Manila Standard - 2020 March 23 - Monday

Health warriors turn to prayers

By Joyce Pangco Pañares themselves, too.

In a photo taken by emergencyand Macon Ramos-Araneta

room nurse Steven Mari Cadiz, docDOCTORS and health workers from tors and medical workers in full prothe emergency department of The tective gear can be seen gathered in a Medical City have turned to prayer as circle and bowed in prayer.

Next page they continue to battle the novel coronavirus disease or COVID-19 at the risk of exposing VOL. XXXIV • NO. 41 • 2 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 • MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN SICKNESS, IN HEALTH. Health workers of the The Medical City pray before starting their duty as among the frontliners in the efforts to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

From the FB photo of Steven Mari Cadiz

Rody eyes na’tl emergency

Asks Congress for powers to align budget, take over certain businesses

By Joyce Pangco Pañares, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Vito Barcelo

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has asked Congress to declare a national emergency and grant him powers that will, among others, allow him to take over privately-owned public utilities or businesses affected with public interest to effectively arrest the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

HELP IS COMING. Director Armin S. Coronado of the PUP Institute of Science and Technology Research heads a team that produces ehtyl alcohol in their laboratory after alcohol and sanitizers vanished from the stores. Their produce will be donated to health workers and other frontliners who are spearheading the fight against the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The request came as Congress is poised to pass today a bill that will grant Duterte the power to realign available funds from government-owned or -controlled corporations for a P200 billion war chest against the virus.

In a letter to Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Duterte appealed for the immediate enactment of a Palace draft bill entitled “An act to declare the existence of a national emergency arising from the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) situation, a unified national policy in connection therewith, and to authorize the President of the Republic of the Philippines for a limited period and subject to restrictions, to exercise powers necessary and proper to carry

out the declared national policy and for other purposes.”

The six-page draft bill underscored how the enhanced community quarantine throughout Luzon was not enough to avert the spread of the virus.

“Despite government interventions and efforts, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 continues and is expected to rise throughout the country, as it is in other parts of the world, giving rise to an emergency of national proportions,” read the draft bill.

Among the powers that the draft bill seeks for the President is the power “to temporarily take over or direct the operation of any privately-owned public utility Next page

S’pore donates Virus cases in PH post biggest one-day leap at 150; death toll, 25 3K testing kits —DFA chief

By Macon Ramos-Araneta, Rey E. Requejo and Darwin G. Amojelar

SINGAPORE will donate 3,000 coronavirus testing kits and a PCR machine or thermal cycler to the Philippines to help it fight the COVID-19 pandemic, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said Sunday.

“Singapore is donating 3,000 Covid test kits and one PCR machine. Thank you so much,” Locsin said in his Twitter account.

He added he was about to send a memo to the President.

“Memoing the President about this right now. I’m a bit tired,” Locsin said.

Next page

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire attributed the leap in the number of confirmed cases to the increased number of tests conducted by THE country’s confirmed COVID-19 the government.

“Our capacity (to test) has been excases surged to 380, with 150 new cases recorded Saturday—the highest jump panded to other laboratories,” she said.

Around 125,000 test kits from South in a single day—while the death toll increased to 25.

Next page

Almost a billion on home quarantine ROUNDUP

NEARLY one billion people around the world were confined to their homes on Sunday, as the coronavirus death toll crossed 13,000 and factories were shut in worst-hit Italy after another single-day fatalities record.

The raging pandemic has forced

lockdowns in 35 countries across the globe, disrupting lives, travel and businesses as governments scramble to shut borders and unleash hundreds of billions in emergency measures to avoid a widespread Next page

Tales of two COVID-19 survivors inspire hope

By Joel E. Zurbano

BEING a COVID-19 patient does not mean the end of the world. There is hope, according to two people who recovered from the disease.

One of them was a 25-year-old returning Filipino who, after five years, arrived from the United Arab Emirates

last month to celebrate his birthday with his family.

But he got sick and tested positive during his birthday, and was worried and did not know if he would ever recover. He was then taken to a hospital “It was difficult that I was alone on my birthday; I was isolated physically, Next page

COVID-19 to force several gas stations to shut down Story on B1

POPBURRI not only offers food for free to the homeless, but also serves as a refuge.

QC resto is shelter for homeless

By Randy Caluag

to the homeless affected by the Enhanced Community Quarantine being INSTEAD of opening for business and enforced by the government due to the cashing in on food delivery, a restau- COVID-19 pandemic.

In its Facebook post, Popburri said rant in Kamias, Quezon City, has ofNext page fered free accommodation and food

A2

News

MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Rody...

From A1 or business affected with public interest to be used in addressing the needs of the public during the COVID-19 emergency as determined by the President when the public interest so requires.”

The utilities or business include, but are not limited to, “hotels and other similar establishments to house health workers, serve as quarantine areas, quarantine centers, medical relief and aid distribu-

tion locations or other temporary medical facilities; public transportation to ferry health, emergency and frontline personnel and other persons; and telecommunication entities to facilitate uninterrupted communication channels between the government and the public.”

The bill, however, said that to the extent feasible, management shall be retained by the owners of the public service or enterprise, under the direction and supervision of the President or his duly designated representative.

Sotto, however, stressed that the Pres-

ident is not seeking emergency powers.

“Nothing there says emergency powers,” he said.

The Senate President also acknowledged that the takeover provision “won’t fly in the Senate.”

“That is the proposal of the executive department. That was not fully discussed during our meeting (Saturday).

Therefore, nothing is written in stone.”

During Saturday’s meeting at the Palace, lawmakers agreed to pass a P200 billion supplemental budget to help the executive branch address the

spread of the virus.

Sotto said the amount will cover 16.5 million families who are in actual need of government assistance.

He said the “ballpark figure” can still change as Senator Panfilo Lacson warned the budget might not be enough.

“It can be lower, it can be higher,” Sotto said.

Sotto said the country has 22 million families, of which 16.5 million are considered poor while the remaining 5.5 million have the capacity to sustain themselves during the emergency.

Health...

From A1

Virus...

From A1

“Lord, I hope this ends soon...#front liners before our everyday battle,” Cadiz said in his post that has since gone viral over the weekend.

“A captured moment of our Emergency Department team saying their prayers before they step out to work at the front lines. We at The Medical City applaud all health care workers and support staff for their bravery and dedication during these challenging times,” The Medical City said in its Facebook post sharing Cadiz’s photo.

The photo resonated with all Filipinos, but perhaps more so with the front liners at The Medical City, where at least 150 doctors and personnel are under quarantine for exposure to patients with COVID-19.

TMC president Eugenio Ramos says that, as of Friday, the hospital had 18 COVID-19 patients and 54 people under investigation.

“The other day we had 140 doctors and nurses under quarantine. Now the number has risen to 150. It’s getting scary,” Ramos said in a radio interview on Friday.

“The challenge is not simply the number but the exposure of our doctors, and the fast spread of the virus.

Our PPEs [personal protective equipment] are running out. Our rooms are being converted to wards for COVID-19 patients.”

As emergency rooms continue to strain under the sheer volume of COVID-19 patients and even PUIs, doctors have begged the government to immediately procure PPEs. The doctors, led by Philippine College of Physicians president Gina Nazareth, say the shortage of PPEs is taking a toll on front line health workers.

“Ensuring the protection of our health workers is paramount to strengthening our workforce,” Nazareth said.

The Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center on Saturday announced that one of its doctors lost his battle against COVID-19 after he was reportedly exposed to a suspected patient who lied about his travel history.

An anesthesiologist taking care of COVID-19 patients at the Manila Doctors Hospital, on the other hand, succumbed to complications from the virus. His wife, also an anesthesiologist, is now fighting for her life at the intensive-care unit of the hospital.

A young cardiologist confined at the Philippine Heart Center, who did not have any direct contacts with COVID-19 patients, also died on Saturday.

“His symptoms actually began even before the community quarantine got off.

An assiduous contact tracing continues,” said Joel Abanilla, recalling how they heard the news while conducting their Incident Command Post meeting.

“We paused, we prayed―with a few unable to control their tears. We can only question why this young trainee with a promise of a bright future had to be the one to go. We have no answers,” Abanilla said.

Also on Saturday, the Philippine Heart Association said one of its members died of COVID-19 “while fulfilling his duties as a doctor.”

Korea and China arrived over the weekend in the Philippines, which is now able to conduct as many as 1,000 tests for COVID-19 daily.

Vergeire said the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) can conduct an average of 600 tests per day, while four subnational laboratories – Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center in Baguio City, San Lazaro Hospital in Manila City, Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City and Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City – can do at least 50 tests daily.

The World Health Organization said the laboratory of the University of the Philippines-National Institutes of Health will “soon” be ready for testing as well.

Vergeire, however, said there is no need to conduct mass testing yet, although the government is ready to do so if the need arises.

“We are being challenged right now with our testing capacity and laboratory capacity,” she said, adding that the test would be administered only to the elderly and patients who have been exhibiting symptoms of the disease, including fever, headache and cough, among others.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque himself had to be tested for the virus.

Duque, who is asthmatic and hypertensive, tested negative, but has opted to go under a 14-day quarantine after a DOH director from its Central Office tested positive for the virus.

President Rodrido Duterte also tested

negative for the virus, along with Cabinet members Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and Public Works Secretary Mark Villar.

The DOH has already coverted two hospitals – Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center and a building at the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital – for use by COVID-19 patients exclusively.

The move was in response to a plea from private hospitals, which called on the national government and the DOH to designate hospitals for patients infected with the new pathogen, saying the growing health crisis has overwhelmed health care centers.

“We are very scared. With depleting resources, private hospitals appeal for designated COVID-19 facilities. We are aware that there is a plan to do this; we are urgently appealing for the DoH to mobilize this plan, challenging as it may be, but which the private hospitals are willing and ready to facilitate,” they said.

Duque said the department is looking at the Lung Center of the Philippines for a similar setup but its executive director said this would be difficult to do since they have many cancer and tuberculosis patients.

Two more Filipinos abroad – one in Brunei and one in India – tested positive for COVID-19, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Sunday.

The DFA said the Filipino patient in Brunei is in a local health facility and is in stable condition, citing a report from the Ministry of Health of Brunei Darussalam.

The other Filipino patient arrived in

India early March and was confined in a hospital in Mumbai after complaining of difficulty in breathing.

The Philippine embassies in the two countries vowed to extend assistance to the patients to ensure they are given maximum care and support.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said it completed to the construction of 110 evacuation centers nationwide can be used as health facilities for suspected victims of COVID-19 virus.

“Considering the 12-square-meter per patient latest safety measure of the DOH, the 110 evacuation centers converted into health facilities can accommodate an estimated number of 4,620 patients,” Public Works Secretary Mark A. Villar said.

Villar had earlier directed a study of the possible conversion of evacuation centers to augment the capacity of hospitals and health care centers.

Vergeire confirmed 73 more tested positive for the new coronavirus, which brought to 380 the total number of cases.

She also said there are now 25 deaths with six more patients succumbing to the disease. Two more recovered, bringing the number of recoveries to 15.

On Sunday, Vergeire warned against using the antimalarial drug chloroquine to treat COVID-19 due to its side effects.

The Philippine Pharmacists Association, Inc. issued an advisory on Saturday saying pharmacists should not dispense chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine as prophylaxis for COVID-19 without a doctor’s prescription.

The association cited the well-known adverse effects of antimalarial drugs such as abdominal cramps, nausea, and diarrhea.

it will be donating P60 million worth of Personal Protective Equipment and N95 masks to the Department of Health.

These equipment will arrive late next week and will be distributed to medical front liners in the various hospitals dealing with COVID-19 patients.

BCFI says it has also applied with the Food and Drug Administration for permits for three COVID-19 testing kits from China and South Korea.

The foundation says as soon as the clearances and permits are issued, it will procure 100,000 test kits to boost the government’s supply of those materials for testing for COVID-19.”

say how it intends to help the drivers of public utility vehicles who are reeling from the month-long enhanced community quarantine over COVID-19.

He says PUV drivers have no choice but to stop operating while all modes of public transportation are suspended.

He says a jeepney driver usually takes home ₱14,685 a month. Each driver has up to seven family members on the average who depend on his daily take-home pay to survive.

QC resto...

From A1 “in the midst of the Covid-19 we have transformed our store into a homeless shelter. Thank you for your patience as we will no longer be selling food.”

Popburri says the shelter will be open

Tales...

From A1 mentally,” he told ABS-CBN News.

A lot of bad thoughts occurred to me―like why me out of the 105 million Filipino people? I was truly sad and did not know what to do. I lost the will to live and cried.”

The man said he was kept in isolation in the hospital for eight days. But by taking medicines and vitamins and healthy diets, he felt some improvement.

While in his hospital room he read news about the people who recovered from COVIDE-19, and that gave him hope.

S’pore donates...

From A1 Appeal for support Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente has appealed for support in securing personal protective equipment―and especially for Immigration officers at the international airports and seaports in the amid the COVID-2019 outbreak.

“We are sourcing masks, alcohol and other PPEs, but we are honestly finding it hard to procure these as there is a worldwide lack of supply,” Morente said in a statement.

“Hence we often rely on donations from other government agencies and concerned entities.”

Immigration Port Operations Division Chief Grifton Medina has described the situation at the front lines during the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine as “risky” because Immigration officers feel threatened by the virus, and there is always the fear of being exposed to it.”

Immigration officers, according to Medina, are the first to interact with arriving passengers who might be carriers.

P60-million donation

Courts ordered closed The Justice department has ordered the closure of all prosecution offices, but says prosecutors will remain “on call” as part of its efforts to control the spread of COVID-19.

“All courts nationwide are physically closed, but all are on call,” Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said in a text message.

Earlier, the Supreme Court ordered all courts nationwide closed, with the judges and their staff to be reached only by phone or online starting March 23.

Courts will only be opened to act on matters considered urgent.

Appeal for drivers Bloomberry Cultural Foundation Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said Inc., the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of Solaire Resort & Casino, says Sunday the government has failed to

Advice to the public A Palace official has advised the public to regularly check information and updates on COVID- 19 only from the government website to prevent the spread of fake news that create fear and panic.

