TM filers, accounting for 60 percent

or 23,447. This was followed by Madrid System non-resident applicants with a share of 8,017 and non-resident direct filings applicants at 7,935.

Industrial design (ID) applications were the second biggest driver, up 7 percent to 1,631 from 1,522. Residents were the most active filers with a 62-percent or 1,019 contribution to the total, while the rest were nonresidents.

The top five fields for ID filings in 2019 were in means of transport or hoisting; furnishing; packages and containers for the transport or handling of goods; fluid distribution equipment, sanitary, heating, ventilation and airconditioning equipment, solid fuel; and graphic symbols and logos, surface patterns, ornamentation.

Meanwhile, utility model (UM) filings

stood at 2,228, climbing 4 percent from 2,144 in 2018. Of the 2019 total, about 96 percent were residents. The top five biggest filings were in food chemistry; basic materials chemistry; handling; furniture, games; and pharmaceuticals.

Patents posted a 2-percent annual hike, totaling to 4,024 from 3,962. Filings made under the Patent Cooperation Treaty accounted for the lion’s share or 80 percent at 3,223.

Based on the country of origin, the United States, Japan, and China were the top filers. Top industries for patent claims were in pharmaceuticals; organic fine chemistry; biotechnology; digital communication; and food chemistry.

Filings at IPOHL’s satellite offices within and outside Metro Manila grew 17 percent to 4,616 from

3,950.

In 2019, two satellites were opened, namely in Butuan City in the Caraga Region and Vigan City in Ilocos, bringing the total IPOPHL offices in operations nationwide to 16.

At Innovation and Technology Support Offices (ITSOs), which are housed in universities and colleges to deliver basic IPOPHL services, filings grew 13.96 percent to 1,624. This was driven by the 235 patents and 1,075 UMs which saw an annual increase of 22 percent and 16 percent, respectively.

ITSOs, currently at 100, are significant enablers to inventors and innovators as they provide patent search and drafting services.

Another effort that supported growth is IPOPHL's completion in 2019 of eight Patent FILINGS/PAGE 11

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Marriage medicine (Pt. 1) Think a minute . . . A divorced husband and wife said: “We broke up because of illness in the family : we got sick of each other.”

Sadly, the longest living institution of humanity is experiencing an epidemic disease that is infecting and destroying the lives of millions of couples and their children. Furthermore, many of the couples who stay together still have not learned how to have a healthy, happy relationship.

Today and tomorrow we will look at some of the unhealthy conditions in marriage, and then prescribe some medicines to heal and strengthen our marriage for a satisfying life together.

The first deadly disease in marriages is selfishness.

“Many marriage problems are caused by the marriage of two people who are in love . . . with themselves.”

This is the husband who sees his wife as the one who gives him what he wants as a cook, cleaner, money maker, and lover. He likes to show her off like a new car, but when her paint fades and her engine slows down, he

ORLAN R. RAVANERA The Indigenous People are now serving notice to one and all that enough is enough! In a strongly worded Position Paper entitled, “Kasaysayan na Magpapatunay sa Lupang Ipinamana ng mga Ninuno (Ancestral Domain), the cooperative of the Indigenous Pe o p l e n a r r a t e d t h e i r historical right on their ancestral domain which has all these years been the subject of massive exploitation of the rich and the powerful. But this time, they have awakened

wants to trade her in for a new model. This selfish, childish kind of character and thinking does not know what mature, manly love is.

Love and marriage is “for men only” who are strong enough to put the needs of their wife first.

In t h e s a m e w ay, a selfish and domineering wife can take her feminism and women’s liberation too far by not respecting and treating her husband as a man. As one husband said, “My wife is the nicest guy you’ll ever meet!” A bossy, unkind, critical wife will gradually tear down her husband’s self-confidence, and then rob him and their MEDICINE/PAGE 11

as they are advancing their firm resolve to collective fight to protect Abaga Ta Bayug (Mindanamora Falls) in Talakag, Bukidnon which they believe is a very sacred creation of Magbabaya (the Creator). Well, what else is new?

The massive exploitation of the resources which once upon a time been the domain of the IPs has been happening not only in the Philippines but worldwide.

That process of deprivation is called the “enclosure of the commons.” The word “enclosure” describes the physical exclusion of the IPs from their commons (land) though being a common property of the IPs to be owned and controlled by the rich and the powerful.

Lands which were formerly the ancestral domain of the IPs are now owned and controlled by the rich and the powerful. This is concretely

showcased in the hundreds of thousands of hectares of the choicest of lands in rich but poverty-stricken island of Mindanao now transformed into big plantations which are planted with high value crops to supply the consumerist lifestyle of the people in the advanced countries. This is a paradox in an agriculturallyrich country that cannot even produce enough basic staples such as rice and milk for its people.

T h i s t r u i s m i s wel l narrated in the IP’s Position Paper. Indeed, the IPs have been living sustainably in their commons that include the ecosystems for thousands of years in the spirit of service and sharing. But where are they now? What happened to their lands, the natural seeds, the natural farming technologies that they have practiced in harmony with the laws of nature?

Indeed, the economics

of enclosure worked for the landlords and plantation owners but against the IPs. The massive rakings of a few provided the necessary justification for the privateers t o e x p an d t h e m ar ke t economy despite the cost to nature’s economy and the sustenance economy being advanced by the IPs. All told, the enclosure of the commons which has taken place all these years against the IPs has put a few in control of the resources and as a consequence produce the following scenario: 1. The exclusion of the IPs from access to resources that had been their common property or held in common; 2. T he c re at i on of “surplus” or “disposable” people (the IPs) by denying rights of access to the commons that sustained them; 3. T he c re at i on of RESOURCES/PAGE 11

What a big pity if...

INDEED, we have to admit that we practically are all cowering in fear and anxiety, and suffering from all kinds of privations, physical, mental and emotional, all arising from this pandemic that we are having these days. But it would be a big pity if in all these conditions we fail to take advantage of the golden opportunity these conditions are actually offering us.

If we are guided by our Christian faith, we know that we are not meant only to suffer and then die. We are meant for joy and bliss and life everlasting. But our suffering and death possess great value that can do us a lot of good.

If w e h av e l e a r n e d

well from Christ’s life and example, then we would know that our suffering and death can be our best and ultimate expression of our love for God and for everybody else, because Christ has made all human suffering precisely as the supreme manifestation of love and as the ultimate means for our salvation.

Remember Christ saying, “Greater love has no man that this: that a man lays down his life for his friends.” (Jn 15, 13) That would be pure love, fully gratuitous, with no strings attached. And it’s a love that is motivated by no less than the greatest need of man: our own salvation, the full recovery of our dignity as children of God.

If we can only have the same attitude that Christ had in accepting his passion and death as we go through our current rigmarole of lockdown, quarantine and all that stuff, then we would be turning our imposed sacrifices into something very positive, helpful and constructive.

No, we are not meant to suffer, and suffering is not God’s will for us. Our suffering is always selfinflicted which God allows to happen because he respects our freedom, no matter how much we abuse it.

But God knows how to turn our suffering and death around. In Christ, we have been given the way of how to

HINTS AND TRACES

ROY CIMAGALA reverse the purely negative character of our suffering and death into something positive and redemptive.

