Mindanao Daily (April 13, 2020)

MINDANAO DAILY TRUTH. JUSTICE. PROGRESS.

Volume IX, No. 261

www.mindanaodailynews.com

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Monday, April 13, 2020

NMMC Chief Dr. Jose Chan receives the 5th batch of donations from the CDO Filipino-Chinese Community headed by Pres. Sonny Choi April 7 at the Cagayan Town Center. (photo courtesy of Jeffrey Ang)

CDO Filipino-Chinese Community donations to NMMC breach P4.3-M CAGAYAN de Oro’s Filipino-Chinese Community showed its unequivocal support for the city’s battle against the CoVid-19 coronavirus with its biggest donation yet to the Northern Mindanao Medical Center on April 7.

The group headed by President Sonny Choi and COVID-19 Response Committee Chairman Efren Uy turned over to NMMC Medical Director Dr. Jose Chan 1,980 sets of PPEs each worth P1,500 with a total value of P 2,970,000.00 and 500 pieces of N95 face masks each worth P130.00 valued at P65,000.00 for a total donation of P3,035,000.00.

With this latest donation, the community’s collective donations to NMMC comes to a total of P4,304,000.00, excluding donations also made to the city owned and operated J.R. Borja General Hospital (JRBGH).

The NMMC is the only hospital in Region X with the capability to test and treat CONVID-19 Patients Under Investigation (PUI).

Under the strategy adopted by the Regional and City Health offices, COVID-19 patients are exclusively referred to NMMC, while JRBGH and other private hospitals take in as many non-COVID cases as they can accommodate to give NMMC’s personnel and facilities as much slack as possible to deal with the outbreak.

See BREACH, page 11

Sec Piñol

Piñol calls on Mindanao leaders to help PRRD

By PREXX MARNIE KATE TROZO

SM DISTRIBUTES PPEs AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO OVER 50 HOSPITALS NATIONWIDE. SM Foundation recently began distributing over P170 million worth of PPEs and medical supplies to over 50 hospitals nationwide to be of service in the fight against COVID -19. These include ICU-grade ventilators; test kits including the local Manila Healthtek kits developed by the UP-NIH team, and FDA-approved PCR kits from Korea; and personal protective equipment for healthcare workers. The Philippine General Hospital, the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), the Lung Center of the Philippines were among the recipients. Photo shows Medical City Manila medical frontliners in their new PPE outfits.photo supplied

DAVAO CITY – Mindanao Development Authority Secretary Emmanuel Piñol has called on Mindanaoan leaders to ease the burden of President Rodrigo Duterte as the government musters all its resources to fight the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

“Last night, we all heard the pained admission of President Duterte that our government is now in dire See LEADERS, page 11

LTFRB targets over 400K PUV drivers for cash aid

By RAYMOND CARL DELA CRUZ

A total of 435,619 drivers of public utility vehicles (PUV) are set to receive financial support through the government’s social

amelioration program during the enhanced community quarantine amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

In a video conference on Tuesday, Land Trans-

portation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman Martin Delgra III said the number was based on the LTFRB’s data on active PUV drivers and operators such as holders of

Certificate of Public Convenience.

Of the total, around 380,508 are drivers of fourwheeled PUVs—such as jeepneys, UV Express, buses, among others—while 55,111

are drivers of motorcycle taxis.

“In our numbers, we actually have a total of 435,619 beneficiaries. PUV drivers on four wheels, meron din See TARGETS, page 11

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Monday, April 13, 2020

Community

Beneficiaries of the Department of Trade and Industry’s distribution of sari-sari store starter kits observe social distancing while falling a line. (Photo by Department of Trade and I ndustr y)

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A recipient of a sari-sari store starter kit pose with the personnel from the Department of Trade and Industry.

DTI resumes sari-sari starter kits distribution, observes COVID-19 precautionary measures

MARAWI CITY -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has resumed its distribution of sari-sari store starter kits for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) of the city while observing precautionary measures against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Ensuring that the guidelines of the enhanced community quarantine are followed, DTI has coordinated with the Marawi city government and Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) in its pursuit to continue its operations to fulfill the

needs of the IDPs through livelihood.

“The primary goal of DTI is to help our IDPs. However, there are certain guidelines that we have to follow like the social distancing,” said Undersecretary Abdulgani Macatoman of DTI’s Office of Special Concerns and Trade Promotions Group.

Instead of targeting 500 IDPs in a day, DTI has reduced the distribution to 50 IDPs in Marawi City - 25 in the morning and another 25 in the afternoon.

“We are also distributing the business livelihood

kits in Iligan City for our home-based IDPs with a maximum of 30 IDPs per day,” Macatoman added.

Aside from the social distancing, a foot bath is set up on the entrance of the area of distribution. There is also a hand sanitizer and infrared thermometer that would determine the temperature of all IDPs entering the premises.

Recipients of the livelihood kits expressed appreciation to DTI for continuing the distribution amid the COVID-19 crisis.

“Maraming salamat dahil

tinugunan niyo ang mga pangangailangan ng IDPs; nagbigay kayo ng tulong sa IDPs sa gitna ng kahirapan ngayon,” said Asmerah Basher from Barangay Daguduban, Marawi City.

[Thank you for responding to the needs of the IDPs, for giving aid to the IDPs amid this hardship.]

As of March 12, 2020, before the COVID-19 outbreak, DTI has distributed 2,116 starter kits. Out of the 50,000 kits target, 36,421 Asmerah Basher from Barangay Daguduban, Marawi City (72%) various livelihood expresses her gratitude to the Department of Trade and starter kits were already Industry and Task Force Bangon Marawi as she receives See RESUMES, page 9

the sari-sari store starter kit.

Over 7K families benefit from Camiguin requires use of face mask relief ops in Agusan Sur town

By ALEXANDER LOPEZ

RELIEF GOODS TO VILLAGES. The Task Force on Covid-19 in the municipality of Prosperidad in Agusan del Sur holds relief operations on Monday that benefited more than 7,000 households in 10 barangays. The operations will continue until April 15 to reach out to over 13,000 families in 22 barangays in the area, officials say. (Photo courtesy of 3SFB n )

BUTUAN CITY – Relief operations are launched by local government units (LGUs) in Agusan del Sur to help poor families affected by the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

In the town of Prosperidad, more than 7,000 families in 10 barangays received relief goods and food packs during a massive relief operation on Monday led by the Prosperidad Task Force See BENEFIT, page 9

Mambajao Municipal Police Station conducts a dialogue and distribution of leaflets on health advisory at Sitio Mercy Village, Mambajao, Camiguin regarding the strict implementation of social distancing to ensure that everyone would wear face mask as a precautionary measure for COVID-19. This is in compliance with the E.O. No. 16 declaring the mandatory use of face masks. (Mambajao MPS)

JOY& THATA LECHON LIVESTOCK TRADING Located at : PUERTO, CDO – MAIN JR. BORJA EXTENSION, CRONEN, CAMAMAN-AN – BRANCH

Contact Number: 0916-126-7815 0920-876-3147

CAMIGUIN -- Effective April 6, all persons here are required to use face masks at all times they are outside their homes or residences to aid in containing the coronavirus disease (COVID)-19.

Through Executive Order No. 16 of Gov. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo, people in Camiguin are required to wear their face masks especially when they are going to and fro public markets, groceries, pharmacies, and other establishments allowed to procure basic necessities and services.

Such applies to persons going to restaurants, eateries, carinderias, and snack bars to take-out meals; government offices and facilities; and their places of work.

All persons authorized to go out of their homes or residences shall only be allowed outside if they are using face masks.

Quarantine passes and special quarantine passes shall not be effective and honored if the bearers are not wearing face masks.

The same rule applies to all persons allowed to enter the province.