In a press briefing, the Presidential Communications Operations Office presented a new web portal where the public can check information and updates on COVID-19 from the government.

Bureau of Communications Services Director Princess Pebble Duque says the portal aims to counter disinformation on COVID-19 and warned anyone dishing out fake news.

The government portal that will serve as news sources are from Philippine News Agency, Philippine Information Agency and People’s Television Network. Rey E. Requejo, Vito Barcelo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

Almost...

From A1 virus-fueled economic meltdown.

More than 300,000 infections have been confirmed worldwide, with the situation increasingly grim in Italy where the death toll spiked to more than 4,800 – over a third of the global total.

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced a closure of all non-essential factories in a late-night TV address on Saturday.

The Mediterranean nation of 60 million is now the epicenter of the disease, which first emerged in central China late last year before marching out to the rest of the world.

Italy has now reported more deaths than mainland China and third-placed Iran combined, and it has a death rate of 8.6 percent among confirmed COVID-19 infections – significantly higher than in most other countries.

Across the Atlantic, more than a third of Americans were adjusting to life in various phases of lockdown, including in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles – the three biggest US cities. Other parts of the United States are expected to ramp up restrictions as well.

“This is a time of shared national sacrifice, but also a time to treasure our loved ones,” US President Donald Trump said. “We’re going to have a great victory.”

The pandemic has bludgeoned global stock markets, and the United States – the world’s biggest economy – is preparing a huge emergency stimulus package that could top $1 trillion.

More US lockdowns seen Millions have been ordered to stay home in the United States.

New Jersey on Saturday followed several states in telling residents to stay indoors. Gov. Phil Murphy ordered all non-essential businesses to close their physical stores from 9:00 p.m.

And in neighboring New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo warned that the disruption is likely to last for months, not weeks.

“I don’t think it’s possible in a city of this size for people to maintain it for much longer than three weeks before they start losing it,” Yona Corn, a 35-year-old singer, said.

“I think there’s going to be a big mental health crisis. I worry about what’s going to happen to people.”

Congress members are hoping to agree on a $1 trillion emergency aid package as fears grow about the economic fallout from the crisis.

The US Food and Drug Administration also approved the first coronavirus test that can be conducted entirely at the point of care for a patient – and deliver results in 45 minutes.

Vice President Mike Pence and his wife tested negative for the coronavirus, his press secretary tweeted Saturday.

The couple had taken the test after one of Pence’s staffers contracted the illness.

The drastic confinement measures follow the example of China, where the lockdown of Hubei province appears to have paid off. Wuhan, Hubei’s capital, is where the virus was first detected.

Europeans stay home France, Italy, Spain and other European countries have ordered people to stay at home, threatening fines in some cases, while Australia on Sunday told citizens to cancel domestic travel plans.

Britain has told pubs, restaurants and theaters to close and warned citizens to stop panic-buying.

And India went into lockdown on Sunday with a one-day nationwide “self-imposed curfew.”

While the elderly and those with preexisting medical conditions are the hardest hit by the virus, the WHO has warned that young people are also vulnerable.

Accurate figures elusive

daily from 6pm to 6am until April 12.

Dinner will be served at 6:30pm.

The restaurant is also accepting donations of food, old mattresses, pillows and bed sheets, but has asked those coming in to bring their own masks as protection against COVID-19.

“We may be small, but we serve a BIG God…let’s be instruments for Him

together!” Popburri said.

Its post has been deluged with kinds words and comments from netizens, with more than 10,000 reactions and 6,200 shares. There were also those who pledged to offer cash and other kinds of help.

“Inspiring, encouraging, empowering.

Thank YOU for what you do. We need

more of YOU and these kinds of initiatives nowadays,” said Angle Cruz Zeta.

This was not the first time that the restaurant has offered its place for shelter.

When Typhoon “Tisoy” was raging in December last year, Popburri also offered shelter and free meals to those who were stranded due to the lack of public transportation.

Accurate COVID-19 figures are difficult to reach because many of the victims suffered from other illnesses, and infection rates are uncertain because of a lack of testing in many countries.

The coronavirus has infected more than 1,000 across Africa too, where healthcare systems are limited and social distancing measures – like the ones being adopted in North America and Europe – are difficult in crowded cities. AFP

Days later, his attending doctors told him he had tested negative twice and was discharged from the hospital, and was advised to go on 14-day self- quarantine.

“I was so happy,” he said. “There was so much joy, so much relief.”

But, afraid to expose his family and friends to the virus, he decided to stay temporarily in Makati City. He said he agreed to be interviewed by ABS-CBN so he could share his story and give hope to those who had contracted the disease.

“In truth, there is hope because―especially if you’re young―COVID-19 will turn out mild, you won’t be affected so much. If you have a strong immunity, if you do not have previous ailments

like asthma, pneumonia, etcetera, you really don’t have to worry,” he said.

He urged the public to observe the social being imposed by the government to prevent the spread of the virus.

“This experience provided me with a better outlook in life. I was given more time to reflect and also to pray to God. My faith was a bit shaken, but I am very thankful for the chance to be healed,” he said.

The second patient shared his experience in his social media account.

The man, who visited Japan last month with two companions, said he was the first Filipino to be confirmed positive with COVID-19.

In Tokyo, he said, they thought they were

making-up for the risk by always “wearing our masks, vigorously washing and rubbing our hands with alcohol and essential oil, and wearing disposable latex gloves which we regularly changed and threw away throughout our five days there.”

They took their flight back home on Feb. 25.

“Gia and Evie sat together on one row and I on another,” the man said.

“Behind me was a Filipino man coughing vigorously, but nothing could be done and we sat on that plane for more than four hours. We had our masks on the whole time, but we suspect this was where I picked-up the virus.”

Seven days later he got sick and de-

cided not to report for work.

On March 3 he went to a hospital, where the attending doctors told him his symptoms were mild and Japan was not a COVID-19 hot spot. But he insisted and was tested and later discharged, and then he went home to Bonifacio Global City.

“At this time Evie was in Lipa and she instructed Gia and our helper to stay in Evie’s mom’s residence nearby in BGC to be isolated.”

Two days after “I received the frightening call from the [Health department] that evening, I was promptly whisked away by an ambulance to the RITM (Research Institute for Tropical Medicine) in Alabang.”

News

MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

A3

Pagcor remits P12B to help fight pandemic

HELPING HAND. Thousands of aid packages donated by the People’s Republic of China are unloaded at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on March 21. The donation includes assorted medical supplies, personal protective equipment, and testing kits for the novel coronavirus.

Tacloban ready for virus tests —Romualdezes

By Maricel V. Cruz TWO lawmakers on Sunday declared that Tacloban City is now prepared and very capable to handle screening for coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) and only awaiting Health Secretary Francisco Duque III’s authority for its health officials to begin the examination.

House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez and Tingog party-list Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez cited the importance of settting up additional facilities for COVID-19 laboratory tests as cases continue to rise.

“The lack of testing centers may have caused the underreporting of COVID-19 cases and has been clogging up our already overloaded hospitals,” the Romualdez couple said.

“Help us and we will help ourselves. Tacloban City with the help of Mayor Alfred Romualdez has done its necessary inventory of assets, including supplies, manpower, laboratory and logistical needs.

We are prepared and capable to handle COVID-19 screening,” they added.

“We are urgently appealing for DOH’s favorable action on our request to establish testing center in Tacloban City for COVID-19 control,” they said.

This developed as Anakalusugan party-list Rep. Mike Defensor warned on Sunday that Filipinos who are unaware that they are living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or with tuberculosis (TB) are extremely susceptible to the new coronavirus disease, or COVID-19.

“We have many undiagnosed cases of HIV and TB, which means they are not currently getting any treatment.

We’re afraid they are highly vulnerable once exposed to the new coronavirus,” Defensor, House health committee vice chairperson, said.

As to Filipinos already diagnosed with HIV or TB, the Department of Health (DOH) should ensure that they are getting their daily doses of free medicines despite the harsh restrictions on the movement of people imposed by the government to control the COVID-19 outbreak, Defensor said.

He added: “The DOH should see to it that all 156 designated HIV outpatient centers stay open so that those already undergoing treatment are still able to get their free supply of antiretroviral drugs,” Defensor said.

“We have more than 48,000 Filipinos living with HIV who are currently undergoing anti-retroviral therapy, plus another 1,000 new cases every month who are initiated (on the therapy),” Defensor pointed out.

The DOH’s National HIV/ AIDS Registry reported a total of 71,778 cases as of September 2019. Rio N. Araja

CIDG arrests 30 hoarders of alcohol, face masks A

By Francisco Tuyay and Willie Casas

T LEAST 30 individuals hoarding and selling overpriced medical supplies, particularly alcohol, sanitizers and face masks, were arrested by authorities in separate operations across the country.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, along with agents from the Department of Trade and Industry, seized P4.2 million worth of alcohol, hand sanitizers and face masks from the suspects.

The first batch of suspects were identified as Ernel Vincent Estilo, Nelgielyn Indong, Girlie Bonifacio, Charles Cabulao, Rosalito Manalo, Juan Fidel Talag, Jane Aguilar, and Christian Alfred Gonzales, all cornered by the CIDG-DTI team during entrapment

operations in Tondo, Manila.

The suspects were selling face masks at P2,500 per box. They also had boxes of face mask worth P620,000.

In Ilagan City, Isabela, businessman Michael Bravo was nabbed in front of North Star Mall in Brgy Alibagu for selling overpriced alcohol and face masks. Authorities seized from his possession 20 bottles of hand sanitizers, 31 bottles of ethyl alcohol (500ml) and

38 pieces of masks.

In Central Luzon, CIDG-DTI operatives arrested Jimmel Angelo Jimenez, Mark Kevin de Guzman and Jennifer Coronel in three separate areas in Olongapo, Tarlac and Bataan, respectively, for selling overpriced alcohol.

In Nueva Ecija, police rounded up four alleged gang members – as Bener Navarrete, Jonathan Segura, Edgardo Corpuz and Johnray Segura – for hoarding, profiteering, selling and refilling of isopropyl alcohol in Cabanatuan City.

In Mindanao, CIDG operatives arrested three persons engaged in illegal trading of medical supplies—hand sanitizer, and alcohol. They were identified as Gretchen Caare, Rhocile Lee Romblon Fournier and Marcelino Yu. Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Investigation raided a number of stores selling overpriced medical supplies in Manila and Rizal over the weekend.

No-liability sought for volunteers’ acts in times of calamity VOLUNTEER-WORKERS during times of calamities or emergencies like the virus pandemic will get protection for acts or omissions if a House of Representativesapproved bill gets enacted.

House Bill 6091 or the Emergency Volunteer Protection Act provides that volunteers who commit acts or omissions while in the performance of their duties during emergency situations will not be held liable.

The bill was passed on third and final reading with 248 members voting in favor of the bill. San Jose del Monte Rep. Florida Robes of San Jose del Monte, chairman of the House committee on people’s participation, was among the legislators who sponsored the bill.

To fall under the protection of the bill, Robes said the volunteer must be acting under the following conditions: 1.) the volunteer was acting in an emergency situation at the

scene of an accident; 2.) the volunteer was property licensed, certified, or authorized by the appropriate authorities, either government entities or non-government organizations, for the activities undertaken in an emergency at the time of the act of omission; and 3.) the harm was not caused by willful or criminal misconduct, gross negligence, reckless misconduct, or a conscious, flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of the individual harmed by the volunteer.

THE Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation has earmarked P12 billion for remittance to the National Treasury on March 24 as the government heightens its revenue generation efforts to cushion the economic impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.

The amount, which comprises the agency’s 2019 cash dividends, is P5.67 billion higher than the P6.33 billion dividends that Pagcor is required to remit, based on the agency’s 2019 financial report.

In 2019, Pagcor recorded P75.75 billion in gaming revenues.

Pursuant to Republic Act No. 7656, government-owned and/ or -controlled corporations like Pagcor are required to remit at least 50 percent of their annual net earnings as cash, stock or property dividends to the national government.

Pagcor chairman and CEO Andrea Domingo said that with the P12 billion remittance, the agency’s 2019 cash dividends will be 44.74 percent higher than the required annual net earnings.

“As one of the government’s biggest revenue generators, Pagcor has always been trying to exceed its past achievements. While this is not an easy feat, we will always do our best to respond to our mandate and call of duty. We support the President’s war against COVID-19,” she said.

From 2011 to 2018, Pagcor has already remitted a total of P33.33 billion cash dividends to the National Treasury, which solidified the state-run gaming agency’s standing in the GOCC Elite Circle or the Billionaires’ Club which include agencies that remit at least P1 billion cash dividends annually to the government.

No-liability sought

Make way for pet doctors, checkpoint personnel urged THE Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases should order personnel manning checkpoints, including those in the barangays, to allow the movement of animal doctors and their staff as long as they are wearing proper personal protective equipment, a party-list lawmaker on Sunday said.

Rep. Ronnie Ong of Ang Probinsyano party-list echoed the declaration of Agriculture Secretary William Dar that veterinarians should be exempt from the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine.

Ong said that special passes should be also issued to people who have pets that require medical attention.

Because of the lockdown, Ong said many pet dogs, cats and even essential livestock could become ill because veterinarians and their staff are not among those exempted from the ECQ. “We have to treat our vets are part of our frontliners, not just our human doctors,” Ong, vice chairman of the House committee on rural development, stressed.

“The social media is abuzz with a lot of complaints of our kababayans who cannot take their pets to the vets because either the clinics are closed or they are being prevented to pass through checkpoints. This is very painful for people who regard their pets as family,” Ong said. Maricel V. Cruz

GSIS advances release of pension IN RESPONSE to Senator Christopher Go’s appeal for the GSIS to help its members and pensioners, Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) President and General Manager Rolando Ledesma Macasaet today assured the public that the state pension fund will extend all the necessary assistance to its members and pensioners.

Go, who chairs the Committee on Health and Demography, specifically asked GSIS to waive penalties for delayed remittances, release pensions early and grant emergency loans.

“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa concern ng ating butihing Senador para sa kalagayan ng aming mga miyembro at pensionado.