That is why we have to learn how to love suffering, not in the perverted and masochistic sense, but in PITY/PAGE 11

Are you faithful?

THINK A MINUTE

JHAN TIAFAU HURST

WEDNESDAY|APRIL 1, 2020

Stop the continuing onslaught on IP's resources or else!

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As family members and signatories, are you faithfully complying with what you agreed and wrote in the family constitution?

Are all signatories walking their talk? In short, are your actions consistent with what you all concurred during your constitution crafting sessions?

Founders and business leaders must realize that it is the process that REALLY matters! And it is often said that when making a constitution, the process is more important than the output. Why? The process gives family members the chance to work and make decisions together, deliberate in a structured l o g i c a l w ay a b o u t t h e future of the family and the business and prepare for the transition long before the founder or the key business leader retires or becomes incapacitated.

The essence is to create a certain level of shared understanding among family members, create

a set of family norms of b ehav ior, cl ar if y roles, define rules, understand ever y family member’s/ shareholders’ rights and responsibilities (active and passive) and institutionalize accountability.

In a Harvard Business R e v ie w ar t icle ent it le d “The Three Components of Family Governance” penned by noted Family Business expert, Dr. John Davies, he adeptly recommends the activation of the following critical components in the governance ecosystem immediately right after the signing of the family constitution: · Family must initiate periodic (annual) assemblies and · Activate the Family Council so issues that were not heard nor given importance during the constitution building sessions can now be thoroughly discussed and planned Under a post constitution stage, the primary objective

is to sustain the energy and the drive of the family by encouraging them to further strengthen business-family communication. Treating the family in a more formal, organizational way can feel awkward at first and asserting the value (without exception) that each family member must embrace the concept of a fair process is a sensitive, crucial and very important governance phase.

Overcoming the initial discomfort and encouraging ever y family member to p ar t icip ate in de cision making is part of the journey of transformation. When they have a “voice”, when they believe the process for making a decision is fair and transparent, they will accept the outcome of that process even if it may not reflect their own personal views.

The fairness principle was already introduced when family members started working together on the family constitution. That is why this frame of mind

FAMILY BUSINESS COACH

PROF. ENRIQUE SORIANO should be carried over to the family council and assembly.

Critically and through the activation of the family council, facilitators and the framers of the constitution must thoroughly spend time embracing the values and the vision as articulated by the founder’s original motives for building the family business. It is important that family members first clarify the shared beliefs, experiences and legacies that unite them in their choice of stewardship over ownership of the enterprise.

These values represent the FAITHFUL/PAGE 9

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WEDNESDAY|APRIL 1, 2020

SM distributes PPEs and medical supplies to over 50 hospitals nationwide

T

HROUGH SM Foundation, SM is donating over Php 170 million towards the fight against COVID-19, surpassing its initial allocation of Php 100 million.

This initiative is to help ensure that Healthcare workers in hospitals nationwide are armored with personal protective

equipment (PPEs) – full protective suits (including for ICU use), face shields, gloves, N95 masks, surgical masks, goggles, and including raincoats as requested by some hospitals as back-up alternatives.

Testing is made more widely available, by supporting and donating the local Manila Healthtek test kits developed by the

PPEs and medical equipment arrive for SM Foundation on chartered aircraft via Airspeed Logistics.

UP-NIH team (upon DOH approval), providing the testing needs of RITM, and donating FDA-approved PCR kits sourced from Korea and by providing ICU-grade ventilators to help hospitals manage patients with severe cases.

Among the hospitals that received PPE donations as of March 27, 2020 are University of the Philippines PGH, Lung Center of the Philippines, Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and major Government hospitals like Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), National Kidney and Transplant Institute, San Lazaro Hospital, East Avenue Medical Center, Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center, Philippine Heart Center, National Children’s Hospital and Rizal Medical Center Other hospitals include, Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, Chinese General Hospital, University of the East Ramon Magsaysay (UERM) Memorial Medical Center, Manila Doctors Hospital, University of Santo Tomas Hospital, Makati Medical Center, The Medical City, Ospital ng Muntinlupa, and more.

Several shipments of PPEs are also on their way

Medical frontlines from Medical City Manila ready to fight COVID-19 in their PPE outfits from SM Foundation

to provincial hospitals nationwide, including Rizal, Pampanga, Bataan, Quezon, Pangasinan, Catanduanes, Cebu, Iloilo, Samar, Tacloban, Surigao del Sur, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Marawi, Zamboanga, and more.

SM has committed to be of service to the Filipino public, its hospitals, and its government, in ensuring that we all contain and overcome the COVID-19 crisis together.

Dr. Gam Legaspi, Executive Director of PGH, receiving the first batch of ICU-grade ventilators

6

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Frontliners stay connected with Smart WiFi amid COVID-19 response T O SUPPORT frontliners responding to the nationwide COVID-19 emergency, PLDT wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) will continue to provide fast, free and reliable all-day Smart WiFi connectivity at provincial capitols, city and municipal halls across the country, which currently function as base of operations for local government coordination of logistics, transportation and relief.

Smart WiFi is also available in supermarkets and convenience stores to assist people who are buying food and other essential supplies.

In Metro Manila, carrier-grade, fiberpowered Smart WiFi has been deployed at the City Hall of Manila and in the city halls of Malabon, Mandaluyong, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Quezon

City, San Juan, Taguig and Valenzuela.

In Luzon outside Metro Manila, Smart WiFi is also up at the provincial capitol of Benguet and the city hall of Baguio; at the city hall of Laoag in Ilocos Norte; at the city and municipal halls of Baliwag, Bocaue, Marilao, Malolos and Meycauayan in Bulacan; at the city and municipal halls of Tanza, Bacoor and Trece Martires in Cavite; at the provincial capitol of Laguna and in the city and municipal halls of Biñan, Cabuyao, Carmona, and Sta Rosa; at the provincial capitol of Batangas and in the city and municipal halls of Sto. Tomas and Tanauan; and at the city hall of Puerto Princesa in Palawan.

Smart WiFi has also been deployed in Visayas and Mindanao. It is available at the provincial capitol of Cebu, the city and municipal halls of Bogo, Cebu, Mandaue, and Consolacion and the Cebu

Public Library; at the provincial capitol of Iloilo; at the city halls of Ormoc, Tacloban and Tacloban Public Market in Leyte; at the Panglao municipal hall and Panglao Public Market in Bohol; at the city hall of Roxas City in Capiz; At the Sangguniang Panglungsod ng Davao; at the city halls of Oroquieta and Ozamiz in Misamis Occidental; at the provincial capitol of Misamis Oriental and the city hall of Cagayan de Oro City; and at the city halls of Dapitan and Dipolog in Zamboanga del Norte.

Supermarkets, convenience stores, hospitals Smart WiFi is also available in selected Lawson and Ministop convenience stores across Metro Manila and at select branches of Robinsons Supermarkets and Super 8 in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal and

Tarlac.

