Manila Standard - 2020 March 16 - Monday

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Virus checkpoints in place As cops enforce quarantine, 5 metro mayors bat for curfew

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Willie Casas

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 35 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

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OLICE began closing off access to Metro Manila on Sunday, imposing a quarantine that officials hope will curb the nation’s rising number of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases.

Officers in military fatigues and armed with rifles blocked off main roads into the city of some 12 million as domestic flights to and from Metro Manila were halted early Sunday for a month-long isolation of the capital.

Mass gatherings and school at all levels have also been called off, but delays and exceptions have led public health experts to question how effective President Rodrigo Duterte’s measures will be.

Striking steps were also being taken elsewhere in the county, with one church in Borongan, Samar, deciding to hold its Sunday service with worshippers separated by yellow barricade tape.

The tape crisscrossed the pews so that no two worshippers could sit next to each other.

Though the Philippines has detected a fraction of the infections seen in hot spots such as China and Italy, its confirmed cases nearly doubled in recent days to 111, with eight deaths.

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CURBING COVID-19. A policeman inspects identification of jeepney passengers at a checkpoint bordering nearby Cavite province and suburban Las Pinas in Manila on March 15, 2020, as the government steps up efforts to curb the spread of the new coronavirus by imposing Metrowide community quarantine. Inset photo (right) shows Catholic faithfuls sitting on chairs with yellow line tapes, to separate church goers from sitting close to each other, as part of social distancing at a church in Borongan town, Eastern Samar. AFP

Death toll rises to 11; DOH braces for upsurge

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Rio N. Araja HEALTH officials reported 29 new cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and three new deaths on Sunday, bringing the total to 140 confirmed cases and 11 deaths.

“It will still increase. So we are doing what were approved by President Rodrigo

Duterte-- the proposal by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for containment because we are bracing for a further surge,” said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III in an interview over radio dzMM. “While we do not like it, that’s what happening not only in the Philippines, but in the whole world,” he added.

Duque attributed the increase to the contact tracing being done by the Health

Department on a COVID-19 patients’ close contacts. He said the mode of transmission is respiratory droplets which are not carried in the air.

The new deaths were an American male, 86, from Marikina City with travel history from the US and Korea; a Filipino male, 40, from Pasig City with no history of travel abroad, a Filipino male, 64, from Next page Negros Oriental.

WORLD ROUNDUP

Trump beats virus; NY suffers fatality PRESIDENT Donald Trump has tested negative for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), his physician said, following concerns over his exposure to a disease that has paralyzed the globe.

Trump agreed to the test after coming in contact with several members of a Brazilian presidential delegation visiting his Florida resort who have since tested positive for the virus.

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Pope: Easter rites via live streaming THE Vatican said Sunday its traditional Easter week celebrations would be held this year without worshipers due to the coronavirus.

“Because of the current global public health emergency, all the liturgical celebrations of Holy Week will take place without the physical presence of the faithful,” the Prefecture of the Pontifical Household said in a statement.

The office is in charge of coordinating most of Pope Francis’ public schedule and his audiences with heads of state and other dignitaries.

The Vatican also said: “Until April 12, the general audiences and the Angelus presided over by the Holy Father will be available only in live streaming on the of- ABSENT THE FLOCK. A photo taken and handout by the Vatican Media on March ficial Vatican News website.”

12, 2020 shows a deserted St. Peter's Square two days after it was closed to tourists as part of AccordingtothelatesttallylateSaturday, a broader clampdown aimed at curbing the coronavirus outbreak. Inset shows Pope Francis Next page celebrating Mass. AFP

REPATRIATES. The MV Grand Princess repatriates departed San Francisco via a chartered flight on March 14, expecting to arrive in Clark Airbase early morning on March 16. DFA Photo

LOCAL ROUNDUP

444 Pinoys on ship face Clark isolation A TOTAL of 444 Filipinos―438 crew members and six passengers—of the MV Grand Princess who docked in the Port of Oakland in California were set to be repatriated by the Department of Foreign Affairs on March 15, 2020.

The Filipinos to be brought home are expected to arrive at the Haribon Hangar in Clark Airbase, Pampanga.

The repatriates underwent health

screening upon disembarkation facilitated by the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Upon arrival, the group will be transported on chartered buses and subjected to a 14-day quarantine at the Athletes’ Village in New Clark City under the attention of health professionals from the Health department.

Negative for COVID -19 Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and three other Cabinet members were tested negative for COVID-19.

Also negative for the novel coronavirus were Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and Public Works Secretary Mark Villar.

However, Medialdea will continue Next page

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Residential quarantine sites eyed T O BOOST the government’s ability to fight future outbreaks of new infectious diseases, Makati City Rep. Luis Campos Jr. has filed a bill seeking to set aside P1.7 billion to establish 69 residential quarantine facilities throughout the country.

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The fatality from Negros Oriental was identified as a councilor of Tayasan, while the Pasig City fatality was said to be an employee at the House of Representatives.

Duque said two patients have recovered. He said the number was low because of the long recovery period― two to three weeks for mild to moderate cases, and three to six weeks for critical COVID-19 cases.

The patients who recovered from COVID-19 are the two Chinese nationals who have returned to China.

With 11 dead out of 140 confirmed cases, the mortality rate was a high 7.8 percent, but Duque said this was the result of the limited number of tests being conducted.

If more tests were conducted and more people were found to be positive, then the fatality rate would decline, Duque said.

Duque branded “fake news” reports that patients admitted at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Hospital in Manila have tested positive for COVID-19, and that trainees and staff who were exposed to the patients were sent home to undergo self-quarantine.

The report, which was initially released by The Varsitarian, UST’s official student publication, quoted UST Hospital Medical Director Dr. Marcellus Francis Ramirez.

But Duque admitted there were doctors, nurses and other health workers who were also being monitored for the virus.

In a TV interview, PBA party-list Rep. Jericho Nograles confirmed that one of the deaths reported on Sunday was an employee of the House of Representatives.

“The entire House of Representatives is saddened. At the same time, we are worried and nervous, too, as to who he had talked with,” he said.

The number of cases in Quezon City doubled to 14 on Sunday, Mayor Joy Belmonte said. The city’s cases were from barangays San Antonio, Paligsahan, Matandand Balara, Greater Lagro, Bagong Lipunan Crame, San Isidro, San Labrador, Bagbag and Doña Imelda.

On Friday, Belmonte declared a state of calamity in the city due to increasing number of COVID-19 cases.

Laguna province on Sunday reported its first confirmed COVID-19 patient from Sta. Rosa City.

As proposed by Campos in House Bill 6546, new quarantine facilities with a minimum of 25 beds each would be put up within the grounds of every hospital run by the Health department.

“We are seeking an initial P25 million in fresh funding for the construction of each quarantine facility, chargeable against the DOH’s annual budget for the Health Facilities Enhancement Program,” Campos, House appropriations committee vice chairman, said.

“The sudden conversion of the Athletes’ Village as national quarantine center for the COVID-19 outbreak clearly betrayed our lack of minimum lodgings for individuals who may require temporary seclusion while being observed for possible symptoms of new highly infectious conditions.”

The government used the Athletes’ Village in New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac,

to isolate for 14 days the Filipinos repatriated from Hubei province, China, as well as the Filipino crew evacuated from the coronavirus-stricken Diamond Princess cruise ship in Yokohama, Japan.

The use of the village’s accommodations for quarantine services was vigorously protested by the Capas municipal government.

Under Campos’ bill, at least 20 quarantine facilities would be built all over Metro Manila.

They would be set up at the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center, Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, East Avenue Medical Center, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, National Center for Mental Health, National Children’s Hospital; Philippine Orthopedic Center, Quirino Memorial Medical Center, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, Rizal Medical Center, San Lazaro Hospital, Tondo Medical Center, Lung Center of the Philippines,

National Kidney and Transplant Institute; Philippine Children’s Medical Center, Philippine Heart Center, Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital, Las Piñas General Hospital and Satellite Trauma Center, San Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital, and the Valenzuela Medical Center.

In other parts of Luzon, another 21 quarantine facilities would rise at the Batanes General Hospital, Cagayan Valley Medical Center, Southern Isabela General Hospital, Region II Trauma and Medical Center, Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center, Mariano Marcos Memorial Medical Center; Region I Medical Center, Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, Conner District Hospital, Far North Luzon General Hospital and Training Center, Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital, Bataan General Hospital, Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital, Mariveles Mental Hospital; Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center, Batangas Medical Center, Culion Sanitarium and General Hospial, Ospital ng Palawan, Bicol Medical Center, Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital, and the Bicol Regional General Hospital and Geriatric Medical Center.

Virus..

die. We need to make a small sacrifice because you might be a carrier of the virus.”

Mayors of Manila’s 17 local government areas are also pushing for shopping malls, the centers of life in the country, to be temporarily shut.

They remained open on Sunday but with temperature checks and free hand sanitizer at entrances.

Senator Francis Tolentino said people would have to give up some civil liberties to protect the health of the general public.

He said imposing a curfew balanced “preserving the rights of the few” against the “health of the majority.”

Senator Grace Poe said the implementation of a curfew in the National Capital Region will have unforeseen outcomes on the economy, delivery of public services, and the general welfare of the people, especially the poor.

“How will the government cushion its impact on the livelihood of workers who will be temporarily laid off? “ she asked.

“What assistance can the government offer to small businesses which will be forced to shut down operations or operate in reduced hours? “ she added.

So far, five local governments―in Manila, Makati, Muntinlupa, Navota and Las Piñas―have passed ordinances that establish curfews.

Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said his city would impose a curfew from 8 p.m to 5 a.m. as a measure against the spread of COVID-19.

A resident may only be allowed to go out during curfew hours in cases of emergency, and for purposes of buying

basic needs and fulfilling work-related requirements, he said.

“During the curfew hours, no person will be allowed in the streets, commercial establishments, recreation centers, malls or other areas outside the immediate vicinity of their residence,” Domagaso said.

Muntinlupa City would impose a similar curfew, said Tez Navarro, public information officer of the city.

This comes after Metro Manila mayors signed a resolution recommending the curfew to contain the disease.

None of the mayors explained how limiting travel during hours when most people would be home or on the way home would reduce COVID-19 infections.

Makati City will also impose a curfew, Mayor Abigail Binay said Sunday.

Malls will also be prohibited from operating until the quarantine ends on April 14 or “until further notice depending on the situation,” Binay said.

Drugstores, groceries, hardware, clinics, and banks, however, will be allowed to operate. Restaurants may continue operations for take-out and delivery, which is allowed until 8 p.m.

Navotas also passed an ordinance imposing an 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew.

In an interview over radio dzMM, Steven Tan, SM Supermalls president, said mall department stores and cinemas will be closed, but supermarkets and pharmacies will remain open during the community quarantine.

Jennylle Tupaz, president of Ayala Land Malls Inc., said Ayala malls in Metro Manila will be closed starting Monday. Supermarkets and pharmacies and banks will remain open.

Robinsons malls will also be closed starting Monday.

Davao City Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio put her entire city on community quarantine. People were urged not to leave their homes, except to go to work, buy food or medicine or go to the hospital.

Mass gatherings, religious activities, and classes in all levels are suspended until after the state of public emergency has been lifted.

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has ordered temporary restrictions in the entry of persons to the Subic Bay Freeport Zone to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

SBMA chairman and administrator Wilma T. Eisma said the entry restrictions will be effective for about a month, starting 12 a.m. on Monday, March 16, until 12 a.m. of April 14, or while the state of public health emergency declared by Malacañang is in force.

Ilocos Norte, which has yet to record a case of COVID-19, has been put under community quarantine nonetheless.

“Ilocos Norte remains COVID-free but in all likelihood, COVID is already here in our province. To be clear we do not have any confirmed cases but I believe we have to act as if we do have a confirmed COVID case here in Ilocos Norte,” Gov. Matthew Marcos Manotoc said in a Facebook video.

Iligan City in Lanao del Norte declared a state of calamity Friday.

The move came a day before health officials reported the death of Mindanao’s first COVID-19 patient on Saturday in Cagayan de Oro City.

With AFP, PNA

incoming travelers forced to wait hours for medical screenings before passing through customs.

14-day isolation for travelers to Australia Australia on Sunday announced anyone arriving into the country will face mandatory 14-day self-isolation, in a bid to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said all cruise ships will be banned entirely and that he expects “visitor traffic will dry up very very very quickly.”

“If your mate has been to Bali and they come back and they turn up at work and they are sitting next to you, well they will be committing an offense,” Morrison said.

Australia has detected 269 cases of the COVID-19 virus so far, with a large number of new cases now coming from the United States, Morrison said, describing the country as a “major source.”

NZ bars cruise passengers Passengers on the Golden Princess cruise liner were barred from disem-

barking at a New Zealand port on Sunday because of a suspected coronavirus case on board, health officials said.

There were 2,600 passengers and 1,100 crew on the boat docked at Akaroa near the South Island city of Christchurch, according to the port’s cruise ship schedule.

New Zealand’s director-general of health, Ashley Bloomfield, said three passengers have been quarantined by the ship’s doctor.

China reports ‘imported’ cases China on Sunday reported 16 new imported cases of the coronavirus, the highest in over a week, as domestic cases dwindle in the country.

The National Health Commission said infections involving people arriving from overseas were reported in five provinces and cities including Beijing and Shanghai.

Only four new domestic cases were detected, all in Hubei province’s capital Wuhan, where the virus first emerged in December.

There have now been 111 imported infections, with regions outside of Hu-

bei reporting no new indigenous cases for the third day in the row, prompting fears that China’s measures to contain the virus domestically could be undone by reintroduced outbreaks.

Spain, France impose strict measures Spain and France have imposed sweeping restrictions to fight the spread of coronavirus that has infected more than 150,000 people worldwide.

Following Italy, Spain on Saturday imposed a near-total nationwide lockdown, banning people from leaving home except to go to work, get medical care or buy food.

The disease has so far claimed 196 lives in Spain, making it the worst-hit European country after Italy. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s wife is among those infected.

France meanwhile ordered the closure of restaurants, bars, cinemas and nightclubs but said food shops, pharmacies, banks and tobacconists would remain open and local elections will go ahead on Sunday. AFP

there have been 1,441 deaths in Italy due to COVID-19, and more than 21,000 Italians have tested positive.

The Archdiocese of Manila had earlier said there will be no Masses in all churches under it, which covers five cities in Metro Manila, for six days starting March 14 after the alert on COVID-19 was raised to Code Red Sub-level 2.

“We are enjoined to avoid large gatherings of people to avert the further spread of the virus. We heed this call not with panic but with care for charity to others and the common good,” said Apostolic Administrator and Bishop Broderick Pabillo in a Pastoral Letter dated March 13.

“Hence in the Archdiocese of Manila, I dispense all the faithful from the obligation of going to Mass this Sunday,” Pabillo said of the area that covers the cities of Manila, Makati, San Juan, Mandaluyong and Pasay.

“There will be no public celebration of the Holy Mass and no public activities in all the churches in the Archdiocese for seven days, starting Saturday, March 14, till Friday, March 20,” he said.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III had urged the public to stop attending masses and to stop going to cinemas.

“We will stop it for now because that is where the virus will come from.

It is like a petri dish,” said Duque when asked if the Health department would recommend a stop to attending masses.

lar had been on quarantine since March 12.

He said Villar had not manifested any COVID-19 symptoms.

But he said Villar’s 14-day absence would not affect her functions and responsibilities at the department since the tasks assigned to her had been delegated.

Enough funds TWO Cabinet officials assured the public on Sunday that the government had enough funds for the production of testing kits to detect COVID-19.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo and Technology Secretary Fortunato dela Peña gave the assurance to belie the “false narratives” circulating on social media that the government had insufficient funds to address the

COVID-19 outbreak.

In a joint press statement, Panelo and dela Peña slammed the spread of fake news that they said merely created apprehension and panic among the public.

“We wish to assure our countrymen that the Office of the President is providing the needed funds of the DOH [Department of Health], DOST (Department of Science and Technology] and UP [University of the Philippines] and Manila’s National Institutes of Health [NIH] in the production of the diagnostic kits for the COVID-19 tests,” they said.

Detection kits Amid the rising number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases in the country, the Food and Drug Administration has allowed the use of detection kits that

were developed by UP-NIH for COVID-19 testing.

UP President Danilo Concepcion said Friday around 6,000 COVID -19 test kits developed by UP scientists were now in stock.

The detection kit being manufactured and stockpiled by Manila HealthTek Inc. will cost around P1,320 per test, or less expensive than the foreign kit that costs around P8,500 per test.

Virtual sessons CAGAYAN de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said Congress may convene a “virtual session” through video-teleconferencing and other similar means to be able to pass a supplemental budget to curb the spread of COVID-19.

“I am suggesting that the House and the Senate meet in a special session through

video-teleconferencing and other technological means since President [Rodrigo] Duterte has prohibited mass gatherings and banned travel from the provinces to Metro Manila,” he said.

He filed three bills seeking P23 billion in assistance―P3 billion for distressed workers, P10 billion for small tourism-oriented establishments, and another P10 billion for other small- and medium-scale businesses.

“If we wait for May 4 to consider these measures, it might be too late to help the affected sectors,” he said.

Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Ray Villafuerte backed a special session to allow them to legislate urgent measures in fighting the disease. Macon RamosAraneta, Rey E. Requejo, PNA and Rio N. Araja

From A1

“We are sorry for the inconvenience, but we have orders to follow,” said police corporal Meljayric Sajonia at a checkpoint on the southern edge of the capital.

The sealing of the city will not be total, as people going to work will be allowed to enter through checkpoints.

Buses and trains will continue to operate inside Metro Manila.

Passengers who showed work ID cards were allowed through, with temperature checks at some entry points.

“I have no problem with the checkpoints,” said Michael Sausa, a hotel supervisor. “It’s better that we prevent the spread of the virus.”

Ahead of Sunday’s closure, people packed grocery stores to stock up, and tens of thousands also boarded buses leaving the capital while it was still permitted.

Buses continued to roll into Metro Manila’s main transit hubs on Sunday, but many had one vacant seat between passengers as a precaution against the virus.

Local leaders moved on Saturday to impose an 8:00 pm to 5:00 am curfew, with exceptions for travel to work, buy essentials or seek medical assistance.

However, Duterte’s spokesman Salvador Panelo said the President would have to approve a curfew covering the entire city and has not yet done so.

Panelo also played down worries over the loss of livelihood for some because of the community quarantine.

“Nobody will die of hunger,” he said in Filipino. ‘‘In one month, you won’t

World Roundup From A1

Trump, 73, had dismissed concerns over his exposure to the disease which has killed at least 51 Americans and upended the rhythm of daily life across the country, with millions working from home and schools shut.

New York, the most populous US city, saw its first coronavirus death on Saturday, as store shelves were stripped bare after days of panic buying.

Across the Hudson River in Teaneck, New Jersey, Mayor Mohammed Hameeduddin called for a citywide self-quarantine after 18 cases were confirmed in the township.

Vice President Mike Pence announced further curbs on travel to the United States, saying a ban imposed on European nations over the pandemic would be extended to the United Kingdom and Ireland Tuesday.

The restrictions threw airports across the country into disarray, with

Local Roundup From A1

his 14-day self-quarantine as a precautionary measure.

Medialdea will continue to work from home as he monitors and acts on important matters relating to the Executive branch.

14-day quarantine for Villar Justice Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay-Villar decided to undergo 14day self-quarantine period after her husband, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, earlier subjected himself to selfquarantine after interacting with a person who tested positive COVID-19.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra confirmed this on Sunday and said Vil-

In the Visayas, a further 12 quarantine facilities would be established at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, Don Jose Monfort Medical Center Extension Hospital, Western Visayas Medical Center, Western Visayas Sanitarium, Don Emilio Del Valle Memorial Hospital; Eversley Childs Sanitarium, Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Medical Center, St. Anthony Mother and Child Hospital, Talisay District Hospital, Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center, and the Schistosomiasis Control and Research Hospital.

In Mindanao, another 16 quarantine facilities would be put up at the Basilan General Hospital, Dr. Jose Rizal Memorial Hospital, Labuan General Hospital, Margosatubig General Hospital, Mindanao Central Sanitarium, Zamboanga City Medical Center, Sulu Sanitarium; Cotabato Regional and Medical Center, Cotabato Sanitarium, Mayor Hilarion Ramiro Sr. Medical Center, Northern Mindanao Medical Center, Amai Pakpak Medical Center, Davao Regional Medical Center, Southern Philippines Medical Center, Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center and the Caraga Regional Hospital.

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News

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

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BIR should extend filing of income tax returns—solon

By Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta

SUSPENDED. Terminal 4 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City was closed following the suspension of domestic flights, except for some passengers inquiring for the rebooking of their tickets on Sunday, March 15, 2020, PNA Photo

Moratorium on payment of utility bills, rentals sought BAYAN Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate on Sunday proposed a one-month moratorium in the payment of electric and water bills as well as house and office rentals in the National Capital Region after it was placed under a community quarantine due to coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) disease.