Nais ko pong ipabatid kay Senador Go

na nagawa na po ng GSIS ang dalawa sa tatlong kahilingan niya. Una, nagbigay na po kami ng extension o ‘grace period’ sa lahat ng premium remittances at loan payments na dapat bayaran nitong Marso. Puwede po itong bayaran sa May 10 na walang karampatang penalty,” Macasaet said.

GSIS likewise extended the due date for housing loan payments and rental payment for investment properties falling due this March. “Babayaran din po ito sa May 10 na walang penalty,” Macasaet said.

“Para naman po sa mga pensyonado, maaga po nilang matatanggap ang mga pensyon nila ngayong Abril. Karaniwan po sa April 8 dumadating ang pensyon.

But we will release it before April 8,” the GSIS chief added.

FIGHTING AN INVISIBLE ENEMY. Manila City Hall personnel set up a disinfection area along Roxas Boulevard as part of measures to stem the spread of the deadly COVID-19. Norman Cruz

A4

Opinion

MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Conquering the invisible

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

As Alexander the Great implored his men on the way to conquering almost the entire civilized world at that time: “Upon the conduct of each depends the fate of all.” It is on this note that I am printing a number of truly spirit elevating quotes, stories CONQUERING the invisible is and messages which, hopefully, may conquering our fears. This is the carry us through these trying times.

“We are staying here, so you can one message circulating all over as stay at home.” - from a group of the world braces for a possibly long hospital workers doing 24/7 work in drawn out battle against the deadly Texas telling one and all to follow COVID-19 virus quarantine rules which has inand advisories; fected more than “Things I am 300,000 people, realizing from Alexander the maybe more dethe Covid-19 outGreat said: ‘Upon pending on the break: state of testing the conduct of each _ I have so in each and evdepends the fate of many clothes; ery country, and I have so many all.’ caused the death shoes; I have so of 12,000. many bags; I have Indeed, how so many gadgets can one do the and yet I still get conquering bored: when one precisely does not have any _ I don’t have to go to work; I have idea or notion who, what, where, and all the time at home; no work-related when the enemy will strike. With the stress, and yet I get anxious; world almost in a standstill and ev_ I have a roof over my head; I ery country working out their own have food on the table; I have a lot means to conquer the invisible, it is of cars; I have profitable businesses; heartwarming that this time of criI have money in the banks and stocks sis has engendered an outpouring of all around; and yet I get scared and oneness, of kindness, of sharing, of panic; bringing out the best in each and ev“ Lessons I’m learning: ery one. _ all the material things I have just It is precisely under that kind of engave me fleeting happiness; vironment that people have become _ no matter how much I have I more creative in sharing not just their still hunger for more; I can’t find resources but their ideas and their security in material things even humanity to conquer these fears. So money or stocks; I need others to oneness, caring and love have berely on during these troubled times: come the one thread connecting us

Their ego will be our downfall

S

OME national and local leaders have done whatever they could to provide solutions to the many problems that arose from the spread of the virus.

They came up with ingenious ways to provide transportation and accommodation to frontliners amid the absence of public vehicles. They mobilized fund drives or funds to provide personal protection equipment and food to the heroes of our time – health workers who put their own lives at great risk every time they show up for work.

One even purchased equipment to enable his LGU to conduct testing among their residents.

They are transparent with the transactions. And when they provide help to members of their communities, they do not

put their names and faces on the bottles and the bags.

They show compassion, yes —but also intelligence, deliberation, decisiveness and humility.

Unfortunately, not everybody is happy when others step up to the challenge. Other officials feel threatened. Perhaps they want to be perceived as the only ones doing a good job. Perhaps they get reminded that they pale in comparison to these bright stars. So they dismiss the good practices and insult those who are doing well. They get hypersensitive to criticism when they should use these as a reminder

of what else they need to do.

This behavior of the inert, the insecure and the incompetent has serious consequences for their constituents. Decisions will be made based on what will make the decision-maker look good or appear in charge, not the good of the many. And by “the many,” we mean those who do not enjoy the same privileges as many of us do.

Pettiness has no place in everyday governance. It is just abominable at a time like this.

At the end of the day, good practices are exactly that—and it does not matter whose idea they were. It should never be about the leaders.

We hope every executive, regardless of politics, realizes what he or she truly signed up for: To be of service to the public, not only to his or her supporters.

Turn to A5

all.

No work, no pay their self-quarantines could be doing the math and in fact, should be doing so, as we write.

There is however something more real, more urgent.

And that is the day-to-day survival of the poorest of the poor. Apart from IN MY previous article in this space, those who live in the streets and those I wrote that this is not the time to find who are completely without work or fault or to blame whoever for the cri- means of livelihood, we have a legion sis we are in. It is time to cooperate in the national capital region as well with the government, to make sacri- as other urban centers of families fices, to follow the leader. whose daily survival is contingent on For now, our leadership has had to their daily means of livelihood. take draconian measures, of which In Tagalog, we call these the “isang the enhanced community quarantine, kahig, isang tuka” among our brethor lockdown, is the ultimate weapon. ren. The “no-work, no-pay.”

One could feel the heartfelt sadness Our focus thus far has been on in the president’s Thursday evening big companies who can afford, and address to the nation even as he was rightly so, to advance the 13th month insisting that LGUs must follow the pay, or advance one month’s salary to directives set by the national govern- employees idled by the quarantine. ment, and where he reiterated that it In our company, we did that the day pained him to impose this lockdown. after the president declared the lockTrue, those down. directives came But as indiin a generic vidual Filipi Filipirather than nos, we should specific manalso worry We can help in our ner.

Defining about the conthe guidelines own small ways. struction workneeded to opers paid on erationalize the daily or weeklockdown came ly basis; the bit by bit, and jeepney, taxi taxicreated confusion, especially with a cab, bus, tricycle drivers whose live livefailure to communicate these prop- lihood depends on what is left over erly. after paying the vehicle “boundary” It is in this light that we should un- and gassing up. Without “pasada,” derstand, and in fact appreciate what they earn nada.

LGU officials like Pasig’s Vico Sotto You have sidewalk vendors, did, in allowing tricycle drivers to “kargadores” in wet markets and ferry stranded health workers. That wholesale distribution centers like may have been a deviation from the Divisoria and elsewhere who find lockdown dictat, but it was an imme- themselves in the same predicament. diate solution to a real, on the ground We could cite so many of them. problem.

How will their families survive?

To come up with snide remarks Being “no work, no pay”, and with such as “pabebe” are uncalled for. To incomes so meager, so survivalsuggest workable alternatives is what mode, they have hardly any savings we should be doing rather than carp to tide them over. They cannot leave and insult over social media. the city for the provinces where exWhich brings me to another prob- tended family ties might at least lem: the immediate economic dif- ensure daily survival, never mind ficulties most of our people in the if they may have to subsist on root NCR, perhaps more than in the prov- crops or whatever could be foraged. inces of the Luzon-wide lockdown, They are under quarantine; their dayare now experiencing. to-day survival also quarantined.

There will be a time for us to write How long can they and their famiabout the magnitude of the economic lies last without sustenance? fall-out. Government and private How long will those food bags sector experts now in the isolation of Turn to A5

No time for delays have been approved by China or other countries as effective in treating COVID-19. There was also a news article which stated The Institute for Science and Technology Research of the Polytechnic University the Philippines AS WE enter the ninth day of the had developed ethyl alcohol. I also regovernment-imposed community quarantine, it appears there is still no let-up in the way Covid-19 has been wreaking havoc upon us, as Lives are at stake. the number of those getting infected seems to double every day.

And it is for such reason we could not afford any dilly-dallying in coming up with decision and the impleChimentation of any policy. And that ceived a press release from the Chi nese Embassy baring they are donating includes approval of medications, materials, equipment, medical kits, 100,000 surgical masks, 10,000 N95 etc. which are necessities and could masks, 10,000 sets of personal protecprove crucial in combatting this tive equipment and 100,000 test kits.

The latter is on top of the 20,000 test dreaded virus.

The whole week, my news feed in kits the University of the Philippines my Facebook page has been flooded claim they can produce once given the with articles on medication said to green light.

However, to date, we have yet to hear whether we have already received the medication being claimed as a cure. We haven’t even heard if the government has already procured such medication. For the ethyl alcohol PUP has developed, they are still at a loss on how to get approval from the Food and Drug Administration—as well as the funding for its mass production.

With regard to the test kits, both for the UP-produced and those donated by the Chinese government, we haven’t heard yet if they are ready for use already. The Department of Health is still short on test kits. In fact, it has ruled out mass testing contrary to the directive of the World Health Organization which is Test, Test, Test.

And this falls on the lap of the FDA, being the responsible agency in approving these kits, medications, equipment and other materials for use.

And we are more concerned with the Turn to A5

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www. manilastandard.net

ONLINE

can be accessed at: manilastandard.net

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida

Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager Head—Ad Solutions Circulation Manager

Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua

Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor Opinion Editor

Emil P. Jurado

Honor Blanco Cabie Jimbo Gulle Lino Santos

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Night Editor City Editor Chief Photographer

Opinion

MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020

Fasts and feasts in the time of COVID-19 BEFORE calendars become readily available, that is with the invention of the printing press, the traditional manner for the reckoning of the dates and seasons were based on the sacred feasts. In fact, on the feast of the Epiphany, it was customary for the priest (still is in many parishes) to ascend to the pulpit to announce the date of Easter in advance, and based on it, the other moveable feasts of the liturgical year. Aside from its practical value, the announcement of Easter was a reminder of the centrality of the yearly celebration of the passion and resurrection of the Lord as the summit of the entire liturgical year.

Easter, which falls on April 12 this year, is considered the most important feast in Christianity, so important that the faithful are required to prepare for it with forty days of fasting, prayer and penance, that is the season of Lent, and that its celebration—the feasting is extended to the next 50 days, that is until Pentecost.

Sadly, it would not be Easter as usual—at least this year—with the accelerating threat of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a massive move to contain the further spread of the disease, several countries, including the Philippines, have imposed stringent restrictions especially in the movement of people, ranging from lockdowns to community quarantines. Public gatherings have been banned. Public modes of transportation have been suspended. Business establishments have been closed.

With the enhanced community quarantine in effect until April 15, majority of the dioceses in the Philippines have already suspended public liturgical celebration for the remaining days of the Lenten season, including the penultimate days of the Holy Week. Last week, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and even the Vatican have already announced that while the long standing Holy Week liturgies will continue, they will celebrated “sine populo,” that is without the participation of the

No time...

From A4

COVID test kits as it seems there has been an undertesting for persons suspected to be carriers of the virus.

And with the rising number of people infected and dying because of the dreaded virus, not only FDA has to act on the Chinese-donated and the UP-developed test kits, it also has expedite its approval on applications for on-site testing kits.

To make things clear, there are two kinds of testing kits, the Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction or RTPCR, wherein a patient is swabbed and then processed in a PCR laboratory and may take one to two days to get the result. There is also the lateral flow method, where a drop of blood is extracted. It is no different form a blood sugar test conducted at home, with the result readily available in 15 minutes. One line means negative; two lines means positive.

One applicant for a lateral flow method test kit is Wandfo Biotech, whose kits have been used and proven effective in other countries.

Having been used and tested in other countries, Wandfo applied for a

No work,...

From A4

being assembled and distributed by LGUs last, even assuming that everyone who should receive, does in fact receive? The distribution alone is a logistical problem, and I doubt if all our LGUs and their barangays have either wherewithal or ability to reach out to everyone.

Will those who bought more than they can consume in three months, in a greedy spree of panic buying, share their food with these legions of the poor?

At this point, I recall what President Erap always said: “hungry stomachs know no law.” But beyond the fear of what the desperate poor could do, beyond worrying about chaos, let us be brother Filipinos to them.

Why, even our food manufacturers have written the Secretary of Trade and Industry, stating their factual worry about their own capa-

faithful in the parishes. I am certain that these drastic decisions by the Church were not taken lightly, but it only shows that Catholics, like the rest of the world, understand fully the serious consequences of this global pandemic.

It must be stressed, however, that the Church has not suspended the celebration of the mass. In fact, in many parishes and churches, priests continue to celebrate the mass, albeit in private. Thanks to the blessings of technology, livestreaming or live simulcast of these liturgies have allowed the faithful to participate in

prayer from the safety of their homes.

Growing up with this annual rhythm of fasts and feasts, at first, it was unthinkable to miss Easter this year. But this present crisis provides an opportune moment to enter even more fully to the interior meaning of the Paschal mystery—that is the passion, death and resurrection of the Lord. For many Catholic families, the grave illness or death of a loved one has caused great suffering.

Having been isolated from their means of livelihood, many of the poor and disadvantaged are now facing economic difficulties. Even the emptiness in the streets reflect closely the fright and anxiety that silently pervade our homes and communities.

In the midst of the season of Lent, these uncertain and trying times have closely resembled the experience of Christ walking to Calvary. Detached from our everyday work and concerns, we are given this opportunity to spend more time with our family.

With our churches closed and empty, we have the chance for our family to come together and pray more at home.

Without the traditional pageantry of the Holy Week processions and other

traditional observances, we can now open our eyes on the inner meaning of the these holy days, including an openness to a deeper observance of charity, especially by extending help to those most affected this crisis.

One of the most touching Easter encounter stories, for me, is that of the disciples of Emmaus. The two disciples were escaping from Jerusalem, perhaps frustrated or distressed by the pain of being separated from Christ. Then unknowingly, they meet Jesus along the way, who reminded them of the saving value of his passion and death. Then at the end of the day, the disciples invited him with a please, “Stay with us, for it is nearnear ly evening; the day is almost over.”

(Luke 24:29) So Jesus stayed for the night, and during supper, he broke the bread—and instantly the disciples recognized him.

The greater anxiety, it seems, is about how we can all recover from the consequences of this pandemic.

Like the disciples of Emmaus, we have experienced distress from the pain and difficulties of these trying times. Clearly, this year’s Holy Week man teaches us in a very relatable manner, that amidst the fleeting ways of the world, things such as faith, family and friendship will always retain their lasting value.