To ensure compliance with the order, municipal governments are enjoined to immediately enact ordinances providing for penalties to persons within their jurisdictions who do not use face masks when outside their homes or residences.

(RTP/PIA10)

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Monday, April 13, 2020

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Globe Studios via .giff teams up with local filmmakers and enthusiasts to raise funds for daily wage film workers IN light of the extension of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon, the Philippine film industry along with many other local businesses continue to be impacted as normal operations and services are put on halt. Globe recognizes this pressing need and continues its efforts to help frontliners and daily wage earners who have been affected by these developments through a new unique collaborative effort

with film artists.

Globe Studios via .giff festival of new cinema has teamed up with Lockdown Cinema Club, a coalition of independent Filipino filmmakers who wish to reach and help their colleagues amid the COVID-19 pandemic, to raise funds for daily wage film industry workers in the country.

Workers affected by the crisis include crew members, electricians, caretak-

ers, camera men, artists, post-production assistants, and everyone who is vital in creating a film. Majority of them are freelancers and are compensated on a per project basis.

To raise funds, directors, writers, producers, cinematographers, production designers, production managers, film editors and film students will showcase their best works online and See FUNDS, page 11

BARMM’s PUIs drop by 61 percent MARAWI CITY -- The number of Persons Under Investigation (PUI) due to COVID-19 in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s (BARMM) decreased by 61 percent (%).

BARMM’s Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on COVID-19 announced Tuesday, April 7, that out of 254 PUI cases across BARMM, only 100 PUIs are still waiting for results. A total of 136 completed home quarantine and 16 have recovered and A soldier buys foods at the public market in Iligan City. Police, including soldiers from discharged. the Philippine Army help manned checkpoints to prevent the spread of the dreaded “Yong curve natin ay bumababa, pero iyong sivirus. photo by gerry lee gorit

nasabi nilang magfa-flatten ang curve ay hindi pa nagflatten dahil meron pa ring natitirang PUIs at PUMs,” BARMM’s IATF Co-Chair and Health Minister Dr. Saffrullah Dipatuan said.

In the entire region, eight persons tested positive for the said virus. Of these, there were three fatalities and three recoveries while the two ongoing cases are from Datu Odin Sinsuat municipality in Maguindanao and Marawi City.

Dipatuan also noted that out of the 7,785 total numbers of Persons Under Monitoring (PUMs), 2,168

are still undergoing strict home quarantine.

On April 6, BARMM has recorded a new positive case, a 54-year-old male from Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao who is now undergoing strict home quarantine.

Dipatuan also assured that MOH health workers were properly oriented of their responsibility regarding contact tracing and other related actions to fight the virus that caused a global pandemic.

Meanwhile, the B angsamoro-IATF has See DROP, page 11

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Monday, April 13, 2020

Opinion

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Nuts & Bolts

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Ateneo and La Salle Alumni Raise P10 Million for Urban Poor

DECADES of long rivalry Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University alumni took time of coronavirus to raise 10,500,000 The sum will provide food packs for the vulnerable urban poor through Bayanihan Musikahan.

The donation was done thanks to the efforts of the Jesuits of the Philippine Province and the De La Salle Brothers.

National Artist for

Music Ryan Cayabyab, Bayanihan Musikahan spearheaded the fundraising movement supported by the country’s musicians who have gathered to hold online concerts or livestreams on the organization’s Facebook page.

The movement has streamed live concerts with Ebe Dancel, Morissette and Martin Nievera.

Lea Salonga also joined and raised over P2 million in just one hour. So far,

Bayanihan Musikahan has raised over P37 million in total.

Donations are used to purchase “Manna Packs” that contain rice, munggo, and other food, as well as “Ligtas COVID Kits” that consists of medical and health supplies. The beneficiaries of this movement are the urban poor communities of Metro Manila, who are being hit the hardest by this pandemic as well as the enhanced

JEROME DE LA FUENTE

community quarantine.

To support Bayanihan Musikahan, you can donate via the following links: pymy.co/pbsp (Mastercard, Visa, JCB, PayMaya), donation.ph/ pbsp (BPI Credit/Debit cards, GCash, GrabPay)

Hints and Traces

Christ’s seven last words

IN case you will miss the broadcast of the seven last words of Christ, given our present condition, I am repeating them here with some commentaries.

The seven last words of Christ have a special and unique importance, and are always relevant to all of us, since they represent the ultimate desire of Christ for us, summarizing everything he did and said that were meant for our redemption.

They have the power to instantly bring us back to the most fundamental reality about our life from whatever man-made Lalaland we have gone. Or they can correct our tone-deaf religiosity.

These are words that simply drip with pure and completely gratuitous love, a love meant also for us to learn and live. They speak of God’s mercy for us, his assurance and guarantee of our salvation, the comfort we can have by providing us with the care of Our Lady, Our Mother, the cost involved in saving us, etc.

The first one, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do,” (Lk 23,34) is a show of magnanimity, of unmitigated goodness. Not only is he asking for forgiveness for those who crucified him, who in the end are all of us. He looks for an excuse for all of us. We can already see how much he loves us.

This supreme goodness is reiterated in the second one, “Today, you will be with me in paradise,” (Lk 23,43) addressed to the good thief who asked for a favor, never mind what he had been accused of. This word simply validates what is said of God, that even if he can get angry due to our sin, he is always ready and quick to forgive.

The third one, “Woman, behold thy son…Behold thy mother,” (Jn 19,26-27) is a very endearing one where even in the middle of extreme pain, Christ gave us whatever would provide with some comfort in this vale of tears of ours. He gives us his own mother to

be our own mother too, a mother who will always be a mother to us all throughout time.

Mary will not only be a temporal and earthly mother to us, whose motherhood is subject to time.

She will be a mother to us even beyond time. And her motherhood will not be confined only to our earthly needs, but also and most especially to our spiritual needs.

The fourth one, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Mt 27,46) speaks to us of the depth of suffering Christ had to undergo. He feels that God has abandoned him, and that therefore all the pain as the consequence of all the evil of this world is what he is experiencing.

Try to imagine a situation where all is dark, painful, and evil, without a dot of goodness! If we suffer in some way, just remind yourselves of this word of Christ. For sure, somehow we would feel lightened.

The fifth one, “I thirst,”

Roy Cimagala

(Jn 19,28) to be sure isn’t an expression of physical thirst, but rather of his thirst for souls, his ardent desire to fulfill his mission to save mankind.

The sixth one, “It is finished,” (Jn 19,30) simply expresses that he has fulfilled his mission, whatever it cost him. This should remind us we should finish what we have begun, though we know it’s God who started everything and it will also be him who will complete and perfect everything.

The last one, “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit,” (Lk 23,46) shows the proper way of ending things, especially when we see our life ending.

It would be good if each of us makes his own personal considerations from Christ’s seven last words!

Biblical Perspective

Global pandemic of fear and confusion

LAST week my article was entitled,” Religious protection not persecution. It means that when our Philippine government will advise all citizens the precautionary measures to help stop the spreading of Covid19, we will all obey including all churches. Please read Romans 13:1-4.

Our organization and some religious groups in our city were so shocked when a certain pastor was jailed last Sunday and his church building was padlocked for violations of few city ordinances. Some might question, is this the will of God? There are also who asked, is Covid19 a punishment from God? In the book of Ecclesiastes Chapter 8 verse 17, the wisest man

on earth King Solomon says that no wise man on earth can really discover what God is doing on earth.

I personally do not know if Covid19 is man-made, orchestrated by satan and allowed by God or a direct punishment from God so that people will start to think that life is short and it is now time to give our entire life back to our Creator. What I surely know is that Covid19 is giving fear and confusion to all nations. Global leaders have no solutions to stop daily deaths but a vaccine that perfectly destroy Covid19.