“At the minimum there should be a moratorium on electricity and water bill collections or better yet there should be a one month subsidy for these utilities,” he said.

“A month’s worth of salary should also be subsidized by the government or the company and given to workers affected by the lockdown. This also goes for families in the informal sector,” he added.

Zarate is a House deputy minority leader.

“The additional P1,000 pension increase for Social Security System should now be given because the elderly is the most susceptible to COVID-19.

The social pension should also immediately be increased by at least P500,” he said.

“Furthermore hazard pay or double salary should be given to frontline responders to COVID-19 cases as well as journalists covering the cases, garbage collectors who are now doing daily collections and other jobs needed to keep NCR clean and sanitized,” he added.

He batted for a moratorium on house and office rentals, including tax collections.

ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Niña Taduran, assistant majority leader, said the government must impose a moratorium on the repayment of debts, taxes, fees and utility bills of the affected consumers, which are due within the one-month community quarantine period in Metro Manila.

Meanwhile, Bulacan’s San Jose del Monte City Rep. Rida Robes proposed that the government should temporarily house Metro Manila workers living outside the area in hotels, motels, inns or apartelles during the community quarantine period.

Senator Grace Poe, on the other hand, is callng for a moratorium on the imposition of penalties or similar charges on delayed payment of bills and other obligations.

She particularly dircted her call to corporations, banks, and private and government financial institutions in the light of the public health crisis brought about by COVID-19.

“We seek the compassion and goodwill of companies in making sure that there will be no service interruption, disconnections or penalties as a result of the unwanted delay in payment,” she said.

She said that while everyone wants to settle their obligations on time, the pandemic has brought unintended consequences that have affected the financial condition of the public, especially workers who are on no workno pay scheme.

She added that the last thing people want to see are kilometric queues in banks and payment centers beating the closing time in paying their bills.

She said this scenario would run counter to the government’s efforts to implement social distancing and to as much as possible keep the people in their homes to avoid the exposure to the disease. Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta

Senate minority seeks law on supplemental budget

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

D

UE to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases, the Senate Minority on Sunday called for a special session of Congress to pass a supplemental budget.

The move, he said, intends to address the pandemic and help affected Filipino households, workers, and businesses.

The Minority senators said the supplemental budget should cover the test kits for massive testing, relief goods for the most vulnerable, additional health personnel, equipment (protective gear and hospital beds) and vitamins and medicine.

This will also include cash support or basic income grant for the daily wage earners and the unemployed who don’t have sick and vacation leaves and subsidy or easy loans to help businesses, especially the micro and small ones, keep afloat during this period.

The minority bloc is composed of Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Senators Leila de Lima, Risa Hontiveros and Francis Pangilinan.

Hontiveros, meanwhile, said poor

Filipinos, including those who will suffer income loss due to COVID-19, should receive P10,000 cash assistance.

She urged the government to free up funds for the poor and near-poor who will be affected by regulations to contain the virus.

Hontiveros estimates that at least 650,000 Filipino households will become the ’new poor’ in Metro Manila alone due to the economic implications of the lockdown.

“The government should immediately track down and extend P10,000 assistance to these households which will mostly come from vulnerable contractual workers and workers in the informal economy,” she said.

“The same cash assistance should also be immediately disbursed to poor households within the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s

[DSWD] household targeting system,” she added.

Hontiveros explained that companies laying off workers and COVID-19’s adverse effects on the informal economy will place households more at risk in terms of their food security and health.

The senator likewise urged DSWD and the Department of Labor and Employment [DOLE] to craft and implement a comprehensive safety net for the poor and near-poor who will be adversely-affected by the COVID-19 lockdown, starting with the said cash assistance.

“This cash aid will keep Filipinos in poverty and near-poverty afloat during this COVID-19 crisis. It will help them cope with the expected inflation in goods due to the lockdown. In times of crisis, cashflow is crucial especially for poor Filipino families who need money for essential items like food, shelter, water, and medicine,” Hontiveros explained.

According to Hontiveros, a family’s loss of income will worsen their health status and will make them more at risk for COVID-19.

“We need to help them minimize their risks through proper safety nets for their health and social protection,” she said.

JoyridePH suspends NCR operations due to virus RIDE-hailing motorcycle taxi company, JoyRide PH, has suspended its operations in the National Capital Region amid the coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) acute respiratory disease outbreak.

“In accordance with the Guidelines issued by the Department of Transportation Task group for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease, JoyRide PH shall suspend until further notice it’s motorcycle taxi

ride-hailing services in Metro Manila effective midnight of March 15, 2020,” JoyRide said in a statement.

The motorcycle taxi firm said its effort was to show of full support to the measures being undertaken by the government to address the growing threat of COVID-19.

“JoyRide PH likewise joins the nation in its hope and prayer that a resolution to the COVID-19 problem can be swiftly

and completely achieved,” it said.

The services of the ride-hailing app would resume once the metro is declared safe.

JoyRide gave the assurance that it would continue its delivery services through its network of Kasundo bikers to assist the government and the public in delivering essential goods “in whatever manner or form during this time of public health emergency.” Rio N. Araja

PROTECTION. A Quezon City official from the Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit conducts a teaching practice to barangay health emergency workers on how to wear protective suits against the COVID-19 virus. Manny Palmero

TWO lawmakers—Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman and Senator Francis Tolentino —on Sunday called on the Bureau of Internal Revenue to consider the extension of the April 15 deadline on the filing of income tax returns.

“This pandemic is affecting our way of life, and the attitude should not be ‘business as usual’ for the BIR. Should we add burden to the people who have always been thinking of ways to keep their families safe at times like this?,” he said.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Finance said the BIR cannot push back the date of filing for income tax returns since it was set under the law.

“We should find ways of easing the daily burdens of our citizens. There is community quarantine in Metro Manila until April 14. The people are more focused on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and not about the problem of paying taxes,” Hataman said.

“I suggest the BIR open discussions for setting the tax filing deadline after April 14 to give the people enough breathing space to set their affairs in order. Let us see the results of the government’s antiCOVID-19 measures. Besides, there would be queueing in the filing. We don’t want people to spread the virus in this kind of activity,” he said.

Tolentino, meanwhile, said that an extension would be a sigh of relief for registered taxpayers in Metro Manila and other affected areas. He said this could spell a huge difference to struggling individuals and businesses.

“It is my firm belief that the Government has the responsibility to aid our overburdened taxpayers who continue to shoulder the brunt of the outbreak’s impact on the market,” Tolentino said.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte recently declared the implementation of the community wide quarantine in Metro Manila and banned land, water and air travel from March 15 to April 14, subject to review.

Teachers demand release of 2018 ‘performance’bonus

By Willie Casas ALMOST a million public school teachers on Sunday demanded from the government for the release of their 2018 performance-based bonus, amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis in the country.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines said teachers have written an inter-agency task force, the Department of Education and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on February 28, 2020 inquiring on the status of the grant of their PBB 2018 to public school teachers.

“In behalf of the more than 800,000 public school teachers nationwide, we appeal to the AO25 Inter-Agency Task Force to allow the immediate grant of performance-based bonus 2018 to all teaching and non-teaching employees of the Department of Education,” said Raymond Basilio, Secretary-General of ACT, in a ACT’s “Urgent Appeal to AO25 Inter-Agency Task Force Re: Grant of PBB 2018 to DepEd teaching and non-teaching employees in light of CoViD19 Pandemic.”

The Inter-Agency Task Force on the Harmonization of National Government Performance Monitoring, Information and Reporting Systems, otherwise known as the AO25 IATF, is a body created by virtue of Administrative Order No. 25 to undertake the task of monitoring and evaluating the performance of government agencies.

“In the light of the palpable health and economic threats and effects of the CoViD19 to the nation, public sector education workers and professionals urgently need the relief that PBB2018 may bring given our low salaries and lack of genuinely free health care services,” said Basilio.

The PBB is supposed to reward outstanding performance in civil service and teachers have no doubt dedicatedly delivered on their duties and responsibilities despite the many challenges in the educational system, said Basilio.

Albeit burdensome, he said they have diligently and punctually complied with all the requirements expected on the part of teachers for the grant of PBB2018.

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Opinion

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Not the end of days

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

It is in this respect that I have decided to share the 16 point summary of what the ‘community quarantine in Metro Manila’ order of President Duterte as advised by Presidential Legal Counsel and Spokesperson, Secretary Salvador Panelo. Here goes: “Following discussions with health BANISH all fears. Do not panic. De- officials, as well as with members of the spite the continued spread of the deadly Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging COVID-19 virus now present in almost Infectious Diseases (IATF), the Chief all continents except Antarctica the ex- Executive has decided to approve the perts insist it is not the end of days. Yes, imposition of Stringent Social Distancthe virus is unusually transmittable ing Measures in the National Capital and lethal. And yes while the conta- Region (NCR) for thirty (30) days, efgion is also controllable as evidenced fective March 15, 2020, with the salient by the experiences of China—the orig- directives discussed below. inal COVID-19 epicenter—which has First, the suspension of classes in slowed down infection even in Hubei all levels in Metro Manila is extended province and is now slowly but surely until April 12, 2020, with students regetting back to normal. The same has maining in their respective homes for been observed in South Korea. I hope the said duration. that this outbreak, Second, mass like previous ones, gatherings, de dewill soon be confined as events trolled and cured. where the number Nobody will be left Meantime, we of people attendhave, as President behind. ing could strain Duterte said last the planning and Thursday, to brace response resourcresourc ourselves for the es of the commu commuworst. Which is nity hosting the why it is incumbent upon us to exercise event, shall be prohibited during the self discipline and cooperate in what- aforesaid period. ever way we can - at home, within our Third, community quarantine is imcommunities and on social media - in posed in the entire Metro Manila. Loensuring that nobody is left behind. cal Government Units (LGUs) in other So, as we pray for those who have areas are advised to determine and been infected and extend all support declare, as needed and as scientifically to the frontliners - in our hospitals, at founded, similar quarantine in their the barangays, at the check points, at respective communities in accordance the markets, service centers and oth- with the Task Force guidelines. LGUs, ers who are making sure that life goes which have imposed community quaron, we can do a lot by sharing only antine in their respective jurisdiction/s, best practices and credible, science- upon the declaration of a State of Cabased information on the disease. Not lamity, shall be allowed to access their raw information, half truths or worse, Quick Response Fund; fake news, which can only add to the Fourth, work in the Executive Branch toxicity which some quarters specially shall be suspended during the same pein social media have come to be enam- riod, without prejudice to the formation ored with.

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W

What we need

E UNDERSTAND perfectly the need for draconian measures. The community quarantine ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte is a sign that he comprehends the severity of the situation. After all, the World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 a global pandemic.

But as we enter the second day of this crucial 30-day lockdown, we emphasize that it is the more basic, commonsensical things that we need from our leaders as we deal with this threat.

First, a fact-based road map, communicated coherently. The people are already uncertain and afraid. We want our leaders to tell us clearly and credibly that they know exactly what they are going to do to deal with the crisis. Various government agencies and officials only do the people a great disservice by saying different things, or taking back or “clarifying” an earlier pronouncement.

Second, we need more information on the availability of test kits. We need to know where we can get ourselves tested if we

have been exposed to a known patient or experience common symptoms of the disease. A spike in numbers might mean the virus is spreading aggressively, but it also means that more people are coming forward to get tested— hence, they can do something to get treated and avoid infecting others.

We commend the team from the University of the Philippines who have come up with its own testing kits. We need more of these initiatives since the government cannot provide everything that is needed.

Third, it would be good to hear some acknowledgment from the government of the heroic acts of our health care workers and other frontliners just by showing up

to do their jobs. Some would say there is nothing special here because it’s their chosen profession and they are getting compensated anyway. But imagine the grave risk to themselves and their families. Imagine if they were not there.

We commend likewise all efforts of the private and development sectors to help these frontliners, from boxed meals sent to hospitals, to fund drives intended to provide complete sets of personal protective equipment to them.

Finally, we need more transparency about the circumstances surrounding all confirmed cases—where they went, whom they interacted with, where they stayed and ate and worked. Efficient contact tracing will help us accurately assess our own exposure and make us pro-active in our approach to the threat.

This COVID-19 menace is so big; the threat so profound. We would very much like to feel that we are not left to our own devices. We implore our leaders: Hear us, please, and get a sense of what we truly need.

What about the poor? board meeting scheduled for the 20th of the following week. Four of the attendees are senior citizens, and one has a special health condition, and I thought they would be better off in some form of isolation.

That Thursday morning, I directed a I AM back in Taipei after a very short MECO officer to search high and low in trip to capital where I had hoped to meet Taiwan for COVID-19 testing kits, after with some high officials of government. learning that our DOH had only 2,000 My original schedule was to be in Ma- units in their hands. One test kit is good nila from Sunday evening, 08 March to for one patient. It is not re-usable.

Wednesday, 18 March, because we had I listened to a recording of a Senate a scheduled board meeting in Taipei on hearing presided over by Senator Nancy 19 March.

Binay in the presence of Senator Imee For starters, when I flew to Manila and Marcos, where both were shocked to landed at NAIA Terminal One, I noticed discover that RITM, the DOH center that there was nobody, but nobody, man- of excellence for tropical epidemiology, ning the DOH quarantine booth at the seemed blissfully unaware of the magarrival area. Neither were passengers nitude of the epidemic that a few days asked to fill out health forms where they later the WHO would grudgingly admit attest to their recent travel history and has become a pandemic, with some 130 symptoms of illness. countries in every continent save AntarcWhat could be the excuse/s? Naubu- tica, infected. san ng forms? Sunday, so no work?

Hopefully, I would have some good And then the dizzying events of the news today on our search for testing kits. previous week: on Wednesday night, a Was this the reason why for a month breakfast meeting the following day that or so on end, we were claiming but I was to have with a government official three infected persons and one Chinese was cancelled. patient dead? Italy and Iran were reelThe reason: he had to go on self-iso- ing under hundreds if not thousands of lation. The next infected persons, reason: he had and South Korea, attended, a few Japan, Germany, days back, a highFrance, if not tout Is this a failure to level meeting of l’Europe, not to communicate or a failure the NEDA-ICC mention China where they later where it originatto think properly? discovered that ed, and we had a government the singular disagency head who tinction of havwas with them in ing only three all that meeting was tested positive for THE February? virus.

Today, as I write, some reports say we The result: the entire economic man- now have 98, jumping from 5 to 24 to 33, agement team of the government is now to 98 all in the space of ten days. Anin self-isolation, or quarantine, whatever other report says 111 have been infected. our health officials choose to call such.

“Are you sure your country only has Another high cabinet member I had threepersons infected?”, a diplomat from hoped to meet is also in self-isolation, a First World country asked me in late working at home, by phone and the in- February here in Taipei. ternet. Twelve senators, or more, includI was so embarrassed I could not give ing those who hardly work to begin with, a definitive answer, other than to say have also quarantined themselves. many Filipinos just shrug off symptoms After listening to the President Thurs- of the common cold. day night where the “lockdown” or Which brought to mind what I and “community quarantine” or “community some of my staff were discussing about slowdown” (again, will the DOH kindly the extent of the coronavirus affliction in tell us what is the official term for this our country. When it was discovered that disruption is?) was announced, I decided a recent Taiwanese visitor had the illness to go back to Taipei on Saturday. after his return here, we wondered about On Friday, I cancelled our March Turn to A5

A time for unity THE threat is real and it’s mocking us right in our faces. From the three patients we had been able to contain for the past month, the number had ballooned to 111 as of this writing.

Fortunately, the government acted decisively, placing the entire Metro Manila, the epicenter of the coronavirus in the country, under quarantine, even before we have to go the way of Italy, South Korea and Spain which were placed under total lockdown.

And it’s rather irritating for the political opposition including the radical left, bannering their usual demagoguery, criticize the government’s action, calling on the people to oppose the quarantine.

But we are in the middle of a war, a war against a dreaded virus which has

been sweeping the globe, rich and poor countries alike. And in the middle of a war, you don’t question your commander for to do so could spell defeat. And because of these individuals, people were encouraged to escape the quarantine area before the actual quarantine took effect, in the

We should set aside political differences.

process defeating the very purpose of the government action which was to contain the contagion in Metro Manila. One even tried to justify the exodus, including that of a southbound passenger who later tested positive for COVID-19, saying it was done before the quarantine took effect, thus no

violation was committed.

This is no time for semantics. This is no time for criticism and opposition especially if one cannot present a better alternative. This is the time to unite, set aside political differences and consolidate our forces, mind, actions and ideas to ensure a victorious battle over this dreaded virus.

And it is for this reason we have culled proposals from lawmakers, friends and colleagues which we believe could help the government mitigate the negative imim pact of the quarantine.

While the Land Transportation Office had already announced it is waiving penalties for late registration of vehicles, the Bureau of Internal Revenue apparently is fixated on its deadline thus prompting Deputy Speaker and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman to strongly call on the taxcollection agency to rethink its position not to extend April 15 deadline on the filing of income taxes and asked to “do its share” in mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 Turn to A5

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

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Opinion

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020

Rule of Law, corruption and disruptions

Life and faith in the time of COVID STARTING midnight of March 15, 2020, the whole of Metro Manila was placed on a 30-day “community quarantine.” Travel into and out of the metro will be restricted; public transportation has been suspended. Military and police personnel have been called to enforce these restrictions, in an attempt to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

Administration critics have been quick to raise concerns over the “drastic” precautionary measures imposed by the government, calling them an overkill.

But, if we were to draw parallels from China, South Korea and even Italy—a “community quarantine” could be our best, perhaps, our only hope in preventing a full-blown pandemic in the Philippines.

COVID-19 has proved to be a highly infectious virus, despite having a low morbidity rate. In fact, based on epidemiological trends in China, 80 percent of patients are either asymptomatic or exhibit mild symptoms.

Of the remaining 20 percent, 15 percent are moderate cases that would require medical attention, and only the remaining 4 percent critical cases would have to be placed on intensive care. Around 0.6 percent to 1 percent mortality rate is expected.

But that would be 1 percent too many.

If we fail to contain the virus, the mortality rate could end up even higher.

DOH statistics show that we only have 89,000 hospital beds in the country, with less than 1,000 ICU bed units, not to mention the fact that majority of our hospitals do not have the equipment nor the medical personnel needed for the treatment of COVID. For example, Eastern Visayas has a population of more than four million. If a quarter of them gets infected with COVID-19, that would mean one million individuals. At 15 percent, 150,000 would require hospital care, while 4 percent or an estimate of 40,000 have to be placed in an intensive care unit.

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health crisis on the people.

Hataman had also earlier asked the government to institute measures to provide assistance to the most vulnerable sectors of society in its campaign to contain the spread of the virus.

His suggestions include giving hazard pay to those who show up at work despite the threat, especially those in the medical field, healthcare workers, immigration employees, members of the media who are covering events, and security forces like the police and the military.

The Basilan legislator also called on utility companies to practice leniency on those who may be delayed in paying their bills, adding country can follow the example of Italy and Canada, which suspended the payment of mortgages and bills for its citizens after imposing a lockdown to address the growing number of COVID-19 cases in the country.

Bagong Henerasyon Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy, for her part, called on the lessors and landlords to give their lessees, tenants, and renters compassionate discounts and/or moratorium on their lease payments as she reminded the government’s business regulation agencies to make sure that Civil Code and contract provisions on force majeure and fortuitous events are honored and enforced.

She also appealed to banks and all institutional lenders to also impose moratorium and/or discounts on loans amid the

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the tracing of the contacts he encountered during the visit to Metro Manila and Corregidor.

If he had gone to several malls, or went to an entertainment bar and sat with some entertainers in a videoke session, one would logically surmise he had contact with some poor entertainment worker, or some poor sales lady in a shopping mall.

Where did he eat? Who could he have infected there?

And then it dawned on us: those who may have been “in contact” are poor people. Probably living in cramped conditions with family in a slum area, or in a rundown boarding house with other persons.

Could the contagion have spread without our government able to do the proper contact tracing? For lack of test kits or lack of prescience, or a higher-than-high

Sadly, the total hospital bed capacity in the region is only a little more than two thousand beds, with only no more than a hundred ICU beds.

Not to mention that we have a limited number of COVID testing kits and access to protective gear for our medical frontline personnel has become increasingly difficult.

The Department of Health has provided a more conservative forecast of a 3 percent attack rate, that is around 90,000 positive cases out of three million individuals projected to be susceptible to COVID-19. Out of these positive cases, 80 percent or around 73,000 are estimated to exhibit mild symptoms, 14 percent or 12,000 cases are projected

to be severe and would require hospi hospital care while 5 percent or 4,544 would be critically ill and would need to be in an intensive care unit. Based on this model, if unbated, this COVID-19 crisis could result in around 2,700 deaths.