These days, we fast—not from food alone—but from the hectic “busyness” of our everyday lives that have detached us from our family and faith. We are invited to feast by demonstrating in a unique but concrete way the love and generosity of Christ, not only to our family and friends but most importantly to the least in our society.

As we embrace this tragedy happening around us, as Christians, we must confidently move forward in faith. As the somber days of Holy Week will give way to the joy of Easter—this too will pass. We take comfort in faith that walking with the suffering Christ does not end in Calvary, but culminates in the healing glory of his resurrection.

“At one and the same time, Christ has taught man to do good by his suffering and to do good to those who suffer. In this double aspect he has completely revealed the meaning of suffering.”—Saint Pope John Paul II

Certificate of Exemption for Product Registration along with its application for License to Operate last March 19. While all products normally undergo testing before being allowed to be sold in the market, a Certificate of Exemption can be issued to a product as long as it has been approved in another country like China, South Korea, the United States and European countries.

The Wandfo on-site test kits bear the approval of the CHINA FDA and the CE Mark, which is given to product allowed to be distributed and sold in Europe.

However, to date, FDA has yet to act on Wandfo’s application, which is rather unfortunate as time is of the essence here. In a statement, FDA admitted it has yet to approve an application for COVID-19 point-ofcare test kit or rapid test kit such as Wandfo’s lateral flow method.

While arguments have been raised against the lateral flow method such as a person will only test positive on the second or third tests from the onset of the symptoms. But then, as the kit is easy to use just like taking blood sugar test from home, one can easily do a repeat test every two to three days.

This is very much unlike the PCR

method wherein you have to line up for testing in the already-congested hospitals (assuming they have the test kits), and wait for up to two days to get the results.

And that could be the fastest time you could get the PCR test result as right now, we only have four PCR laboratories to process the tests.

In a situation like this, we could not afford any delay. FDA has to act on all pending applications before its office. Lives are at stake. *** The other day, I came out with an article entitled “Oligarchy is back.”

This was prompted by my getting hold of a signed press statement from Bantayan Island Power Corporation, regarding its court battle with Vivant Energy Corporation.

Following up on the story, I happened to talk to a source who insinuated the possible involvement of the Aboitiz clan. But with the abnormality of the situation caused by the COVID-19 scare, I failed in getting the side of the Aboitiz Group.

And while I did not categorically state they were the owners of Vivant, I would like to extend to them my sincerest apology in dragging their name.

Again, my apologies.

bilities to produce enough for normal demand.

Following normal “JIT” or justin-time procurement of raw materials and factory supplies, they are now caught in a gridlock of low inventories. Some have had to close down their operations; most would not be able to produce sardines or noodles or canned goods beyond Holy Week.

What if the crisis lasts beyond April 14? But more significantly, how will the no-work, no-pay survive even NOW? But we can all do something, those of us who have the fortune of being better-off, whether middle class or upper middle class. Never mind the uber-wealthy, whose corporations are now doing appropriate CSR with their workers and donating to our hospitals and other institutions.

We can all do our part.

A few days back, I called my driver in Manila to ask how many in his immediate neighborhood in Manila

are the no-work, no-pay types, and whose families are left with nothing to sustain them.

I then called a daughter to provide them with a weekly sum, not too large, just enough to buy food necessities, and give the same to my driver’s affected neighbors.

Another daughter and her husband called their immediate circle of friends, and together, they are now giving enough to sustain 50 families in the poor neighborhood they have identified.

I am not writing this to call attention to what little generosity we could afford. I write in the hope that those who read can do the same, and ask their friends to do the same. In small ways, but together, let us help our poor. Let us get the “isang-kahig” enough “tuka” to tide themselves and their families through this crisis.

Let us not leave everything to government, whether national or local.

Because in our own small ways, we can help.

The greater anxiety is about how we can all recover from the consequences of this pandemic.

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Acts of patriotism and compassion include retail workers, construction workers, service providers, security agencies and employees of many similar businesses who are largely on a no-work-no-pay type of employment.”

Almost simultaneously, Manuel WE ARE on lockdown and there is no doubt about it. What started V. Pangilinan, Chairman of Metro as a downplayed public health Pacific Investments Corporation alert is now a Luzon-wide En- (MPIC), likewise committed conhanced Community Quarantine tinued pay and benefits, full pay(ECQ) that in less than a week’s ment of 13th month pay, no chargtime has swelled into a national ing of work-from-home days to crisis disrupting the lives of every vacation or sick leave for all their employees in PLDT, Smart Cominhabitant of the country.

Faced by the mortal threat of a munications and MPIC. Governglobal pandemic, with a virulence ment hospitals will also get much unseen since the Spanish flu of needed support with an initial 1918 (history’s most devastating supply of 4,000 liters of alcohol epidemic) that killed an estimated and 500,000 vitamin tablets for 50 million people in just one year, frontline personnel.

Many companies have followed anxieties are high as we grapple to survive this contagion. As of these models and are pro-actively this writing, the virus has infect- mobilizing financial and human ed over 244,500 and killed more resources to roll out relief to help than 10,000 with China, Italy and fill the basic needs of the lower income sectors that understandably Iran being hit the heaviest.

The daily tweaks of ECQ could not afford this sudden loss guidelines reflect the wide spec- of income. Remember that 77 pertrum of complexity of the crisis cent of Filipinos do not even have because of the interlinking dy- bank accounts, which means most namics of the world’s ecosystems. of the population have very low The United States has just record- or even no savings to cope with emergencies. ed an all-time Demonhigh of more soli strating solithan 2.5 mildarity as a lion applicasector, the 20 tions for unThe private sector is biggest busiemployment taking the lead. ness groups benefits. The have banded United Naun together untions warns der a fund of global job Proj losses that could hit above 25 milmil raising initiative called Projlion. Millions of daily wage-earn wage-earn- ect Ugnayan that will initially ers were stunned with a 48-hour engage with Caritas Manila’s warning to strictly follow social- ongoing Project Damayan and distancing guidelines that effec- ABS-CBN’s Pantawid ng Pagtively prevents them from leaving ibig preject. This new interventheir dwellings to eke out a living tion targets to distribute grocery vouchers to 1 million urban poor for their dependents.

Quickly stepping up to the gov- families in the greater Manila ernment’s call for private sector Area. Each recipient family will support are the biggest and most be able to redeem P1,000 worth successful conglomerates in the of groceries from Puregold, Savecountry that, ironically, have more and SM supermarket among been at the receiving end of the others. The vouchers will be disPresident’s damaging allegations tributed door to door through the and fiery verbal attacks that has parishes led by the parish priests caused billions of lost stock value and in coordination with the Phileven before the lockdown took ef- ippine National Police and the barangays. The project aims to reach fect.

The Ayala group set the bar high the most economically vulnerable with a P2.4 billion COVID-19 re- communities of the metropolis sponse package consisting of P1.4 regardless of religion. The pilot billion in rent condonation for run in the first four areas proved its Ayala mall merchants, P600 effective and will hopefully reach million for continuing salaries most of the 677 parishes in Metro of construction site workers shut Manila.

So far, funds raised have breached down in various projects of the Ayala Malls group and Makati P1 billion mark from the generosity Development Corp, P270 million of 20 top business groups: Aboitiz for Globe Telecoms vendor part- Group, ABS-CBN/Lopez Group, ners and retail store support staff, Alliance Global, AY Foundation and P10 million in financial sup- and RCBC, Ayala Corporation, port for personnel of other Ayala Bench & Liwayway Group, Caritas Manila, Century Pacific, Concompanies.

Its employees will continue cepcion Industrial Corp, DMCI, to receive salaries and financial ICTSI, Jollibee. Leonio Group, support such as early release of Metrobank/GT Capital, Nutri-Asia, mid-year bonuses. Employee loan PDRF, PLDT/Metro Pacific, Purepayments have been postponed gold, San Miguel Corporation, and together with the release of spe- SM. The private sector is now takcial financial assistance programs ing the lead in inspiring a newwith subsidized rates.

Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, found spirit of patriotism and chairman and chief executive of- compassion that seemed lost in ficer of Ayala Corporation,and a highly politicized, divisive and Ayala president Fernando Zobel unstable atmosphere of anti-big de Ayala said in a joint statement, business, populist rhetoric. When “In these most trying times, those we eventually overcome this lifesignificantly affected by the COV- threatening battle, and we shall, ID-19 situation are the thousands new heroes will emerge and the of workers that will be affected lessons learned in this calamity by the enhanced community would hopefully present an alquarantine because their places ternative breed of leaders for the of work have been closed. These next administration.

Conquering...

From A4

_ I need my family’s love, connecting with friends, sharing what I have with others specially the most vulnerable and I truly needs God now more than ever.” (from an anonymous blogger) “ So maliwanag na ang kalaban ay hindi natin nakikita at mas matindi at maaring mas mahirap na kalaban kaysa nasasabi ngayon. Walang ibang paraan sa ngayon kundi sumunod sa mga rules: Manatili sa loob ng bahay.

Manalangin ng taimtim at ihanda ang sarili at pamilya. Kausapin ang mga kaibigan, kahit ang mga di kilala. May roon naman internet at Skype para sabihin ang dapat na gawin. Ipadama ang pagmamahal ng Diyos.”—from a friend.

As I am listening and participating in the Holy Mass I can only say: We are all in this together. We will survive as one. We will conquer the invisible as one. We should be imploring the Lord for His mercy as we move on as one.

LGUs

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

A6

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020

Pampanga LGU procures P75M worth of rice CITY of San Fernando, Pampanga— The provincial government of Pampanga purchased P75 million worth of rice and introduced a novel livelihood program for the benefit of the dislocated daily salaried workers affected by the implementation of the Luzon inland wide enhanced community quarantine.

Governor Dennis Pineda said the rice will be distributed to the poor sector while the program involves the production of hand-made face masks for health workers, police and soldiers manning hospitals and checkpoints in the area.

Pineda said the assistance aims to cushion the impact on the poor sector who are hit the hardest because they lose their primary sources of income due to the crisis brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.

Policemen and soldiers continue to implement the quarantine to the letter in the region with total of 128 checkpoints spread out in the seven provinces of Central Luzon until April 14.

P/Brig.General Rhodel O. Sermonia, regional director PRO 3, said the checkpoints are located in Nueva Ecija, 34, Tarlac, 31, Bulacan, 21, Aurora, 18, Pampanga, 9, Angeles City, 3, Olongapo City, 2 and Zambales 2.

The 128 checkpoints are different from those established in the barangay level which prohibit the movement of the people even if they reside in the same villages.

No improvised barangay identification card which carry the names, house number, and Purok means no travel policy.

The enhanced community quarantine was declared by the government in the island of Luzon as a form of intervention against the virus that temporarily disrupted the social stability and supply and demand of the economy that affected the interest of the salaried employees.

Sermonia Is appealing for the continuing cooperation and understanding of the people as the quarantine together with social distancing are the only effective measures to stop the spread of the virus in the inland, including Pampanga.

The peace and order situation in region remains orderly as no untoward incident has been reported by field officers, Sermonia added.

Pineda said the P75 million of rice will be distributed through the village leaders among the indigents of the province like the displaced workers, solo parents, transport groups, minimum wage earners, job order employees, and scavengers.

EMB gives passing grade to Econest

By Butch Gunio HERMOSA, Bataan—Econest Waste Management Corporation CEO Atty.

Beulah Coeli Fiel said Environment Management Bureau (EMB) Region 3 found no environmental violations of their company but only failed submit certain post-Environmental Compliance Certificate documents and will be paying a fine of P50,000.00.

“EMB 3 Regional Director Wilson Trajeco admitted during our technical conference last March 16 that our failure to submit the lacking documents do not prove acts of environmental degradation on our part”, she said.

Last month, Mayor Jopet Inton padlocked the Hermosa sanitary landfill facility being operated by Econest for alleged violation of environmental laws.

The LGU Hermosa said temporary closure order was contingent on the ongoing EMB proceedings.

Econest was operating the sanitary landfill facility situated in Brgy. Mambog under the public private partnership scheme.

“Instead, it is LGU Hermosa that may be held liable for failure to liquidate the funding assistance that it received from the national government for the safe closure and rehabilitation program (SCRP) of the town’s former open dumpsite,” Fiel said.

‘KATOK’ SYSTEM. The City Government of Navotas Saturday began distribution of 18,000 relief packs to Navoteño families through a “katok” system, where barangay

officials knock on residents; doors to give out the food packs. The food packs contained five kilos of rice and 16 pieces of assorted canned goods. Priority beneficiaries included informal settler families living in danger zones and residents of the city’s housing projects.

Navotas extends payment of business, real estate taxes

By Jun David

T

HE City Government of Navotas Thursday passed ordinances extending the deadline of payment of business and realty taxes as well as registration of select private and public utility vehicles.

City Ordinance No. 2020-07 extended the deadline for the payment of the first installment of basic real property tax, special education fund tax, and/or idle land tax due on real properties from March 31, 2020 to May 31, 2020.

Payment of the second quarterly installment of business taxes has been moved from April 20, 2020 to May 31, 2020.

Furthermore, the payment deadline for the transfer tax on real property ownership, wherein the date of the

execution of deed or the date of the property owner’s death happened from January 17, 2020 onwards, shall be extended to May 31, 2020.

Meanwhile, City Ordinance No. 2020-08 allows owners of motorized tricycles, pedicabs, and jeeps with plate numbers ending in 7, 8, 9 and 0 to register their respective franchises until May 31, 2020, two months from its original schedule of March 31, 2020.

City Ordinance No. 2020-09, on the other hand, moved the

deadline for owners of private or public motorized tricycle and pedicab to secure registration plates from March 31, 2020 to May 31, 2020.

“We understand that it is crucial for our people to stay home and be safe. We don’t want them to worry about looming payment deadlines and risk violating home quarantine to pay for their dues,” Mayor Toby Tiangco said.

“We hope the extension will give them the reprieve they need. We at the city government will always look out for the welfare of each of our constituents,” he added.

Earlier, Tiangco also lifted the limited ban on trucks along C3, R10 and North Bay Boulevard.

All trucks may now pass along the aforementioned roads any time of the day.