These areas are in addition to existing Smart WiFi-powered hospitals across the country, such as Asian Hospital, Philippine Orthopedic Center, De Los Santos Medical Center, Marikina Valley Medical Center, Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Dr Jesus M Delgado Hospital, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Chinese General Hospital, Novaliches District Hospital, and Pasay General Hospital in Metro Manila; Cebu Doctors University and City Hospital in Mandaue City, Adventist Hospital in Cebu City, Doctors Hospital Bacolod, Bacolod Adventist Medical Center, and Riverside Medical

Center in Bacolod, Ramiro Community Hospital in Tagbilaran City, City Hospital of Tacloban City, Capiz Emmanuel Hospital, Iloilo Mission Hospital, The Health Centrum Hospital in Roxas; Mayor Hilarion Ramiro Medical Center in Misamis Occidental, Adventist Medical Center in Iligan City, at Davao Doctors Hospital and Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City, West Metro Medical Center in Zamboanga del Sur, and at St Elizabeth Hospital, The Medical Plaza 1 and 2, and Sta Ana Medical Building in General Santos City.

Since 2016, Smart has been accelerating the rollout of Smart WiFi in

high foot-traffic areas nationwide, and is also available at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminals.

“With Smart WiFi in key areas, we are able support our frontliners with fast and reliable connectivity as they work with local governments in delivering vital services amid the COVID-19 situation,” said PLDTSmart Head of Public Affairs Ramon R. Isberto.

This communication is intended solely for the use of the addressee and authorized recipients. It may contain confidential or legally privileged information and is subject to the conditions in http:// www.smart.com.ph/ corporate/disclaimer.

Globe turns over P14M in cash donation to PGH for purchase of medical supplies and personal protective equipment Globe successfully raised and turned over P14M to the PGH Medical Foundation, Inc. (PGHMFI). The amount was gathered through the joint efforts of loyal Globe customers who donated over P9M via their Rewards points, and the company’s initial pledge of P5M in cash donation.

This is part of the telco’s comprehensive efforts in providing immediate aid to medical frontliners at PGH, which is now a designated exclusive COVID-19 hospital by the Department of Health (DOH). The funds were utilized by PGH-MFI to purchase much-needed

KonsultaMD provides 30-day free public access to medical advice

test kits, alcohol, and complete sets of personal protective equipment (PPEs) such as surgical masks, face shields, and surgical gowns. Globe also turned over 50 mobile phones preloaded with unlimited calls and texts to all networks valid for 30 days to serve the communication needs of healthcare workers and frontliners at PGH. “We are overwhelmed with gratitude to all customers who stand together with us in our ongoing fight against the pandemic,” said Ernest Cu, President and CEO at Globe. “We also hope

that this can show our kababayans that in times like these, doing simple acts of kindness even within the safety of our homes can truly make a difference.”

Last March 5, Globe also donated P5M worth of surgical masks to the Philippine Red Cross. Further, it has provided free unli internet connection via its GoWiFi services since March 13 to 68 public and private hospitals across the country. Mobile and broadband customers are also encouraged to stay updated on DONATION/PAGE 9

KonsultaMD is offering the public a 30-day free access to medical advice through its telemedicine hotline to complement existing government efforts in managing the COVID-19 pandemic.

The free Konsulta subscription is open until April 13 to anyone without existing membership.

They may call 78880 via Globe/TM mobile phone or (02) 77988000 via Globe landline, other landline in Metro Manila, and other mobile networks.

KonsultaMD is a 24/7 health hotline service manned by skilled and licensed Filipino doctors who provide medical assessment and advice, including basic healthcare and permissible medication, over the phone. With KonsultaMD, the public will be able to get immediate and affordable medical attention, anytime, anywhere in the Philippines.

Due to limited capacity of medical institutions compared to the fastgrowing number of people needing immediate medical attention, the Department of Health is looking at telemedicine, particularly primary care teleconsultation, to alleviate surge and minimize risks posed by unnecessary visits to hospitals.

“There is an overwhelming demand for the healthcare industry and we understand the difficulties both the government and private medical institutions are facing to provide the public with the assistance they need during this outbreak. We are here to help our country by providing everyone with free access to a doctor so that they can seek medical advice without leaving their homes,” said Maridol Ylanan, CEO of Global Telehealth, Inc. which ACCESS/PAGE 9

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7

Feature

FDA Approves five brands of Rapid Antibody Test Kits for COVID-19

I

N WHAT could be a critical turning point in the country’s battle against the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved today, March 30, 2020, the use of five (5) brands of Rapid Test Kits for COVID-19.

“We approve kits that are registered and used in countries with advanced technology and wide experience with COVID 19. We want the people to have access to testing but of course, proper evaluation and safeguards will still be in place,” FDA Director General Eric Domingo said in press statement posted in the FDA website.

According to the FDA Advisory No. 2020-483, approved where the following (with countries of origin): NANJING VAZYME 2019-nCoV IgG/IgM DETECTION KIT (Singapore); NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (2019-NCOV) IgM/ IgG ANTIBODY DETECTION KIT (COLLOIDAL GOLD METHOD) (China); DIAGNOSTIC KIT FOR IgM/IgG ANTIBODY TO CORONAVIRUS (SARSCoV-2) (COLLOIDAL GOLD (China); 2019nCoV ANTIBODY TEST (COLLOIDAL GOLD) (China); and SARSCoV-2 ANTIBODY TEST (LATERAL FLOW METHOD (China).

FDA also approved the SARS Cov2 kit by Gene Xpert from Abbott Laboratories which can detect the virus within 5 minutes. This test kit is PCR based. To date, FDA has approved 17 PCR based test kits for commercial use.

As a safety precaution, the FDA shall require the product inserts or label of the Rapid Test Kits to state the following: “This

product is strictly for medical professional use only and not intended for personal use. The administration of the test and interpretation of results should be done by a trained health professional.

Confirmatory testing is required.”

“The rapid test kits will yield a faster result compared to PCR based kits, but it is important that a trained health professional will evaluate and interpret the results,” Domingo stressed.

Administration (FDA) to grant Emergency Use Authority to approve the applications for registration of verifiable suppliers of RST Kits that already underwent the registration process with their respective FDAs in their country of origin.

“We urgently need to check the health of our communities and this is only possible using mass testing in the field.

Having statistics of sick patients in the hospital is just too late,” said Ma. Teresa R. Alegrio, PCCI

program using RST starting with all PUIs awaiting access to PCR testing, all PUMs, vulnerable persons within the vicinity of a cluster of Covid-19 outbreak, and among front liners in the hospital and in the field.

Persons who test positive from RST mass screening should also be required to undergo priority confirmatory testing by PCR. However, the FDA stresses the need for caution in the deployment of rapid test

Genexpert system with Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 test.

FDA Advisory No.2020-483 List of FDA Approved Antibody Test Kits (PNA)

Earlier last week, affiliate chambers of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) in Mindanao urged President Rodrigo Duterte to ramp up of mass screening of possible COVID-19 cases in the country through the adoption of the Rapid Serologic Test (RST) as a surveillance tool and for the Food and Drug

RT SARS-CoV 2 Amplification Kit with Vials

area vice president for Mindanao.

“We need to know actual cases in the field even before they become symptomatic or no longer symptomatic (unknowingly healed) to make targeted decisions before they even get to hospitals,” she added.

PCCI is advocating the immediate rollout of the mass screening

kits which should only be used by certified medical professionals, and called on local government chief executives, heads of agencies, hospitals and private companies to be cautious in using the approved test kits.