But even if reduced to lowest terms, it appears that a COVID-19 pandemic will still be beyond the current capacity of our healthcare system.

The risk of widespread contagion is expected continue on for at least two to six months.

China had their first case December of last year. It was only this month that they began to reverse the trend. It took more than three months for South Korea to do the same. Even the diminutive special economic region of Macao took more than two months to put the pandemic under control.

Unfortunately for us, China, South Korea and Macao have the access to medical equipment, personnel and resources that we do not have. Our health system simply does not have a proportionate coping capacity.

Even the doctors, nurses and other medical personnel working on the frontlines and risking their own lives

and safety are asking for more personal protective equipment and face masks.

To date, there is no cure nor vaccine available for COVID-19. The good news is that COVID-19 is self-limiting.

The virus will eventually die within a determined period of time.

This means, community solidarity and cooperating with the authorities, especially in relation with the “community quarantine” in Metro Manila is our best chance of surviving this pandemic.

Even if that means calling on the military and police to enforce the “community quarantine”—as many countries have already done.

This is the best time to set aside politics.

Critics often point out that in Singapore and South Korea, the government was able to address COVID-19 without the need for drastic measures such as a lockdown.

But Singapore is an island nation of a population of around eight million.

The population of Metro Manila, on the other hand, is around eleven million, many of them living in cramped conditions that make social distancing almost impossible. South Korea, on the other hand, has provided free COVID testing for more than 250,000 individuals; our capacity pales in comparison.

These countries’ citizens are disciplined and responsible enough to heed these precautions, and to trustingly cooperate to the fullest with their authorities.

It is therefore not just a question of political leadership, responding to the COVID-19 pandemic absolutely, more importantly, requires active citizenship.

The greater part of the solution depends on us. We should cooperate closely with the government and observe all precautionary measures in place—even it means hard choices and inconveniences.

Lastly, let us have more faith—in God, in ourselves, in others and in our government. Everyone is doing their best to weather this crisis—but you too must play your part.

It is not true that we are helpless and powerless in the face of this COVID-19 crisis. The stronger power is in our hands. Our strength is in working together as one.

pandemic.

Former Senators JV Ejercito and Bongbong Marcos supported HerreraDy’s position saying banks and landlords specially malls would extend moratoriums on amortization, “so that businesses and employees would survive this crisis.”

“Also other amortizations from housing and others should also be given consideration in light of the situation. This is an emergency and an extraordinary situation. We need to help each other survive,” Ejercito said.

Marcos also appealed to utility companies to suspend payment collections for those affected by the virus.

“All of us should help in finding ways to help each other in this time of crisis,” said Marcos.

Media colleague Peter Tabingo also has his share of proposals which we believe could be very useful in minimizing the quarantine’s negative impact.

First, Peter suggests implementing an immediate price control on crucial items like food and hygiene products like rubbing alcohol, face masks, etc.

Second, exempt farm produce from taxes to counter hoarders. In that way, Peter says we could be assured of access to fresh and healthier food rather than relying on canned goods.

Also, Peter is proposing to shutdown all online sellers who have artificially jacked-up prices of essential commodities including alcohol, face masks, surgical gloves, etc.

At the same time, Peter insists that community health workers, being frontliners, should be prioritized in the supplies of disinfectants and masks.

And as everyone is putting emphasis on hygiene to combat the virus, Peter said the government has to ensure ample water supply in Metro Manila and all major cities throughout the coming weeks.

“Logic says people can’t wash hands and do basic cleaning if the taps go dry,” says Peter.

Lastly, Peter also wants bus companies to be required to disinfect their buses after each stop at end terminals to prevent potential infection.

Even the Philippine Gaming and Amusement Corporation, whose income is derived from gaming licenses and regulation, is doing its share to prevent possible spread of the virus by suspending all gaming operations.

According to a statement it released, suspension of gaming will apply to all land-based casinos, both Pagcor-owned and operated as well as licensed and integrated resort-casinos, electronic games, sports betting, poker and slot machines.

Pagcor’s announcement is on top of the P2 billion it had earlier pledged to the Department of Health for use in fighting coronavirus.

Those are the things which should be the subject of discussion even in the social media and not mere criticisms on the government’s action or inaction or even delayed action. This is now the situation at hand. We have to talk on what is to be done and not what should have been done, which we aren’t sure, could have been effective if employed.

If they cannot contribute something helpful and useful, they better just shut up. Their rhetoric cannot help defeat the virus.

dose of nonchalance?

Shudder at the thought.

Now our government has taken draconian measures, most of which are not even properly communicated to people.

I recall to mind a 1967 movie, Cool Hand Luke, starring Paul Newman, where the most memorable line was “What we have here is a failure to communicate…”

Friday morning, after the President’s television announcement, the subsequent explanations were several “failures to communicate” the impact of the NCR “lockdown.” With several conflicting statements, more confusing interpretations from the President’s subordinates. And the perhaps more convincing because more communications-savvy people were in quarantine.

Oh my God! Still and all, I go back to my original question when we were under-reporting three afflicted. What about the poor?

The patients reported after three became five and then 11, were mostly rich or upper

middle class, who went to private hospitals, and were diagnosed positive for the virus.

What about the poor?

Now worry about the impact on the seminal lives of our poor working class and those eking out livelihood in our underground economy. Of workers being stopped in checkpoints after returning from home in Gen. Mariano Alvarez in Cavite or San Jose del Monte in Bulacan, to report for work in small business concerns where they have no employment IDs? On Saturday, the Metro Manila Council under the auspices of the MMDA announced a curfew from 8 in the evening to 5 the following morning. Whaaat?

Martial law had a curfew from midnight till dawn. Is this another “failure to communicate” or a failure to think properly?

Please, please, think about the poor when you craft implementing guidelines for an otherwise necessary draconian policy.

Political leadership, active citizenship.

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mst.daydesk@gmail.com

0.40 respectively.

The survey also measured “Regulatory Enforcement” defined as “the extent to which regulations are fairly and effectively implemented and enforced. Regulations, both legal and EFFECTIVE rule of law is the foun- administrative, structure behaviors dation for development, peace and within and outside of the governstability. In these times of global ment.” Score in this category fell crisis threatening the health of the 3 points to 0.48 compared to 0.51 world’s population, how well our scores in 2017 and 2018. Like the government enforces emergency other categories, the Philippines in measures to arrest the spread of the the lower middle range ranked at COVID-19 virus will determine the 10th out of 15 in the region. severity of disruption and casualty in These scores rather approximate the country. the current convolution of political, According to 2020 data from regulatory, and governance probthe World Justice Project (WJP) lems. Global perception directly afRule of Law Index, an indepen- fects our competitiveness for muchdent study surneeded foreign veying 130,000 investments households that will create and 4,000 legal long term and Here’s how we fared practitioners expanding ecoand experts in nomic oppor128 countries, tunities for our the Philippines’ people. average annual As defined by percentage deteriorated in the last the WJP, the rule of law is a durable five years, dropping to 91st rank system of laws, institutions, norms, out of 128th in the overall score and community commitment that for “rule of law.” In the region, the delivers the universal principles of country ranks 13th out of 15. accountability, just laws, open govThe WJP Rule of Law Index mea- ernment, and the accessible and imsures how the rule of law is experi- partial resolution of disputes. enced and perceived by the general “Effective rule of law reduces public worldwide across the eight corruption, combats poverty and primary factors: Constraint on Gov- disease, and protects people from ernment Powers, Absence of Cor- injustices large and small. It is the ruption, Open Government, Funda- foundation for communities of jusmental Rights, Order and Security, tice, opportunity, and peace—unRegulatory Enforcement, Civil Jus- derpinning development, accounttice, and Criminal Justice. able government, and respect for The survey’s category on “con- fundamental rights.” straints on government powers” sufHowever, the state sponsored quo fered the biggest with a ranking of warranto case thrown against ABS 75th scoring 0.50 from 0.61 in 2015 CBN and the intentional congressioout of a perfect 1.0 score factor. The nal impasse on the pending bills to Philippines average annual percent- renew the network’s franchise preage score in this category was among ceded by a series of attacks against countries with the biggest declines Manila Water and Maynilad, two since 2015 deteriorating to -4.9 per- of the most successful and highly cent. regulated listed enterprises wherein WJP defines this category as, “the the livelihood of tens of thousands extent to which those who govern of families are at stake, have sent are bound by law. It comprises the alarming signals that have damaged means, both constitutional and in- the country’s credibility. stitutional, by which the powers of Add to this, the President’s abrothe government and its officials and gation of the Visiting Forces Agreeagents are limited and held account- ment and threat to cut the country’s able under the law. It also includes alliance with our most powerful and non-governmental checks on the only military ally defies logic. No government’s power, such as a free less than the Philippine Senate has and independent press.” Quite rel- challenged this in the Supreme court evant to the current observations of and I sincerely hope their position political analysts of the administra- will prevail. tion’s penchant to weaponize the rule The debatable allegations, and of law to achieve political and non- vindictive motivations punctuated political objectives. by ugly, unstatesmanlike tirades are The Philippines’ scores for “Ab- unmistakable indicators of an unstasence of Corruption” from 2015 also ble regulatory environment that will declined, with 2020 down to 0.46 scare away the quality investor that from 0.49 in 2015. Regionally, this our economy needs. pegs the country in the lower half Now that we are scrambling to arat 11th out of 15 and a global rank rest the spread of a global pandemic, of 63rd out of 128. The sub-factor we have no choice but to cope with category score on whether “gov- the disruptive effects of this pestiernment officials in the executive lence. Our lives will have to adapt branch do not use public office for to the travel bans, social distancing private gain” are in the lower middle and other measures that the authorilevels at 0.48, which is below the re- ties will be implementing. Please gional averages of 0.60. Scores for don’t make things worse by hoarding police and military fared better at and spreading false information. Be 0.60 while the legislative and judi- practical, stay calm, practice good cial branches were lowest at 0.41 and hygiene, and pray.

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of skeletal work forces by government agencies. Law enforcement agencies, including the AFP and the PNP, as well as health and emergency front line services shall continue in full operation.

Fifth, flexible work arrangements shall likewise be encouraged in the private sector, in accordance with approved guidelines.

All manufacturing, retail and service establishments shall remain in operation during the same period, provided that strict social distancing measures are observed.

Sixth, mass public transports, such as the Light Rail Transits, the Metro Rail Transits, and the Philippine National Railway shall continue in operation, following guidelines intended to ensure social distancing.

Seventh, land, domestic air, and domestic sea travel to and from Metro Manila shall be suspended until April 14, 2020.

In addition, LGUs outside of the National Capital Region are advised to exercise sound discretion in suspending classes in their respective localities.

The President likewise approved that

Balik-Manggagawa Overseas Filipino Workers may be allowed to travel to mainland China, except to Hubei Province, upon their execution of a declaration signifying their knowledge and understanding of the risks involved in their travel. A health advisory pamphlet shall similarly be handed to them upon their departure.

Finally, entry travel restrictions shall be imposed upon those traveling from countries with localized COVID-19 transmissions, except for Filipino citizens including their foreign spouse and children, if any, holders of permanent resident visa, and holders of diplomatic visas issued by the Philippine Government.

To be clear, and to allay the fears and apprehension of the public, the government is essentially calling for a stricter implementation of preventive measures in order to slow down and put a halt to the further spread of COVID-19.

While the Duterte Administration remains resolute in combating this disease, the Palace asks affected entities and individuals for their cooperation in properly observing the foregoing adopted measures.”

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News

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

SOCIAL DISTANCING. LRT Lines 1 and 2 as well as MRT-3 run on a reduced capacity of 25 percent as part of social distancing measures aimed at preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus. DOTr Facebook Page

Congress goes into break on a high note Solon backs immunization measure, wants open PCV bid A HOUSE leader has backed the passage of a bill providing for the mandatory immunization program for vaccine-preventable diseases.

Bagong Henerasyon party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy also called on the Department of Health to implement an open and competitive bidding process for pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs).

“Among these preventable diseases, pneumonia is one of the most dreaded, as it severely and adversely affects children and those of advanced age. It is among the top killer diseases in the country,” Herrera-Dy said.

In relation to the mandatory immunization program, Herrera said the PCV bidding should be open to all suppliers in the market today, especially in the light of the most recent studies of global health experts like the World Health Organization declaring the two PCVs in the market as comparable in performance.

Last year, the WHO released a position paper declaring PCV 10 and PCV 13 as equally effective in preventing overall pneumococcal diseases in children.

Following this announcement, the Department of Health requested the new Health Technology Assessment Council – which is mandated by the Universal Health Care Law to review existing health programs and benefits of the DOH and PhilHealth – to assess the Pneumococcal Vaccination Program in light of scientific evidence and the significant budget impact of this particular vaccine.

The DOH said it will push through with the PCV tender only after the HTAC completes its assessment.

“The procurement of the pneumonia vaccines alone for this year will cost around P4.9 billion, almost three times the amount of the Dengvaxia procurement. For this reason alone, we must be vigilant and make sure that the DOH will not favor a single supplier or a single type of pneumonia vaccine,” the Deputy Majority Leader said.

“I implore the DOH to complete its assessment of the viability all types of pneumonia vaccines and conduct an open and competitive bidding. We should not allow another monopoly to be put in place, especially for something as important as the pneumonia vaccines for children. We must ensure the safety and quality of our vaccines.”

“An open and competitive bid will allow the DOH to choose the best supplier that will not only provide vaccine protection but will also give the government substantial savings that can be used to provide a wider vaccine coverage or to fund other vaccine-related projects,” Herrera-Dy added.

By Rio N. Araja

C

ONGRESS has passed 179 measures on third and final reading, of which seven were signed into law, since June last year.

The House of Representatives went on its Lenten break last week on the back of an unprecedented public satisfaction rating of 63 percent in the latest Social Weather Stations survey.

“Not only did our leader, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, get the highest increase among government officials, the House of Representatives has finally regained the public’s trust and now ranks as one of the most satisfactory government institutions,” Majority Leader and Leyte Rep.

Martin Romualdez said.

“What warms our hearts is the fact that all this hard work did not go unnoticed by our people. For the first time ever, a huge majority of our constituents gave a big thumbs up to the work performed by the House of Representatives,” he added.

The lawmakers will resume session on May 4.

“As we go on our regular break, let me commend my colleagues in the 18th Congress for a job well done.

We could not have performed such

an unprecedented feat without the help of each and every member of the House of Representatives,” the Leyte legislator said.

Romualdez is the president of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats party and Philippine Constitution Assembly.

“The work ethic of this Congress is truly admirable. Under the leadership of Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, your representatives performed beyond the call of duty to help President Rodrigo Duterte fulfill his promise to our people,” he said.

“We are notch away from ‘A’ territory rating after a vote of confidence by Standard & Poor’s (S&P) upgrading the country’s credit rating from ‘BBB’ to ‘BBB+’ with a stable outlook because of the robust economic growth,” he said.

DECONTAMINATION. Policemen disinfect mobile cars entering the Manila Police District compound along U.N. Avenue in Manila as the capital was placed on a lockdown yesterday to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Norman Cruz

Virus-hit UN faces major disruptions AT THE normally busy headquarters of the United Nations in New York, life is suddenly moving at slow speed —very slow speed.

This temple of multilateralism, with its daily meetings both large and small on world conflicts and almost every other subject, is reeling from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, with sweeping disruptions to work that depends heavily on diplomats seeking consensus through human contact.

“Everything gets a bit more complicated,” one diplomat said. Like a majority of the secretariat’s 3,000 New York-based employees and the hundreds of their colleagues working in the missions of the 193 member states, he has been forced to work from home.

The first report of the virus in the UN community came Thursday, with a Philippine diplomat testing positive for

COVID-19, prompting the closing of that country’s mission.

A day later, the headquarters of the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), a short distance from the UN building, was abruptly closed after three employees developed flu-like symptoms – even though there has been no confirmation of coronavirus.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres canceled a trip Friday to Africa and required all non-essential employees to telework until April 12.

In a letter to all UN employees obtained by AFP, he stressed the need for all to remain “calm and resolute.”

“The United Nations is facing one of the biggest challenges in our history,” he wrote, adding that the virus was having “a major impact on us and our work.”

The UN Secretariat oversees roughly 100,000 blue-helmeted troops taking part

in 15 regional peace-keeping operations, and provides daily aid and assistance to millions of people around the world.

‘Technological failure’ The Security Council—with its mission as guarantor of global peace and security—has been seriously affected.

Following a decision by China, which holds the council’s rotating presidency this month, delegations may include no more than three people, and closeddoor consultations are being held in the council’s vast meeting hall to allow greater space between diplomats.

In the coming week, several planned sessions have been canceled, though a meeting on Darfur remains on the schedule—as does a meeting on multilateralism.

A recent attempt to conduct a meeting of the 15-member Security Council by teleconference turned out disastrously.

DOTr rolls out safety protocols to stem outbreak

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Department of Transportation has issued guidelines on the community quarantine and social distancing measures after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered to place the National Capital Region under community quarantine to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

“We all have to bear the burden, carry personal inconveniences and sacrifices for the common good and our nation’s interest. These protocols are temporary.

The deeper we cooperate and unselfishly carry our share, the faster we shall overcome,” Transportation Sec. Arthur Tugade said.

During the quarantine period, the aviation sector has announced that there will be no general aviation flights within Metro Manila. As such, flights will be diverted to Sangley Airport in Cavite or to the Clark International Airport in Pampanga.

For international flights, there will be special airport-to-airport trips arranged by the airlines in coordination with airport authorities.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines will also encourage local airlines to operate sweeper flight/s out of Manila and into other airports.

The rail sector, meanwhile, announced that trains will be loaded at reduced capacity to minimize the concentration of passengers per train.

Train station personnel will also regulate the entry of passengers into stations, and will implement measures for orderly and distanced queuing both inside and outside stations.

A passenger showing COVID-19 symptoms or having a body temperature of 38 degrees centigrade and above will be refused entry to the stations and trains, pursuant to the guidelines imposed by the Department of Health.

The women’s and senior citizens section of train cars will be further separated, designating a subsection for senior citizens.

Philippine National Railways operations from Alabang to Calamba and vice versa will be suspended during the community quarantine period.

Point-to-Point (P2P) buses from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Clark International Airport and Sangley Airport will be allowed to operate as scheduled.

For the maritime sector, crew members of cargo vessels originating from COVID-19 affected ports will be subjected to stringent quarantine procedures and will not be allowed to disembark.

Passenger traffic in all ports going in and out of Metro Manila will be suspended during the period of community quarantine. However, ferry services within NCR will continue its operations provided that it will follow the 50 percent reduced capacity as prescribed by the Maritime Industry Authority.

Sports

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MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

NBA, NHL athletes step up to pledge assistance for idled workers

French clubs torn between avoiding virus risk, or staying in tip-top shape PARIS—With the league shut down “until further notice” by coronavirus, football in France is agonizing over whether keeping players in training will preserve their fitness or endanger their health.

“For us footballers, it’s a new situation,” said Dijon defender Fouad Chafik. “We’re going to training, not knowing when we’re going to play again. That’s what’s a bit destabilising.”

Still free to organise training, some clubs have opted for continuity, with a few modifications, while others are scrapping their usual training routine.

Nice have chosen to continue training, though reduced to three sessions a week and with some adjustments.

The idea will be “to try to avoid contact on the pitch” and do “maybe a little more running”, said coach Patrick Vieira.

Christian Gourcuff has no plans to change his system at Nantes, saying the coming weeks will serve as a “mini pre-season”.

Gourcuff added that training might be less risky than the alternatives.

He said there was no question of “leaving the players in the wilderness for eight days” with the risk “that they go out and get contaminated”.

Several clubs, such as Reims and Dijon, have suspended training until Wednesday, the day after a UEFA meeting on the pandemic.

Monaco have also cancelled training but are wavering between concern for fitness and worry over health risks.

While he would have preferred to “train hard in order to be physically ready as soon as the championship resumes”, Monaco vice-president Oleg Petrov says there is also “the club’s responsibility towards the players. I have to find the right balance”.

Other French clubs have opted to give players a week’s rest.

“Training once or twice doesn’t do much good, you might as well cut back a little,” said Strasbourg coach Thierry Laurey. “The players haven’t had much time off since last summer.”

Players will be able to use the club facilities but “we don’t want 20 people at once in the weight room. There will be set times,” Laurey said.

In Angers, all training sessions for next week have been cancelled. But there will be no holidays for the players, who work at home. “(Each player) will have a personalised individual training programme,” said coach Stephane Moulin.

“They will come and get their GPS here. So that we can see what they have done and whether, in terms of quality, they are doing it well.”

Clubs are struggling to find a balance between two options they do not like.

“We know that when training stops, as is the case during the offseason, it takes players between four and six weeks to get the machine up and running again,” said Metz president Bernard Serin on Saturday.