As a minister of God, I don’t agree that the pastor who was arrested is greed of money, I have known this pastor and he is a friend

who loves God so deeply and loves to empower the people not to be scared of the virus. His intention is good but he forgot that our enemy has killed 82,385 lives already and at present has infected 1,438,715 from 195 countries.

There is a separation between the state and the church in our constitution but we also need to know that we need each other.

Churches have leaders, staff, management, salaries, properties and weekly payables like businesses and government offices, we all need money. Government officials got their salary from the taxes of the people that are also members of churches.

If the pastor will just

Bishop Bing Gadian

follow all the necessary preventive measures given by the government and respect the police and RCB officers then it will be another story.

As I am observing now the public markets, grocery malls and some big companies are still open for money/business, it is more very dangerous place to go than the gathering of small and well managed church gatherings.

In this moment of fear and confusion, let us continue to pray for protection and wisdom on how to manage our lives, families, business, and churches. Let See PANDEMIC, page 11

Aggie News 5 DA, DTI, C deO intensify price freeze implementation FOR ADS PLACEMENT CALL OR TEXT: 0917-712-1424 • 0947-893-5776

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THE Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) strengthens its coordination with stakeholders regarding price monitoring in a meeting at the DA-10 Conference Room.

Under Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 2020-01 of DA, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Health (DOH) have issued the “Price Freeze Act under a State of Calamity throughout the Philippines due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)”.

Pursuant to the JMC, prices of basic necessities

under the jurisdiction of the DTI, DA, and DOH are frozen at their prevailing prices as of March 8, 2020 until May 15, 2020, unless sooner lifted by the President.

Accordingly, DA-RFO 10 Regional Technical Director Carlota S. Madriaga and its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) called for a meeting with DTI-10, City Price Coordinating Council (CPCC) and City Economic Enterprise Department (CEED) of Cagayan de Oro City and the Misamis Oriental Retailers Association (MISORRA).

DA-10 OIC-RED Carlene C. Collado supervises the Provincial Operations Center of Bukidnon at San Victores Road, Malaybalay City, one of the teams who’ve contributed in the agency’s overall stride in the issuance of some 4,292 foodlane passes as of April 2.

Foodlane passes serve as a ticket for cargo trucks delivering agri-fishey products and farm inputs to pass through quarantine checkpoints with much ease amid the COVID-19 crisis.

Monday, April 13, 2020

The group agreed on crafting a resolution for setting an enhanced price freeze on agricultural products, especially on premium quality bananas sold in the supermarkets.

This resulted after concerns on the apprehension of some banana (lakatan) sellers for allegedly selling overpriced bananas.

Madriaga detailed that

the Php40.00 ceiling price is for the 8-10 pieces per kilogram specification only, wherein the basis for the set price was from the monitoring of the Cogon and Carmen markets three months prior to the COVID-19 crisis.

She noted this might have caused confusion regarding the price among enforcers and consumers.

Involved agencies in the implementation of the Price Freeze Act convene for an enhanced execution, particularly for agri products such as premium quality bananas sold in the supermarkets.

WITH the availability of food supply as important as battling the COVID-19 crisis, DA executive in Region 10 Carlene C. Collado checks the situation on the ground to ensure that cargo trucks containing food sup-

plies and production items are gaining easier access in the quarantine checkpoints of Damulog, Malaybalay City, Don Carlos and Lantapan, Bukidnon through the issued foodlane passes.

This is one among the

region’s response on the directives of DA Sec. William D. Dar in addressing priority key areas amid the pandemic such as mobilizing food and production supplies from production to market areas; reviewing

DA-10 addresses prio key areas amid COVID-19 crisis

the food availability and affordability per province and addressing those with deficits; and strengthening the coordination between the agency and local governments in the implementation of the foodlane.

World Trade Center Metro Manila turns its massive floor space into a COVID-19 facility The popular events place is repurposing its now empty halls to tend to mild Coronavirus cases.

By BAM ABELLON

IN January 2020, the team behind the World Trade Center (WTC) Metro Manila in Pasay was about to begin work on the expansion of its 10,000-square-meter space. But then, Taal Volcano erupted, and soon after, the COVID-19 pandemic made us all stop dead in our tracks.

With the increasing threat of the coronavirus, exhibitions and annual events—a

lot of which are held every year at the WTC—have been cancelled. Suddenly, there were empty, quiet halls at the popular event venue, owned by the Manila Exposition Complex, Inc, an affiliate company of the Investment and Capital Corporation of the Philippines or ICCP Group chaired by Guilly Luchangco.

Pamela Pascual, the president and chief executive officer (CEO) of WTC Metro Manila, remembers

brainstorming on how these empty halls could be repurposed to fight the pandemic. “I thought perhaps, it would be good to work with the government and offer the space as a supplemental healthcare facility, to augment the gap in the healthcare system,” Pascual tells ANCX in a phone interview. “But, I didn’t know whom to talk to. I was advised to wait and see how the developments will move forward.”

Last week, Ayala Corporation reached out to Luchangco, who is also the chairman and CEO of ICCP. They spoke about collaborating and converting the WTC into a healthcare facility. The big space, after all, has been flexible, and was used in big events, such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, and even the Southeast Asian (SEA)

Patients will be made comfortable with unlimited WiFi to be boosted by Globe and Smart.

Games.

“It’s something that we really want to do because it’s our own little way of contributing to the nation,” Pascual says. “We just want to help quell the spread of the virus.”

Inside the quarantine The Makati Development Corporation (MDC) and Ayala Corporation will be in charge of setting up and converting the hall into a quarantine area.

There will be 502 beds in place, and each one will be separated by privacy panels. A nurses’ station will be located at the lobby area. The Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) medical team will handle the operations, including the provision of the equipment.

However, Pascual says their staff has yet to meet with the AFP medical team.

On top of the restrooms that are already present in the venue, Manila Water will install additional portable toilets outside of the building, which will be accessible through a direct access point. Shower cubicles will also be installed.

As of Friday, Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has

agreed to split the electricity bill with Ayala Corporation. Pascual says that this is great news because their largest operating expense has always been electricity.

(According to Luchangco, the WTC’s electricity bill is around one million pesos a day.) Other directly-related expenses, such as water, supplies, manpower, etc., will be taken care of by the government. The whole operation will be rent-free.

Pascual and her team have been in talks with Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Presidential Adviser for Flagship Programs and Project Vince Dizon to implement the project. She clarifies, however, that the WTC quarantine area will only be for mild-asymptomatic COVID positive patients, as advised by the DOH. They will not be accepting patients with moderate to severe cases.

“DOH explained that it’s easier to manage patients with similar or the same conditions as the mildasymptomatic ones,” Pascual See FACILITY, page 9

MINDANAO DAILY TRUTH. JUSTICE. PROGRESS.

Editor: ALLAN M. MEDIANTE

Monday, April 13, 2020

BUSINESS 6

Cash aid to workers given 2 days after docs submission

By FERDINAND PATINIO

Department of Finance Sec. Carlos G. Dominguez (PNA File photo)

Insurance health providers now part of frontline services MANILA – The insurance industry on Tuesday expressed their gratitude to the national government for allowing the deployment of a skeletal force to enable to process claims amidst strict observance of lockdown directives.

This, after leaders of the insurance sector earlier appealed to Insurance Commissioner Dennis Funa to elevate their case to Finance Sec. Carlos G. Dominguez and Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go. In a letter to Secretary Dominguez, who is a member of the Inter-agency Task Force and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Funa aired

the appeal of life, non-life, pre-need insurance firms and Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) to include them among the sectors that provide essential or urgent assistance to the public.

The industry sector requested that they be authorized a strict skeleton workforce to process claims and payments in the duration of enhanced community quarantine and lockdowns.