Further, the agency asked doctors to help in testing and guide patients in the interpretation of the results.

“We have to be very cautious in using these rapid test kits because they measure antibodies and not the viral load itself. The body takes time to develop antibodies and this might give a negative result for patients who have been infected but antibodies have not yet developed antibodies.

A positive result due to cross reaction with other bacteria or viruses is also possible, which is why a confirmatory PCR based test is still required,” Domingo noted.

Domingo also emphasized the need

for the DOH to increase the number of capable laboratories accredited to perform the PCR confirmatory tests.

DOH-10 Regional Director Dr. Adriano Suba-an said they plan to convert the TB (tuberculosis) Reference Center at the DOH compound in Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City into a coronavirus disease COVID-19 testing laboratory during the Regional Inter-agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (RIATF-EID) held March 27 in Cagayan de Oro City.

The DOH-10 TB Reference Center has an RT-PCR (real time polymerase chain reaction) equipment that can actually be used for the testing subject to compliance with COVID-19 testing standards and other requirements of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).

The Indonesian Society of Respirology (PDPI) has said diagnostic test kits for tuberculosis could be modified and used for COVID-19 since Cepheid, the US-based molecular diagnostics company producing the Xpert TBM/RIF diagnostic kits, has redesigned its Xpress Flu/RSV cartridges so that they can detect the presence of SARSCoV-2, the virus causing the deadly COVID-19

disease.

Dr. Faisal Yunus, a member of the PDPI advisory board, said regular tuberculosis diagnostic machines in Indonesia could now detect COVID-19 if their cartridges were replaced with the new redesigned cartridges, Faisal told The Jakarta Post recently.

The technology recently received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and is now approved to run COVID-19 tests in the US. “FDA remains steadfast in its obligation to protect the public.

Despite the global crisis we are faced with, FDA continues to safeguard public health by ensuring that health commodities, especially those related to addressing the COVID 19 emergency, are certified following regulatory standards – through streamlined processes,” Domingo noted.

“Let us remain vigilant and hopeful as we protect each other's welfare against those who seem to take advantage of this vulnerable situation.

During this rapid increase of COVID-19 cases in the country, the agency continues to serve the people by giving them access to testing without compromising our mandate of ensuring the safety, efficacy and quality of every health product for the public,” he added.

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OROBANKERS DIRECTORIES CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY

A PUBLIC SERVICE BY:

AMANAH/ISLAMIC BANK V. Neri Street Carmen, Cdoc 858988/8587965 / 722274

METRO BANK- COGON Osmeña Hayes St. Cdoc | 726438/8572057

ASIA UNITED BANK Cor.Camp Alagar Road Lapasan, Cdoc 729678 / 8568893

METRO BANK- CARMEN Max Suniel St. Carmen, Cdoc 8581722/ 8585162

BDO – VELEZ Velez-Rn Abejuela Street, Cdoc 2314246/8572075

METRO BANK- LAPASAN CM Recto Lapasan HW, Cdoc 724461/8561721

BDO – SM G/F SM City, Master Son’s Avenue Upper Carmen Cdoc | 8592623/8592637

METRO BANK- OSMEÑA Brgy Osmeña St. Cdoc | 722014 /8800924

BDO – XU XU Lib. Annex Corrales St. Cdoc 8574108 / 8573796

METRO BANK- CORRALES Corrales Avenue, Cdoc | 8572635/728731

BDO – CDO HAYES Trendline Bldg.,Hayes Street, 8568151/727405

METRO BANK- GAISANO 8561720

BDO – COGON Sky hi Bldg JR Borja St. Cogon, Cdoc 8577963/ 725209/ 725203 BDO – OSMEÑA Osmeña corner Ramon Chavez St. Cdoc 724567/8563727 BDO – LAPASAN Lapasan Highway Cdoc 8563233 /8563234 / 725178 BDO – RN- PELAEZ George Town CyberMall Rn Pelaez Blvd Kauswagan Cdoc | 8562617/729052 BDO – CARMEN Maxsuniel cor.V Neri St. Carmen, .Cdoc 8584854 /8581133 BANK OF COMMERCE- VELEZ Akut- Velez St.Cdoc | 8564371 / 726880 BANK OF COMMERCE- LAPASAN

CM Recto Ave. Lapasan, Cdoc, 8563991/727731

BPI FAMILY SAVINGS BANK RER kauswagan,HW Cdoc 8573733 /722519 BPI FAMILY SAVINGS BANK Gaston Park Cdoc | 8801518 BPI – LAPASAN Cm Recto HW Lapasan Cdoc 724076/ 8524602 BPI- VELEZ Velez-JR Borja St.Cdoc 8564213/722406 BPI – CAPISTRANO Capistrano St. Cdoc 8574264/8574263 BPI- COGON Osmeña St. Cdoc 8571297/8571298 CHINA BANK –GAISANO 745887/745880 CHINA BANK- JR BORJA JR Borja St. Cdoc 8572212/8573274 CHINA BANK- LAPASAN CM Recto Lapasan HW Cdoc 8561325 /722240 CHINA BANK – CARMEN Max Suniel, Cor. Yakal St. Cdoc 8583903/723091 CHINA BANK – DIVISORIA RN Abejuela St. Divosoria Cdoc 8575759/722641 CITY SAVINGS BANK TS Fashion Ave.Justo Ramonal Corner St.Cdoc 2316060/ 2316059 CHINATRUST Suite U&5 G/LGateway Tower Lapasan Lkk Cdoc 8521846/8521844 D’ASIAN HILLS BANK HW. Lapasan Cdoc | 8564201/ 8564201 D’ASIAN HILLS BANK Vamenta Carmen Sts. Cdoc | 8585366 DBP – CORRALES Corrales Ave., St. Cdoc | 8572087/722649 DBP – CAPISTRANO JR Borja Capistrano St. Cdoc 8567776/722819

PBCOM Tiano-HayesSt. Cdoc | 726519/8571558 PLANTERS DEVELOPMENT BANK

Tiano Bros St. Cdoc | 727083 /727082 PHILTRUST BANK Ramonal OsmeñaSt. CDO 8807234/2316694/2316695 PNB- CORRALES Corrales Avenue Cdoc | 729500 / 729723

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PNB- CARMEN Elipe Bldg.Carmen, Cdoc | 8583158/ 8584203 PNB- LKK LKK Lapasan, Cdoc | 8564347/722872 PNB CDO– DIVISORIA Tiano Bros.Cruz Taal St., Cdoc 722861 /722816 PNB CDO– LAPASAN LKK Center Lapasan, Cdoc | 8564732 / 723992 PNB CDO– COGON LKK Center Lapasan, Cdoc 8571991/ 723992 PHILIPPINE POSTAL SAVINGS BANK, INC. bels_domingo@yahoo.com.ph Rizal Chavez Cdoc 8572194/725438 PS BANK Velez Corner A. Mabini St., Cdoc 8574183/725184 PHILIPPINE VETERANS BANK Tiano-Abejuela St. Cdoc 722644/8573386 QUEEN CITY DEVELOPMENT BANK, INC. Sacred Heart Mont. Cm RectoAve., Cdoc 8562390 RCBC- VELEZ Velez-Borja St. Cdoc | 8564982/8568888 RCBC- COGON Simplex Bldg. Osmeña St. Cdoc 8562888/725863/8521329 RCBC- LAPASAN Cm. Recto Lapasan HW. Cdoc 8561888/722449 RCBC- LKK Gateway, Tower 1 LkkCenter, Cdoc 8563707/722449 RCBC SAVINGS- CARMEN Walingwaling St.,Carmen St. Cdoc 8585793/ 8586248