“On the other hand, we shouldn’t overlook the fact that each training session involves around 40 people.

So we’re going to think about it over the weekend.”AFP

Japanese government officials and the IOC have insisted Olympic preparations are on track and there will be no postponement or cancellation.

Abe pledges Olympics to go ahead despite virus havoc

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OKYO—Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Saturday resisted pressure for changes to the Tokyo Olympics schedule even as sporting events worldwide fall victim to the coronavirus pandemic.

Abe pledged Japan would host the Games as planned in July and said he had no immediate intention to declare a state of emergency over the virus outbreak, which has now seen more than 140,000 people infected across the globe and over 5,400 killed.

His comments come two days after US President Donald Trump suggested the Japanese capital postpone the Games for a year as the spread of the virus wreaks havoc on the sporting calendar.

“We will respond by closely coordinating with officials concerned, including the IOC (International Olympic Committee). There is no change in this,” Abe told a news conference.

“We want to hold the Olympics as planned without any trouble by over-

coming the spread of infections,” he said.

Organizers, Japanese government officials and the IOC have insisted preparations are on track and there will be no postponement or cancellation.

England’s football Premier League, America’s NBA basketball season and the Augusta Masters golf major are just some of the competitions suspended because of the pandemic.

On Friday, Abe and Trump spoke on the phone about the outbreak and Olympics after Trump proposed a delay.

“We agreed that Japan and the US will cooperate and closely coordinate for success in the Olympics,” Abe said, adding they had not discussed any postponement.

The Japanese parliament on Friday approved legislation that gives Abe the power to declare a state of emergency to combat COVID-19 but Abe insisted such a declaration was not yet necessary.

The coronavirus has infected more than 700 people across Japan and been linked to 21 deaths. Separately, 700 people on board a cruise ship that docked near Tokyo last month were also infected.

A state of emergency would allow local governments to require that people stay indoors, schools close and public facilities limit use.

Land and buildings could be requisitioned for makeshift hospitals.

IOC chief Thomas Bach told German television broadcaster ARD on Thursday that the body would follow recommendations by the World Health Organization but that work continued for a successful Games.

He acknowledged however that cancellations of Olympic qualifiers are starting to pose “serious problems.” AFP

LOS ANGELES—NBA players Giannis Antetokounmpo and Zion Williamson are among a growing list of athletes and teams pledging to provide financial assistance to stadium workers who will suffer wage losses due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Reigning NBA MVP Antetokounmpo announced he would give $100,000 to workers at the Milwaukee Bucks Fiserv Forum and Williamson has promised to cover the salaries of all employees at the Smoothie King Center for the next month.

“My mother has always set an example for me about being respectful for others and being grateful for what we have, and so today I am pledging to cover the salaries for all of those Smoothie King Center workers for the next 30 days,” Williamson said.

The hourly wage workers will take a big hit from the shut-down of the NBA and NHL, along with cancellations of concerts as public health officials caution that large gatherings can hasten the spread of COVID-19.

“It’s bigger than basketball!” Antetokounmpo tweeted. “And during this tough time I want to help the people that make my life, my family’s lives and my teammates lives easier.

“Me and my family pledge to donate $100,000 to the Fiserv Forum staff. We can get through this together!”

The 19-year-old Williamson’s salary pledge coincides with the NBA’s planned regular season hiatus in response to the outbreak.

“Many of them are still recovering from long-term challenges created by (Hurricane) Katrina, and now face the economic impact of the postponement of games because of the virus,” Williamson said.

Friday’s moves come a day after Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love committed $100,000 to the team’s arena workers and support staff. Love is expected to get some help from the team.

“I hope that during this time of crisis, others will join me in supporting our communities,” Love said, adding that moral support was just as important as financial in such a time of tension.

The Golden State Warriors announced that their owners and players are donating $1 million to a disaster-relief fund that will aid the more than 1,000 parttime Chase Center workers. AFP

Cocolife Tigers staying fit during NCR quarantine

MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE WINNER. Lancaster Uy (middle) receives a certificate of

his 8-day, 7-night Royal Caribbean Mediterranean cruise--one of the grand prizes of the recent Southwoods Invitational--from Baron Travel vice president Wally Cervantes and Manila Southwoods chairman Bob Sobrepena during the prize and awards presentation of the tournament.

MAHARLIKA Pilipinas Basketball League Lakan Season South Division finalists, the Davao Occidental Cocolife Tigers, are making sure the team is prepared to go back to action when the situation normalizes and the monthlong community quarantine in the National Capital Region period is over.

“Our Tigers are ready and determined to retain our southern supremacy and grab a ticket to the national championship, but we must contain first our rival Basilan Steels in a rubber-match Game 3 in our homecourt in Davao City once the MPBL management announces the resumption of the games,” Davao Cocolife deputy team manager Ray Alao said.

The Tigers’ team, owned by Dumper Party List Rep. Claudine Bautista of Davao Occidental and backed by Cocolife President Atty. Jose Martin Loon,

FVP Joseph Ronquillo, AVP Rowena Asnan and SVP Franz Joie Araque, tied their finals’ series, 1-1, after beating the Jumbo Plastics, 81-76, in the jampacked Lamitan City Gym in Basilan a night before Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte declared a Metro Manilawide community quarantine, prompting big local sporting events, including MPBL management, to follow suit.

So far, the Tigers are undergoing physical conditioning in their backyard to stay fit as they wait instructions from management and coaching staff to resume team practices, in preparation for their biggest crucial game against the Steels.

In the North Division, defending national champion San Juan Knights and Makati Super Crunch, also tied at 1-1, resume their winner-take-all match upon the greenlight of the MPBL.

Boston Marathon postponed from April 20 to Sept. 14 WASHINGTON—The 124th Boston Marathon, scheduled for April 20, has been postponed to September 14 due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, the Boston Athletic Association announced on Friday.

The historic race, first contested in 1897, is the world’s oldest annual marathon and typically takes place on the Patriots Day holiday celebrated in Boston and the entire state of Massachusetts.

After Massachusetts governor Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, Boston Mayor Martin Walsh decided the race could not proceed as scheduled in April and the BAA said in a state-

ment it “understands the city’s decision.”

“On matters of public health and safety we take our guidance from the officials entrusted with protecting the public in this area,” said association chief executive Tom Grilk.

“We understand our role, along with our partners, in ensuring a safe environment for all participants, volunteers, spectators, and supporters that meets the standards set by those officials.”

BAA officials have worked with municipal leaders across eight cities and towns where the course for the 26.2-mile event takes place to coordinate plans for September 14 as a new date.

“The BAA’s mission of promoting health through sports, especially running, has guided our organization for more than a century,” Grilk said. “In collaboration with our many partners, we look forward to welcoming the world to Boston in September.”

The delay means it will be an extra five months before Kenya’s Lawrence Cherono will have a chance to defend his 2019 men’s crown and Worknesh Degefa of Ethiopia could bid for a repeat in the women’s race.

Cherono probably will have to choose between marathon titles to defend because he also won last year’s Chicago Marathon and that race is scheduled for October 11. AFP

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker speaks at a press conference announcing the postponement of the Boston Marathon to Sept. 15 in Boston, Massachusetts. The postponement is due to concerns over the possible spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). AFP

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor sports@thestandard.com.ph; sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

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MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020

US horse races held behind closed doors LOS ANGELES, United States—Leading trainer Bob Baffert said Saturday (Sunday Philippine time) that May’s 146th Kentucky Derby could be postponed as racing went behind closed doors at California’s Santa Anita track for the first time since it opened in 1934 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Officials at Churchill Downs revealed Saturday (Sunday Philippine time) that they were considering the “timing” of the showpiece and Baffert – who has saddled five winners in the “Run for the Roses” – said that the first leg of US racing’s Triple Crown could be pushed back from May 2 to later in the year.

“Churchill Downs is saying they’re not going to run the Derby without the people there, so I’m hearing may be June or in September,” Baffert said after saddling Charlatan to a big win in an allowance race at a deserted Santa Anita.

Only accredited media, owners, trainers, jockeys, grooms and a limited number of track employees were allowed in.

Major professional sport in the United States has been brought to almost a complete standstill by the coronavirus pandemic, with the NBA, NHL and MLS suspending play and Major League Baseball pushing back the scheduled start of their season by “at least two weeks” while suspending pre-season games.

The US PGA Tour season has also been suspended but Baffert said it was the postponement of the season’s first golf major, the US Masters at Augusta National next month, that had really caught his attention.

“Whenever they cancel the Masters, that’s like the Derby,” he said. “I’ve never seen anything like this, it’s kind of scary. Hopefully they can get everything under control.”

In a statement posted on its website, Churchill Downs indicated it was considering its options for the Kentucky Derby.

Derby”We recognize that the impact of this iconic event extends well beyond the historic racetrack of Churchill Downs,” the statement said.

“The Kentucky Derby is a cherished and important time for the City of Louisville and the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

“We are mindfully aware of our fans who travel from great distances to join us as well as our valued employees whose most intense preparations to host a world-class event begin now. AFP

Salcedo rules Rising Phoenix International Chess tourney PHILIPPINE Air Force chess team mainstay International Master (IM) Richelieu Salcedo III, the pride of Salay, Misamis Oriental reinforced his position as one of the Philippines’ top blitz chess players when he ruled the first leg of the Rising Phoenix International Chess Championship 2020 at the famous chess website: “www.lichess.org” last weekend.

Filipino International Master Joel “Cholo” Banawa, Owner/Managing Director at Rising Phoenix Chess Academy announced the result.

Untitled Kevin Arquero of the Philippine Army chess team came second while American Fide Master (FM) Steven Breckenridge settled for third place.

Silang, Cavite whiz kid Juncin Estrella won the top kiddies plum while Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna of Legaspi City, Albay took the top lady award.

Banawa said the next qualifying event will be on March 21.

“This emerging new trend: online chess tournaments has become the safest way to organize, join and participate in high caliber chess tournament without the risk of exposing one’s self to the deadly COVID-19 more popularly known as the Corona Virus 2019,” said IM Banawa.

The time control is three minutes “blitz chess” no increment or delay, play to finish via lichess.org. No berserk option and the duration is 90 minutes using the Arena tournament format.

Registration is free. Other qualifier dates are March 28, April 4, 11, 18, 25 and May 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30.

The grand finals is set on June 6, 2020. The grand final winner will win a total of P15,000 while second and third placers will pocket P7,500 and P3,100 respectively.

Sports THE SHOW MUST GO ON. Jockeys ride their horses during the Gold Cup race on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival horse racing meeting at Cheltenham Racecourse in Gloucestershire, south-west England. While US horse races were held behind closed doors English racing’s showpiece event went ahead as scheduled. AFP

UAAP cancels all Season 82 activities

By Peter Atencio

O

NGOING scheduled events of the 82nd University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) have been cancelled.

Organizers said this after the National Capital Region was placed under Public Health Emergency and put on community quarantine due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“The situation continues to rapidly evolve. This reminds us that we are all part of a broader society, and this is not just a sporting issue, but a public health issue with global implications,” said UAAP executive director Rene Saguisag Jr. in a joint statement with league president Em Fernandez.

Saguisag said the league is complying with government advisories which seek the public to observe so-

cial distancing measures which are being implemented from March 15 to April 14, 2020.

The measures undertaken by the government prohibits mass gatherings such as “sporting events and other entertainment activities”.

Classes at all levels have also been suspended until April 14, 2020.

The collegiate tournaments will only resume if the government declares it is safe to resume classes on April 15, 2020 and does not prohibit mass gatherings.

Collegiate events that have stopped are the women’s and men’s volleyball

tournaments and the men’s football tournament.

Currently, National University sits atop the women’s volleyball standings with a 2-0 slate. De La Salle University sits at second with a 1-0 record. University of Santo Tomas, Ateneo de Manila University, Far Eastern University, and University of the Philippines are 1-1.

Adamson is 0-1, while University of the East is 0-2.

For the men’s side, NU and FEU are on top with 2-0 records. UP, Ateneo, and UE are 1-1. La Salle and Adamson are 0-1, while UST is at 0-2.

In Men’s Football, Ateneo, FEU, La Salle, and UP are on top of the table with four points each. UE and UST hold three points while Adamson and NU have yet to notch a point.

Yet to begin are the women’s football tournament, baseball, softball, athletics, lawn tennis, and 3x3 basketball.

‘Stranded’ athletes stay at Philsports DESPITE the full closure of its facilities, the Philippine Sports Commission shall continue to serve and be available to the national athletes.

Chairman William I. Ramirez personally instructed the agency’s officials to ensure the unhampered delivery of basic services to the national athletes still at the Philsports Complex in Pasig City.

“These are extraordinary times which call for extraordinary commitment and service from all of us,” explained Ramirez as he ordered continuous assistance to the remaining athletes and coaches billeted at the agency’s complex.

In previous announcements, the agency locked down its two major facilities located in Manila City (Rizal Memorial Sports Complex) and Pasig City (Philsports Complex).

All athletes billeted in the said facilities were asked to go home. The remaining athletes who were unable to do so, have been accommodated at the Philsports dormitory. They will be provided with food, recreation facilities and medical monitoring.

Dormitory Manager, Roselle Destura explained that some of the athletes needed to stay as they were unable to get tickets since its all sold out for their destination. There are 28 athletes, four Filipino coaches and two Korean coaches – from fencing, boxing, athletics, and six para-sports – being assisted at Philsports.

Acting Executive Director Merlita Ibay supervised the sanitation activities in both venues, as well as making sure that athletes who need assistance to go home like booking and buying their trip tickets are properly helped.

PH Rugby postpones all events

In this file photo NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks to the media during a press conference at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. AFP

NBA’s next steps hinge on US results in virus fight WASHINGTON, United States—America’s level of success at overcoming coronavirus and how fast that happens are likely the key factors in deciding when and how the NBA and other sports leagues return.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver imposed an indefinite hiatus on the league season on Wednesday after Utah’s Rudy Gobert tested positive for coronavirus, with every other major North American sports organization following quickly.

“We intend to resume the season if and when it becomes safe for all concerned,” Silver said, who predicted the shutdown would last “at least 30 days.”

“In the meantime, we will continue to coordinate with infectious disease and public health experts along with government officials to determine safe protocols for resuming our games.”

The hiatus will last to at least April 10,

eight days before the scheduled start of the NBA playoffs, but Silver and team owners could extend it, delaying resumption of the campaign into June or later.

“Even if we’re out for a month, even if we’re out for six weeks, we can still restart the season,” Silver said. “It might mean that the finals take place in July or late July.”

Other leagues might continue to take their lead from the NBA, the first league with a player testing positive.

“We also recognize that because of how high-profile our players are, others in the public will take their lead from us,” Silver said.

Silver also admitted it’s possible the season will remain unfinished.

“Of course it’s possible,” Silver said. “I just don’t know more at this point.”

That option would cost the NBA hun-

dreds of millions of dollars in broadcast income from missed playoff games, cutting salary revenue for the 2020-21 season.

“I think every player wants to finish the season,” Los Angeles Lakers forward Jared Dudley told Arizona’s KMVP radio.

“What I do know... it’s on the table that the owners want to finish the regular season and (playoffs)... I got confirmation that they have no problem going late into the summer to finish it up.”

The Chinese Basketball Association shut down in late January, but ESPN reported American players in the CBA have been told to return for games to resume in early April.

That timeline of about nine weeks, if duplicated in the NBA’s situation, would see a mid-May resumption, about a month after the originally planned start of the NBA playoffs. AFP

ALL rugby competitions and activities have been postponed until April 18.

The Philippine Rugby Football Union is doing this in consideration of the current situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The PRFU recognizes the importance of ensuring the health and safety of the entire rugby community, particularly our players, teams, officials, staff, families, and spectators.

In turn, the PRFU have decided to ensure the spread of the virus is contained at any cost,” said PRFU head of administration Lorena Baclagon in a statement.

Among the competitions that have directly been affected include the 2020 JML Luzon Cup, the PRFU Premiership Shield and the Santos Knight Frank Junior Festivals.

Baclogan added that all regional events sanctioned by the PRFU outside Luzon will be contacted by the PRFU directly.

“Philippine Rugby will continue to assess the effects and spread of the COVID-19 on a regular basis,” added Baclagon. Peter Atencio

Business

STOCK MARKET TO REMAIN VOLATILE

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Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020

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Bangko Sentral ready to deploy monetary tools

By Julito G. Rada

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ANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said over the weekend the bank is ready to deploy the necessary measures to shield the economy and the financial markets from the impact of coronavirus disease 2019.

“The Monetary Board is ready to deploy any or all its policy tools, as appropriate, to address all challenges to our own financial markets and growth prospects,” Diokno said in a statement.

He said as the coronavirus breakout was a public health crisis—not an economic crisis— the focus should be on how to delay the spread of the disease.

“Meanwhile, the irrational behavior of consumers [hoarding of masks, panic buying], investors [sharp fall of stock markets all over the world], and some banks [unusually heavy cash withdrawal from BSP] is based on fear not fact,” he said.

“But what is needed at these trying times is evidence-based, clear thinking,” Diokno said.

He said for all supervised financial institutions, the Monetary Board approved the grant of temporary and rediscounting relief measures.

“No doubt, the COVID-19 has potential impact on the operations of BSFIs in terms of risks related to borrowers and/or businesses severely disrupted by the Coronavirus breakout as well as disruption in operation due to measures put in place to control the spread of virus,” he said.

“But there is no reason to believe that the COVID-19 crisis could severely cut the Philippine growth momentum. The truth is that the economic fundamentals are on our side. Even under the worst possible scenario, the Philippines can still grow this year and in the medium term by about 6 percent,” he said.

He said country had both ample fiscal and

monetary space and its debt to GDP ratio was low and falling, while inflation rate was muted and within target range.

Diokno said the peso remained steady, supported by hefty gross international reserves.

The country has a reliable and sustainable source of foreign exchange from overseas Filpino workers remittances, foreign direct investments, and receipts from business process outsourcing, he said.

He said the banking industry is sound and adequately capitalized.

“The economy is robust enough to withstand the COVID-19 public health crisis,” Diokno said.

Diokno said earlier the Monetary Board might consider having bigger interest rate cuts this year to contain the impact to economic growth of COVID-19. Diokno committed to a 50-basis-point cut in interest rates in 2020, but he said further cuts were possible.

The Bangko Sentral on Feb. 6 reduced the policy rate by 25 bps to 3.75 percent amid the benign inflation environment. Another 25 bps cut is expected in the succeeding meetings.

The board is set to conduct its next policy meeting on March 19.

The government set a growth target of 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent this year, faster than the 5.9-percent expansion last year. The National Economic and Development Authority last week said it was expecting a slower growth of 5.5 percent to 6.5 percent growth this year, taking into account the huge impact of COVID-19 on the tourism industry, which is one of the pillars of the economy.

PAGCOR suspends all gaming, casino operations for one month

By Julito G. Rada

PRICE STABILITY. The Department of Trade and Industry convenes the manufacturers of basic necessities and prime commodities and alcohol and other disinfectants in a meeting following the surge in demand for these products in light of the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak. The emergency meeting aims to ensure supply availability and price stability of consumer goods in the market. Attending the meeting are DTI officials and representatives from manufacturing companies in the country.

MPIC withdraws interest in MRT 3 deal

By Darwin G Amojelar METRO Pacific Investments Corp. is no longer interested in operating and rehabilitating the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 system.

“We are no longer interested,” MPIC chairman Manuel Pangilinan said, when asked if the company would pursue its unsolicited proposal to take over the MRT 3 system.

He said the company would also not participate if the government decided to bid out the operations and maintenance of the mass rail system.

The Transportation Department in September 2017 granted the original proponent status to MPIC which submitted an unsolicited bid for the rehabilitation and O&M of MRT 3.

The consortium of MPIC and Ayala Corp. submitted an unsolicited proposal to the Department of Transportation to upgrade and rehabilitate MRT 3 for P12.5 billion.

Transportation Undersecretary for planning and project development Ruben Reinoso earlier said MPIC was required to submit revised proposal for MRT 3, “but did not submit after long past deadline.”

The government earlier tapped Sumitomo Corp. to rehabilitate MRT 3 under an P18-billion loan agreement between the Philippines and Japan.

Under the deal, Sumitomo will be in charge of rehabilitation and maintenance of the system’s electromechanical components, power supply, rail tracks and depot equipment until 2022. It will also overhaul the system’s 72 18-year-old light rail vehicles.

The consortium is also looking at buying out the stake of the government and private investors in MRT 3.

The government through Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines own a combined 80-percent economic interest in MRT 3 while the balance is held by creditors of Metro Rail Transit Corp.

IN BRIEF DOE assures enough oil supply

THE Energy Department assured the public of continuous and sufficient oil supply in the National Capital Region during the 30-day community quarantine from March 15 to April 14 imposed by the government as part of efforts to contain the spread of the corona virus disease 2019.