N. Vizcaya PUIs down to three from 14 a week ago

By Ben Moses Ebreo BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya —Officials of the Nueva Vizcaya Task Force on COVID-19 said the number of Persons Under Investigation has decreased from last week’s 14 to only three.

Dr. Edwin Galapon, Provincial Health Officer and NVTFCOVID-19 head, said the 11 PUIs were already discharged from the Region 2 Trauma and Medical Center(R2TMC) in this town after the Research Institute for

Tropical Medicine(RITM) issued their laboratory test showing them negative of COVID-19 infection.

“This is good development considering the PUIs recent visit in other countries and in Quezon City. Let us always maintain our preventive health protocols such as social distancing, regular disinfection, avoid social gatherings and comply with home quarantine regulations,” he said.

Galapon said most of the PUIs released had a travel history in Hongkong while a few came from

Denmark, Singapore and the United States.

The three remaining PUIs also visited Hongkong, Malaysia and Tatalon, Quezon City.

Galapon said the province is still free from the infection of the COVID-19 disease with its current tracking status.

He however encouraged Novo Vizcayanos to further observe and practice proper hygiene, get sufficient sleep, eat healthy foods and exercise to boost their immune system.

Parañaque City employees get mid-year bonus FOLLOWING the government’s declaration of the national state of calamity in the country, some 7,000 regular and casual employees of Parañaque City will receive their full midyear bonus, Mayor Edwin Olivarez announced over the weekend.

Aside from the mid-year bonus, all employees will also receive their P6,000 clothing allowance.

Olivarez said that upon the recommendation of local Task Force COVID-19 and the city finance committee, the city government has initially set aside P20 million relief fund to help displaced city hall workers.

“Our affected employees-permanent, co-terminous, contractual, casual and job order employees--will receive their full monthly salaries while the midyear bonus and their clothing allowance will be given until Monday next week,” the mayor said.

While Luzon is under enhanced community quarantine, city hall employees can obtain their perks via their respective Land Bank automated teller machine, or ATM and will not eed to go to the city hall, according to city treasurer Dr. Anthony Pulmano.

Pulmano reported that health workers, Task-Force Covid-19 members, essential workers, job order employees and other frontliners, will also receive hazard pay and additional allowance from the city government after the crisis is over.

Pulmano said this amount is in addition to the regular monthly salary the employees have been receiving during this period of calamity due to the spread of the coronavirus disease or COVID-19.

‘Buwad’-making thrives in Bantayan Island BANTAYAN island in Cebu is known for its fine, white-sand beaches and clear waters, and also for buwad, or sun-dried salted fish, better known as daing or tuyo in other parts of the Philippines.

Fishing is the main livelihood in Bantayan, and buwad-making is a corollary industry. The process is simple, with the fish split open, de-gutted and smothered in salt to prevent bacteria from forming. The fish is then sun-dried and stored for a certain period before they are distributed to the markets. It is eaten fried and also used as condiment in food preparations.

The village itself has a history as rich as its marine resources. The community is said to be the first parish established in the Visayas-Mindanao, in 1580, according to a Catholic news site. It is known today as the Saints Peter and Paul parish.

During Holy Week, villagers, even today, give priority to observing traditional rites and thus are unable to fish. Without fish, villagers are compelled to eat the available alternative, meat.

In consideration of their peculiar situation, Bantayanons were granted a papal dispensation 176 years ago, exempting them from fasting and abstinence, parish priest Joselito Danao explained in an interview with UCAN News last year.

As most Bantayan residents rely on coastal and marine resources for their livelihood, many have ventured into small-scale business, such as buwadmaking. Today it is second only to fishing. For one, while villagers may be exempt from Lenten abstinence, the rest of the Catholic communities who observe the practice turn to fish during Lent.

World

MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020

Struggle to protect the homeless

IN BRIEF Sales boom in drive-in cinemas SEOUL―A long queue of cars forms in front of a drive-in cinema in Seoul, as South Koreans look for safer spaces to enjoy a movie without the risk of contracting the coronavirus raging across the world.

Box office numbers in South Korea― which has 8,897 confirmed virus cases― have plummeted in recent weeks due to the epidemic, with authorities urging the public to avoid large crowds.

But at Park Dong-ju’s drive-in cinema, moviegoers can enjoy a film from the comfort of their cars, parked in front of a large outdoor screen.

“We’ve had a 10-20 percent increase in sales for weekdays, and sell out on weekends,” Park said, adding: “We’re definitely getting many more calls and internet inquiries after the coronavirus outbreak.”

A website for his drive-in cinema shows a large banner that reads, “Open throughout the year”, a stark contrast to some theatres worldwide forced to suspend business over virus fears.

Choi Jin-young, a 22-year-old hospital worker, said she had to wait two hours for tickets and was worried that it might sell out for the weekend.

“I wanted to enjoy culture life with my boyfriend but since cinemas are dangerous and worrying to go, I looked for a special date and that’s how we came here,” she said.

Park Ji-seung, 24, said he refrained from going outside due to the coronavirus outbreak, but added he felt “safe” at the drive-in cinema.

South Korean Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun urged religious, indoor sports and entertainment facilities to suspend operations for 15 days, asking the public to work from home and refrain from going outside. AFP

Romania bars foreigners BUCHAREST—Romania’s government barred most foreigners from entering the country on Saturday and tightened restrictions on movement inside the country to try to limit the spread of the new coronavirus.

“Foreign citizens and stateless persons are banned from entering Romania through all border points,” Interior Minister Marcel Vela said during a national address.

Exceptions would be allowed for those transiting through Romania using corridors to be agreed with neighboring states, he added.

Vela cited the example of neighboring Hungary, which this week also barred entry to foreign nationals but has allowed Romanians returning from Western Europe to transit its territory.

Exceptions to the new ban will also be made for diplomats, people who need to travel for work purposes, those who have immediate Romanian family and those in humanitarian need.

The government also announced further restrictions to those adopted after President Klaus Iohannis declared a state of emergency on Monday.

As of Saturday evening, dental clinics were closed, people were forbidden to attend church services and any public gathering of more than three people was also forbidden.

Weddings and funerals are to be limited to eight people. AFP

A7

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

NO ONE THERE. A deserted Rajpath road leading to India Gate is seen during a one-day Janata (civil) curfew imposed as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus in New Delhi on March 22, 2020. Nearly one billion people around the world were confined to their homes, as the coronavirus death toll crossed 13,000 and factories were shut in worst-hit Italy. AFP

$40 billion earmarked to control coronavirus YDNEY―Australia on Sunday announced a $38-billion spending plan to limit the economic damage from the coronavirus pandemic, as citizens were told to cancel domestic travel plans to slow the virus spread.

S

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the latest Aus$66 billion announced Sunday brought government and central bank measures to support the economy to Aus$189 billion-or nearly 10 percent of gross domestic product.

“These extraordinary times require extraordinary measures and we face a global challenge like we have never faced before,” he told reporters in Canberra.

“Today’s announcement will provide hope and support for millions of Australians at a time when they need it most.”

Small businesses and non-profits will receive cash subsidies of up to Aus$100,000, unemployment payments will be temporarily doubled and pensioners will receive Aus$750 cash.

Workers whose income has fallen by at least 20 percent due to the coronavirus outbreak will be able to ac-

RAYMUND B. HABARADAS

GREEN LIGHT IT’S BEEN a week since I came back from a trip that brought me to five cities in Southeast Asia—Saigon, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Yangon and Chiang Mai. I had planned to fly to either Hanoi or Vientiane for the last leg of my month-long vacation, but had to cut short my trip because of, you guessed it, COVID-19!

When I learned about President Duterte’s announcement on March 12 of the impending lockdown of Metro Manila, I panicked because I did not want to get stuck indefinitely abroad. I hurriedly booked the next flight to Manila on March 14 and was back home on the eve of the first day of the Metro-wide quarantine.

But this article is not about COVID-19. It is about what I brought back with me to Manila after visiting our Southeast Asian neighbors for almost a month—souvenirs, if you may.

For us Filipinos, a souvenir is something that we buy during our travels to remind us of our experiences. It comes from the French verb ‘souvenir’, which means ‘to recall’ or ‘to have in one’s memory’. Souvenir, therefore, refers to not only a physical thing (i.e., a memento) but also to something intangible (i.e., a memory, a remembrance, a recollection).

I did buy a few paintings, mostly rural scenes, from Phnom Penh and Yangon, since I need to populate the walls of my newlyrenovated condo. These will go well with the egg-shell paintings of Vietnamese rice fields that I bought from Hanoi more than a decade ago. These will serve to remind me of not only of the beautiful landscapes of our neighboring countries in Indochina, but also of the friendly and knowledgeable ladies that sold me these paintings in Central Market in Phnom Penh and Bogyoke Aung San Market in Yangon.

cess their retirement funds early, with those facing hardship allowed to withdraw up to Aus$20,000 over two years.

Frydenberg said the economic shock was now expected to be “deeper, wider and longer” than was believed just 10 days ago and additional measures would be required.

The country appears poised to slip into recession as a result of the coronavirus outbreak after a record 29-year run of economic growth.

Australia has recorded more than 1,200 cases and seven deaths from COVID-19.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the government was also “moving immediately” to recommend against non-essential travel, warning stronger measures were imminent to deal with localized outbreaks.

He said work-related trips, the transport of essential supplies and

travel on compassionate grounds could continue but people should cancel any other travel plans ahead of the upcoming Easter school holidays.

“More stronger measures will be coming and they will be coming in more localized areas to deal with outbreaks,” Morrison said.

“What that means is, what may be necessary in a part of Sydney may not be necessary at all in... other parts of the country.”

Australia has already sealed off its borders, putting in place an unprecedented ban on entry for non-residents in the hope of stemming the rise of COVID-19 infections.

Three Australian regions—the island state of Tasmania, South Australia state, and the Northern Territory—have also implemented a 14-day self-isolation period for all visitors.

New South Wales state on Sunday announced a shutdown of non-essential services, with supermarkets, pharmacies and petrol stations among those businesses that are exempt.

Morrison said political leaders would meet Sunday evening to consider stricter isolation rules. AFP

Indochina souvenirs More valuable than the paintings, Tshirts, key chains and refrigerator magnets, though, are my actual experiences and the stories of people that I encountered, albeit briefly, during my trip. Through brief conversations, I picked up interesting bits and pieces not only about the cities that I visited but also a little something about these individual persons’ lives.

Riding from the back of Vince’s motorbike, I experienced the thrill of traversing Saigon’s boulevards and side streets, even as I witnessed the lives of locals in old apartment buildings somewhere in District 3.

Vince shared a little bit of his life as an English major and as a part-time tour guide, even as we enjoyed Vietnamese pancake, Vietnamese pizza, Obama noodles, Vietnamese ice cream, sugarcane juice and ‘happy water’ (aka Vietnamese moonshine). He also taught me how to unfold a lotus when we passed by the city’s flower market.

As the lone participant of the Phnom Penh Evening Food Tour, I was fortunate to get some cooking tips from Sophany, a Cambodian social worker/businesswoman/ tour guide, who introduced me to the nuances of Khmer cuisine while we feasted on (and deconstructed) the delicious Kari Grahom and the exotic Prahok K’tih. She was generous too with her stories about her experiences in Manila, including a visit to Smokey Mountain, when she underwent some training here as a social worker.

One can’t help but be infected by the positive disposition of Ramon, a person with disability (PWD), who sold books to tourists (rather than beg) at the entrance of Wat Phnom to support himself. He was thrilled, as I was, when we learned that we shared the same name. “The Killing Fields,” which I bought from him, gave me a glimpse of what the Cambodian people

had to endure under the Khmer Rouge.

In Siem Reap, I met two gentlemen who both underwent a career shift that led them to the hospitality industry. Kiss, our articulate and experienced Angkor Wat tour guide, left his previous job as a high school teacher since it did not pay as well as being a freelance tour guide. Kevin, who drove me from Angkor Aurora Hotel to the airport, left the family business to work as a frontliner in a hotel chain in Siem Reap.

In Yangon, I was fortunate to have spent a day with La Salle Brothers Noel Lol FSC and Joseph Aung FSC, who gave me a glimpse of their lives running an English teaching center in Yangon, and who welcomed me to the Brothers’ house by the lake and to the community within the compound of St. Mary’s Cathedral.

They also intimated their plan of setting up a corporation that will allow them to run a school once again, several decades after the military junta confiscated the Brothers’ school—reputedly one of the best in Cambodia then—in the turbulent 1960s.

I encountered Chan, a food server in Hotel Balmi, who lent me his Lonely Planet book so that I could learn more about the history of Myanmar (formerly Burma).

Having just enrolled in an entrepreneurship course in a local university, he said that he is excited about doing his own business plan and is kept awake at night because of all of the business ideas in his mind.

I also met the somewhat serious Myo, who expertly explained the stories behind the colonial buildings in central Yangon; who brought me to the crowded Yangon circular train to witness first-hand how commuting and commerce can exist in old rickety trains that could break down anytime; and who impressed me with his deep knowledge of Buddhism, as well as Bur-

mese history, as he guided me through the iconic Shwedagon Pagoda.

In Chiang Mai, what stood out was the market visit and cooking class conducted

by Thai Akha Kitchen. Our teacher Martha, who happened to be younger than all 10 of us who attended her class, shared how she grew up as an orphan in Akha.

After spending several years in the orphanage, she took the opportunity to work in Thai Akha Kitchen, learned English in five months, and became articulate enough to be our tour guide and teacher.

There were other interesting stories shared by other locals I encountered and some of my fellow travelers, but these could not anymore fit in this article. Together, these stories and experiences constitute a virtual mosaic in my mind—a collective portrait of individuals with common struggles and dreams—more valuable than any of the beautiful paintings or the intricately-woven silk scarves that I bought during my abbreviated Indochina tour.

Raymund B. Habaradas is a Full Professor at the Management and Organization Department of the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business of De La Salle University (DLSU), where he teaches Methods of Research, Management Action Research, and Qualitative Research.

He is also a Governor of the Philippine Academy of Management (PAoM), and the holder of the Ambassador Ramon V. del Rosario Chair of Entrepreneurship.

He welcomes comments at rbhabaradas@ yahoo.com.