LBP – PUERTO Puerto Cdoc | 8558858 MAYBANK JR Borja Tiano Cor. Bldg. Cdoc 8574439/726060 METRO BANK- DIVISORIA Pabayo Abejuela St. Divisoria Park, Cdoc 724783/8576999 METRO BANK- VELEZ A. Velez St. Cdoc | 8561724/726054 METRO BANK- JR BORJA JR Borja St. Cdoc | 8572999/724415

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon--In an effort to help the province’s thousands of “no-work no-pay” workers who were hit by the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) due to the spreading Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), Bukidnon provincial government allotted Php700 million to assist the poor families affected

by COVID-19.

Governor Jose Maria Zubiri Jr, in a press briefing, said the amount will be used to procure

staple food for distribution to the province’s 100,000 poor families whose daily earnings were badly affected.

“We must be able to help them even in small ways like this. Each poor family listed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as indigent—but not a member of 4Ps— will receive one sack of rice; one box of canned sardines; and one box of canned meatloaf and other assorted canned goods,” Zubiri said.

He clarified that only those who were severely affected by the “ECQ” being implemented by the local government units (LGUs) can avail of the food aid.

Bukidnon has 20 towns and 2 cities. Hence, the distribution should be done in batches, he said.

The first batch of recipients will be from the towns of Impasugong, San Fernando, Cabanglasan, Lantapan, Pangantucan, and Kalilangan.

Those towns that have not yet been scheduled

must wait for further announcement or notice from their respective LGUs, the governor said.

Early this month, Zubiri issued Executive Order No. 13 placing the entire province of Bukidnon under Community Quarantine to quell the spread of coronavirus.

Officials have implemented lockdowns that prevent people from leaving their towns and cities while imposing curfew.

FAMILIES/PAGE 9

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SECURITY BANK- OSMEÑA Osmeña St. Cdoc | 8563965/ 723411/728774 SECURITY BANK- LKK Limketkai | 8801258/8801625

STERLING BANK OF ASIA Tiano Velez St. CDO | 8528171/8528168

LBP – VELEZ LunaVelez St. | 723549/8563198

Bukidnon allots P700M for 100,000 COVID-affected families

RURAL BANK OF CABADBARAN, Inc.

EAST WEST BANK Cogon De Oro Constraction Bldg. LKK Drive 8500339/8500331

LBP – CAPISTRANO Capsitrano St. Cdoc | 8565515/727678

maong mga indibidwal aron pagsiguro nga kapugnan ang pagkuyanap niini sa ubang mga tawo.

Tungod niini gimando ni Gob. Bambi Emano sa provincial PNP nga mas hingusgan pa ang ilang checkpoint aron masiguro nga kapugngan ang pagsulod sa maong sakit sa Misamis Oriental.

RCBC SAVINGS- AGORA 8807891/8807892

SECURITY BANK- VELEZ Velez Montalvan St., Cdoc | 728334/856632

FIRST CONSOLIDATED BANK CM Recto Ave., Cor.Agudo Road Cdoc 8565360/2316678

GIKALIPAY ni Gob. Bambi Emano ang taho nga wala pay bisan usa gikan sa Misamis Oriental ang nagpositibo sa corona virus disease (COVID-19).

Sa datos sa department of health nasayran nga sa tibuok rehiyon dies, duna nay upat ka tawo ang positibong nataptan sa covid 19 ug kini nagikan sa dakbayan sa Iligan, syudad sa Cagayan de Oro, Lanao del Norte ug lalawigan sa Misamis Occidental.

Atol sa tigom sa provincial anti-illegal task force batok covid 19, Marso 31 ning tuiga, gipahibawo ni Dr. Jocelyn Torrecampo nga miabot na sa 4,339 ka mga tawo ang Persons Under Monitoring (PUM) samtang 284 sab gikunsidera nga Persons Under Iinvestigation (PUI).

Ang departamento sa panglawas sa lalawigan hugot ang monitoring niining

RCBC SAVINGS- VELEZ Velez St. Cdoc | 729083/8562460

EAST WEST BANK #5 Juan Sia Bldg. Apolinar Velez St.Cdoc 8578801/720081

ENTERPRISE BANK INC. Centro Mariano Bldg Osmeña St. Cdoc 723869/ 3093395

MisOr covid free pa gihapon

UCPB BANK- LAPASAN Osmeña Corner Lkk Drive, Cdoc 85771842/ 725135 UCPB BANK- VELEZ Velez Corner C. Pacana St. CDO 8564474/8564527 UCPB BANK SAVINGS-CAPISTRANO

Capistrano Corner CruzTaal St. CDO 8524099/722695

UCPB BANK SAVINGS- OPOL Gf forever Books Bldg.Bulua National CDO 754519/8588063 UNION BANK Lapasan Cm.Recto Cdoc | 8566847/8563805 WEALTHBANK Velez Gomez St. Cdoc | 8568942/722174 1ST VALLEY BANK Vamenta Blvd. CornerLirio St. Carmen, Cdoc 8501871/ 8584146 OROBANKERS CLUB Inc. Pnb Carmen | 09151850242

Alliance Global Group and Megaworld donated 1,000 liters of disinfectant alcohol to Cagayan de Oro City local government unit to support the city’s efforts in the fight against COVID-19. The boxes of disinfectant alcohol were personally received by the CDO Mayor Óscar Moreno’s daughter, Imee Moreno-Lapuz.

9

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WEDNESDAY|APRIL 1, 2020

Faithful... from page 4

kind of business culture in which the company operates and will define how the family will work to support the business’ future success.

When the shared vision is internalized, the journey towards growth can now move forward by way of family commitment and strategic thinking.

To conclude, a wellcrafted family constitution (reinforced with a family council, assembly and the Shareholders agreement) that goes beyond two to three generations towards the future can perpetuate a family business for a long time. It is therefore my wish that family business members should start the process now in order to ensure the legacy of the founders and the everlasting prosperity of the family and its businesses. Having a stand-alone Constitution devoid of any collective e f f o r t i s e mp t y a n d a complete waste of time and resources.

Lockdown... from page 1

Gov. Santiago Cane, Jr. is expected to sign an Executive Order (EO) at 5:00 am today regarding the lockdown policy which will no longer allow motorists even residents who wanted to go home to enter the province.

A copy of the EO is not yet available at press time, however, Alfredo V. Plaza, Provincial Public Information Officer and spokesperson of the Provincial COVID-19 task Force, said among those exempted are vehicles providing essential services such as food and health care, regional bank heads travelling on important tasks, police and military personnel.