Early this morning, Dominguez confirmed that the urgent request of the insurance sector has been approved. This was also later affirmed by Senate Health See PART, page 9

MANILA – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Tuesday said its PHP5,000 cash assistance for displaced formal sector workers should be given within two days after the submission of the payroll by the employer to their respective regional office.

“Payment of aid should be given within 48 hours upon receiving the payroll,” Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said in a Laging Handa Public press briefing over state-run PTV. Bello also urged employers to immediately submit their payroll to the local DOLE offices for quick processing of the cash aid.

“Our call to all employers please at the soonest possible time, submit to us your payroll, that will be our basis for us to release to their workers the PHP5,000 cash assistance,” Bello said.

The cash aid is under the DOLE’s coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) where it provides monetary assistance to companies that have implemented Flex-

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III. (File

ible Working Arrangements (FWAs) or temporary closure, in view of the DOLE Labor Advisory No. 9, series of 2020.

He added that a group of employees can submit the requirements if the human resources department of their companies fails to submit the documents needed to avail of the cash assistance.

“What we will do is to advice the worker, to tell

Gov’t must address supply, price issues amid Covid-19: NEDA MANILA - The government must be proactive in addressing supply bottlenecks and implementing price control measures on necessities following the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said.

The country’s headline inflation decelerated for the second month to 2.5 percent in March 2020, from 2.6 percent in February 2020 and 3.3 percent in March 2019. This is well within the government’s target of 2.0 to 4.0 percent this year.

The slower inflation was largely due to the substantial decline in the price index of operation of personal transport equipment and continued deflation in electricity, gas, and other fuels.

In line with the effects of the spread of Covid-19, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said it is important for the government to implement seamless delivery of necessities and strict enforcement of price control measures.

photo )

their co-workers that they can submit to us (the requirements) and we will send their (cash aid) through a money transfer company (Palawan o Lhuillier).... and not going through the employer,” the DOLE chief said.

Meanwhile, the DOLE has released the list of 25 companies that have been granted cash assistance in the National Capital Region (NCR).

In a statement, the Department said the name of the companies can be found on its website, http://info. dole.gov.ph/campgrants/ pages/granted_estabs.php “#GoodNews: Ngayong March 31, 2020, naglabas na po ang DOLE-NCR ng opisyal na listahan ng mga kumpanya sa National Capital Region na nabigyan ng (PHP5,000) na ayuda ng DOLE sa pamamagitan ng See AID, page 9

Pru Life UK launches free COVID-19 protection for Filipinos through health app, Pulse

These are needed to avoid possible profiteering of unscrupulous traders and retailers, he said.

“We need to provide post-harvest facilities and logistic support, in close coordination with the local government. Initial field reports show that supply, particularly of agricultural commodities, is adequate but suppliers are having problems getting their pro-

duce to the market, to help affected essential industries produce and deliver their goods and services to the market,” he added in a statement Tuesday.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) and some local government units have started buying the produce directly from the farmers and distributing these through Kadiwa outlets, or mobile palengke.

Moreover, Pernia said the Philippines should be wellpositioned against upward potential price pressures that may emanate from the tightening supply of rice from major markets.

“While we expect that the rice supply in the country will remain sufficient, we need to ensure that the country will have enough buffer stock of rice as See PRICE, page 9

7 April 2020, Taguig - Leading life insurer Pru Life UK is offering free COVID-19 protection and Personal Accident (PA) coverage to safeguard Filipinos amid the coronavirus outbreak in the country. Under the program, Pru Life UK will offer free accident and death benefit to 500,000 Filipinos, in the unfortunate event that the individual passes away, including as a result of COVID-19. Health workers are entitled to twice the death coverage at no cost. This offer is available through Pulse, Pru Life UK’s artificial intelligence-powered health and wellness app that offers holistic health management.

The free COVID-19 pro-

tection and PA coverage is a one-time, 45-day insurance, available to the first 500,000 persons who register their profiles on the Pulse app, effective from the date of registration. Those who have been diagnosed with, have symptoms of, have been under quarantine for COVID-19, or have been living with a COVID-19 patient at the time of registration are not eligible for this offer.

Other excluded conditions are listed in the terms and conditions of the product.

Starting April 11, 2020, all Filipinos aged 18 to 64 can enjoy this limited, exclusive offer, which includes a death benefit or lump sum See LAUNCHES, page 9

MINDANAO DAILY

FEATURE

TRUTH. JUSTICE. PROGRESS.

Editor: MARK FRANCISCO

7

Monday, April 13, 2020

Academe mobilizes urgently needed supplies for front liners

By IYRENE DALIPE-NERI Contributor

THREE of Northern Mindanao’s leading universities are in the thick of the fight versus the COVID-19 pandemic through their campus laboratories.

Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan (Xavier Ateneo) in Cagayan de Oro City, Central Mindanao University (CMU) in Bukidnon, and Mindanao State University (MSU) through College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at its main campus in Marawi City and the Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) in Iligan City, have mobilized their available resources to supply hospitals with urgently needed medical supplies like alcohol and disinfectant.

We continue our fourpart series with the COVID-19 Response of Central Mindanao University in Bukidnon.

CMU-Bukidnon Higher up at the University Town, in Musuan, Dologon, Maramag, Bukidnon, the Central Mindanao University (CMU) has been producing hand sanitizers, disinfectant solutions and PPEs like face masks and face shields for hospitals, government offices, parishes and checkpoints.

CMU is a research state university and is one of the oldest premier universities in southern Philippines.

Dr. Melania Enot, Director of NPRDC, disclosed that this is a collaborative effort of CMU’s faculty researchers and science laboratories to formulate an alcohol-based hand sanitizer

as a preventive measure to curb the spread of the virus.

Enot said that the hand sanitizers are based on the recommended formulation of the World Health Organization (WHO) of 80% alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, double distilled water, and glycerol.

On the first wave of CMU Cares campaign, CMU distributed hand sanitizers to the cities of Malaybalay and Valencia; and the municipalities of Don Carlos, Impasug-ong, Kadingilan, Manolo Fortich, and Maramag.

As of April 2, 2020, some113 liters of hand sanitizers have been distributed to the Bukidnon Provincial Medical Center, Bukidnon Provincial Hospital-Maramag, Bukidnon Provincial Hospital-Manolo Fortich, Impasug-ong Municipal Hospital, some hospitals in Valencia, and CMU University Hospital.

Hand sanitizers were also distributed to the Office of the Provincial Governor, Provincial Veterinarian, , Municipal Agriculture Office-Impasug-ong, San Isidro Parish, LGU-Dologon, Maramag and checkpoints in Valencia City.

“CMU is always a partner of the country and the surrounding communities. The expertise of the faculty and staff become more valuable in situations like what we are currently in. We are here to serve because we absolutely care,” she added.

The CMU Ethanol Production Team producing ethanol from molasses includes Dr. Gina Barbosa, Dr. Melania Enot, Prof. Ailene

The CMU Ethanol Production Team with their Hand Sanitizer products distributed to LGUs, provincial offices, checkpoints and hospitals in Bukidnon. (Photo: CMU Public Relations & Information O ffice )

May Ang, Dr. Florfe Acma, Dr. Myrna Pabiona, Dr. Melania Guiang, Dr. Queenie Ann Curayag, Engr. Emmie Reyes, Chemist Leonar Jun Gabiana, Chemist Rainear Mendez, and Dr. Joy Jamago.

According to Jamago, the production of hand sanitizers can be sustained when the team can produce its own absolute alcohol.

Since the distillation CMU formulated hand sanitizers ready for distribution. (Photo: Dr. Rolito Eballe) systems at the university are not designed for large scale production, the team suggested fabricating a large-scale distillation unit in partnership with the Bukidnon Sugar Co. (BUSCO) and Dr. Rodolfo Espinosa, an alcohol expert

CMU formulated chlorine solutions as surface disinfectant. (Photo: Iyren Dalipe-Neri)

CMU staffers turning over hand sanitizers to hospital beneficiaries, (Photo: Dr. Rolito Eballe)

from Guatemala (through Ms. Jasmin Tan-Lao, BS Chemistry alumna) who provided the team with a method and design to fabricate the distillation set-up.