“During this most challenging time, it is imperative to ensure the continued supply of fuel products, especially in areas under quarantine. Having sufficient petroleum supply is vital, making it a critical concern amid this crisis. The entire energy family is working 24/7 to make sure that energy services remain unimpeded,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said in a statement.

Based on the agency’s assessment of the country’s oil inventory as of Feb. 29, about 2.7 billion liters of crude and oil products were available equivalent to 45 days of fuel supply.

The department said this indicated that inventorywas well supplied for the one-month quarantine period in NCR. The 45-day fuel

STATE-RUN Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. said over the weekend it is suspending all casino and gaming operations effective immediately in line with the instruction of President Rodrigo Duterte to put Metro Manila under community quarantine to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease-2019.

It said in a statement the suspension would apply to land-based casinos, whether PAGCOR-owned and operated, all licensed and integrated resortcasinos, electronic game (eGames), bingo (traditional and electronic), sports betting, poker and slot machine clubs and other activities regulated by the agency.

It said the suspension would last for the duration of the National Capital Region community quarantine imposed by the government.

PAGCOR, however, said, in accordance with Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea’s directive, restaurants supply is above the minimum inventory requirement being observed by the oil industry.

Alena Mae S. Flores

Angkas suspends services in NCR

MOTORCYCLE taxi operator Angkas said it is temporarily suspending operations in compliance with the directive of the government to put Metro Manila under quarantine to contain the coronavirus disease 2019.

Angkas said the suspension of passenger services in Metro Manila started on March 15.

It said Angkas Padala would continue its delivery serves to serve those who are unable to travel or leave their homes or for emergency services.

“Safety continues to be our priority at Angkas, and we support the government’s steadfast efforts to keep everyone safe from COVID-19.

During this time, we encourage everyone to continue practicing proper hygiene and social distancing,” Angkas said.

Grab Philippines will only allow a maximum capacity of three passengers, excluding the driver in compliance with Department of Transportation’s directive, and to aid in the social distancing prescribed by Philippine health officials with regard to the public health situa-

and food outlets within the gaming areas could remain open and hotels where the casinos and gaming facilities are housed could continue to accommodate guests.

These hotels are discouraged from hosting large functions and events.

“PAGCOR believes in the seriousness of the COVID-19 situation. Hence, it supports the government’s extreme effort in containing the virus. For its part, the staterun gaming agency has decided to prohibit public gatherings in its gaming venues and in the licensed gaming properties that it regulates,” it said.

“This measure is intended to ensure the safety of both gaming employees and customers and eventually, the general public,” it said.

It said that with Philippine offshore gaming operations, only a minimum number of workers would be allowed in their workplaces. The rest of POGO workers would be restricted to their respective living quarters where they are to observe social distancing and quarantine protocols. tion on COVID-19. Darwin G. Amojelar

BSP confiscates fake banknotes

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said its intensified campaign against currency counterfeiting in 2019 resulted in the arrest of unscrupulous individuals involved in the illegal activity and confiscation of fake banknotes with value of P473,500.

It said in a statement seven anti-currency counterfeiting operations were conducted last year in the different parts of the country.

“For 2019, the rate of currency counterfeiting in the country is at 11.8 parts per million banknotes in circulation, lower than the 12.9 PPM registered in 2018,” it said.

“From 2015 to 2019, the BSP has arrested and filed criminal cases against 67 counterfeiters and confiscated various counterfeit currencies and several equipment and paraphernalia used for counterfeiting,” it said.

The BSP has the sole power and authority to issue currency in the Philippines under Republic Act No. 7653, as amended by RA No. 11211 or “An Act Amending Republic Act Number 7653, otherwise known as the “New Central Bank Act’ and for other Purposes.”

Julito G. Rada

B2

Business

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stock market to remain volatile T

By Jenniffer B. Austria

RADING at the Philippine Stock Exchange is expected to remain volatile this week as the government starts implementing a community lockdown in Metro Manila to control the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

The lockdown, which started Sunday midnight and would last until April 14, will limit travel in and out of Metro Manila.

Analysts said while the bloodbath in the stock market last week made many of Philippine stocks very attractive to bargain hunters, investors were still expected to remain on the sidelines as the virus continued to spread in many parts of the country.

This means the market could experience more bleeding in the coming trading sessions.

Volumes are also expected to remain

thin even as indicators show that the market is already deeply oversold.

Philstocks Financial Inc said the COVID-19 fears also continued to hammer other countries.

While the coronavirus outbreak has tapered in China, it is spreading in other countries. Italy reported more than 2,600 new cases, or a total of 15,113. In the US, confirmed cases rose to 1,642, with at least 21 states declaring states of emergency.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index last week plummeted 14.4 percent to

5,793.94, while the broader All Shares Index plunged 13.5 percent to 3,493.64.

All indices were in red with the mining and oil index registering the biggest decline at 24.7 percent, followed by property which slumped 18.98 percent and holding firms which shrank 14.2 percent.

The industrial index declined 12.8 percent, while financials and services dropped 11.3 percent and 10.7 percent, respectively.

Foreign investors were net sellers for the week by P3.7 billion while the average daily value traded stood at P7.79 billion.

The Phisix year-to-date is already down 25 percent.

Only 13 stocks posted week-on-week gains last week, including Philippine Racing Club Inc., which rose 12.2 percent to P8.96; Emperador Inc., which rose 11.3 percent to P9.01; and First Gen Corp., which climbed 8.4 percent to P15.90.

Weekly top price losers included Cebu Air Inc., which tumbled 32.3 percent to P48; Eagle Cement which fell 30.4 percent

to P7.10; and Robinsons Land Corp., which dipped declined 26 percent to P17.20.

Wall Street stocks, meanwhile, concluded a bruising week on a positive note Friday, rallying as President Donald Trump declared the coronavirus a national emergency and set the stage for more testing in the United States.

A late-afternoon surge enabled the Dow to finish almost 2,000 points higher, or 9.4 percent, at 23,185.62, nearly reversing the losses from Thursday, when the blue-chip index suffered its worst session since 1987.

The furious rally at the end showed volatility remains elevated in markets, a trend also apparent in Europe where major bourses gained but finished well below session highs as the World Health Organization targets Europe as the new epicenter of the pandemic.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the continent now had “more reported cases and deaths than the rest of the world combined, apart from China.” With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS WEEKLY STOCKS REVIEW STOCKS

MARCH 9-13, 2020 Close Volume

Value

Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI Bright Kindle Resources China Bank COL Financial Eastwest Bank Ferronoux Holding Filipino Fund Inc. First Abacus I-Remit Inc. Manulife Fin. Corp.

MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

PB Bank Phil Bank of Comm Phil. National Bank Phil. Savings Bank Philippine trust Co. PSE Inc. RCBC `A’ Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank Vantage Equities

48 127.00 68.00 0.76 20.95 17 8.9 3.25 6.11 0.5 1.03 700.00 0.310 45.2 0.58 10.6 17.00 24.35 43.95 103.2 148 18.2 126 1485.00 56.10 1.15

39,990 19,807,500 14,674,620 127,000 647,600 119,100 3,317,300 197,000 200 283,000 160,000 260 13,220,000 27,757,270 922,000 338,100 31,200 2,487,300 9,120 320 34,400 293,400 4,602,720 125 138,750 1,845,000

FINANCIAL 1,780,221.50 2,565,564,483.50 1,001,585,736.50 84,480.00 14,599,093.00 2,060,504.00 31,602,634.00 599,810.00 1,222.00 143,640.00 160,630.00 192,395.00 5,092,200.00 1,293,949,601.00 575,170.00 2,977,793.00 570,510.00 60,451,965.00 416,678.50 33,060.00 5,191,169.00 5,460,628.00 604,189,607.00 197,000.00 7,697,192.00 2,008,210.00

Aboitiz Power Corp.

AC Energy Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons.

Axelum Basic Energy Corp.

Bogo Medelin C. Azuc De Tarlac Cemex Holdings Century Food Chemphil Cirtek Holdings (Chips) Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ Conc. Aggr. ‘B’ Concepcion Crown Asia Da Vinci Capital Del Monte DNL Industries Inc. Eagle Cement EEI Emperador Euro-Med Lab First Gen Corp.

First Holdings ‘A’ Fruitas Holdings Ginebra San Miguel Inc. Greenergy Holcim Philippines Inc. Integ. Micro-Electronics Ionics Inc Jollibee Foods Corp.

Liberty Flour LMG Chemicals Mabuhay Vinyl Macay Holdings Manila Water Co. Inc. Maxs Group Megawide MG Holdings Mla. Elect. Co `A’ Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp.

Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

Petroenergy Res. Corp.

Petron Corporation Phinma Corporation Phinma Energy Phoenix Petroleum Phils.

Pilipinas Shell Pryce Corp. `A’ RFM Corporation Roxas and Co. Roxas Holdings SFA Semicon Shakeys Pizza SMC Food and Beverage SPC Power Corp.

Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Steel Corp.

Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp.

Vivant Corp.

Vulcan Ind’l.

25.2 1.75 6.4 0.52 0.91 2.02 0.169 92 14.52 1.02 13.1 140 4.95 49.95 55 25 1.76 4.5 3.2 5.100 7.1 6.15 9.01 2.35 15.9 55.05 1.21 33.70 0.9000 13.10 4.16 0.910 140.50 28.00 4.8 3.15 6.20 9.84 5.58 10.8 0.150 240.00 4.98 1.5 3.30 2.66 8.90 9.40 9.64 21 3.9 4.94 1.35 1.43 0.71 6.29 58.5 7.37 0.119 0.68 119 2.35 1 12.00 0.60

13,475,200 39,568,000 7,204,600 9,752,000 1,612,000 19,079,000 20,680,000 1,050 627,800 43,062,000 9,793,400 810 6,262,300 2,070 3,800 12,600 1,002,000 101,000 293,000 49,706,600 2,003,600 425,700 56,559,300 54,355,000 17,910,500 1,532,190 154,916,000 119,200 18,120,000 4,020,100 3,139,000 1,826,000 6,714,190 200 154,000 50,000 12,000 26,569,300 7,958,000 4,659,800 1,000,000 2,278,510 4,100 2,343,000 158,000 18,769,000 157,200 24,600 722,000 2,406,200 1,595,000 80,500 2,824,000 107,000 5,138,000 2,679,500 1,068,880 1,549,800 5,780,000 1,501,000 9,239,490 1,492,000 22,078,000 3,400 9,373,000

INDUSTRIAL 341,537,115.00 71,450,780.00 47,943,295.00 5,458,140.00 766,640.00 39,482,100.00 3,409,670.00 90,490.00 8,192,032.00 45,105,300.00 134,086,984.00 128,296.00 33,171,850.00 111,701.50 210,764.00 347,585.00 1,790,770.00 456,870.00 976,010.00 283,022,958.00 17,419,751.00 2,802,889.00 473,204,201.00 151,520,530.00 275,734,490.00 87,515,802.00 208,348,440.00 3,937,850.00 18,670,380.00 53,735,226.00 13,774,520.00 1,924,080.00 1,024,169,342.00 5,605.00 658,690.00 153,090.00 70,757.00 278,920,604.00 50,034,571.00 53,224,588.00 124,210.00 561,692,690.00 19,348.00 3,814,060.00 509,310.00 55,963,930.00 1,410,837.00 198,860.00 7,070,864.00 55,570,270.00 7,054,660.00 390,420.00 3,649,370.00 159,360.00 4,042,630.00 18,628,872.00 69,028,478.50 11,973,700.00 652,800.00 1,061,980.00 1,096,266,692.00 3,552,880.00 22,836,990.00 41,616.00 6,574,620.00

Abacus Cons. `A’ Aboitiz Equity Alliance Global Inc. Anglo Holdings A Anscor `A’ Asiabest Group ATN Holdings A ATN Holdings B Ayala Corp `A’ Ayala Land Log BHI Holdings Inc. Cosco Capital DMCI Holdings F&J Prince ‘A’ F&J Prince ‘B’ Filinvest Dev. Corp.

Forum Pacific GT Capital House of Inv. JG Summit Holdings Jolliville Holdings Keppel Holdings `A’ Keppel Holdings `B’ Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

Lopez Holdings Corp.

LT Group Mabuhay Holdings `A’ Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

Pacifica `A’ Prime Media Hldg Republic Glass ‘A’ San Miguel Corp `A’ Seafront `A’ SM Investments Inc. Solid Group Inc. South China Res. Inc. Top Frontier Transgrid Wellex Industries Zeus Holdings

0.540 38.00 9.05 0.55 6.00 6.7 0.690 0.750 570 1.820 960.00 5.71 5.02 3.25 3.8 10.00 0.202 570 3.60 54.20 6.36 5.21 5.5 0.415 3.66 7.13 0.520 3.2 2.6300 0.790 2.48 109.50 2 831.50 0.88 0.71 145.000 170.00 0.1900 0.146

56,379,000 8,941,400 99,972,000 1,120,000 139,300 296,100 11,074,000 1,232,000 3,745,000 15,238,000 35 9,299,300 80,612,800 5,000 8,000 65,700 2,700,000 906,020 457,000 15,328,910 1,035,300 45,300 276,600 1,730,000 8,091,000 23,813,200 2,438,000 442,477,000 238,000 655,000 173,000 1,166,930 65,000 3,957,350 1,453,000 4,148,000 7,980 900 2,250,000 13,960,000

HOLDING FIRMS 32,201,575.00 342,416,330.00 958,086,487.00 694,300.00 838,447.00 2,535,865.00 8,239,660.00 982,250.00 2,244,294,640.00 30,011,700.00 37,800.00 54,931,748.00 405,167,380.00 16,250.00 30,440.00 670,889.00 578,800.00 549,731,096.00 1,730,210.00 876,811,313.00 6,591,761.00 236,027.00 1,523,974.00 767,450.00 29,785,040.00 185,746,845.00 1,301,550.00 1,474,958,490.00 766,980.00 519,740.00 434,430.00 134,082,426.00 130,000.00 3,342,556,385.00 1,300,420.00 3,053,200.00 1,137,890.00 141,796.00 469,380.00 2,024,520.00

8990 HLDG A. Brown Co., Inc. Anchor Land Holdings Inc. Araneta Prop `A’ Arthaland Corp.

Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. `A’ CEB Landmasters Cebu Holdings Century Property City & Land Dev. Cityland Dev. `A’ Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp.

DM Wenceslao Double Dragon Empire East Land Ever Gotesco Filinvest Land,Inc. Global-Estate Megaworld MRC Allied Ind. Phil Infradev Phil. Estates Corp.

Phil. Realty `A’ Primex Corp.

14.000 0.64 9.00 1.290 0.620 33.000 1.34 4.15 6 0.430 0.70 0.750 0.135 0.270 7.500 15.98 0.315 0.080 0.96 0.85 2.88 0.130 0.7000 36.0000 0.255 1.8

4,508,300 68,263,000 14,600 759,000 7,521,000 108,372,800 6,415,000 1,696,000 319,900 18,020,000 422,000 367,000 8,240,000 3,320,000 1,494,000 5,595,600 3,830,000 1,180,000 110,763,000 8,471,000 154,990,000 57,650,000 13,664,000 34,830,000 3,220,000 8,393,000

PROPERTY 63,628,618.00 48,690,110.00 129,471.00 960,300.00 4,686,460.00 3,855,836,805.00 9,446,130.00 7,201,970.00 1,884,635.00 8,084,900.00 284,620.00 270,460.00 1,310,860.00 973,500.00 11,134,989.00 85,671,884.00 1,293,700.00 94,990.00 114,323,750.00 7,486,280.00 474,262,620.00 8,518,110.00 10,460,880.00 13,155,050.00 883,400.00 15,593,390.00

MARCH 2-6, 2020 Close Volume

Value

50.95 141.50 74.50 0.78 24.8 17.8 10.7 3.7

35,300 12,070,630 11,572,330 162,000 880,200 81,200 2,663,600 21,000

1,766,080.00 1,655,473,005.00 884,222,139.00 130,100.00 21,898,965.00 1,451,030.00 29,174,080.00 65,540.00

0.63 1.03 752.00 0.365 53 0.7 11.5

3,000 18,000 300 2,580,000 14,260,740 296,000 163,000

1,890.00 18,500.00 225,645.00 1,016,000.00 782,999,286.50 213,400.00 1,906,438.00

28.00 50.05 110.3 167 19.8 148.1 1721.00 57.50 1.14

1,753,500 3,350 590 26,330 872,900 2,356,860 105 149,710 3,654,000

49,401,165.00 167,463.50 65,019.00 4,242,057.00 17,202,900.00 363,570,631.00 183,605.00 8,596,488.00 4,197,350.00

27.5 2.03 7.01 0.62 1.02 2.34 0.209

10,084,000 16,158,000 8,995,000 4,647,000 2,024,000 18,434,000 6,250,000

275,069,575.00 33,191,060.00 63,366,194.00 2,873,360.00 2,124,290.00 44,518,140.00 1,263,250.00

15.90 1.19 14.4 188 6.5 58.85 62 31.2 1.96 5.44 4 6.410 10.2 7.70 8.09 3.63 14.8 61.15 1.66 35.45 1.1500 13.36 4.65 1.140 176.50

4,200 50,943,000 4,109,700 410 5,897,100 1,350 280 800 664,000 5,100 90,000 10,084,200 1,358,100 860,200 5,037,400 80,765,000 20,806,600 369,250 96,663,000 31,600 10,816,000 7,830,900 3,977,000 1,226,000 4,800,740

64,694.00 63,959,820.00 58,483,816.00 87,674.00 41,120,539.00 80,941.50 17,310.00 24,690.00 1,328,940.00 25,474.00 365,690.00 70,184,280.00 13,942,828.00 6,748,345.00 40,773,048.00 310,956,930.00 345,740,228.00 22,695,303.00 162,597,960.00 1,114,975.00 13,378,580.00 103,270,492.00 18,484,860.00 1,443,110.00 831,007,074.00

4.71 3.39 6.49 11.8 8.1 11.8 0.159 269.00

410,300 112,000 6,500 9,103,700 1,751,400 8,556,500 1,450,000 1,682,570

2,017,111.00 380,350.00 41,120.00 108,821,896.00 14,380,794.00 103,195,894.00 207,600.00 442,331,586.00

1.81 3.74 3.37 9.50 9.65 10.40 26.8 4.75 5.00 1.47 1.5 0.96 7.95 70.05 8.83 0.117 0.85 133 2.4 1.17 15.10 0.93

4,034,000 64,000 7,792,000 63,000 31,100 689,300 1,598,900 1,261,000 47,200 3,212,000 9,000 4,375,000 3,013,700 1,027,740 582,500 560,000 444,000 7,008,250 146,000 22,799,000 600 2,999,000

7,409,920.00 223,860.00 26,304,920.00 600,200.00 302,758.00 7,147,734.00 42,244,110.00 5,935,650.00 235,884.00 4,821,880.00 13,520.00 4,436,400.00 24,273,576.00 73,137,960.00 5,159,677.00 66,740.00 367,190.00 942,549,724.00 355,800.00 26,275,670.00 9,060.00 2,814,240.00

0.680 44.95 9.93 0.70 6.10 9.69 0.890 0.930 645.5 2.140

18,340,000 4,555,600 51,351,300 1,456,000 95,100 49,300 3,323,000 501,000 2,541,300 5,786,000

12,632,740.00 201,479,755.00 509,425,013.00 1,035,190.00 580,252.00 473,085.00 2,947,040.00 456,390.00 1,674,668,665.00 11,922,610.00

6.21 5.33 3.26

5,476,100 56,183,800 3,000

33,760,085.00 298,366,034.00 9,780.00

11.64 0.216 710 4.59 70.65 6.38

60,300 1,040,000 491,430 9,000 8,692,980 756,100

721,822.00 236,640.00 354,017,465.00 41,310.00 594,453,233.00 4,903,999.00

5.52 0.465 3.7 8 0.590 3.62 4.2900 0.990 2.62 125.50 2 943.00 0.98 0.84 142.200 175.00 0.2200 0.159

200 2,490,000 3,213,000 8,375,000 1,779,000 364,399,000 60,000 1,165,000 30,000 839,450 4,000 2,133,370 313,000 12,172,000 26,340 510 880,000 33,810,000

1,104.00 1,140,700.00 11,924,310.00 75,053,653.00 1,059,240.00 1,255,911,430.00 244,670.00 1,232,010.00 78,600.00 106,328,317.00 8,000.00 1,695,623,470.00 327,830.00 10,727,670.00 3,842,627.00 84,870.00 196,730.00 5,709,890.00

14.160 0.82 8.90 1.330 0.720 39.600 1.6 4.52 6.4 0.495 0.75 0.790 0.161 0.315 8.400 17.16 0.370 0.086 1.20 0.99 3.4 0.184 0.9100 0.4000 0.310 2.05

5,205,000 182,336,000 2,100 942,000 2,682,000 51,394,600 5,312,000 884,000 210,100 15,486,000 4,000 208,000 3,480,000 3,730,000 740,300 1,137,000 1,620,000 10,000 53,698,000 838,000 111,615,000 27,880,000 4,382,000 1,050,000 16,160,000 5,658,000

73,812,722.00 150,316,860.00 18,566.00 1,264,360.00 1,938,570.00 2,054,981,685.00 8,360,760.00 4,016,160.00 1,279,717.00 7,597,495.00 3,050.00 161,480.00 567,790.00 1,193,300.00 6,370,379.00 19,256,208.00 600,650.00 860.00 66,380,840.00 824,940.00 390,502,280.00 5,046,830.00 4,075,440.00 429,550.00 5,260,900.00 11,598,090.00

STOCKS

MARCH 9-13, 2020 Close Volume

MARCH 2-6, 2020 Close Volume

Value

Value

Robinson’s Land `B’ Rockwell Shang Properties Inc. SM Prime Holdings Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. Vista Land & Lifescapes Vistamalls

17.20 1.7 2.9 30.00 2.16 1.220 5.550 4.070

12,456,400 2,057,000 431,000 108,259,500 1,338,000 29,871,000 87,733,000 721,000

246,173,211.00 3,695,760.00 1,273,410.00 3,587,299,380.00 2,927,350.00 38,348,950.00 534,217,739.00 3,027,370.00

23.30 1.95 3.09 38.55 2.34 1.620 6.640 4.900

11,165,000 151,000 3,434,000 74,772,400 881,000 12,076,000 8,057,200 226,700

256,723,870.00 292,960.00 10,371,840.00 2,921,158,295.00 2,031,730.00 19,616,500.00 52,285,718.00 1,132,038.00

SERVICES 2GO Group’ ABS-CBN Acesite Hotel AllHome APC Group, Inc. Apollo Global Asian Terminals Inc. Berjaya Phils. Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Cebu Air Inc. (5J) Centro Esc. Univ.