Cane said the lockdown is a stringent preventive measure in the wake of rising Covid-19 cases in the neighboring Davao region even as Agusan del Sur and the entire Caraga region remain free from positive cases of the dreaded virus that caused global pandemic since last month.

The governor was waiting f rom other lo cal chief executives in the neighboring provinces of Caraga region to pursue the lockdown measure all on the same day based on their earlier commitments during a regional meeting but it was only Surigao del Norte Gov. Francisco Matugas who told him in a phone call that they will also do it in April 1.

The Provincial Covid-19 Task Force which Cane heads had already prepared the EO on Monday morning and agreed that the governor must sign it on Wednesday,April1, even as other governors in the region have not yet acted on it.

In his social media post, the governor said Caraga region cannot afford to have a single Covid-19 case in the absence of Level III hospital in any part of the region which can attend and treat confirmed cases.

“A single confirmed case is one too many to handle.

It’s time to shield our region from the virus,” Cane said.

He explained any positive Covid-19 case that will come out in the province and in the region could not be possibly attended by doctors in the level III hospitals in Davao City, Tagum City and Cagayan de Oro City where they would surely prioritize local patients which have already overcrowded.

Stranded college students from Mindanao State University in Marawi City who hails from this province were told by Cane to stay put in the school as he send a team there to personally gave financial assistance for their food and basic necessities.

The students have pleaded Cane to fetch them home but the turn of events which prompted the lockdown measure aborted the move to help them.

Local netizens calls for a lockdown in the passage of vehicles coming from neighboring provinces had snowballed since last week airing growing concerns in the rising confirmed Covid-19 cases in Davao region.

Help...

from page 1 provision of food and nonfood items and financial ass ist anc e t h rou g h t he Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), as well as those provided by other agencies, provided that the benefits received by each household do not exceed the prescribed threshold per region,” DSWD-10 Director Mari-Flor Libang said.

D S W D d at a s h owe d that 892,577 households in the region qualify for the assistance. Across the country, the figure runs into 18 million households.

Libang said the P5,000 to P8,000 were based on the maximum subsidy per region determined from t h e re g i on a l m i n i mu m wage levels as these are close approximations to the amount needed to buy basic food, medicine, and hygiene essentials.

“It (aid package) will be given to an eligible family in cash and kind by various national government agencies,” she said.

Libang said beneficiaryfamilies in Nor thern Mindanao would receive P6,000 each, with P2,700 in the form of food and non-food items, and P3,300 in cash.

S h e s ai d t h e f am i l y assist ance packs would be endorsed by DSWD-10 to the local government units (LGUs), which in turn would distribute them to the households so beneficiaries no longer need to leave their residence.

Libang said they expect the assistance to be given to their intended recipients in the early part of April.

The provision of food and non-food items to the less privileged members of society, she said, is part of the DSWD’s technical assistance re s ou rc e au g me nt at i on to local governments in addressing the needs of

their constituents.

The AICS, on the other hand, provides integrated services to individuals and families in crisis situations t h at i n c l u d e f i n a n c i a l assistance to help them with their basic needs.

Libang said the LGUs would prepare the list of the target benef iciaries of the social amelioration m e a s u re s a n d e n d o r s e it with the complete documentary requirements to the DSWD regional office for a recommendation.

A social amelioration card t hat indicates t he family profile would be distributed to the LGUs to enable the beneficiaries to access the assistance, she said.

“It (social amelioration card) will also serve as a monitoring tool to avoid the duplication of delivery of services. (The) DSWD will also use the existing list of (the) Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the unconditional cash transfer (UCT) program to validate the list submitted

by LGUs,” Libang added.

Families under the 4Ps would also be supported with the augmentation on their grants and rice subsidy to re ach t he maximum benefit per region, she said.

Libang said throug h its sustainable livelihood program, the DSWD would give livelihood assistance g r a nt s t o b e n e f i c i a r y families with at least one member who is a worker in the informal sector and has been displaced due to the declaration of the community quarantine.

“The family must be in the master list endorsed by the LGU to the DSWD field office and must still undergo an ass essment by the DSWD staff. The livelihood assistance grant w i l l b e g iven af ter t he quarantine period has been lifted to help the families start anew,” she said. (PNA)

Avoid... from page 1

COVID-19 crisis.

"Ayaw sa mo pamolitika kay dili panahon sa pamolitika karon," C ouncilor Lordan Suan said during the City C ouncil week ly s ession Monday.

This, even as Suan called on his col le agues t hat the listing of the Disaster Assistance Family Access Card (DAFAC) must have oversight.

Meanwhile, city social welfare and development officer Michael Fabello also admitted in the same City Council proceedings that they do not have control in the listing of DAFAC beneficiaries.

"Kung naa man galing pagpamolitika, it's beyond the control of the CSWD. Dili lang unta ta m a m o l it i k a . L e t u s d o bayanihan," Fabello said.

A c c o r d i n g t o l a w, DAFAC is the necessar y requisite for the city government to hand out relief goods to COVID-19

displaced persons.

As of presst ime, t he c it y s o c i a l wel f are and development department has targeted 27,667 households as beneficiaries.

Fabello said that the volume of relief goods will vary in each household those with five or more members will receive 15 kilos of rice, 15 canned go o ds and 15 pie ces of noodles each week.

Households with three to four members will receive eight kilos of rice, eight canned goods and eight pieces of noodles.

Households with one to two members will receive five kilos of rice, five canned goods and five pieces of noodles.

Fabello said they are targeting to start distributing the relief go o ds in 70 p ercent of the barangays here.

Basing on the "f lattening the cur ve" projection of the national government, Fabello said they are readying for the distribution of goods until May or June.

Qualified beneficiaries are the vulnerable poorest o f t h e p o o r, p o r t e r s , scavengers, public utility d r i v e r s ( P U V / j e e pn e y / habal-habal/motorela/taxi) and ambulant vendors.

4Ps beneficiaries will get their relief goods from DSWD through the regular conditional cash transfer while daily wage earners will get theirs from DOLE.

Donation... from page 6

the developments on COVID-19 with access to the official sites of DOH, NDRRMC and PIA free of data charges.

Download the Globe Rewards app to donate to PGH Medical Foundation and other partner medical institutions. Learn more about how you can help in the fight against COVID-19 via https://www.facebook. com/globeph/.

Access... from page 6

operates KonsultaMD. KonsultaMD is equipped with modules and internal protocols in handling d i f fe re nt he a lt h issu e s including COVID-19 and

provides a telephone triage or a means of determining the urgency of the situation to allow hospitals to focus on critical cases.

KonsultaMD is an affiliate of 917Ventures, a whollyowned subsidiary of Globe Telecom.

Families... from page 8

On Friday, the Department of Health’s COVID-19 bulletin showed Bukidnon has 679 Persons Under Monitoring (PUMs) and 65 Persons Under Investigation (PUIs).

In an interview, provincial health officer Dr. Ricardo Reyes said, “the province has ‘zero’ confirmed COVID-19 case as of this report, which may be due to the people’s cooperation and vigilance.”

(RLRB/PIA10)

10

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WEDNESDAY|APRIL 1, 2020

Automobile... from page 12

during the HEV Toyota Hybrid Electric Vehicle Campus Tour in Cagayan de Oro on February 21, remarked: “The car was very comfortable but what stands out the most is the super quiet engine.”