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

LOS ANGELES―Officials in California are scrambling to protect the state’s huge homeless population from COVID-19 amid warnings that should the virus spread within that community it could prove impossible to contain.

“I think there’s considerable fear and anxiety, especially for those of us who have a deep caring for those who are not only the most vulnerable but the most susceptible,” Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said earlier this week during an emergency federalcourt hearing on the subject.

“Most vulnerable because they’re much more likely to have underlying health conditions.”

The hearing was related to a lawsuit filed by a local group of business owners, residents and others concerned about the squalid conditions facing homeless people living on the streets or in their cars in the city’s downtown.

California’s homeless population of 150,000 is the largest in the nation.

Some 60,000 of them live in Los Angeles County.

Governor Gavin Newsom warned this week that as many as 60,000 homeless in the western state risk contracting the deadly virus. He said he was releasing $150 million in funds to protect that population.

Two-thirds of the funds will go to local governments for shelter support and emergency housing and the rest will be used to purchase travel trailers and lease rooms in hotels and other facilities, Newsom said.

“Helping these residents is critical to protecting public health, flattening the curve and slowing the spread of COVID-19,” he said.

So far, the disease has claimed only one confirmed death among California’s homeless, but aid groups and activists warn that the numbers are likely to spike as the virus spreads.

“We are really working hard to keep people safe and our services intact,” said Georgia Berkovich, a spokesperson for The Midnight Mission in Los Angeles. That non-profit is located near the city’s Skid Row neighborhood, which has the nation’s biggest concentration of homeless people living and sleeping on public sidewalks.

Berkovich said her organization in the last week has seen a significant uptick in the number of homeless coming in for meals and other services.

“Typically, at this time of the month, we would serve approximately 400 people during our lunch service,” she told AFP. “But we’re seeing upwards of 800 people now and more than 900 at dinner.” AFP

Cherry blossoms test the limits of isolation WASHINGTON―As Washingtonians muddled through coronavirus-induced isolation Saturday, the city’s famed cherry blossoms reached maximum bloom, offering an enticing temptation to test the limits of self-distancing.

The delicate flowers opened just as many of the last vestiges of entertainment closed in the city, which is physically situated around a core of public attractions.

Among them are the US Capitol and Smithsonian museums, now closed to visitors, as well as looming homages to former presidents such as the Washington Monument obelisk, also shuttered.

On Friday the cherry trees, which line the capital’s Tidal Basin, officially reached “peak bloom”—a time of year that normally attracts some 1.5 million visitors, many from out of state or overseas.

With tourism plummeting, global movement of populations sharply curtailed and stay-at-home orders beginning to go into effect in a handful of US states, many of the tourists were gone.

In their place the pandemic had churned out a new type of visitor: local coronavirus shut-ins buoyed by the prospect of fresh air.

So much so that by Saturday, the National Park Service urged “anyone considering a visit to see the cherry blossoms to reconsider” as it announced traffic controls and closed parking in an attempt to prevent crowding.

Even with crowds substantially reduced compared with other years, the recommended six-foot (two-meter) berth was rendered nearly impossible to maintain. AFP

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor

sports@manilastandard.net

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

A8

MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020

ON WITH THE SHOW!

Football might have ground to a halt across the world, but not in Australia where they are soldiering on. Here Adam Le Fondre of Sydney FC (right) challenges Jordan O’Doherty of the Wanderers in an empty Bankwest Stadium, shuttered from fans due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, during their round 24 A-League football match between Sydney FC and the Western Sydney Wanderers at Bankwest Stadium in Sydney on March 21, 2020. AFP

BWF scraps Badminton Asia Ravenas give meals to Cainta frontliners KIEFER Ravena and his family are doing their share to help the frontliners who are involved in the ongoing effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

On Thursday, Kiefer and members of his family joined in distributing packed meals of roast chicken, rice and side salad to soldiers and police officers who were deployed at checkpoints in Cainta, Rizal.

The 26-year-old point guard of the NLEX Road Warriors said it was their family’s way of supporting the troops and the cops who have been working long hours over the past few days.

“We’re proud that our local government headed by Mayor Kit Nieto has been doing a great job in alerting and letting the people of Cainta know what we have to do,” said Ravena, who are teammates of the mayor’s nephews, Mike and Matt.

Mike and Matt, along with Kiefer, played with the Ateneo Blue Eagles in high school and in college.

Ravena stressed the importance of helping the frontliners and appreciating the sacrifices that they are doing.

“Important din na makatulong tayo sa mga frontliners ng COVID-19 kasi sila yung talagang nagsa sacrifice ng health nila para sa health ng buong bansa. Kaya sobrang na-appreciate namin ng family ko yung mga ginagawa nila,” added Ravena.

His father Bong and mother Mozzy were also around, along with brother Thirdy, sister Dani, girlfriend Alyssa Valdez, and friend Aldrin Ignacio, were part of the preparations and of the packing the meals.

Kiefer also thanked Bountyfresh Agro Ventures, Inc. president Ronald Mascariñas for his help in making their activity possible.

Peter Atencio

By Peter Atencio

T

HE Badminton Asia Championships 2020 will no longer push through next month.The tournament was suspended by the sport’s governing body, Badminton World Federation, as countries across the world went into lockdown in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The tournament was initially slated to take place in Wuhan, China.

But, it was moved to Manila, and set to take place from April 21 to 26, 2020.

However, the rapid spread of the virus has forced the BWF to suspend all its remaining tournaments for the next two months.

“The health, safety, and well-being of all athletes, their entourage, officials and the greater badminton community remain as the top priority,” the BWF

said in a statement sent to the Philippine Badminton Association.

So far, the last five tournaments in the qualification period for the Tokyo Olympics have been cancelled by the BWF due to the coronavirus.

Also called off were the Thomas and Uber Cup, the European Championships, Pan Am Individual Championships, Croatian International, and Peru International.

They are qualifiers for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The PBA was awarded the hosting of the singles Asian Championships after successfully hosting the 2020 Badminton Asia Team Championships in Manila last February.

The rankings after the tournament in Manila would have helped decide which players will be at the Tokyo Games.

Other Olympic qualifiers cancelled were the Croatian International, Peru International, European Championships, Asia Championships and Pan Am Individual Championships in Guatemala City.

“All five tournaments were slated to be played within the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games qualifying period, but will no longer contribute to Olympic qualifying as they will now fall outside the qualification window,” the BWF said in a statement.

Call for Tokyo 2020 postponement mounts PARIS, France—Pressure mounted on Olympic organizers to postpone the 2020 Tokyo Games on Saturday (Sunday Philippine time) after the powerful US track and field federation urged for this summer’s event to be pushed back due to the coronavirus pandemic.

USA Track and Field became the latest influential sporting body to ask for the Games to be called off after its head Max Siegel “respectfully requested” in a letter that the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) “advocate ... for the postponement of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo”.

USOPC had said it was too soon to axe the July 24-August 9 Games, much like International Olympic Committee (IOC) head Thomas Bach, who said that it would be “premature” to make such a big decision.

“The right and responsible thing to do is to prioritise everyone’s health and safety and appropriately recognize the toll this difficult situation has, and continues to take, on our athletes and their Olympic Games preparations,” wrote Siegel.

USATF joined a growing chorus of calls from sports organisations to push back the Olympics a day after the country’s swimming federation asked USOPC to back a postponement until 2021.

“We urge the USOPC, as a leader within the Olympic Movement, to use its voice and speak up for the

THE COVID-19 pandemic has taken the world off guard, with the sports world one of those badly hit by cancellations and postponements, even contamination.

But ONE Championship, which broadcasts to over 150 countries worldwide, is rising to the occasion and forging new territory with creative solutions to respond to the pandemic, including broadcasting fights behind closed doors Founder, Chairman, and CEO Chatri Sityodtong announced last week that effective March 13, all ONE Championship fights in various territories will be closed-door, audience-free events - at least until end May. Emphasizing the health and safety of fighters, coaches, and fans as the company’s top priority, Sityodtong assured the public they will get nothing less than top-notch entertainment with the new format.

“For the millions of fans at home around the world, the show will go on from the comfort and safety of your living room. ONE Championship will continue to thrill you with the greatest martial artists on the planet and inspire you with their incredible stories,” Sityodtong said.

The closed-door events are one way that ONE Championship leads the way for the future of sports media. In addition to streaming exclusive audience-free events, the company has partnered with American reality TV show ‘The Apprentice’ for the future launch of ‘The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition’ under license from MGM. “I am thrilled to announce ‘The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition’ as our biggest foray into the non-scripted series genre,” Sityodtong commented.

“This brand new concept brings a completely unique and original dimension to ‘The Apprentice’ with the high-stakes drama of real-life business competitions, coupled with herculean physical challenges, featuring some of Asia’s top CEOs, the world’s greatest martial arts world champions, and A-list celebrities from across the continent.”

With new emerging content channels, growing audience demand for more streamed fights and the media company’s unfettered ability to draw exceptional athletes to their arena, ONE Championship provides the MMA world with what it needs during these times. “This virus might be on the attack right now, but I believe in the power of the human spirit.

Let’s Go! #WeAreONE”, Sityodtong expressed in a recent Facebook post.

San Juan, Palayan declared CBA co-champions A woman wears a face mask amid concerns over the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus as she sits at a bus stop advertising the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics in Bangkok on March 20, 2020. AFP

athletes,” USA Swimming CEO Tim Hinchey said in a letter.

That request for a delay was echoed on Saturday by France’s swimming federation which said that the Games could not be organised properly in the “current context”.

The Norwegian Olympic Committee (NOC) quickly followed, saying that it had sent a letter to the IOC on Friday motivated in part by a Norwegian government ban on organized sports activities which had created “a very challenging time for the sports movement in Norway”.

“Our clear recommendation is that

the Olympic Games in Tokyo shall not take place before the COVID-19 situation is under firm control on a global scale,” the NOC said in the letter.

IOC ‘putting us in danger’ The new chairman of the United Kingdom’s athletics governing body also questioned the need to hold the Olympics this summer given the uncertainty surrounding the spread of COVID-19, which has killed nearly 11,500 people worldwide.

“To leave it where it is is creating so much pressure in the system. It now has to be addressed,” head of UK Athletics Nic Coward told the BBC. AFP

NBA uncertain about salary after April 1

Kevin Love (0) of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives past Thaddeus Young (21) of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on March 10, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois in this file photo. AFP

ONE bares innovative formats, growth

NEW YORK, United States—The NBA plans to pay full salaries to players as scheduled on April 1 but could begin cutting salaries to recover money from canceled games

by April 15, ESPN reported Saturday (Sunday Philippine time).

Citing a league memo shared with NBA clubs on Friday, the sport network’s website said the league might soon begin recovering salary based on a “force majeure” clause in its collective bargaining agreement with players.

The NBA halted its season on March 11 after Utah’s Rudy Gobert

tested positive for the coronavirus pandemic, which has shut down sports league throughout the United States.

The memo said the league will inform teams about its plans before the April 15 payment date. That’s the day the league’s regular season was set to end before the schedule was suspended by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Under terms of the NBA-union deal, the league can withhold a percentage of a player’s salary for a catastrophic situation that forces games to be canceled, in-

cluding a pandemic.

It’s uncertain when, or if, the NBA might be able to resume its campaign, which had just over a month remaining, or stage any playoffs.

The league could keep back money under the disaster clause in the short term and pay players later should the games eventually be contested.

NBA owners, preparing for major financial losses if the season does not resume, have reportedly been seeking arena dates into August in hopes of bringing the 2019-20 campaign to some sort of conclusion. AFP

DEFENDING champion San Juan Knights Navy and Palayan City Capitals are declared as co-champions in the 2020 Community Basketball Association-Pilipinas basketball tournament.

CBA founding president Carlo Maceda said the decision was reached upon consultation with officials of both San Juan and Palayan City due to the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine imposed by the government to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

“The CBA officials have consulted with both teams involved in the finals and it was unanimously decided with the best interest of the fans, the players, the team owners and team officials,” Maceda said in an official statement dated March 16.

“In consideration of the lockdown and its uncertainty, we would like to announce the conclusion of the CBA Executive Cup,” added Maceda.

“We hope that everyone will stay healthy and we pray that these dark times will end soon so that we may start anew.”

Team managers Christopher Conwi of San Juan Knights Navy and Ryan Ripalda of Palayan City Capitals signed on behalf of their respective teams.

Palayan City, which is headed by veteran coach Alvin Grey, drew first blood with a 79-74 win in the opener of their best-of-three title showdown last Feb. 29.

But San Juan, coached by Randy Alcantara, evened the series with a 74-66 victory in Game 2 held in Gapan City last March 8.

The two teams will now split the split the P1-million cash prize.

IN BRIEF

Century Pacific assures food supply CENTURY Pacific Food Inc. assured the public of adequate supply of its products to meet the heightened demands of consumers during the expanded community quarantine.

“Thanks to the support of the Department of Trade & Industry and the Inter Agency Task Force, we are able to maintain a smooth flow of goods. Our factories are continually operating with enough capacity despite the use of a skeletal workforce.

Thus, we currently have sufficient stock of products in our warehouses so there is no need to panic or worry that supply might run out,” said CPFI president Ted Po. “There is enough raw materials and ingredients to sustain production. Our trade partners, distributors and retailers also have enough supply,” Po said.

CPFI food products include Century Tuna, Argentina, 555, Swift, Birch Tree Fortified Milk, Angel Milk, Fresca, Wow Ulam, Hunt’s and Coco Mama. “Let us all do our share in beating COVID19 by not panic buying,” Po sid.

Vivant to pour P4m into 4 Cebu schools THREE schools in Metro Cebu will soon have science laborato-

ries with the help of Vivant Foundation.

Vivant Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of publicly listed Cebuano firm Vivant Corporation, has committed P3 million to convert one classroom each at Mabolo National High School, Mandaue City Comprehensive National High School and Mandaue City Science High School so that students will have well-equipped science laboratories.

The retrofitting, which will cost P1 million per school, falls under Vivant Foundation’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education support program.

Vivant Foundation is also allotting P1 million to enhance the Electrical Installation and Maintenance (EIM) technicalvocational track of Cordova National High School.