Chelsea DFNN Inc. Discovery World Easy Call “Common” FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Golden Haven Grand Plaza Hotel Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. Imperial Res. `A’ IPeople Inc. `A’ IPM Holdings Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones LBC Express Leisure & Resorts Lorenzo Shipping Macroasia Corp.

Manila Broadcasting Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Metro Retail MetroAlliance A MetroAlliance B NOW Corp.

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

PAL Holdings Inc. Paxys Inc. PH Resorts Group Phil. Racing Club Phil. Seven Corp.

Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons RTL SBS Phil. Corp.

SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Waterfront Phils.

Wilcon Depot

6.05 18.38 1.2 7.49 0.310 0.040 16.28 2.2 6.20 0.0300 48 6 2.68 3.99 1.61 4.86 830 1830 5.10 355.00 12.88 0.72 85 1.10 7.99 5.00 0.078 1.1800 1.97 11 1.25 0.73 5.99 11.48 0.390 1.99 1.35 1.72 1.89 1.360 1.73 5.99 2.89 3.22 8.96 142.00 1.48 1029.00 0.210 0.340 31.90 54.00 6.75 1.20 0.435 0.158 0.425 15.500

210,700 5,097,100 268,000 5,811,000 15,760,000 64,700,000 11,600 817,000 39,492,400 47,900,000 1,485,260 49,600 5,292,000 304,000 19,000 129,000 1,610 389,935 2,916,100 87,570 4,800 6,090,000 21,359,160 71,000 63,700 29,000 11,450,000 151,121,000 17,000 151,000 21,000,000 1,081,000 5,886,600 14,200 8,140,000 84,000 20,104,000 47,334,000 807,000 15,463,000 142,000 141,200 16,000 119,000 188,500 954,960 13,255,000 1,064,975 25,300,000 60,720,000 15,740,400 3,232,720 37,000 20,588,000 40,182,000 10,980,000 5,251,000 17,638,600

1,301,430.00 95,933,063.00 340,870.00 50,456,563.00 5,685,850.00 2,606,400.00 188,826.00 1,733,140.00 259,091,801.00 1,471,700.00 86,636,669.50 311,054.00 14,906,710.00 1,204,150.00 31,160.00 702,565.00 1,309,055.00 677,899,145.00 14,857,166.00 35,704,178.00 56,310.00 4,637,340.00 1,874,284,756.50 84,650.00 449,640.00 147,120.00 969,920.00 192,106,030.00 27,410.00 1,687,490.00 26,557,790.00 856,120.00 38,305,219.00 163,096.00 3,301,500.00 197,430.00 28,935,950.00 97,077,470.00 1,643,430.00 22,231,780.00 255,780.00 836,771.00 42,680.00 414,720.00 1,495,466.00 140,369,105.00 24,231,500.00 1,061,082,917.50 5,700,910.00 21,275,800.00 513,919,300.00 178,182,454.00 268,472.00 28,717,070.00 18,414,560.00 1,850,290.00 2,512,775.00 266,128,966.00

7.95 21 1.35 9.98 0.410 0.045 17.5 2.46 7.54 0.0340 71.3 6.52 3.52 3.99 1.72 7.00 800 1831 5.23 414.00 11.88 1.01 102 1.30 7.99 5.41 0.099 1.5800

122,800 6,268,100 16,000 4,859,000 38,230,000 16,900,000 257,800 562,000 33,580,400 65,800,000 612,290 100 1,865,000 744,000 5,000 60,800 1,260 243,590 2,055,300 158,910 500 3,312,000 11,923,860 52,000 43,100 10,000 2,270,000 157,712,000

947,985.00 141,284,730.00 22,260.00 47,886,802.00 15,639,900.00 749,100.00 4,511,500.00 1,391,230.00 255,568,712.00 2,416,400.00 45,277,804.50 652.00 6,384,480.00 2,965,630.00 9,110.00 401,220.00 1,008,070.00 444,657,260.00 10,796,850.00 66,196,406.00 5,554.00 3,285,750.00 1,248,175,000.50 60,920.00 323,769.00 54,980.00 211,510.00 257,371,630.00

11.54 1.80 0.93 8.03 11.48 0.440 2.74 1.58 2.67 2.76 1.920 1.98 6.80 2.94 4.70 7.98 148.00 2.30 1059.00 0.275 0.445 34.05 61.50 8.31 1.68 0.520 0.201 0.570 18.100

24,600 834,000 460,000 18,061,600 1,800 18,790,000 61,000 10,108,000 194,519,000 6,946,000 4,651,000 85,000 86,400 8,000 92,000 7,338,800 1,572,610 4,553,000 868,200 36,040,000 97,434,000 7,903,600 2,429,470 37,500 13,556,000 5,702,000 7,100,000 3,054,000 9,542,500

299,884.00 1,554,420.00 413,030.00 150,013,926.00 19,192.00 8,734,300.00 169,150.00 16,140,150.00 512,839,860.00 18,116,690.00 9,110,660.00 165,100.00 570,732.00 22,020.00 403,210.00 58,710,208.00 233,397,155.00 10,609,170.00 893,298,695.00 9,777,900.00 48,284,210.00 280,960,530.00 151,258,560.00 324,285.00 24,195,680.00 3,004,140.00 1,476,820.00 1,651,540.00 172,675,660.00

MINING & OIL Abra Mining ACE Enexor Apex `A’ Atlas Cons. `A’ Atok-Big Wedge `A’ Benguet Corp `A’ Benguet Corp `B’ Century Peak Metals Hldgs Coal Asia Dizon Ferronickel Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. Lepanto `A’ Lepanto `B’ Manila Mining `A’ Manila Mining `B’ Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. Nickelasia Nihao Mineral Resources Omico Oriental Peninsula Res. Oriental Pet. `A’ Oriental Pet. `B’ Philex `A’ PhilexPetroleum Philodrill Corp. `A’ Semirara Corp.

United Paragon

0.0012 5.3900 0.75 1.80 10.60 0.9600 0.8900 2.6 0.250 6.20 0.610 0.184 0.085 0.085 0.0058 0.0050 0.56 1.86 0.83 0.4300 0.4950 0.0083 0.0090 2.24 4.50 0.0085 12.80 0.0040

907,000,000 2,616,400 13,709,000 520,000 112,000 225,000 13,000 9,796,000 2,870,000 167,500 59,915,000 9,180,000 11,200,000 4,610,000 8,000,000 13,000,000 512,000 34,211,000 3,464,000 1,230,000 736,000 19,000,000 122,000,000 5,620,000 3,661,700 19,000,000 12,181,000 2,000,000

1,053,600.00 15,970,989.00 11,481,190.00 1,052,960.00 1,112,690.00 259,200.00 12,410.00 25,978,710.00 758,700.00 1,019,626.00 39,700,780.00 1,712,640.00 891,070.00 393,130.00 50,500.00 66,300.00 281,260.00 64,873,130.00 2,930,890.00 496,500.00 400,365.00 162,900.00 1,162,000.00 14,126,240.00 18,105,755.00 149,200.00 187,137,472.00 8,300.00

0.0013 7.4000 0.99 2.30 10.98 1.1500

337,000,000 7,548,300 9,532,000 227,000 25,000 129,000

414,400.00 57,076,456.00 9,511,230.00 521,860.00 276,610.00 148,350.00

2.7 0.275 6.38 0.840 0.196 0.093 0.096 0.0076 0.0074 0.61 2.07 0.97 0.4500 0.6300 0.0092 0.0095 2.81 6.01 0.0096 19.48 0.0045

3,102,000 1,410,000 26,700 53,305,000 1,100,000 1,570,000 720,000 7,000,000 6,000,000 649,000 56,283,000 568,000 140,000 407,000 12,000,000 2,600,000 2,621,000 2,338,100 767,900,000 9,187,700 8,000,000

8,537,500.00 393,850.00 171,998.00 49,396,980.00 216,160.00 141,360.00 66,590.00 53,100.00 52,400.00 396,190.00 118,799,130.00 517,800.00 61,050.00 246,400.00 111,900.00 24,910.00 7,410,550.00 14,198,289.00 7,702,990.00 177,593,220.00 36,800.00

PREFERRED ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

Alco Preferred B Alco Preferred C Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ CPG PREF A DD PREF First Gen G FPH Pref C GLOBE PREF P GMA Holdings Inc. GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B House Preferred MWIDE PREF PCOR-Preferred 2B PCOR-Preferred 3A PCOR-Preferred 3B PF Pref 2 PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred D SMC Preferred E SMC Preferred F SMC Preferred G SMC Preferred H

16 102.3 100.2 505 498 101 101 108.5 502 502 5.07 1000 990 100 100.4 1010 1047 1061 101 105 1010 77.95 75.4 76 76.9 75.45 75.75 76.85

1,475,600 10,110 520 4,600 7,060 19,810 341,720 25,690 280 12,830 680,300 1,435 17,210 67,440 858,620 1,980 41,865 42,340 19,000 2,110 48,765 56,120 115,390 100,380 292,760 138,810 141,230 91,100

24,915,816.00 1,015,604.00 52,102.00 2,300,450.00 3,526,435.00 2,015,120.00 34,515,933.00 2,736,257.00 140,560.00 6,440,980.00 3,366,798.00 1,433,680.00 17,090,100.00 6,744,099.00 85,988,129.50 2,000,425.00 43,843,240.00 44,924,255.00 1,900,195.00 221,010.00 49,496,830.00 4,369,362.00 8,704,314.50 7,655,239.00 22,437,895.50 10,475,813.50 10,735,308.00 6,980,674.00

17.82 104.7 107.9 505 500 102.5 101.2 107 502 502 5.03 1000 990.5 100 100.1 1010 1041 1060 101.5 107.5 1044 77.65 75.1 75.3 77.3 75.7 76.3 76.2

3,094,800 10 20 6,330 3,410 10,000 57,990 12,320 1,000 7,510 443,500 1,230 1,120 139,130 509,570 650 4,525 1,265 910 2,800 8,450 30,260 61,760 7,120 84,280 80,990 71,170 1,391,270

57,281,612.00 1,047.00 2,158.00 3,166,805.00 1,711,470.00 1,013,900.00 5,877,558.00 1,318,288.00 502,000.00 3,770,020.00 2,242,643.00 1,757,850.00 1,113,755.00 13,864,028.00 51,001,116.00 655,740.00 4,737,820.00 948,551.00 92,351.00 291,041.00 8,731,510.00 2,349,218.00 4,636,219.50 536,196.00 6,490,054.00 6,103,882.00 5,424,630.00 105,892,409.00

LR Warrant

0.710

114,000

1.020

63,000

64,600.00

2.52 8.5 0.71

1,315,000 402,700 5,396,000

3,377,880.00 3,354,699.00 4,000,720.00

WARRANTS & BONDS 90,630.00 SME 6,590.00 5,689,510.00 4,950,856.00 8,124,920.00

Makati Fin. Corp.

Italpinas Kepwealth Xurpas

2 1.9 6.4 0.55

3,000 2,849,000 761,900 14,141,000

First Metro ETF

91.05

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 927,490 85,292,213.50

102.2

206,920

21,428,254.00

10 10.02 0.95

DOLLAR DENONIMATED SEC. 8,390 85,267.20 24,260 245,612.60 100,900 90,897.00

10.28 10.28

56,510 13,500

580,832.00 138,780.00

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2 USD TECH B2

WEEKLY MOST TRADED STOCKS Abra Mining Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

Megaworld Fruitas Holdings ISM Communications Oriental Pet. `B’ Filinvest Land,Inc. Ayala Land `B’ SM Prime Holdings Alliance Global Inc.

VOLUME 907,000,000 442,477,000 154,990,000 154,916,000 151,121,000 122,000,000 110,763,000 108,372,800 108,259,500 99,972,000

STOCKS Ayala Land `B’ SM Prime Holdings SM Investments Inc. Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Ayala Corp `A’ I.C.T.S.I. Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

Metrobank Universal Robina PLDT Common

VALUE 3,855,836,805.00 3,587,299,380.00 3,342,556,385.00 2,565,564,483.50 2,244,294,640.00 1,874,284,756.50 1,474,958,490.00 1,293,949,601.00 1,096,266,692.00 1,061,082,917.50

Aboitiz ups expenditures in ‘20 to fund businesses

By Jenniffer B. Austria CONGLOMERATE Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. has earmarked P73 billion in capital expenditures for 2020 as the group continues to invest in the expansion of core businesses.

This year’s programmed capital spending is 38 percent higher than last year’s P53 billion.

Aboitiz Equity said earlier during a recent investors’ briefing the power generation business would continue to account for the bulk, P41 billion or 56 percent, of the total investment It will spread the balance to nonpower businesses, namely banking, real estate, food and infrastructure.

Aboitiz Equity continues to invest heavily in various businesses despite the current market uncertainly brought about by the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19).

The COVID-19 crisis has created a lot of uncertainty.

Aboitiz Equity president and chief executive Sabin Aboitiz believes the Philippine economy can be shielded from further disruptions if the government and private sector focus on two areas of collaboration—keeping the economy moving and supporting the government’s COVID-19 information campaign.

“There is no question of the coronavirus’ impact on the economy,” Aboitiz said, sreessing “it is during these times when the government and private sector must work closer together—really together to effectively mitigate the crisis.”

Aboitiz noted the implementation of both government- and private sectorled infrastructure projects can counter the economic impact posed by the COVID-19 crisis.

“One sure way to keep the economy stimulated is the immediate implementation of the government’s infrastructure program—especially the projects of national significance,” Aboitiz said. “It generates jobs, it triggers economic activity, and there is definitely no question about the long-term benefits.”

“We in Aboitiz have always been ready to invest time and money to build the infrastructure we Filipinos deserve,” Aboitiz added. Jenniffer B. Austria

PDEX upbeat on bond offers despite virus

By Jenniffer B. Austria PHILIPPINE Dealing & Exchange Corp. is confident 2020 would be a good year for the bond market despite the coronavirus or COVID-19 fears.

PDEX president and chief operating officer Antonino Nakpil said in a recent interview the pipeline on bond issuances until April remained robust based on feedback from underwriters handling such deals.

Nakpil noted that the deals currently in the pipeline were mostly arranged before the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country.

“The pipeline looks robust until April based on feedback from our underwriters. It looks healthy,” Nakpil said.

He said the appetite for bond issuances would still depend on current economic environment, including the movement of interest rates.

Nakpil pointed out the liquidity in the domestic market as indicated by the strong demand from the recent threeyear retail treasury bond offering of the government. Banks have remained active in their bond offerings.

“Long term market players have learned to see through short effects of fear and greed. We have to assess and think long term,” he said.

PDEX since the start of the year has listed 10 new bond offerings, mostly from banks, raising more than P93 billion. Among the companies that issued bonds early this year were BDO Unibank Inc. (P40.1 billion), Bank of the Philippine Islands (P15.3 billion), San Miguel Food and Beverage Inc. (P15 billion) and Union Bank of the Philippines (P6.8 billion).

SM Prime Holdings Inc. is coming back to the bond market on March 25 with the listing of P20 billion worth of fixed rate bonds.

Other companies that announced plans to issue bonds in the near future include Filinvest Development Corp., (P15 billion), San Miguel Corp. (P20 billion commercial papers) and Robinsons Land Corp. (P15 billion).

PDEX ended 2019 with a record listing of bond issues at 40 and total face amount of new bonds listed that stood at P375.6 billion, up 29 percent from P256.4 billion in 2018.

World

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020

Latinos likely to vote against Bernie Sanders

IN BRIEF Estonia, Lithuania shut their borders TALLINN―Estonia and Lithuania said Saturday they will shut their borders to most foreign visitors while fellow Baltic EU member Latvia imposed security measures of its own to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus.

“The government has decided to temporarily reintroduce border controls on the whole border,” Estonian Prime Minister Jüri Ratas said in a government statement.

The measure will apply starting Tuesday in the country of 1.3 million people which has registered 115 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Only citizens, individuals with residence permits and foreigners with a family member in Estonia will be allowed in but will have to undergo two weeks of isolation.

Foreigners will still be able to pass through Estonia to get to their country provided they show no symptoms of the virus.

The same goes for cargo transporters.

There are no restrictions on leaving the country.

The government had earlier decided to close down all schools, museums, cinemas, leisure centres, sports clubs and banned all public gatherings until May 1.

Fellow Baltic state Lithuania for its part decided to ban foreigners from entering the country of 2.8 million people starting 1000 GMT on Sunday, with the exception of individuals with a residence permit, diplomatic workers and NATO troops.

“Our goal is to delay the spread of the virus as long as possible inside the country and to reduce the negative consequences,” Lithuanian Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis said Saturday. AFP

Silicon Valley locks down \ PALO ALTO―David Tollner gets

text messages telling him when meals are placed outside the door of the family guest room, where he was banished after developing a cough.

His wife Mitra Ahani is taking no chances as the coronavirus pandemic spreads in the United States -- even though she knows her husband may have no more than a common cold.

When Tollner returned to their home near Santa Cruz from a conference in Baltimore, she steered him directly to the shower, leaving doors open so he wouldn’t touch them, and wiped down his suitcase with bleach.

When he started coughing, Tollner was relegated to a spare room.

“I locked him in the guest room,” confirmed Ahani, a chief executive of a center that provides educational support for children with disabilities, who like millions in this tech-savvy region has shifted to remote work in response to the spreading coronavirus.

“He probably caught a little cold out there. But it scared the daylights out of him, and he needed that.”

In an interview with AFP, Tollner wryly acknowledged his predicament.

“I’m here in the dungeon waiting for food and water,” he said Friday. “I have been here for a couple of days now trying not to infect the world with something I don’t know I even have.”

Tollner relies on his laptop and smartphone to run his law firm in the Silicon Valley city of San Jose.

Like tens of millions across the United States—where school districts are closing one after the other and firms are massively encouraging telework—the family is avoiding going out; relying for daily life on many of the technologies invented or refined in the area. AFP

HERE COMES THE SUN. People enjoy the sun in Tokyo’s Ginza area on March 15, 2020. AFP

Economic doctors feud feud over virus cures

L

ONDON―‘‘I think the patient is stabilized,” then US president Barack Obama declared after G20 powers prescribed unprecedented remedies to steady the crisis-wracked world economy just over a decade ago.

Today, as the world fights to immunize global growth from the coronavirus pandemic and Obama’s successor Donald Trump rips up the rulebook of cooperation, there has been no such collective response, and globalization itself is ailing.

“Trump thinks all problems are external,” Charlie Robertson, global chief economist with Renaissance Capital in London, told AFP. “He’s always been of the view that if you can just maintain external security, you’ll feel better about yourself, whether it’s to do with trade or the virus,” he said.

“It does add to the anti-globalization story.”

The outbreak risks exacerbating isolationist and populist trends already in evidence, after COVID-19 emerged in China late last year to infect much of the rest of the world.

Trump, after pursuing a trade war with China, is waging a blame game and blindsided Europeans by banning travel from the continent to ward off the “foreign” disease.