While fermentation and distillation efforts are still on-going, the team continues to source ethyl alcohol within the university to sustain the production of hand sanitizers. The team is accepting donations of raw materials like ethyl alcohol (95%), glycerol, hydrogen

peroxide, and distilled water to maximize production.

The CMU Team is willing to extend technical assistance to other municipalities provided they supply their own raw materials.

CMU community is grateful for the efforts of the following individuals and offices: Natural Products Research Center (NPRDC) headed by Dr. Melania Enot; National Science Research Center (NSRC) headed by Dr. Gina Barbosa; Food Research Development Cen-

ter (FRDC) headed by Dr. Queenie Ann Curayag; Soil and Plant Analysis Laboratory (SPAL) headed by Dr. Myrna Pabiona; Chemistry and Biology Department; Agricultural Engineering Department headed by Engr. Emmie Reyes; Dr. Joy Jamago of Agronomy Department; Prof. Ailene G. Ang; and Tuklas Lunas Development Center headed

by Dr. Reggie Y. Dela Cruz.

Aside from hand sanitizers, CMU will also be See MOBILIZES, page 9

Davao 8 Davao City imposes stricter Covid-19 measures FOR ADS PLACEMENT CALL OR TEXT: 0917-712-1424 • 0947-893-5776 E-mail: mindanaodaily.ads@gmail.com

Monday, April 13, 2020

By CHE PALICTE

DAVAO CITY – The city government here has imposed new curfew hours beginning 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. effective Tuesday (April 7).

Mayor Sara Z. Duterte said in a radio interview on Monday that the old 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew schedule was replaced to further raise the level of containment measures against the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

She said the added measure is in line with the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) that also took effect on the same day.

Under the executive order released by Duterte on Monday that placed the city under the ECQ, residents are barred from going out of their houses except in case of emergencies. Workers for exempted sectors and frontline offices are exempted from the 24-hour curfew.

Food and medicine (FM) pass issued to residents can only be used before the curfew hours, according to the new guidelines.

Each FM pass can be assigned to two individuals who may only use it at a given time to buy food, medicines, or go to the hospital.

“You can only use the FM pass from 6:01 a.m. to 5:59 pm. However, individuals dealing with emergency cases will still be allowed to go outside their houses when the curfew starts,” Mayor Sara said.

She also made it clear that there is no need to present the FM pass on emergency cases.

O t h e r s e x e mpt i on s include those working in government offices related to security, health, social services, sanitation, and disaster; 24-hour groceries/convenience stores, wet markets, food commissaries, See IMPOSES, page 9

DavNor realigns P215-M to combat Covid-19

By CHE PALICTE

DAVAO CITY – The Davao del Norte provincial government has realigned some PHP215.7 million emergency funds to better respond to the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) crisis.

In a statement on Tuesday, Governor Edwin Jubahib said the province will give top priority to addressing the public health emergency and providing a lifeline for constituents.

Jubahib said the realignment approved by the Provincial Board late last week was in consonance with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) directive allowing the local government units (LGUs) to tap to their 20-percent development fund for Covid-19 response.

Jubahib said the budget will be used for relief assistance, isolation rooms, personal protective equipment, and hygiene kits, and provisions for front-liners, medicines, medical equipment, decontamination

Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib. (PNA

file photo )

chambers, disinfectants, and other similar supplies.

Meanwhile, the governor called on Davao del Norte residents to “prepare and be ready if the situation worsens” as the number of Covid-19 cases rises in the province.

As of 3 p.m. Monday, the province reported nine Covid-19 patients who

are admitted at the Davao Regional Medical Center (DRMC) in Tagum City.

The province has 22 patients under investigation (PUIs) and 229 persons under monitoring (PUMs).

Jubahib led the inauguration of 30 patient care centers for PUIs located in the municipalities of Carmen and Kapalong last April 3.

The province also distributed 325,000 food packs to the different LGUs to augment the relief assistance to the Dabawnon families.

On Sunday, Jubahib placed the province under enhanced community quarantine, except the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS), from April 5 to April 20 this year. (PNA)

food supply stocked at the provincial warehouse, and that the LGU has scheduled three rounds of distribution.

Hubac said that each of the COVID-19 frontliners in the province, including the 1,400 Barangay Health Workers (BHW) and 2,000 barangay tanods have been provided with an allowance of P1,000.

Financial assistance worth P10,000 was given out to each of the 105 barangay captains and P2,000 to each of the 945 barangay councilors, while each of the Liga ng Barangay Presidents of the five municipalities received P10,000.

The offices of the Philippine National Police (PNP)

and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the province, and the municipal LGUs each got P500,000 as financial support.

The municipality of Malita, being the largest municipality, received a P1,000,000 allocation.

About 700 tricycle drivers, who are among the most economically affected by the impact of COVID-19 and the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine, are also part of the recipients of the P1,000 cash assistance.

Hubac said that the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) has not yet started in the province, as the LGU is still finalizing the list of

recipients.

She added that as of this time, the province has not yet received any assistance from the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Hubac disclosed that the ECQ which has been implemented since April 1, 2020, for the province to remain free from COVID-19, is generally accepted by the majority of local residents.

The curfew hours which is imposed 24 hours of the day, is also accepted without complaints by the general public, she said.

Aside from the curfew hours, the other

Davao Occidental LGU distributes food packs, aids COVID-19 frontliners DAVAO CITY -- The provincial government of Davao Occidental has started giving out food packs to residents and financial aid to frontliners since Sunday (April 5), while the province is under an Enhanced Community Quarantine amid the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) threat.

On the first round of the relief operations, the local government unit has initially distributed 15,817 food packs out of the 316,342 food packs targeted to be distributed to families in five municipalities in the province.

Executive Assistant to the Governor Marivic Hubac assured that there is steady

See DISTRIBUTES, page 11

Davao City probes cockfight derby operation

By CHE PALICTE

DAVAO CITY -- The City Mayor’s Office said it has conducted an inquiry into the three-day derby that occurred on early last month at the New Matina Gallera here.

The probe came after the series of deaths of individuals suspected to have 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) who had attended the derby.

Dr. Cleofe Tabada, medical officer of Department of Health in Davao Region-Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit ((DOH 11RESU), bared that of the 11 deaths recorded in the region, six were connected to the cockfight event.

As far as contact tracing is concerned, Tabada said in a presser on Monday that a total of 427 individuals present at the New Matina Gallera have been identified.

Of the 427, the following number of attendees per province are 139 from Davao City, 19 – Davao del Norte; 127 – Davao del Sur; 5 – Davao de Oro; 1 – Davao Occidental; 90 - Davao Oriental; and 46 individuals from other regions.

“As to the secondary contact tracing, we have also identified more than a thousand already,” Tabada said.

In a radio interview on Monday, Mayor Sara Duterte clarified that based on the documents and the timeline covering the community quarantine, no law has been violated in the conduct of the event.

“I asked the concerned office and let them explained their part and we found out that there was no law violated since they have the complete papers,” she said.

However, she added that on March 3 and 8, the Division Chief of the Business Permit and Licensing Division (BPLD) could have stopped the conduct

of the derby and further prevented the situation from escalating--but did not vigorously act on it.

“It was a judgment call that was never made.

This person already tendered resignation effective Saturday (April 4). This serves as a reminder for all officials in the city government to always put forward the general welfare of the residents of the city,” she said.

Timeline of events --On February 4, 2020, the Sangguniang Panlungsod Council issued a Resolution to approve the request for the conduct of a derby.