The assistance is under Vivant’s Project Liadlaw and will enable the school to teach an enhanced EIM curriculum that incorporates solar technology. Under the assistance, Vivant will donate tools and equipment that will be used to teach EIM-solar.

“Our STEM support program and Project Liadlaw are part of our commitment to uplift public education and equip our youth with the knowledge and skills that will enable them to develop solutions for a world that is constantly changing,” Vivant Foundation executive director Shem Jose Garcia said.

Under its STEM support program, Vivant Foundation establishes science laboratories or donates science laboratory tools and equipment—or sometimes both. It also supports the Regional Science and Technology Fair (RSTF) in Central Visayas and provides scholarship to RSTF participants who want to pursue STEM-related college degrees.

POGO service providers donating P150m LEGITIMATE service providers of Philippine offshore gaming opera-

tors (POGO) are donating P150-million worth of medical protective gear and food to state-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. to help the government contain the spread of coronavirus disease 2019.

PAGCOR chairwoman and chief executive Andrea Domingo said the PAGCOR-accredited Service Providers Association donated much-needed medical supplies and cash to procure food supplies for low-income families.

The P150-million donation is composed of P90 million worth of one million three-ply surgical face masks, 20,000 personal protective equipment and 20,000 face shields and other medical supplies; while P60-million was allocated for food.

“We ordered food supplies from Puregold and Robinsons supermarkets and they [online gaming service providers] paid for it. We will deliver these items to the Office of the President for proper distribution,” Domingo said.

On top of the P150-million donation, the legal POGO service providers will also donate COVID-19 test kits in the coming days, Domingo said.

PAGCOR licensees to donate P200 million ENTERTAINMENT City casino licensees of the Philippine

Business COVID-19 to force several gas stations to shut down

By Alena Mae S. Flores

S

EVERAL gas stations may be forced to close shop and others to reduce operations if the enhanced community quarantine stetches out by more than two months amid the slowdown in demand induced by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Energy Department director Rino Abad, however, assured fuel supply would remain adequate even as the sales of oil companies were declining.

“Sales are down but the international price of petroleum products are also getting cheaper. The oil companies will hold out for a month or two, but beyond that they will start also to minimize cost by decreasing the importations and closing down some of the gasoline stations,” Abad said.

“I don’t have the numbers but a lot of gas stations, both the major and smaller players, are affected. The bigger you are, the more affected [you are] cause of bigger overhead,” Fernando Martinez, Eastern Petroleum chairman, said.

“Stations with minimum required volume are open with half the operating hours,” Martinez said.

San Miguel Corp., parent firm of Petron Corp., the country’s biggest oil firm warned last week that the decline in demand “will likely occur for all kinds of fuel such as gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel.”

Petron owns the country’s biggest oil refinery—a 180,000-barrel-per-day facility in Bataan province.

“I think many stations have already reduced their operating hours. Eventually when the lockdown becomes stricter, there will be some sites that will reduce further its operations or close. Maybe only the ones along the major highways will remain open,” an oil executive also said.

Demand for cooking gas, however, is going up as families stay home amid the quarantine period. Martinez said sales of liquefied petroleum gas or LPG have gone up.

“EC Gas LPG got 200 to 300 percent increase in patronage due to the lockdown. More home cooking, so more orders,” he said.

Pryce Corp. earlier said LPG consumption was seen to increase as household members stayed indoors and cooked their food at home.

“This means that the company’s LPG revenues may increase at least until the COVID-19 situation has been contained and fully-managed,” Pyrce said.

Phoenix Petroleum Philippines said it was still very early to assess the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak and community quarantine on fuel consumption.

“The situation remains dynamic and fluid. We saw an uptick in sales as people stock up in anticipation of the community quarantine and lockdown in Metro Manila. This may, however, slow down as we anticipate less activity, which could potentially impact our retail business,” Phoenix said.

“In our B2B segment, marine and commercial road transport as well as aviation may be affected. Moving forward, we will continue to put safety as our primary concern. Our utmost priority is to ensure employees and their families, customers, business partners, and communities remain informed, safe, and healthy,” the company said.

Petron assured consumers of continuous supply of petroleum products. Petron president and chief executive Ramon Ang said in a statement the company would make sure there is enough fuel especially for vital industries to keep the economy running.

Amusement and Gaming Corp. are donating more than P200 million worth of essential items to boost the government’s efforts in fighting the rapidly evolving coronavirus disease 2019.

In coordination with PAGCOR, the Foundations of the four Entertainment City operators teamed-up to provide personal protective equipment (PPE), food and medical supplies to hospitals and Local Government Units (LGUs) in areas where they are most needed.

Bloomberry Cultural Foundation Inc. (BCFI), the corporate social responsibility arm of Solaire Resort & Casino, will be donating P60 million worth of PPEs and N95 Masks to the Department of Health (DOH). These will be distributed to medical frontliners in various hospitals dealing with COVID-19 patients.

To augment the needed supply of the government for testing COVID-19, BCFI will also procure 100,000 test kits that are currently available in China and South Korea, as soon as they get the clearance and permits from the Food and Drug Administration.

Okada Manila Foundation will be donating P50 million to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) to buy COVID-19 testing kits, PPEs, validator machines/testing machines, masks and alcohol.

SLEX assigns priority lanes for faster delivery of goods SMC Tollways has assigned priority lanes at the South Luzon

Expressway to ensure efficient delivery of basic goods and emergency health services to and from Metro Manila and neighboring provinces in the south.

San Miguel Corp. president and COO Ramon S. Ang said these priority lanes along SLEX would ensure the unimpeded flow of delivery trucks that carry basic goods to various areas, raw materials to production facilities as well as vehicles that bring medical personnel, equipment and supplies.

“We are doing this to guarantee that essential deliveries reach their destination as smoothly and quickly as possible,”Ang said.

“These same lanes can also be used by emergency health vehicles to quickly get to places in need of medical attention,” he said.

For faster processing of vehicles, companies are advised to prepare the government-required cargo documents and for delivery personnel to follow checkpoint procedures.

PNP’s inspection teams are located before the Susana Heights exit (southbound) and along the Alabang-Filinvest Interchange before SLEX Alabang northbound exit. These inspection teams, like in other areas in the country, were established to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

URC DONATION. Universal Robina Corp and the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation distribute products such as Great Taste Coffee, Magic Crackers, Nissin Noodles and C2 to several checkpoints and hospitals dealing with suspected and confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019. URC products are delivered to the Philippine Lung Center, East Avenue Hospital, the Philippine Heart Center, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine and the Department of Health’s Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Units in the National Capital Region and Region 4A. The Gokongwei Brothers Foundation earlier created a P100-million fund to support the government’s efforts to contain the virus.

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020

B1

Bangko Sentral sees ‘U’ shaped recovery in 2021

By Julito G. Rada THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas expects the economy to recover next year after a tumultuous 2020 that is being affected by the onslaught of the coronavirus disease 2019.

It said the impact of COVID-19 on domestic economic growth could be seen largely via the services sectors such as tourism, trade and remittances channels.

“In addition, the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon could further dampen domestic economic activity,” the BSP said.

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

A report by global debt watcher S&P Global Ratings last week said the Philippines would be among the Asia-Pacific countries that would experience capital flight as economic recession was “guaranteed” in this part of the world amid the spread of the disease.

“If lingering uncertainty results in a strong preference for US dollars, policymakers in Asia’s emerging markets may be forced into a damaging round of pro-cyclical policy tightening,” Shaun Roache, the chief Asia-Pacific economist at S&P Global Ratings, said in a regional report.

“The countries most vulnerable to capital outflows remain India, Indonesia, and the Philippines,” Roache said.

Before the onset of COVID-19, the government projected economic growth this year to settle between 6.5 percent and 7.5 percent, driven by higher fiscal spending and investments. The projection was faster than the actual 5.9 percent expansion in 2019 that was slowed down by the delayed approval of the P3.7-trillion national budget.

The National Economic and Development Authority early this month said it was looking at the slower growth this year of 5.5 percent to 6.5 percent, taking into account the impact of COVID-19 to economic growth.

The BSP assured it was prepared to use the “full range” of its monetary instruments and to deploy monetary policy and regulatory relief measures as needed in fulfilment of its price and financial stability objectives.

Meralco studies Flour millers, food firms assure public of stable supply of commodities Foreign debt options on power reached $83.6b supply auctions as of end-2019 POWER retailer Manila Electric Co. is studying alternatives to eliminate faceto-face interactions in the competitive selection process for its 1,200-megawatt baseload power supply in the wake of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

This developed as Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi directed all power industry stakeholders to submit business continuity plans (BCP) as part of the on-going efforts of the government to ensure electricity supply sufficiency amid the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.

“The energy sector must consider all possible scenarios that the enhanced quarantine may bring about for our country in the coming weeks. We must be fully prepared with all necessary measures and action plans to deliver sufficient power and oil supply, which we need to survive this crisis,”Cusi said.

Cusi said all power stakeholders needed to indicate their companies’ strategies and programs to ensure uninterrupted operation of existing power plant facilities and the immediate plans to facilitate the smooth development and implementation of ongoing power projects indicated in their BCPs. Meralco head of utility economics Lawrence Fernandez said they were walking through the CSP guidelines of the DOE to evaluate the steps that previously entailed face-to-face interactions, including but not limited to the conduct of a pre-bid conference and the submission/opening of bids.

He said Meralco would then “study alternatives that would eliminate or minimize face-to-face interactions and seek guidance from the Energy Department if these will still be compliant with the CSP guidelines.” Alena Mae S. Flores

FLOUR millers and other food manufacturers assured the public of stable supply of commodities amid the enhanced quarantine period in Luzon designed to contain the spread of coronavirus disease 2019.

“The Philippine Association of Flour Millers assures your office and the general public that the country has enough inventory of flour and that this commodity continues to be delivered to bakeries, food manufacturers, noodle makers and flour dealers and retailers all over Luzon,” PAFMIL executive director Ricardo Pinca said in a letter to Rep. Wes Gatchalian, chairman of the House committee on trade and industry.

Gatchalian earlier launched an inquiry on the supply and availability of wheat flour during the quarantine period.

Pinca said while there were initial

difficulties on product movement because of the long queues of delivery trucks at various checkpoints on the main roads leading to areas outside Metro Manila, the situation has eased up and deliveries have since been unhampered.

“PAFMIL thanks the Department of Trade and Industry and the Inter Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases for ensuring that the policy stated by President Rodrigo Duterte on unhampered flow of food and medical and health products was implemented even at the local checkpoints manned by local government unit personnel,” said Pinca.

The Philippines has 22 flour mills scattered all over the country producing 83 million bags of flour annually. That translates into 6.9 million bags of flour monthly,

with 70 percent of production representing hard flour which is used to produce pandesal, loaf bread and other bakery products and 30 percent of production going to the pastry, noodle and cake market.

“We import 95 percent of our raw material wheat from the United States while the balance 5 percent of our requirement is sourced from Canada, and Australia among others,” said Pinca.

PAFMIL member companies include RFM Corp., Wellington Flour Mills, Philippine Flour Mills, General Milling Corp., Liberty Flour Mills, Pilmico Foods Corp. and Universal Robinson Corp.

Another group of Flour Millers is the Philippine Chamber of Flour Millers which consist of San Miguel Mills, Philippine Foremost Flour Mills, Delta Milling Corporation and Morning Star Flour Mills.

FOOD PACKS.

The Office of Rep. Camille Villar distributes food packs at the Las Piñas General Hospital and various checkpoints around the city for health workers and hospital and military personnel who are at the frontline of the country’s fight against the spread of coronavirus disease 2019.

THE country’s foreign debt climbed to $83.6 billion in the fourth quarter of 2019 from $82.7 billion in the third quarter, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas show.

It was also up from $79 billion registered in the fourth quarter of 2018.

BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said despite the increase in foreign debt, the external debt ratios remained at prudent levels.

“The rise in the debt stock during the fourth quarter was brought about by the increase in non-residents’ investments in Philippine debt papers issued offshore of $507 million,” Diokno said in a statement.

“The upbeat investor sentiment was reflected in the generally narrower bond spreads due to positive external developments such as the initial trade deals between the US and China at the latter part of the year,” he said.

He said the net availments of $317 million which was largely attributed to oil importation and prior periods’ adjustments of $150 million further contributed to the increase of the debt stock. These were partially offset by foreign exchange revaluation of $29 million.

Data showed that the debt stock increased by $4.7 billion or by 5.9 percent year-on-year, brought about by net availments ($3.7 billion); prior periods’ adjustments ($954 million); and FX revaluation adjustments ($170 million).

This upward impact on the debt stock was partially offset by the transfer of Philippine debt papers from non-residents to residents ($197 million). Julito G. Rada

B2

Business

MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Voltile market trading to persist T

By Jenniffer B. Austria

RADING at the Philippine Stock Exchange is expected to remain volatile this week even as share prices have reached oversold levels.

Analysts said while indicators showed a technical correction was inevitable given the steep decline over the past trading days, rallies in the near future would be short-lived.

Jonathan Ravelas, chief investment strategist of BDO Unibank Inc., said Philippine stocks were trading at 10x the P/E ratio compared with the fiveyear average of around 17x P/E ratio.

“For first time investors, this is a good opportunity to invest for the long-term.

While for investors who are already in

the market, this is the time to revisit our portfolios and see where we can increase our holdings. The market may still fall but use it as an opportunity to accumulate,” Ravelas said.

“This COVID-19 outbreak is not a permanent risk. This too shall pass.

Thus, the depressed prices in the stock market and its impact to the economy is temporary. There is no need to unload your shares,” he added.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index last week plunged 17.5 percent to 4,778.76 points on massive selloff due to new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

All sub-indices posted double-digits declines, led by mining and oil (-20.8 percent), holding firms (-18.9 percent), financials (-17.8 percent) and property (-17.3 percent). The industrial index declined 14.8 percent while services dropped 12.6 percent.

The index is now down 38.8 percent since the start of 2020.

Foreign investors were net sellers by P3.7 billion, while the average daily value traded stood at P7.5 billion.