Some countries in Europe are also shutting their borders.

“Our experience is that primarily foreigners brought in the disease, and that it is spreading among foreigners,” Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban said.

There is no scientific basis for such

ERWIN R. LAPUS

Green LiGht ARTHUR, Norman and Curtis have been working for the same company for more than a decade, but for different reasons.

Arthur identifies with the organizational goals, sees himself fitting well in its culture and is very satisfied with his work.

He sees no reason to leave the company.

Norman, on the other hand, despite being unhappy, recognizes that the company has done so much for him that he feels guilty about resigning. Meanwhile, Curtis feels the need to stay because he fears losing his salary leverage if he transfers. As practicing managers, which among these employees would you rather flourish in your organization?

Allen & Meyer (1990) identified three common types of organizational commitment. First is affective commitment, which refers to the employee’s positive emotional attachment to the organization. They identify with the organization’s goals and values, and genuinely want to stay there.

Employees who have high affective commitment are willing to exert extra effort to achieve company goals and objectives. In the given situation above, Arthur represents the employee experiencing affective commitment.

The second type is normative commitment, which is strongly associated with one’s sense of obligation to give back to

B3

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

claims. But in concrete terms, the pandemic has exposed the reliance of many companies, from Apple to fashion chain Zara, on China as the world’s foremost production hub.

Trump’s populist rhetoric and tariffs war were already forcing some companies, Apple included, to look at “reshoring” jobs back home or diversifying supplies.

The trend could deepen as the coronavirus strains or breaks supply chains centred on China, according to Vicky Redwood, senior economic adviser at Capital Economics.

“Globalisation has undermined the power of national governments and been blamed for rising inequality, multinational tax avoidance and unwanted migration,” she said.

“But business fundamentals are important too -– for example, regardless of politics, companies have been waking up to the problems that long and complicated supply chains bring.”

In the years since the financial crisis took hold in 2008, globalisation as measured by trade flows and foreign direct investment has flatlined as a proportion of GDP, according to analysis by Capital Economics.

Over the past decade, it has also started to make more business sense to have pro-

duction closer to home as China becomes more expensive, thanks to rising wages and a shrinking workforce.

“China’s wealth level is 10 times higher per person and labour costs are vastly higher than they were 20 years ago,” Robertson commented.

“So you don’t get the same cost benefit.”

The 2008 banking crisis gave birth to G20 summits of nations including China to determine collective measures.

“You’ve got a sick patient; I think we applied the right medicine,” Obama said after a summit in London in April 2009 adopted far-reaching financial and trade responses.

Fast-forward to earlier this month, when the more select group of G7 economies vowed to use “all appropriate policy tools” to protect world growth against the epidemic.

Despite a lack of specifics, financial markets hoped that meant concerted action was coming.

But just hours later the US Federal Reserve -- long subject to furious attacks from Trump for keeping rates too high -surprised observers with an emergency rate cut.

Other changes to monetary policy came only later, including from the Bank of England, and the European Central Bank is still holding its borrowing rates in place.

Only on Friday did the G7 nations decide to hold a video conference on Monday to coordinate action against the coronavirus.

“Multilateralism does appear to be in decline. This might limit coordinated responses,” Redwood said, as several countries pursue their own virus-fighting stimulus plans. AFP

Three Sides of the Coin the organization and continue to work because the employee ought to do so. Thus, employees with high normative commitment stay in the organization because it’s the “right” or “moral” thing to do. Unlike Arthur, Norman solely feels that the organization has invested in him, so that in return, he has to be loyal.

Whereas, the third type is continuance commitment which rises out of scarcity of alternative jobs. It is a desire to remain a member of an organization because one is aware of the cost associated with leaving.

For example, employees may enjoy high pay and other benefits to job seniority if they stay in their current organization, but such benefits may be lost once they decide to move—exactly Curtis’s reason for staying.

Obviously, some types of commitment can have a negative effect on the organization. Team members with only continuance and normative commitment may feel bored and unmotivated. We want our team members to feel positively committed to the organization.

But the question is, how can we develop in them greater affective commitment?

To encourage positive changes, managers need to link people’s goals with those of the team or the organization using strategic management models like management by objectives. By defining specific objectives

within an organization and conveying the same to its members, we can help people find purpose in their work by magnifying their value in the greater scheme of things.

Giving credits and building an encouraging working environment is a must. Employees who experience positive emotions at work are more likely to develop affective commitment.

In addition to helping people experience greater affective commitment, we should also manage the amount of continuance and normative commitment that they may feel. Clearly, it doesn’t make sense to try to reduce both types of commitment because after all, the result is the same—employees stay longer in the company. However, we should limit reliance on purely continuance and normative commitment. The fact is, people will likely experience both types of commitment at some point in their careers.

One way to reduce the dependency on either commitment is through leading by example. Leading by example helps other people see what lies ahead and pushes them to act swiftly to counter any challenges along the way. By virtue of their visibility, a leader’s actions, behaviors and attitudes are constantly being observed and interpreted by employees. If a group is led by a person with poor leadership skills, the

group’s trust, confidence, and loyalty will erode, and so people will start thinking about leaving the organization.

In conclusion, all three forms of commitment highly influence the length employees stay with their jobs. What is most important for organizations is to recognize each type of commitment in employees and to encourage affective commitment. The ability to understand contrasting points of view on the types of organizational commitment and to glean what information is valuable from the “three sides of the coin” is a crucial skill that every manager must learn.

To end, those who answered Arthur please say aye!

Erwin R. Lapuz is a Doctor of Business Administration student at the De La Salle University (DLSU). He currently works as general manager for a diversified marketing and distribution company in the Philippines. His research interests are corporate governance and humanistic management. For comments and reactions, he can be reached at erwin_r_ lapuz@dlsu.edu.ph.

The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.

MIAMI―In the living room of her Miami home, Cuban-American Carmen Pelaez is losing patience with Bernie Sanders.

She wants the progressive Vermont senator to drop out of the race for the Democratic presidential nomination before her state, Florida, votes on Tuesday along with three others.

But Sanders, though he has fallen seriously behind former vice president Joe Biden, insists he is not giving up. And so a frustrated Pelaez finds herself shouting at her TV screen.

“Why is he staying in?” the 48-yearold artist demands to know. “For the four votes he’s going to get in Florida?”

Pelaez, a filmmaker, writer and actor, was born in the United States to Cuban parents. The demographic of the parents’ generation―made up of people who fled the repressive communist regime of the Castros in Cuba―traditionally has leaned strongly Republican.

But Pelaez, unlike her family, says she is a “die-hard Democrat” and plans to vote in the primary election for the moderate Biden, who she sees as the ideal candidate to defeat Donald Trump in November.

Sanders often describes himself as a “democratic socialist”―which in the eyes of many American voters, including Pelaez, makes him too radical.

That feeling is widespread in Florida’s Hispanic community, with its large numbers of exiles not only from Cuba but from other socialist-run Latin American countries, including Venezuela and Nicaragua. For them, America’s Democratic Party leans too far left.

Sanders did nothing to allay their doubts when he proved reluctant to declare Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro a “dictator” or when he told a TV interviewer last month that Fidel Castro had, at least, improved literacy rates in Cuba.

“He has always said good things about the Latin American dictators,” Pelaez said. “That tells me that he doesn’t see our humanity the same way as he sees the humanity of the Americans. Why should we deserve dictators?”

“Every time Bernie opens his mouth and reaffirms his status as a socialist, it sends more Hispanic voters to Biden in Florida,” Fernand Amandi, a Floridabased political consultant, told Politico.

The latest polls in that populous state give Biden a huge lead of 30 to 40 points over Sanders.

Those projections paint a bleak picture for Sanders, who is desperately in need of the state’s 248 delegates to the party’s nominating convention. AFP

Group stores censored stories around the world HONG KONG―A virtual library housing censored articles from around the world has been created within the hugely popular video game Minecraft by press freedom group Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Minecraft, with its signature pixelated graphics, enables players to build entire universes from Lego-like digital blocks, either alone or with others online.

RSF said it had put work by banned, exiled or killed journalists in five countries―Egypt, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Vietnam―on an open server, making it available for players to view despite local censorship laws.

“In these countries, where websites, blogs and free press in general are strictly limited, Minecraft is still accessible by everyone,” the group said in a press release.

“These articles are now available again within Minecraft, hidden from government surveillance technology inside a computer game. The books can be read by everyone on the server, but their content cannot be changed,” it said.

In May last year, Minecraft said 176 million copies of the game have been sold since its launch a decade ago.

The project, announced on Thursday to mark the World Day Against Cyber Censorship, is called the “Uncensored Library” and takes the form of a large neoclassical-style building in the game.

RSF said the library was growing, with more texts being added both in English and their original language.

Already available in the game are articles by slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and from Egyptian online newspaper Mada Masr, which has been blocked in the North African country since 2017. AFP

LGUs

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor lgu@manilastandard.net editor.lgustandard@gmail.com

B4

Binan stages COVID-19 drill to protect city

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020

Binan City Mayor Arman Dimaguila (inset, 2nd from left, in facemask) joins Vice Mayor Angelo Alonte and other city officials in directing the drill against a probable novel coronavirus outbreak in the city, as the city showed its readiness with various equipment and personnel protection gear. Roy Tomandao

MORE gets ERC green light Navotas adopts 4-day workweek starting today

By Jun David STARTING today (March 16), the Navotas City Government will implement a four-day workweek in line with the President’s declaration of a state of public health emergency.

Mayor Toby Tiangco said the compressed work schedule is part of the city’s efforts to promote social distancing and help prevent the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

However, he assured the public that the NavoServe Social Services OneStop Shop will remain open from Monday to Friday, 8AM to 5PM. “We understand that securing medical assistance and guarantee letters is crucial. In this time of crisis, Navoteños, especially those who have less in life, can rest assured that they will get the help and assistance they need from our government,” he said.

Memorandum Order No. TMT 2020-0151 stated that frontline services will remain available from Monday to Friday. Employees will work on a shifting schedule and will be required to render 10 hours of work per day for four days.

Among those who will follow the compressed and shifting work arrangement are the Business Permits and Licensing Office, City Treasurer’s Office, Local Civil Registry, Assessor’s Office, City Planning and Development Office, Franchising Permit Processing Unit, and the City Agriculture Office.

By Alena Mae S. Flores

M

ORE Electric and Power Corp. has welcomed the Energy Regulatory Commission’s decision giving an “all systems go” to the company to operate as the distribution utility of Iloilo City.

MORE president and chief operating officer Roel Castro urged Iloilo City consumers to visit the ERC website to check “who is the legitimate distribution utility for the city.”

ERC, in its letter dated March 5, issued a provisional authority (PA) to MORE authorizing it to operate the power distribution network in Iloilo City.

The PA grant to MORE has effectively revoked the provisional Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) the ERC granted to Panay Electric Company, Inc. (PECO), the former electric power franchisee in Iloilo City.

“MORE Power is committed to bettering our service to the people of Iloilo City

with the modernization and replacement of the old distribution lines and equipment all over the city,” Castro said.

“We promise to light up the streets of the city with an efficient and professional staff, dedicated to be good community partners of Ilonggos,” he said.

MORE submitted to the ERC a writ of possession dated February 27 issued by the Iloilo City Regional Trial Court Branch 23, authorizing it to take possession of certain properties of PECO in connection with the latter’s business of electric power distribution.

Further, MORE also submitted to the ERC a copy of the Sheriff’s return dated March 2 to inform the latter that

the writ of possession has been duly served and fully implemented.

“With the ERC’s issuance of a Provisional Authority to MORE, it is clear that MORE is the bona fide and legitimate distribution utility in Iloilo City. As such, MORE is authorized to implement the last approved distribution charges for the Iloilo consumers,” ERC chairperson Agnes Devanadera said in a statement.

The ERC, through its technical personnel, conducted an inspection on March 3 to 4 to verify the actual status of the distribution network and determine who is actually operating the system.

On the basis of the inspection report submitted by the inspection team, it was confirmed that MORE has gained full possession and control over the five substations, has prepared for all other aspects related to electricity distribution and has power supply contracts in place with four power suppliers that will ensure continuous supply of electricity in the franchise area.

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT.

Sen. Cynthia Villar (center) recently lauded women empowerment in the country, which is not only confined in empowerment versus violence and other forms of abuse. During the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountant (PICPA) First Women Summit, Villar said livelihood opportunities enabled women to achieve financial independence or economic empowerment.

As a legislator and social entrepreneur, Villar helped establish livelihood opportunities in about 7,000 locations around the country, benefitting mostly women.

Valenzuela passes anti-hoarding, anti-panic buying measure THE Valenzuela City Council has passed City Ordinance No. 669, Series of 2020 or the “Anti-Hoarding and Anti-Panic Buying Ordinance of Valenzuela City” to ensure enough supplies of needed goods during the novel coronavirus {COVID-19) pandemic.

The ordinance, principally authored by 1st District Councilor Rovin Feliciano and

sponsored by 2nd District Councilor Kim Galang-Tiangco, Committee Chairperson on Livelihood, Trade, Commerce and Industry, was finalized on the 3rd reading on the same day it was introduced on the table for approval last March 12.

Taking into account Presidential Proclamation No. 922, declaring public health emergency throughout the country due

Looc ES pupils get shoes from SM NASUGBU, Batangas—Schoolchildren of the Looc Elementary School here were the recipients of 400 pairs of shoes and 100 sets of school supplies from SM Foundation, in line with SM Store’s “Share Shoes (Good for the Sole)” campaign.

Program partners were Bata Philippines and the Association of Certified Public Accountants in Commerce and Industry (ACPACI) Philippines.

The schoolchildren were identified as one of those heavily affected by the Taal volcano eruption last January.

Last year, SM Foundation and the Manila Southcoast Development Cor p. tur ned over a fully fur-

nished two-storey, four-classroom building to Looc Elementar y. It was SM Foundation’s 100th school building donated under its school building program.

The distribution of shoes and school supplies was a fun-filled occasion for the school children as ACPACI also organized a party for them.

Students at Looc Elementary School in Nasubu, Batangas line up to receive 400 pairs of shoes and 100 sets of school supplies from SM Foundation, in line with SM Store’s “Share Shoes (Good for the Sole)” campaign.

to COVID-19, the ordinance imposes restrictions on the buying capacity of individuals and retail establishments on some basic and prime commodities.

The proclamation enjoins all national agencies and local government units to render full assistance and cooperation, and to mobilize the necessary resources to undertake critical, urgent, and appro-

priate response and measure to curtail and eliminate the virus.

After a consultative public hearing with barangay officials, representatives from retail establishments and malls around the city, and other concerned individuals, the following restrictions were finalized for immediate and strict implementation. Jun David

BIÑAN—The city government here has staged a drill to arrest the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus (COVID-19), with Mayor Arman Dimaguila leading the way.

The drill was staged “so that every citizen knows what to do in the event of a deadly COVID-19 exposure,” said Dimaguila, who was supported by City Council members, City Health Office, Association of Barangay Chairmen, the City Disaster Office, Barangay Emergency Response Teams and other personalities.

The drill was held at Sitio Pag Asa (Camcam) in Barangay Canlalay, simulating a person suspected of being infected by the virus as a Person Under Investigation and health workers donning Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) in full force or function in their response.

They would take the COVID-19 PUI to the Biñan Hospital for checking and specimen extraction, then the person will be taken to the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine in Muntinlupa City.

Dimaguila warned residents not to share false or fake news related to COVID-19 “Because it does not help the current situation in our country.”

“The aim of this training is to provide our citizens with the right information and methods in the event of an unexpected outbreak or spread of the said coronavirus in our community,” the mayor said.

Dimaguila said the patient’s identity will be announced so that persons who encounter the PUI will immediately go for a checkup.

“Do not panic because your government is ready for any eventuality,” Dimaguila said.

In related news, Santa Rosa City Mayor Arlene Arcillas announced that the city has one positive case of COVID-19 and is being monitored at a local hospital.

The City Government is also in the process of contact-tracing the people in touch with the patient, Arcillas said.

Stay at home, LP Mayor Aguilar urged residents LAS Piñas City Mayor Imelda Aguilar called on city residents to seriously heed the advice of President Rodrigo Duterte to stay at home, as the government implements a community quarantine in Metro Manila to prevent and contain the spread of the fatal coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

“Let us fully cooperate with the duly designated authorities and follow the advice of COVID-19 Task Force like practice social distancing, and avoid crowded places as the spread of the disease continues,” Aguilar said.

The mayor on Friday convened the City Anti-COVID Task Force with Vice Mayor April Aguilar and barangay officials to draft policy direction for maximum compliance to the interagency task force recommendation on community quarantine.

Aguilar earlier confirmed that a 53-year-old male resident, who has no history of travel abroad, tested positive for COVID-19 at Las Piñas General Hospital and Satellite Trauma Center (District Hospital).

“The government hospital is now trying its best to take care of the patient who is now recovering and in stable condition,” Aguilar said.

Surveillance Team of Las Piñas City Health Office started conducting contact tracing on all family members of the patient as well as the community where he lives, she added.

Aguilar said a 24/7 COVID-19 Operation Center with hotlines (02) 8994-5782/ Globe - 09156481735 / Smart - 0928-4627034 is now in effect to serve as help line for persons who believe they have symptoms of COVID-19.

Life

Bernadette Lunas, Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @MStandardLIFE

FOOD

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020

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From almonds to yogurt:

Foods that boost immune system

By Monica Sanchez

M

ULTIPLE statements from medical experts highlight the importance of strengthening immune system to fight the current COVID-19 pandemic and other viruses. Yes, a strong immune system trumps face masks and alcohol—so please, stop hoarding them.

To boost immune system, individuals should get enough sleep, stay active (indoor exercises), maintain good personal hygiene (taking a shower, brushing teeth, washing hands are the basic), and eating immunity-boosting foods.

“While no food or supplement can ‘cure’ or even 100 percent prevent you from catching a virus like the coronavirus or the flu, some foods have been

Citrus fruits

Vitamin C, famous for its role in supporting and boosting the immune system, is quite rich in many citrus fruits such as orange, lemon, lime, pomelo, and grapefruit. According to Sass, while vitamin C can’t prevent illness, studies found that people with respiratory infections have improved blood levels after consuming the right amount. Consuming about 200mg of vitamin C per day has been found to be effective in infection prevention. One medium orange provides 70mg while a grapefruit has almost 90mg.

Turmeric

Touted for its anti-inflammatory properties, found in curcumin—the natural compound responsible for its bright color—experts say turmeric has also been found to boost immune cell activity and enhance antibody responses.

Red bell peppers

Speaking of vitamin C, this nutrient is not only present in sour fruits. In fact, red bell peppers contain twice as much vitamin C as citrus, according to experts. Sass said a medium raw bell pepper has 150mg. Katherine Marengo, a registered dietitian, seconded, adding that red bell peppers are also a rich source of beta carotene that helps keep eyes and skin healthy.

Garlic

New studies reveal garlic “may enhance immune cell function,” as those who received a garlic supplement in a particular research experienced reduced cold and flu severity and had fewer symptoms than those who didn’t receive it. Meanwhile, others credit garlic’s immune-boosting properties to its heavy concentration of sulfur-containing compounds such as allicin which are said to boost the disease-fighting response of some types of white blood cells in the body.

shown to help bolster immunity,” registered dietitian Cynthia Sass wrote in article published on Health Magazine.

Instead of stocking up on canned goods and processed foods, the nutrition expert recommends incorporating these food items, which can be found in supermarkets, markets, or be delivered online (Session Groceries, Homegrown Organics, for example, offer deliveries of fresh produce, among others).

Almonds

Aside from vitamin C, another nutrient vital in boosting immune system is vitamin E. “This fat soluble vitamin boosts the activity of immune cells to support the body’s ability to fend off invading bacteria and viruses,” Sass wrote. Almonds and sunflower seeds are rich in vitamin E. About 28 grams of almonds provide 45 percent of the daily recommended goal for vitamin E. Other foods rich in vitamin E are avocados and dark leafy vegetables.

Sweet potatoes

These easily available food item is a rich source of beta carotene which, experts say, aids in producing white blood cells which fight bacteria and viruses. “It also helps form the mucous membranes that line the respiratory tract which acts as a protective barrier to keep germs out of the body,” said Sass. A single serving of baked sweet potato has more than 150 percent of daily vitamin A target.

Carrot is another great source of beta carotene.

Yogurt

Studies point to yogurt’s live active bacteria in helping enhance immunity, particularly in “immunocompromised populations such as the elderly,” researchers Simin Nikbin Meydani and Woel Kyu-Ha said in their research entitled Immunologic effects of yogurt. Some probiotics strains may enhance resistance to and recovery from infection, according to another research.

Green leafy vegetables

Vegetables such as kale and spinach are rich in anti-inflammatory antioxidants and other nutrients such as vitamins A and C and folate which are known to boost immune system.