--On February 7, DOH Secretary Francis Duque III issued an advisor y urging the public to avoid attending, participating in, and organizing events that draw a huge number of attendees.

The DOH also recommended the “cancellation of such planned big events or mass gatherings until further advice”.

--On Febr uar y 10, Duterte canceled all major activities lined-up for the 83rd Araw ng Dabaw celebration in adherence to the memo issued by DOH and as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

“I would like to clarify that the derby is not an official Araw ng Davao event. It is a private event,” Duterte said.

--On March 3, 2020, the BPLD issued the permit after all the required documents were duly submitted and complied with.

--On March 8, 2020, Guidelines No. 3 on Covid -19 was issued. It did not prohibit the conduct of private events, however, it clearly set the direction of postponing such events.

--On March 12, 2020, Duterte said she instructed the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) to shut down all “galleras” upon learning about the ongoing derby. (PNA)

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Resumes...

Facility...

distributed.

Following the strict implementation of social distancing, some 193 sari-sari store starter kits have been distributed since March 30, 2020 The beneficiaries of the starter kits are based on the Kathanor database (profiling spearheaded by TFBM) and DTI’s database. DTI will send a confirmation message to each beneficiary about the schedule of distribution.

DTI is the lead agency of TFBM’s Subcommittee on Business and Livelihood.

(LELA/ PIA ICIC)

says. “It is because it’s an open-spaced hall. There will be panels, but overhead, it’s all open. For Persons Under Investigation (PUIs) and Persons Under Monitoring (PUMs), they need to be completely isolated, and they need private toilets, which is not possible to do at the WTC. So in the beginning, we all thought that PUIs and PUMs will be suitable. But based on the DOH guidelines, that was the decision.”

Since they announced their plan, many companies and groups have come forward, and offered their help. The WTC had already received Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) donations.

And there are several hotels that will be sending beddings, linens, and towels.

“It’s heartwarming to know that there are a lot of people who just want to contribute,” Pascual says.

As of press time, the WTC quarantine area is scheduled to be fully operational by April 11, until further notice.

“We’ll play it by ear, how we will move along, because we are still monitoring whether enhanced community quarantine (EQC) will be extended, and how the scenario will improve once all these centers are commissioned to operate,” Pascual says.

from page 2

Benefit... from page 2

on Covid-19 composed of the local government, the line agencies, the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Philippine Army.

In a joint statement on Tuesday, the Prosperidad local government unit (LGU) and the Army’s 3rd Special Forces Battalion (3SFBn) said the task force will continue to reach out to the other 22 villages in the municipality.

Around 13,000 more households will receive basic necessities as the relief operations will continue to roll to different barangays until April 15, the statement said.

The 10 barangays covered by the operations included La Purisima, Magsaysay, Los Arcos, San Roque, San Rafael, San Vicente, San Lorenzo, San Jose, La Perian, and Sta. Irene. Each family was provided with five kilos of rice and other necessities.

Pro sp e r i d a d Mayor Frederick Plaza Mellana commended the members of the task force for the effective delivery of the relief goods to barangays.

Mellana also called on residents to strictly follow the protocols of the community quarantine to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

“Please cooperate and avoid the spread of fake news and misleading information to avoid any conflict or anything that would ruin the plan and measures of the government. The LGU of Prosperidad, with the support of the members of the task force, will do its best to provide support while we are into this crisis,” Mellana said.

1st Lt. Krisjuper Andreo Punsalan, 3SFBn civilmilitary operations officer, assured that the military will provide the necessary support to help Prosperidad “deliver the needs of the people, especially in the remote areas.”

“There are villages that we need to reach out until April 15. The Army will always be with the task force in the unified efforts to reach far-flung villages to provide food and other necessities to residents while we are also working to contain the spread of Covid-19,” Punsalan told Philippine News Agency Tuesday. (PNA)

from page 5

Part... from page 6

Chairman Bong Go that the green signal is part of IATF-EID Resolution No. 19 Series of 2020.

In his report to the nation today, Cabinet Sec. Karlo Alexei Nograles said health insurance providers, HMOs, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation shall be considered part of health frontline services for the purpose of exempting their workers in the implementation of enhanced community quarantine. (Serafin Ledesma/PNA)

Aid...

from page 6

(Today, March 31, 2020, DOLE-NCR released an official list of companies in the National Capital Region which already got the PHP5,000 financial assistance from DOLE through the) COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP),” it said. “#StopSpreadingFakeNews: Bisitahin lamang ang “DOLE-NCR COVID-19 ADJUSTMENT MEASURES PROGRAM GRANTS” official web page na makikita sa link na ito: http://info. dole.gov.ph/campgrants/ pages/granted_estabs.php,” the DOLE added.

Meanwhile, Bello said informal sector workers will be provided with temporary work in Metro Manila.

“If you are a displaced informal worker, you may be given work for 10 days by DOLE with minimum pay of PHP537/day (Metro Ma-

Monday, April 13, 2020 nila minimum wage). They may apply through their barangay captains, mayor, governor, congressman, and senators,” he added.

For Filipino workers abroad who would like to go back home, Bello said the government is also providing financial assistance in the amount of USD200, aside from paying for their repatriation expenses.

“As for displaced overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who wish to be repatriated, DOLE will provide USD200 and repatriation expenses will be shouldered by the government,” he added.

(PNA)

Price... from page 6

\Thailand and Vietnam cut down their exports,” he added.

Pernia also highlighted that the government must provide immediate support and assistance to local farmers that were negatively affected by the enhanced community quarantine.

“We need to fast-track the disbursement of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund to improve the country’s agricultural productivity and food security in the long term,” he said.

Pernia emphasized the need to intensify biosecurity and quarantine measures to control the spread and eradicate the presence of the African swine fever in the country.

“The presence of these animal-borne diseases in the country calls for a more effective implementation of the prevention and protection programs as well as heightened monitoring of possible resurgence of other infectious diseases,” he said.

The Inter-agency Task Force Technical Working Group for Anticipatory and Forward Planning, chaired

by NEDA, has conducted surveys for business owners, consumers, and agriculture and fisheries sector.

A public consultation on the “new normal” has also been opened. A report of the group will serve as a blueprint for a whole-ofgovernment-cum-private sector effort for the country’s rapid recovery. (PR)

Launches... from page 6

amount of Php 100,000 for the bereaved family if the insured passes away due to accident, or as a result of COVID-19, subject to terms

and conditions. Eligible health workers will receive a double COVID-19 death benefit worth Php 200,000.

No purchase of any insurance product is required.

To register for the offer, eligible Filipinos need to download the free Pulse app from Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. New Pulse app registrants are required to create an account and complete their profiles while existing Pulse registrants will receive an in-app notification directing them to complete their profiles in order to register for the free COVID-19 protection. Applicants will also be requested to complete the profiles of their beneficiaries through Pulse.

A confirmation email will be sent to the policyowners and their beneficiaries upon successful registration.

Prevent, Postpone and Protect with Pulse “The alarming spread of COVID-19 has significantly impacted the lives of millions of Filipinos. At Pru Life UK, we aim to provide comprehensive and innovative products and services like Pulse to help people prevent and postpone the onset of diseases, as well as to protect them during times of health emergency and financial uncertainty,” Pru Life UK President and CEO Antonio “Jumbing” De Rosas shared. “In line with our ‘We DO’ spirit, we are stepping up our efforts to support as many Filipinos and their families as possible, particularly our health workers, and provide them peace of mind as they face the challenge of the COVID-19 outbreak,” he explained.

More protection solutions for COVID-19 patients The complimentary COVID-19 protection and PA coverage is one of the several initiatives of Pru Life UK to help ease the emotional distress and financial burden faced by Filipinos amid the public health emergency.