Previous Prius In fact, the Prius, Toyota’s f irst HEV was a lre ady introduced in the Philippines as early as 2009 but never took off even when the more affordable Prius C was later offered as a more affordable option.

With taxes and other custom duties making them relatively expensive, Toyota loyalists opted for the more affordable gasoline powered models which in their minds returned more bang for the buck.

Not t he le ast, t here were fears the new technology wasn’t mature enough to guarantee the affordable life cycle costs that had long been the most decisive factor in making previous and new Toyota owners opt for the brand.

However, topgear.com. ph's Drei Laurel believes t h e 2 0 2 0 Toyot a A lt i s HEV’s P1,580,000 price point could be a “real game changer” relative to the Prius (P2,289,000) and Prius C (P1,907,000).

Keeping it simple To partly address these apprehensions and simplify the workings of the Altis HEV, TMP distributed a pamphlet to students who attended its Feb. 21st lecture at a local restaurant “HEV 101 Hybrid Electric Vehicle powered by Toyota.”

The material describes the HEV as “Combining one gasoline engine with two electric motors, the Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive makes the vehicle powerful, fuel efficient and environment friendly.”

One System. Two Worlds.

“Enjoy the performance that you’re used to getting from a gasoline engine, while experiencing more kilometers per liter and generating less pollutants.”

Power and Performance.

Fuel efficiency and lower emissions.

“One motor keeps your vehicle moving at low and moderate constant speeds, and charges the batter y when you brake. Need to go faster? The other motor starts the gasoline engine to add power, and also fills up the battery. The engine turns off automatically when you come to a full stop.”

One gasoline engine. Two electric motors.

“The Hybrid Synergy Drive works automatically to make your driving efficient and great for your wallet and the environment. All these while still giving you the great performance you love!”

A simple illustration describes in a series of line drawings how the HEV “From a full stop or at a low or medium constant speed it uses one electric motor. Uses

the gasoline engine and one motor when you need more power. Back to one motor when you need less power.

And charges the battery when you brake.”

For the techies reading this, the Altis HEV is powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder D OHC gasoline engine and an electric motor that together churns out 121hp at 5,200rpm and 142Nm of torque at 3,600rpm.

First Dibs The effort seems to have paid off. As topgear.com. ph’s Drei Laurel reported, “TMP tells us that it managed to sell 30 units of the Toyota Corolla Altis in October 2019.

That figure accounts for a little over 12% of total Corolla Altis Sales. In contrast, that’s already five times the number of Prius units sold in all of 2018.”

“At first glance, 12% doesn’t seem that impressive, but keep in mind that, at P1.58 million, the hybrid variant is by far the model’s most expensive option locally.

The top-spec conventionallypowered Corolla Altis 1.6 V CVT, at P1.185 million, costs nearly P400,000 less.

What’s more, TMP tells us it estimated the hybrid would only account for 7% of Corolla Altis monthly unit sales, so this is definitely a good start.”

The Lowdown Asked how much emissions are reduced in the HEV, Kalambacal replied: “Based on data from our regional office, the total emissions from our HEV is reduced by 34% per kilometer compared to a similar ICE powered vehicle.”

He also dispelled apprehensions about the provincial “casas” capability to service the HEV, explaining how local service centers are ready to maintain the “new” tech cars, with their mechanics being trained at TMP. Toyota also uses nickelhydride batteries over the newer lithium ion batteries since the former are recyclable and have a mature technology compared to the latter.

“If a HEV is not used often, the battery deteriorates.

However, if the car is used responsibly, its batteries will last the entire life of the vehicle without need of replacement,” Luciano stressed.

For Toyota hybrid vehicles beginning with model year 2020, the hybrid (HV) battery is covered for 5 years from original date of first use or 200,000 kms, whichever comes first. Coverage is subject to the terms and conditions of your New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

Mileage Since I was unable to test drive the car itself due to other pressing concerns, I turned to existing reviews online to find out more about its mileage.

In an article posted last October, autoindustriya.com’s Vince Pornelos reported consuming only 3.28 liters on a trip from Manila to Tagaytay.

In a later article, the same

author reported the Altis HEV used only 0.622 of a liter on his 17.8 kilometer route from his home to the office in fairly heavy to moderate traffic at an average speed of 18 km/h.

“That's not even two thirds of one liter because of a very high 28.5 kilometers per liter fuel economy figure with the A/C set for comfortable levels, yet still it only used up about 30 pesos worth of gasoline.”

In his previously m e n t i o n e d r e v i e w, Oliva reported 14.2 km/L. after an hour on northbound EDSA starting around 4PM, while a leisurely drive on a Sunday clocked in 26.2 km/L on an average speed of 60 km/h.

“The best fuel economy number I got with the Corolla Hybrid was 29.7 km/L – that’s after an hour on the highway with the cruise control set at 90 km/h.”

“Of note, these numbers are better than our initial Corolla Altis Hybrid fuel efficiency testing, which was done with five people on board.”

Put all these in the context of the current pandemic with gasoline prices in the Philippines dropping by P3.90/L from the start of 2020 before dropping by a further P4.25/L on March 17, and the Toyota Corolla Altis HEV looks more and more like a car whose time has come.

Put all these in the context of the current pandemic with gasoline prices in the Philippines with year-to-date adjustments as of March 31st dropping by P12.75 per liter for gasoline and P12.89 for diesel, and it’s looking more and more like the right time to jump aboard the Toyota Corolla Altis HEV bandwagon.

government units (LGUs) in Siargao Island for the support to the stranded tourists, especially in providing updates on the status of their chartered flights.

“We are still negotiating for more chartered flights to fly out the remaining foreign tourists in our region,” she said. (PNA)

from page 2

from page 4

Recover...

She w as brou g ht to NMMC on March 15, after being admitted at a private hospital here on March 13.

Known as “patient 598,” the person has tested negative for Covid-19 and is now recovering, Chan said.

Patient 598’s husband and daughter who traveled with her are now on quarantine at NMMC. In a separate press briefing held Monday, Chan said there are another 17 patients under investigation (PUIs) now being put on isolation at NMMC. (PNA)

Flown... from page 2

77 foreign tourists who are still stranded here in the region who booked flights until April 14 this year,” she added.

She said there are more t han 400 foreig n and Filipino tourists stranded in Siargao and in other tourist destinations in the region following t h e i mpl e m e nt at i on of community quarantines.

Camarin also expressed gratitude to the provincial gover nment of Sur igao del Norte and the local

Filings... from page 3

Landscape Reports (PLRs) and presentation of 34 other PLRs to industr y stakeholders. PLRs outlines the technological trends and competition in a particular field of technology to help assist local industries and research and development institutions in their commercial decisions.

As for Copyright deposits, this totaled 1,862, slightly edging down by 7.55 percent year-on-year.

Meanwhile, IPOPHL is taking a wait-and-see approach amid coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

IPOPHL Director General Rowel Barba said the agency is still weighing how the C ovid-19 outbreak will influence filing activities in the Philippines, as it closely monitors experiences in other countries.

Barba said they hope to get a fuller view of its impact in the middle of the year.