DINING IN TIME OF COVID-19

Fast food implements ‘no-touch’ delivery

By Steph Llarena WITH the government’s advise to stay home during the Metro Manila-wide community quarantine, many are finding ways to follow and survive the period.

Ordering food has become one of the smart ways to stay away from the public.

To further ensure customer safety, fast food chain MacDonald’s Philippines on March 14 announced the implementation of its No-Touch delivery.

“We are implementing No-Touch deliveries in select areas and are stepping up our procedures to ensure cleanliness and safety— from our store, to our riders, and to your door,” McDonald’s said in a statement.

The No-Touch delivery means custom-

ers will receive their orders without direct contact from the riders.

The procedure works in five steps: (1) the rider will ask the customer where they should place the McDelivery backpack; (2) the rider will place the backpack at the specified spot, and will take 10 steps back; (3) the customer can then open the backpack, take out their order, and check if it’s complete; (4) get the pouch and pay—for cash payments, put the cash in the pouch; for online payments, sign the slip; (5) put the pouch back in the backpack, step back and let the rider know they can retrieve the backpack.

In addition to this new delivery method, the fast food chain reported proper handling of food is followed from the store to delivery.

“The crew washes their hands before handling your orders. They also make sure that your order is complete before putting it in the takeout bag,” said McDonald’s.

Meanwhile the takeout bags are sealed for safety, with a note that says it is a “No-Touch Delivery.”

The McDeliver y backpacks and pouches used are sanitized ever y two hours.

Lastly, the fast food chain requires its riders’ to have their temperatures checked before leaving the store, to wash their hands before and after every delivery, and to wear face masks every time they deliver. They are also provided with rubbing alcohol in their belt bags for their use.

McDonald’s Philippines implements a ‘no-touch’ delivery to ensure customer safety.

Life

C2

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Newly opened Kuya J Café + Restaurant offers freshly brewed coffee and coffee blends as well as sweet and savory meals.

New resto/café

opens in Mandaluyong

F

OLLOWING its opening at Deca Mall in Tondo, Manila, homegrown casual dining outlet Kuya J has opened another branch of its Café + Restaurant at Rockwell Sheridan in Mandaluyong City.

The fast-growing chain offers residents and employees in the area a new hangout spot where its bestselling sweet and savory offerings as well as its own blends and brews are served.

Some of the must-try drinks available at the new store are the rich Kuya J Café House Blend, the creamy and warm cappuccino, the sugary sago’t gulaman coffee, and the chocolatey tablea coffee.

To go well with coffee are the resto/ café’s exclusive menu items like the light and fruity guava cake, the rich and delectable tablea cake, and the smooth and creamy salted egg cheesecake.

Kuya J’s bestsellers, including Grilled Scallops, Beef Caldereta, and Chorizo Dinamitas, to name a few, are also available for those who are looking for heavier meals.

Rockwell Sheridan branch franchise owners Erwin Chen and Cherry Rocha, with Kuya J regional business unit manager Judy Ceralde.

Social media posts of those who participated in Alaska’s #LutoOfLove initiative.

Cooking our way to love IF YOU want to avoid negativity, you should stay away from social media.

That, sadly, is the current situation we are in. All it takes is a different point of view to incite an online brawl.

“We are taught to hate by the world around us,” opines political commentator Sally Kohn, in a TED Talk.

But a different kind of social media posts have emerged; these posts are about sharing and caring through cooking.

Milk brand Alaska has encouraged its employees and partners to cook for each other and their families, as part of

Some of the homegrown restaurant’s bestselling dishes are also available at the café.

BITES

its #LutoOfLove initiative.

“It’s easier said than done, to be honest. But we believe that in these times, we should encourage each other to be better, find ways to add love every day,” says Harvey Uong, managing director for Alaska. “Food and cooking is one of the easiest ways to do that.”

Alaska Milk and its partner agencies are also answering the challenge of adding love to everyday cooking.

“Sharing food is a simple, but powerful way to let someone know that you care for them,” adds Uong.

2 institutions team up to advance culinary education

THE Philippines’ top culinary school, Center for Culinary Arts (CCA Manila) has partnered with a North American professional chefs organization to provide world-class culinary education.

The American Culinary Federation (ACF), established in 1929, has a certification program considered throughout the world as the standard for excellence in professional skills and knowledge in the culinary industry.

“Since 2011, CCA Manila is the site of certification tests, both for practical and written examinations. To be an accredited test site, the institution should be recognized by the ACF through its ACFEF accredited programs. As of 2019, CCA Manila remains to be the only institution recognized by ACF in the Asia Pacific region as an ACF test site,” said Dr. Veritas F. Luna, chancellor for education of CCA Manila.

In the latter part of 2019, CCA Manila was again the test site for ACF professional certification in the Asia Pacific region.

“Professionals come to CCA Manila for their certification tests due to confidence in our brand and proximity,” said Dr. Luna.

The practical test took only about one to one-and-a-half hour, but the rigors

of preparing to successfully hurdle the practical test took at least six months per candidate. Before a professional could take the test, an application accompanied with the evidence of education, qualifications, and industry experience and a pre-approval fee are submitted for review to the ACF Committee.

In addition, continuing education hours in nutrition, food safety, and supervisory management were basic requirements, and higher certification levels required additional education updates on beverage management and cost control management.

“Our CCA faculty candidates worked hard for their certifications. As of the moment, 100 percent of CCA Manila faculty who pursued the practical tests have passed. The support of the school administrators and owners, including both financial and teaching load reduction, and recognition of the faculty’s positive and sincere effort on this endeavor, is a sure path to successfully acquire their ACF professional certifications soon,” added Dr. Luna.

Likewise, four professional chefs from Taiwan, Guam, Japan, and Cebu passed their practical tests at CCA Manila. Of the

11 candidates, two have been conferred their professional certificates. The rest are now preparing to take their written tests at CCA Manila this 2020.

“CCA Manila is officially affiliated with ACF through the ACFEF accreditation of the academic programs. Since 2006, CCA Manila has continually sought support from the ACF through accreditation of programs, as well as certification of its faculty chef,” explained Dr. Luna.

The culinary institution is now on its fourth round of program accreditation renewal—from 2006, 2010, 2015, to 2020.

Through this effort, CCA Manila has assisted a total of 24 professional chefs in the certification at various levels.

“The partnership with the ACF is important to CCA Manila as it ensures compliance to international standards for quality culinary arts education. As the pioneer and leader in culinary arts education in the country, CCA Manila holds the responsibility of offering only the best education to its students for global culinary competence,” she said.

Call 0917-5059370 or (02) 7218-8566, or email talktous@cca-manila.edu.ph for inquiries on CCA manila courses.

Popeyes’ light and fluffy heart biscuit

Heart biscuit THE Philippine branch of Louisiana fast food chain Popeyes launches a new offering that is truly tummy-filling as it is heartwarming.

Available for a limited time only, the light and fluffy Heart Biscuits are glazed with honey, giving it the perfect sweet, salty, and buttery taste in

every bite. A piece is priced at P45 while a box of three is at P125.

Popeyes also offers a For Us bundle, which includes two plates of spaghetti, two Heart Biscuits, and two drinks, for P188. While a solo version of this bundle is available in a “For Me” variation.

The American Culinary Federation’s chef assessors (seated) with the faculty and management of Center for Culinary Arts Manila.

ACF-certified CCA faculty and their students during the CCA-ACF celebration dinner.

Entertainment

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020 nickie.standard@gmail.com

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Myke Celis’ 5 coaching questions to address COVID-19 fear

T

HE outbreak of the COVID-19 virus has caused panic all over the globe.

With rising cases every single day, citizens are getting alarmed, which causes them to engage in panic buying and self-isolation. Fear now prevents people from going about their daily routines as they live each day worrying about the virus as it spreads.

Coach Myke Celis, a global Master Life Coach and bestselling author known for his coaching platform #bestmeever, says that panic is a normal reaction.

However, he adds that one must not stay in that state.

“Fear cripples you. In this case, people are crippled about something not yet totally clear to them. There are a few stuff we can read from social media and majority of which can cause panic coming from the space of something unfamiliar,” Celis said.

“But based on what I read and understood, the COVID-19 is not exactly a ‘death sentence’ per se.

So, I believe people should do a self check first so that they can shake off the panic mode and revert back to their usual self because life has to go on, like it always does,” he added.

Coach Myke then comes up with a list of questions which people can reflect on to help put their panic mode to a stop: 1. Is what you know based on fact or assumption?

“It’s easy to gain access to various sources of information. But the important thing here is to verify.

Do your diligent research. Don’t react immediately.”

2. What exactly are you afraid of?

“Ask yourself this: is it really the virus? Or your missed trip? Your work deadlines? When you are clear about what you’re scared of, you can slowly address them one by one coming from a space of logic, rather than just heightened emotions.”

3. How prepared are you?

“The DOH has released a couple of guidelines on how we could prevent the virus from spreading. As you do a self-check, be honest with yourself. Know what still needs to be done. To be improved. Then start from there.”

4. Is it something that you can control?

“Ok, no one knows how or when this Corona Virus will disappear. But if it’s beyond your control, why stress about it? When you know you’re doing everything that you can, with all your best and all that you have, that should put you at ease. Trust that you’ll be fine. But you have to trust yourself in the process too. Calm down. Solutions will follow.”

5. What support do you need?

“Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you feel that it’s getting the best of you and you need professional help, reach out. No judgments here.”

“In times like these, coaching can help individuals understand their fears and emotions better so they can process everything fully properly. The key here is to understand that whatever space they’re in right now, help is readily available. They just have to reach out.

That’s the first step in winning in this battle against the Corona Virus, and other personal battles to be exact,” Celis concluded.

To get in touch with Coach Myke Celis by visiting www.bestmeever.com.

New online show empowers rising stars PROMISING emerging talents and their inspiring stories take the center stage in the newest musical variety program online, Star Hunt Avenue.

Streaming monthly on Star Hunt’s Facebook, YouTube, and KUMU accounts, Star Hunt Avenue features various dreamers from all walks of life, who will be given the opportunity to fulfill their dreams as performers. The show is hosted by the “Star-kada,” composed of Star Hunt artists who add fun and laughter to each episode.

Fans are also a vital part of the show as they get to decide who will be the next batch of “Star-kada.” All they have to do is tune in to “KUMU Korner” in the KUMU app and give diamonds to the Star Hunt artists whom they want to host the show. The artists with the most diamonds will become the “Star-kada” of the month.

Meanwhile, by using the hashtag #BagaySaStarHunt in their videos, aspiring stars will have the chance to perform on Star Hunt Avenue and showcase their talent.

The show had its first run recently, which introduced its first batch of “Star-kada” namely Aljon Mendoza, Karina Bautista, Denize Castillo, Jem Macatuno, Argel Saycon, and Kiara Takahashi.

Taking the spotlight in the show’s pilot episode was the rap group Soulstice, which sang their hit song “Ivana,” followed by the dance performance of Rosa Leonero, Geraldine Manalo, and Alcy Hikban who gained popularity over their Tiktok dance challenge.

The cast of Tabing Ilog The Musical, meanwhile, gave a glimpse on what to expect in their show through their song number, while singer Bryant serenaded viewers by singing his single “Malaya Ako,” the theme song of iWant original series “Hush.”

Aside from the performances, the “Star-kada” also took the “Light Camera Emoji” challenge where they acted on scenes based on the emotions that flashed on the screen.

The next episode of Star Hunt Avenue is slated to stream on March 26.

StarKadas Jem Macatuno, Kiara Takahashi, Aljon Mendoza, Argel Saycon, Karina Bautista, and Denize Castillo

Author and global Master Life Coach Myke Celis

Curtains...

From C4

Performances closed after 5:00 pm (2100 GMT) Thursday and will not start up again until April 13, announced the Broadway League, a trade association.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo earlier told reporters only schools, hospitals, nursing homes and mass transit facilities would be allowed gatherings of more than 500 people from Friday because of the pandemic, which has so far infected more than 1,300 in the United States.

The capacity for seated venues in New York is to be reduced by 50 percent, even if the occupancy is normally 500 or less.

Mayor Bill de Blasio declared a state of emergency in the city, saying it could have 1,000 COVID-19 cases by next week, a significant spike from the current tally of 95.

New York postponed its upcoming Tribeca Film Festival as well as the annual St Patrick’s Day parade, the largest in the US that attracts two million spectators.

The Broadway closure is a major blow for a tourism income stream that brought in more than $26.7 million last week alone.

“Our top priority has been and will continue to be the health and well-being of Broadway theatergoers and the thousands of people who work in the theater industry every day, including actors, musicians, stagehands, ushers, and many other dedicated professionals,” Charlotte St Martin, president of the Broadway League, said in a statement.

The shutdown will be even longer than a landmark pause in 2007 when a stagehand strike dropped curtains for 19 days.

Simply untenable The Met said it would close from March 13 without giving a reopening date, while the Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and the New York Philharmonic canceled programming through March 31.

“With health authorities urging social distancing with greater emphasis, it is simply untenable for us to continue to perform, as it puts our artists, staff, and audiences at risk,” the Met Opera’s general manager Peter Gelb said in a statement.

The world's largest concert and ticketing firm Live Nation was suspending all tours.

The Met art museum said it would close all three of its institutions -- the flagship location on Fifth Avenue, the Met Breuer and the Met Cloisters -- and would “undertake a thorough cleaning” of each.

“While we don’t have any confirmed cases connected to the museum, we believe that we must do all that we can to ensure a safe and healthy environment for our community,” said the museum’s president and CEO Daniel Weiss.

The Met museum drew more than seven million visitors in 2019, with nearly a third coming from abroad.

The Brooklyn Museum followed suit in closing, and Washington’s Kennedy Center and the Boston Symphony Orchestra also said they would be closing their doors until the end of March.

Deep blow The latest string of cancellations and closures comes as the entertainment industry grapples with the shutdown of Austin’s South by Southwest and Miami’s Ultra festivals, along with the postponement of California’s premier desert music fest Coachella.

Industry tracker Billboard also reported Thursday that the globe’s largest concert and ticketing firm Live

Nation was suspending all tours.

The measure would spell disaster for many artists and their crews who rely on live performances for much of their income, as streaming eats into album sales.

Live Nation -- whose stock plummeted 16.6 percent Wednesday -said its staff was prepared to weather the closure, according to Billboard, and would reevaluate the situation in early April.

Tours affected include Billie Eilish, Cher, Kiss, Post Malone, and Tool.

Eilish on Thursday postponed her North American dates, saying in a statement “please keep yourselves healthy. I love you.”

But smaller venues and creatives stand to take the worst hit.

House of Yes, a performance venue in Brooklyn, announced that its weekend events would operate at half capacity per the governor’s directive, and then it would close until further notice.

“We also hope the government will enact supportive measures for small businesses, artists, live performers, and freelancers that will cushion the very deep blow to our core community,” the club said in a statement. AFP

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020

W

HILE the government rolls out sweeping new measures to reduce human contact of COVID-19, the country’s major media networks, ABSCBN and GMA-7, have temporarily cancelled airing of live entertainment programs, production of television series and movies, and other entertainment events.

In a statement shared by ABS-CBN head of corporate communications head, Kane Errol Choa, with Manila Standard, the network has stopped tapings of all television series in compliance with the guidelines set by the government concerning the COVID-19 outbreak and for the safety of everyone involved.

Taping cancellation means, its primetime lineup will have to be changed, too, starting tonight.

Entertainment Major networks announce programming shift,

COVID-19 control measures

Coco Martin as Cardo Dalisay in ‘FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano’

Cardo Dalisay bids television goodbye…temporarily

After almost five years on air, Ricardo «Cardo» Dalisay, the lead character of primetime stalwart FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, and played by Coco Martin, will have to hang his famous bomber jacket for the time being. Other shows like Make It With You, A Soldier’s Heart, and Pamilya Ko are taking a much needed breather, too.

Starting tonight, the Kapamilya network is bringing back its classic teleseryes and airing iWant original series in lieu of its current primetime lineup.

FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano is replaced by the inspirational series May Bukas Pa starring Zaijian Jaranilla.

While the heartwarming series 100 Days to Heaven starring Coney Reyes, Jodi Sta. Maria, and Xyriel Manabat takes over the slot of Sylvia Sanchez’s Pamilya Ko. Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil’s romantic drama Make It With You is replaced by Nadine Lustre and James Reid’s On The Wings of Love. While A Soldier’s Heart is replaced by the mystery thriller I Am U, an iWant original series topbilled by Julia Barretto, from March 16 to 20.

“We assure our viewers that the changes are only temporary. We will resume our regular programming when conditions improve and the safety and welfare of our people will not be compromised. We vow to continue bringing hope and inspiration to our viewers through our shows as we remain committed to serving the Filipino people,” the ABS-CBN statement said.

Meanwhile, GMA Network has issued its statement on programming as well.

We are publishing the statement in toto: GMA Network is staying true to its commitment to deliver Serbisyong Totoo most especially during these trying times through the continued delivery of the latest news and information to the public across all its platforms.

On air, viewers could stay up-todate by watching newscasts and other breaking news on GMA-7 and GMA News TV. Listeners can be assured that they can still tune in via Super Radyo DZBB 594khz, Barangay LS 97.1, and the rest of Radio GMA stations across the country. Netizens, on the other hand, will still be updated via GMA News Online and GMA News and Public Affairs social media accounts.

Coney Reyes, Jodi Sta. Maria, and Xyriel Manabal of ‘100 Days to Heaven’

Nadine Lustre and James Reid, stars of ‘On The Wings of Love. ‘

The cast of the family drama ‘Pamilya Ko’

In accordance, however, with the government›s declaration of a community quarantine in Metro Manila and as part of the measures that the Network is doing to ensure the safety and well-being of its talents, production teams, employees, their families as well as the general public, GMA will be temporarily suspending the production of Network-produced entertainment programs.

The Network has also advised its blocktimers and co-producers to comply with the community quarantine guidelines. GMA will continue to air fresh, pre-taped episodes of some shows and thereafter, a new programming line-up is in store for all Kapuso viewers in the coming days.

are enforced for employees, artists, suppliers and other public entities, except those attending the basic and safety operation of the building.

Mindful of the health and well-being of its employees and our publics, the CCP will still implement strict safety measures such as thermal scanning of all personnel. Those who have a 37.6 temperature reading will be refused entry. Those who have cough and colds are advised to stay at home.

For updates and advisories, please visit www.culturalcenter.gov.ph and follow CCP official accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Country’s cultural Mecca shuts down

In response to the Code Red Alert Sublevel 2 on COVID-19, the Cultural Center of the Philippines is closed until April 14.

All shows, exhibits and public events during the period are cancelled and or postponed.

As prescribed by the Philippine government, the CCP still functions on a skeletal workforce. Restricted access

Other events and shows cancelled are as follow: Daang Dokyu

The Daang Dokyu team would like to thank all of you for the excitement you have shown over the past days and weeks leading up to the festival. We’re just as eager, but your health, safety, and well-being are our priority. Following the recent declaration of a state of public health emergency, as well as the suspension of all public events at the UP

Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil’s of the romantic drama ‘Make It With You’

Young Zaijan Jarnilla as Santino in ‘May Bukas Pa’

Film Center, we have decided to post- against COVID-19 and help slow down pone Daang Dokyu initially scheduled its spread. for March 16-21 to a later date this year.

A temperature check is conducted on everybody entering our malls, cinemas, ‘Anna In The Tropics’ office buildings, residential condos, hotel, All performances of Anna in the arena, cinemas, and transport terminals.

Tropics in OnStage Theater are Those with 37.6° and above body temcanceled. Show director Joey Men- perature will be prevented from entering doza, has given so much of himself to these establishments, and will be asked to make this production come to life. And seek immediate medical care. what a spectacular show it would’ve Hand sanitizer and alcohol dispensbeen. His creatives (two of whom flew ers are placed in strategic areas like lobin from the US), the production team bies and entrances, concierge booths, and the cast have also contributed so hallways, restrooms, and payment counmuch of their talent and passion. We re- ters. Public restrooms are provided with ally wish you could’ve seen the show. enough amenities like toilet paper and soap throughout the day.

‘Carousel’ A dedicated team is tasked to regularly The cast and crew of the show are sanitize elevators, escalators, restrooms, unable to continue rehearsing, which railings, glass doors and doorknobs, and is why they are postponing its produc- other points frequently touched by the tion. Carousel was originally scheduled public. Even the pathways, sidewalks, and to open on May 1 and will run through roads within Araneta City are cleansed May 24. They are rescheduling the and disinfected. show for some time in July or August.

The management provides proper information to all tenants, employees, and Araneta City’s precautionary visitors in Araneta City. Safety guidelines are posted in key public areas, and measures Araneta City is implementing preven- safety protocols are distributed among tive measures to safeguard the public employees and business tenants.