“There is an urgent need for more health protection solutions in the country because of COVID-19. As a company that values life, health and security, our message during this pandemic is straightforward and simple – Pru Life UK is here to support you and will continue to be a trusted partner across the different stages of your life journey,” De Rosas added.

Pru Life UK previously announced the extension of the grace period for premium payments with due dates from February 16 until June 30, 2020 to ensure uninterrupted protection for its customers during the COVID-19 outbreak. The grace period now covers 60 days from the standard 31 days for all policyowners nationwide.

In addition, Pru Life UK is offering an additional hospital benefit of Php 1,000 daily for customers who are hospitalized due to the virus. This applies to insured customers whose life insurance policy is in force with the Hospital Income Rider, issued on or before January 31, 2020.

For more information about the terms and conditions of the aforementioned products and advisories, visit www.prulifeuk.com. ph.

Imposes... from page 8

food processing or manufacturing, and food delivery services; hospitals, medical laboratories, drugstores, other health services/personnel, doctor’s and dentist’s clinics; gas stations; funeral parlors; and mass media outlets.

“The 12-hour curfew will last until there is a state of public emergency,” Duterte said.

Duterte has also imposed a 24-hour liquor ban until the state of public emergency is lifted. (PNA)

The LGU has also established its provincial, municipal and barangay patients under investigation quarantine facility (PUIQF) with more or less 600-bed capacity.

As of 8:00pm yesterday (April 5), Davao Occidental still has zero incident of COVID-19 positive in the whole region. (PIA-XI/ Carina L. Cayon)

Mobilizes... from page 7

providing chlorine solution for foot baths and tire sprays in checkpoints and hospitals.

Through the efforts of Dr. Rolito G. Eballe and Dr. Alan P. Dargantes, CMU received gallons of purified water, and bulk amounts of chlorine powder from private companies like MGM Resort of the Panganiban Family.

The donated raw materials have been forwarded to the Natural Science Research Center and will be handled by CMU chemists to formulate a chlorine solution following the preparation protocol mandated by the WHO. As of April 1, 2020, ten 18 liter containers of chlorine solutions have been forwarded to the University Hospital ready for distribution. Eballe advised municipalities who wish to avail of the chlorine solutions to bring their own containers.

(With Iyren A. Dalipe-Neri, PRIO-CMU)

Distributes... from page 8

strengthened guidelines of the ECQ under Executive Order No. 26, include the mandatory stay at home order, closure of business, suspension of all operations of land vehicles, strict monitoring of border controls and cleanliness, among others.

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MDN: Mar 30, Apr 6 & 13, 2020

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DIVISORIA BRANCH Atty. Erasmo B. Damasing Bldg., #61 Don A. Velez St., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 857-3631

CAMIGUIN BRANCH B. Aranas St., Poblacion, Mambajao, Camiguin Tel. # (088) 387-0491

LAPASAN BRANCH Lapasan Hi-way, Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-6739

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CARMEN BRANCH Vamenta Blvd.,Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-2011

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Monday, April 13, 2020

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Funds... from page 3

for free via https://giff.ph/ watch/. Film enthusiasts and audiences from all walks of life can visit the page to stream, enjoy their favorite films, and take part in raising funds through donations via GCash - all while staying connected, inspired and #SafeAtHome.

As of April 7, the initiative has extended aid to over 1000 film workers. Through the combined efforts of .giff, Lockdown Cinema Club and local film aficionados, the goal is to raise P3,000,000 in the succeeding weeks of the extended ECQ. Everyone is invited to watch all they want through the .giff site https://giff.ph/ watch/ and give what they can via the GCash QR code found within the same page.

For updates, you may visit the official Globe Studios FB page at https://www.facebook. com/globestudiosph/ .

Drop... from page 3

formulated a contingency plan as preparation for the worst-case scenario in light of COVID-19.

BARMM Cabinet Secretary and IATF Spokesperson Mohammad Asnin Pendatun said, “we’re hoping it won’t happen but as far as the proactive approach in the task force, nagkaroon tayo ng contingency plan.”

He also added that there are certain indicators to factor in activating the said contingency plan.

“Ang pakay nito ay matugunan ang pangangailangan ng Bangsamoro sa panahon na umabot tayo sa ganoong sitwasyon. In reality, ang ilan na nakapaloob sa contingency plan ay sinimulan na natin,” Pendatun added. (BPI/PIA ICIC)

Breach...

from page 1 From March 23 to April 6, the CDO Filipino-Chinese Community had previously donated to NMMC on four separate occasions urgently needed PPEs and medical supplies collectively valued at P1,269,000.00.

The initial shipment consisted of 60 cartons rubbing alcohol and sanitizing gel, two units knapsack sprayer, 12 pails disinfectant solution (chlorine), safety goggles, rubber boots, protective raincoats with pants, face shields, and 50 cartons disposable water tissues/paper towels collectively valued at P365,00.00 This was followed on March 28 by 480 set plastic rain coats worth P250.00 each valued at P120,000.00.00 and 800 locally made face shields worth P80.00each and valued at P64,000.00 for P184,000.00 for the entire batch.

On April 3, the group turned over 250 sets of PPEs made in Korea worth P1,800.00 each valued at P450,000.00 followed on April 6 by 100 sets PPEs made in China worth P 1,300.00 each valued at P150,000.00 and 200 sets of 5M brand PPE kit worth P600.00 each valued at P120,000.00 or P270,000.00 total.

The Filipino-Chinese Community of Cagayan de

Oro includes 21 community organizations, including family associations, chambers of commerce, schools, martial arts, civic and religious fraternities.

These including the following: Misamis Oriental Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Inc.; Mindanao Council for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China in the Philippines; Cagayan de Oro Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Inc.; Cagayan de Oro You We Tong Civic & Religious Fraternity, Inc.; Oro Christian Grace School; Misamis Oriental Liong Tek Fraternity Association, Inc.; Sejo-Lim Family AssociationNorthern Mindanao Chapter; Cagayan de Oro Bell Church Foundation, Inc.; Kong Hua School; Cagayan de Oro Volunteer Fire Brigade, Inc.; Phil.

Wushu Federation-Cagayan de Oro Chapter; Phil. Kim Mun Association-Misamis Oriental Chapter ; Cagayan Gospel Church ; Cagayan de Oro Filipino-Chinese Amity Club; Cagayan de Oro San Lorenzo Filipino-Chinese Catholic Community; Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc.-Misamis Oriental Chapter; Philippine Chinese High School Alumni AssociationCagayan de Oro Chapter; Misamis Oriental Progressive Mason Temple, Inc.; Kong Hua School, Inc.; and the Chee Kung Tong Chinese Free Mason Misamis Oriental Branch.

Leaders... from page 1

straits financially because of the expense required in combating the Covid-19 pandemic. Everything is at a standstill and our government could not sustain this if the quarantine protocols and lockdowns continue,” he said on a Facebook post on Tuesday.

Piñol urged Mindanaoan leaders to start with boosting agricultural production to increase food supply and support relief operations.

“I believe it is in areas unaffected by the Covid-19 pandemic where we should initiate Mindanao’s effort to support our President. Let us support our President by restarting our production engines,” he said. “Let us produce more food so that the country will not run out of supplies.”

Piñol said local governments can start adopting MinDA’s Self-Sustaining Food Security Strategy (SSFSS).

“Let us not be unreasonable in implementing total lockdowns, especially at the barangay level. Loosen some guidelines so that our farmers

Monday, April 13, 2020 and fishermen can still work and perform their jobs,” he said.

Part of the SSFSS recommendation is for the governors and mayors to use their calamity funds or realign some of their budgets as authorized by the Bayanihan Act to support the farmers and fisherfolk in producing food.

“Let us not rely on our national agencies alone. It is also hard for them to mobilize because of the current situation,” he pointed out.