“Amid the uncertainty, intensified work to raise IP awareness is needed more than ever. Our presence should be truly felt albeit virtually during the enhanced c om mu n it y qu ar ant i ne period. The current crisis pressures IPOPHL to encourage innovation and creativity to prosper with the goal of creating muchneeded solutions in these trying times," he added. (PR)

Medicine...

children of their respect for him as their father. Her daily disrespecting of him continues to cut him down and make him less of a man instead of more of a man. Sadly, “Some wives work so hard to make good husbands they don’t make better wives.” This kind of wife needs to take a long, honest look at herself to clearly see her own wrong heart and character faults.

A second marriage sickness is busyness. In many marriages both the husband and wife have fulltime careers. Even stay-athome mothers are extremely busy with their children’s schooling, housekeeping, paying bills, cooking, partt i m e e mp l o y m e nt a n d countless other duties. So when the husband goes out with the boys after work instead of coming home, couples have even less time to be alone with each other and keep their relationship close, strong and satisfying.

Today, whatever your marriage problem may be, won’t you ask the Creator of love and marriage to start healing your relationship with your spouse. Then ask

Him to start changing your heart, so you can become the life partner your husband or wife needs. Just think a minute.

Resources... from page 4

private property by the enclosure of common property; 4. The replacement of diversity that provides for mu lt iple ne e ds and performs multiple function with monocultures that provide raw material and commodities for the market; 5. The enclosure of minds and imagination, with the result that enclosures are defined and perceived as universal human progress, not as growth of privilege and exclusive rights, for a few and dispossession and impoverishment of the many.

W h e r e a r e n ow t h e 1 7 m i l l i on h e c t are s of dipterocarp forest which were once upon a time the source of food and herbal medicine of our IPs? Who are controlling water which was once upon a time the domain of the IPs? Today, the IPs are the poorest, the powerless. Who now controls? Who now profits?

Who now decides?

The Position Paper of the Cooperative of the IPs zero e d-in on how t he y we re i n c ont rol b e fore and how they maintained the integrity of the environment. Today, they are being displaced again.

But they have awakened. To protect a holy ground, the Mindamora Falls” against its t ransfor mat ion into a “money-making spot” by the rich and powerful, this is their stand, “Handa kaming pumatay at magpakamatay!” In several m e e t i ng s w it h t h e m , I became so much alarmed – thus, this column. By the way, the newly formed cooperative of the IPs is called, “The Igpanayadug sa Abaga ta Bayug Agriculture Cooperative with some tens of thousands of IP members from several clans who are headed by half Maranaw and half Higaonon Chairman, Su lt an Ab du l A m or an .

The very charismatic and popular Sultan was formerly the Brigade Commander of the MILF North Eastern Mindanao Front with some 5 division commanders and some 1,400 former MILF combatants.

Let us all listen to their

call to settle the problem peacefully. As the Position Paper’s final statement, “Ipi n ar ar at i n g n am i n ang aming kahilingan at dalangin sa ating mahal n a Pa n g u l o, P r e s i d e nt Rodrigo Roa Duterte dahil alam namin na sya ay m ay m a l a k i ng pu s o at binibig yan nya ng kahalagahan at sempatiya ang Tribu sa Mindanao.

President D utere, i kaw lamang po ang aming pagasa na matulungan kami na makabangon at makatayong muli upong makamit ang tagumpay para sa darating pang henerasyon.”

Pity...

from page 4 the way Christ accepted his passion and death. He did no run away from it when the time came for him to go through it. He presented himself, in fact, an d e mbr a c e d a l l t h at suffering and death quietly in obedience to the will of the Father for the salvation of man.

Let’s remember that it is our sin that has brought our own suffering and death.

And it’s a sin that would require God himself with our cooperation for it to be forgiven. Why? Because it is God whom we have offended, and we on our own cannot undo it. It would need God himself becoming man to undo it.

By so doing, we have the way to be forgiven of our sin.

When we would finally be able to accept and live this truth of our faith, then we would not be afraid of any suffering that will befall us in our earthly life.

In fact, we would welcome and embrace suf fering, convinced that we would be enriched and glorified by it. We would be convinced that by embracing suffering we would be tightening our identification with Christ, and would be showing the greatest love we can ever have.

Yes, love is proven more genuine and more Christinspired if developed, lived and shown in the crucible of suffering. A love that only thrives on good times is not an authentic love. It has to have the form of the cross for it to be authentic.

S o, we c an s ay t hat our present condition is actually an invitation for us to mature in our humanity and in our Christian life.

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Wednesday|April 1, 2020

A paradigm shift whose time has come:

The 2020 Corolla Altis HEV self-charging automobile

I

By MIKE BAÑOS

N OUR not so distant past, the free falling prices of gasoline and diesel products brought by nil demand worldwide would have encouraged motorists to travel more.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic has constrained all kinds

of travel, including land transport. The sudden drop in demand has also

brought to fore just how significant the effects of fossil fueled vehicles are in the air quality of the world’s leading metropolitan cities which are now enjoying clear blue skies and fresh air after so long a time.

This brings us to

Teacher Bogie Teves test drives the 2020 Toyota Corolla Altis HEV photo courtesy of bogie ' s wonderland

the rising popularity of electric vehicles especially in urban areas. At zero emissions and negligible noise, they appear to be the personal vehicle of choice even in a postCOVID-19 word.

But the present profile of the power industry in the Philippines precludes the efficient and economical operation of all electrical vehicles (EVs). This doesn’t have so much to do with the EVs per se but rather with the “generation mix” of how electricity in the country is now produced.

When the full costs of a EVs operation in the Philippines are factored over its average economic life, it is still more expensive and inefficient compared the fossil-fueled internal combustion engines (ICE).

Moreover, in the Philippines where the provision of charging points is next to nonexistent, Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) chose

to instead begin with Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) in the transition from gasoline and diesel powered ICEs to full EVs As Ritsmond A. Kalambacal, TMP Group Head for General Job Technical Training Group 1, CSO-Customer Service Training Dept., Marketing Division explained to us: “Because of the generation mix and availability of electricity in Luzon (where the bulk of the Philippine market is), TMP believes HEVs are the electric vehicles that are most suited for the Philippines at this time,” he noted.

“We are constantly working to dispel misconceptions most motorists have about HEV: one, it is complicated to drive, and that it can be switched to full gas or full EV manually.”

“However, the Corolla Altis HEV drives just like a conventional ICE powered vehicle and automatically charges the car’s batteries

as needed. There’s no need to plug it in the grid to recharge it.”

“The Toyota Corolla Altis HEV is ready for today’s infrastructure and local power situation,” said Elvin G. Luciano, PR and Communications Section, Marketing Services Dept.

“New owners will need almost zero learning curve since it’s no different from driving a conventional powered Altis.”

That’s exactly how auto journalist Jacob Oliva of autodeal.com.ph relates it in his review after trying out the Corolla Altis Hybrid for a week. “ I learned one thing: it’s no different from a vehicle with an internal combustion engine – except when you start the car up, which is as silent as a teenager escaping in the middle of the night.”

Teacher Bogie Teves, who blogs at Bogie's Wonderland and was lucky enough to test drive the 2020 Toyota Corolla Altis AUTOMOBILE/PAGE 11