He also encouraged farmers and fishermen to produce more food, especially on rice.

“Any excess in food production must be absorbed by the LGUs and distributed to their constituents as food supply support,” Piñol said.

He said MinDA is also doing its part in ensuring that farmers’ products are given wider market access.

(PNA)

Targets...

from page 1 hiling na isali yung (there are those who wish to include) motorcycle taxis. I’m trying to make that qualification because motorcycle taxis are on the pilot run,” Delgra said.

Earlier, the LTFRB released a list of more than 4,000 transport network company (TNC) drivers that were allowed to collect their cash aid from the nearest branch of the Landbank of the Philippines (Landbank).

Delgra said it was TNC drivers who received the first batch of financial aid since their data were readily available compared to other PUV drivers.

He said the total identified TNC drivers were 8,800, but the initial batch of cash aid beneficiaries was reduced to around 4,000 to manage the number of claimants at Landbank branches.

As of 9 a.m., he said LTFRB has collected the data of 207,806 PUV drivers which has been sent to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for cross-matching to avoid “double-listing.”

“Kung nakakuha na sila ng ayuda sa DSWD, tatanggalin sila sa listahan ng LTFRB (If they have received aid from the DSWD, they will be removed from the list of the LTFRB),” Delgra said.

Distribution to be expedited Due to public clamor and the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to expedite the distribution of cash aid, he said other means of distribution, especially through online cash transfers like GCash and PayMaya, were already in the pipeline.

“Maaasahan niyo po na

even tomorrow, hopefully, next week, mapabibilis na po natin ang pamimigay.

Hindi lang over-the-counter, kundi pati electronic fund transfer (Rest assured that by tomorrow or hopefully next week, distribution will be expedited. Not only overthe-counter but including electronic fund transfer),” Delgra said.

For those unable to collect their cash, he said they will still be allowed as they will be added to the succeeding list of beneficiaries.

He added that the list of beneficiaries has been centralized to ensure that they may collect at any Landbank branch while also ensuring that those who have collected will be recorded and will be removed from succeeding lists.

The LTFRB said that PUV drivers included in the LTFRB’s list of cash aid beneficiaries will simply need to bring their original driver’s license and a photocopy of their license with two signatures to a Landbank branch.

This includes those whose driver’s licenses have expired on Sept. 30, 2019, or later.

Drivers with confiscated licenses, meanwhile, may instead bring their temporary operator’s permit, a signed government-issued ID, and a photocopy of the ID with two signatures.

For those who will send a representative to receive the aid, the following should be brought with them: a letter of authority signed by the listed beneficiary, driver’s license or any governmentissued ID of the beneficiary, photocopy of the ID with two signatures, and a valid government-issued ID of the representative. (PNA)

Pandemic... from page 4

us pray for our beloved President, our Governors, Mayors, Barangay Captains and all health care front liners.

God bless us. Proverbs 3:7-8.

Psalm 91:7.

Bishop Herbert Raterta Gadian- Bugo, Cagayan de Oro City. Senior Pastor of Jesus For All Nations, Member: ANN, LAMP, CMC, GOGI, AIMPHIL, MELC, MCMF, TFI, CBMAP, EBCP, GCA. Radio- DXRU Every Sunday 6 PM. Phone: 0949-7541771.

Email ad: herbertgadian@ gmail.com, Facebook- Bing Raterta Gadian

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Pagsuot sa face mask, mandatory na sa MisOr MANDATORY na karon ang pagsuot sa face mask dinhi sa Misamis Oriental, isip hugot nga lakang aron malikayan ang pagtakboy sa coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) nga gika-ingong motakod pinaagi sa “droplets.”

Sa kusog sa Executive Order GYVBE No. 2020010, pinetsahan Abril 6, 2020, lakip gimando ni Gov. Bambi Emano nga tanang buot mogawas kay mamalit, adunay importanteng tuyo, ug uban pa, kinahanglan

magsuot sa face covers homemade man, improvised o mapalit sa tindahan, aron dili matakdan sa COVID-19 o makatakod ba kaha hinuon.

Ang kamanduan ni Gov. Emano nunot na usab sa kasugoan sa Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) nga angay ipatuman sa kalungsuran ug dakbayan, aron mapadali ang pagpaundang sa pagkatap sa maong virus, bisan pa tuod wala pay bisan isa kaso nga nagpositibo sa COVID-19 dinhi sa Misamis Oriental.

Ozamiz PUIs, PUMs to receive food assistance from MisOcc OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental -- Persons under investigation (PUIs) and persons under monitoring (PUMs) here are going to receive food assistance from the Provincial Government of Misamis Occidental.

Based on the listing of the City Health Office (CHO), some 318 individuals from the city’s 41 barangays will receive the relief goods.

Each pack of relief goods contains 10 kilos of rice, one tray of fresh eggs, canned goods, noodles, one pack milk, instant coffee and brown sugar.

Prov i n c i a l G e n e r a l Services Officer Adriano Limbab said the provincial

government would continue extending its support to Misamisnons by “delivering the needed services.”

Limbab also said that PUIs and PUMs from other cities and municipalities of the province will also receive the same “in-kind assistance” from the office of the governor.

Meanwhile, City Health Officer Holly Tago, said they will be delivering the food packs to the houses of PUIs and PUMs in the city who are on home quarantine so that they need not go outside to buy food. Tago received the relief goods from Mr. Limbab. (SMRN/ PIA10)

The city government of Ozamiz to deliver food assistance to homes of PUIs, PUMs in the city. (SMRN/PIA10)

MINDANAO DAILY FEATURE TRUTH. JUSTICE. PROGRESS.

Monday, April 13, 2020

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SM Foundation, Uniqlo send food packs to SM Cares Villages SM Foundation Inc. together with Japanese clothing company Uniqlo, recently brought smiles to residents of SM Cares Villages when they distributed food packs to almost 900 families in Bogo City, in Cebu province, Concepcion in IloIlo, Ormoc City, and in Tacloban City.

Like us, many of them are homebound by the enhanced community quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and they were happy to receive kilos of rice, cup noodles, cans of sardines and tuna, and bottles of distilled water.

The SM Foundation and Uniqlo Philippines respond to the needs of almost 900 beneficiaries of the SM Cares Village who are unable to

for bringing these relief packs to our place,” said Neralyn Montejo, one of the beneficiaries of the SM Cares Village in Bogo City, Cebu. “Thank you for not abandoning us during this time of crisis.”

It will be recalled that SM Cares Villages were built to help survivors of Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013 rebuild their lives. It is a joint undertaking of SM and its service providers, tenants, business partners, employees, and communities.

The first SM Cares Village was turned over to 200 beneficiaries last November 9, 2014 in Bogo City, Cebu.

Families from the SM Cares Village in Concepcion, IloIlo are all smiles after receiving their food packs from SM This was followed by Foundation, Inc. SM Cares Villages in Concepcion, Iloilo (200 continue their livelihood enhanced community government units due to “Thank you SM houses), Tacloban (400 brought about by the quarantine by the local COVID-19 pandemic.

Foundation and Uniqlo houses), and Ormoc City (200 houses).

The disaster-resilient houses were given to the beneficiaries for free, with SM working with several NGO partners for its community development, including livelihood and valuesformation activities.

Each village has utilities, basic amenities like street lights, as well as a community center, and a basketball court.

There are also chapels and convenience stores for its residents.

Aside from the houses, the SM Cares Village also has amenities such as street lamps, sewage treatment plant, materials recovery facility, rain-catchment A note of thanks from a beneficiary from the SM Cares system and provisions for water and electricity.

Village in Ormoc City.

Photo 3 - The SM Cares Village in Bogo City, the first of the four Villages constructed by the SM Group, is located in a one-hectare lot in Barangay Polambato, Bogo City.