Weekly top price gainers were Concepcion Industrial Corp., which rose 16 percent to P29; AgriNuture Inc. added 1.4 percent to P6.49; and Puregold Price Club Inc., which gained 0.3 percent to P32.

Weekly top price losers were Vista Land & Lifespaces Inc., which declined 38.7 percent to P3.40; Megawide Construction Corp., which slumped 36.8 percent to P6.83; and Robinsons Land Corp., which dropped 31.7 percent to P11.74.

Meanwhile, European stocks gained Friday following the latest stimulus measures, but Wall Street equities plunged again on mounting worries over the coronavirus as oil prices suffered another drubbing.

Economists continued to slash their projections as more governments insti-

tute measures to clamp down on most commercial activity, except for essential services.

On Friday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo ordered non-essential businesses to close and banned all gatherings, a dramatic escalation of mitigation steps after the nation’s most-populous state California on Thursday directed its 40 million residents to stay at home.

The Dow tumbled another 4.6 percent, or around 915 points, to end at 19,173.98, below the level when President Donald Trump was inaugurated in January 2017.

The pummeling concluded Wall Street’s worst week since 2008.

“The rapidly spreading coronavirus has mobilized the nation’s policy makers, resulting in massive injections of monetary and fiscal stimulus not seen since 2008 and 2009,” Oxford Economics said in a note about the US. With AFP

Manila Standard BuSineSS Weekly StockS revieW STOCKS

MARCH 16-20, 2020 Close Volume

Value

Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI 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 PSE Inc. RCBC `A’ Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank Vantage Equities

44 97.00 55.00 20 15.9 7.5 3.3 6.11 0.5 1.09 650.00 0.300 39.1 0.57 8 16.00 20.00 36 132.1 17 115 1420.00 54.10 1

18,100 19,444,020 9,897,520 143,700 141,000 1,500,300 12,000 200 5,000 68,000 240 730,000 18,323,700 43,000 105,900 1,700 1,226,400 12,000 3,030 106,200 1,483,790 70 49,120 122,000

FINANCIAL 773,955.00 1,842,016,557.50 559,820,869.50 2,742,611.00 2,325,460.00 11,331,645.00 33,250.00 1,222.00 2,500.00 65,200.00 161,500.00 219,700.00 718,246,295.00 24,510.00 944,318.00 28,600.00 25,490,448.00 450,225.00 418,675.00 1,744,310.00 160,996,708.00 98,200.00 2,568,590.50 121,200.00

Aboitiz Power Corp.

AC Energy Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cement Corp.

Alsons Cons.

Axelum Basic Energy Corp.

C. Azuc De Tarlac Cemex Holdings Century Food Chemphil Cirtek Holdings (Chips) Conc. Aggr. ‘B’ Concepcion Crown Asia 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.

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.

Vulcan Ind’l.

24 1.54 6.49 0.45 0.85 1.01 1.95 0.160 14.46 0.99 10.8 140 3.85 61.6 29 1.92 2.5 4.070 6.48 5.68 7.50 1.72 14.76 46.05 1.05 32.80 0.7000 12.40 3.52 0.960 100.00 3.33 5.22 8.76 4.45 6.82 0.105 200.00 4.95 1.3 3.15 2.10 9.38 8.79 9.70 18.5 3.82 4.60 1.35 1.43 0.55 5.24 46 6.9 0.119 0.73 108.7 2.2 0.72 0.52

8,712,200 18,163,000 3,144,700 859,000 71,000 301,000 3,107,000 690,000 500 21,998,000 8,175,400 310 1,173,000 100 400 8,243,000 490,000 29,184,400 1,323,200 217,400 73,926,800 16,196,000 12,276,700 175,320 41,552,000 31,000 6,377,000 604,400 1,119,000 1,563,000 7,541,530 8,000 9,900 17,852,000 1,860,700 2,109,900 210,000 1,896,110 1,000 597,000 33,000 10,529,000 3,200 8,200 678,000 643,500 17,000 64,000 1,749,000 26,000 379,000 14,873,900 1,199,060 753,400 60,000 220,000 7,860,570 966,000 15,110,000 3,046,000

INDUSTRIAL 209,219,035.00 27,790,350.00 19,730,518.00 405,980.00 54,900.00 303,010.00 5,800,840.00 112,600.00 7,230.00 20,915,920.00 90,433,643.00 43,400.00 4,614,270.00 4,721.00 11,985.00 16,312,620.00 1,361,710.00 124,556,463.00 8,557,608.00 1,271,196.00 665,139,515.00 34,529,390.00 181,479,036.00 8,592,695.50 43,253,090.00 1,014,200.00 4,706,140.00 7,062,046.00 3,914,680.00 1,488,790.00 808,740,518.00 25,680.00 52,238.00 154,958,142.00 9,799,780.00 17,121,732.00 25,050.00 408,787,543.00 4,950.00 791,230.00 96,070.00 23,291,840.00 27,338.00 66,390.00 6,393,366.00 12,599,289.00 66,140.00 285,550.00 2,236,960.00 37,070.00 226,950.00 87,289,499.00 55,916,854.00 5,177,101.00 7,190.00 140,120.00 869,459,108.50 2,180,300.00 11,870,550.00 1,582,260.00

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 Cosco Capital DMCI Holdings 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’ Republic Glass ‘A’ San Miguel Corp `A’ Seafront `A’ SM Investments Inc. Solid Group Inc. South China Res. Inc. Top Frontier Wellex Industries Zeus Holdings

0.470 30.95 6.23 0.54 6.54 5.5 0.500 0.480 410 1.500 4.75 3.69 7.60 0.180 407 3.60 43.35 6.34 5 6.8 0.375 2.9 6.03 0.440 2.68 2.7500 2.40 83.00 1.9 721.50 0.80 0.70 140.000 0.1880 0.133

12,652,000 8,185,300 88,988,000 161,000 80,500 86,600 2,076,000 2,236,000 2,722,630 2,825,000 2,768,800 38,710,000 106,900 1,120,000 404,180 5,000 7,672,150 104,000 123,700 72,300 1,740,000 1,071,000 18,084,300 194,000 167,948,000 6,000 23,000 1,324,410 74,000 3,284,410 68,000 98,000 360 1,860,000 2,330,000 2,081,700 9,275,000 789,000 3,745,000 89,309,400 2,573,000 1,517,000 6,530,000 27,000 28,000 3,500,000 290,000 150,800 4,383,000 1,040,000 720,000 40,784,000 3,942,000 88,044,000 8,190,000 2,488,000 430,000 240,000 154,000 11,916,800 72,000

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

Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. `A’ CEB Landmasters 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.

Robinson’s Land `B’ Rockwell

14.000 0.51 1.300 0.470 26.300 1.2 3.94 0.350 0.69 0.750 0.120 0.230 6.550 16.3 0.325 0.100 0.82 0.67 2.09 0.125 0.6300 0.3200 0.225 1.62 11.74 1.55

MARCH 9-13, 2020 Close Volume Value 48 127.00 68.00 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 43.95 148 18.2 126 1485.00 56.10 1.15

39,990 19,807,500 14,674,620 647,600 119,100 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 34,400 293,400 4,602,720 125 138,750 1,845,000

1,780,221.50 2,565,564,483.50 1,001,585,736.50 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 5,191,169.00 5,460,628.00 604,189,607.00 197,000.00 7,697,192.00 2,008,210.00

25.2 1.75 6.4 0.52

13,475,200 39,568,000 7,204,600 9,752,000

341,537,115.00 71,450,780.00 47,943,295.00 5,458,140.00

0.91 2.02 0.169 14.52 1.02 13.1 140 4.95 55 25 1.76 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 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 0.60

1,612,000 19,079,000 20,680,000 627,800 43,062,000 9,793,400 810 6,262,300 3,800 12,600 1,002,000 293,000 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 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 9,373,000

766,640.00 39,482,100.00 3,409,670.00 8,192,032.00 45,105,300.00 134,086,984.00 128,296.00 33,171,850.00 210,764.00 347,585.00 1,790,770.00 976,010.00 283,022,958.00 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 1,024,169,342.00 153,090.00 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 6,574,620.00

HOLDING FIRMS 6,018,620.00 265,550,870.00 688,658,532.00 89,620.00 493,415.00 528,835.00 1,083,185.00 1,099,680.00 1,216,606,541.00 4,248,230.00 13,810,079.00 137,113,050.00 866,416.00 207,330.00 184,491,859.00 18,000.00 338,933,002.00 659,360.00 642,121.00 401,810.00 675,100.00 3,120,580.00 110,900,053.00 80,970.00 474,781,070.00 19,550.00 55,200.00 110,396,611.00 140,600.00 2,236,429,985.00 55,080.00 58,500.00 50,460.00 373,850.00 259,250.00

0.540 38.00 9.05 0.55 6.00 6.7 0.690 0.750 570 1.820 5.71 5.02 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 2.48 109.50 2 831.50 0.88 0.71 145.000 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 9,299,300 80,612,800 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 2,438,000 442,477,000 238,000 173,000 1,166,930 65,000 3,957,350 1,453,000 4,148,000 7,980 2,250,000 13,960,000

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 54,931,748.00 405,167,380.00 670,889.00 578,800.00 549,731,096.00 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 1,474,958,490.00 766,980.00 434,430.00 134,082,426.00 130,000.00 3,342,556,385.00 1,300,420.00 3,053,200.00 1,137,890.00 469,380.00 2,024,520.00

PROPERTY 28,245,968.00 4,879,585.00 961,380.00 1,944,660.00 2,327,092,700.00 3,136,790.00 5,919,450.00 2,428,750.00 18,390.00 18,500.00 455,620.00 65,100.00 1,035,553.00 70,973,040.00 318,150.00 72,000.00 36,231,740.00 2,806,450.00 202,644,530.00 1,002,750.00 1,593,750.00 144,600.00 59,000.00 242,740.00 153,775,766.00 119,790.00

14.000 0.64 1.290 0.620 33.000 1.34 4.15 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 17.20 1.7

4,508,300 68,263,000 759,000 7,521,000 108,372,800 6,415,000 1,696,000 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 12,456,400 2,057,000

63,628,618.00 48,690,110.00 960,300.00 4,686,460.00 3,855,836,805.00 9,446,130.00 7,201,970.00 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 15,593,390.00 246,173,211.00 3,695,760.00

STOCKS

MARCH 16-20, 2020 Close Volume

Shang Properties Inc. SM Prime Holdings Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. Vista Land & Lifescapes Vistamalls

2.6 26.00 2.04 0.950 3.400 3.550

73,000 83,006,300 750,000 4,182,000 6,975,900 169,000

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. Easy Call “Common” FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Golden Haven Grand Plaza Hotel Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. Imperial Res. `A’ Island Info ISM Communications 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. 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

4.35 15.8 1.38 5.05 0.310 0.040 15.98 2.1 4.59 0.0250 39.9 5.6 2.08 2.82 4.75 800 1658 4.73 335.00 12.86 0.62 76 1.00 0.058 1.1400 11.08 1.15 0.61 4.18 11.96 0.310 2 1.25 1.17 1.22 1.130 1.54 6.05 3.22 7.6 131.40 1.30 860.50 0.190 0.300 0.32 49.95 6.20 0.95 0.395 0.145 0.410 12.340

109,900 1,395,400 5,000 5,450,100 1,630,000 4,900,000 30,900 118,000 30,006,200 15,800,000 1,506,500 9,300 2,423,000 161,000 10,000 780 304,430 820,500 830 200 2,015,000 10,282,750 38,000 2,790,000 58,380,000 4,400 356,000 38,000 2,778,400 100 720,000 20,000 7,718,000 8,340,000 289,000 4,522,000 30,000 83,400 30,000 3,300 3,139,790 2,880,000 760,005 5,040,000 16,190,000 5,270,900 707,780 117,200 8,503,000 6,010,000 7,120,000 1,380,000 10,582,200

Abra Mining ACE Enexor Apex `A’ Atlas Cons. `A’ Atok-Big Wedge `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

0.0010 5.1900 0.58 1.75 10.30 1.0900 2.43 0.250 5.76 0.470 0.177 0.066 0.081 0.0056 0.0049 0.5 1.57 0.78 0.2750 0.4500 0.0082 0.0091 1.90 3.95 0.0067 9.10 0.0040

782,000,000 443,600 5,160,000 44,000 23,600 38,000 986,000 250,000 6,100 19,594,000 2,640,000 3,390,000 1,480,000 5,000,000 3,000,000 244,000 6,589,000 410,000 10,000 156,000 194,000,000 34,000,000 2,278,000 1,089,000 20,000,000 11,489,900 1,000,000

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 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

14 100.2 99 506 500 100.5 98 107 490 498 4.9 990 95 98.5 1010 1006 1006 99.14 102 990 76.2 75 75 75.2 75 74 75

247,400 19,880 1,100 5,990 17,540 40,690 132,710 14,130 1,320 6,350 2,012,500 2,320 15,310 163,350 1,305 21,790 13,665 10,240 8,820 9,860 163,090 19,070 11,300 112,880 16,550 99,690 56,630

LR Warrant

0.630

203,000

Italpinas Kepwealth Xurpas

1.71 5.7 0.48

683,000 95,800 3,797,000

First Metro ETF

73.5 10.2 10 0.89

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2 USD TECH B2

MARCH 9-13, 2020 Close Volume Value

Value 186,200.00 2,167,613,320.00 1,525,230.00 4,258,350.00 27,672,361.00 633,170.00

2.9 30.00 2.16 1.220 5.550 4.070

431,000 108,259,500 1,338,000 29,871,000 87,733,000 721,000

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

SERVICES 472,434.00 22,363,614.00 6,900.00 31,706,362.00 517,200.00 178,600.00 422,326.00 233,490.00 140,727,463.00 416,500.00 61,440,165.00 55,948.00 5,046,320.00 492,650.00 46,850.00 624,345.00 537,527,510.00 3,824,504.00 286,382.00 2,574.00 1,202,870.00 764,515,612.50 39,590.00 171,810.00 63,578,450.00 52,595.00 424,690.00 23,770.00 12,963,301.00 1,196.00 240,250.00 40,000.00 9,775,920.00 12,995,450.00 413,810.00 5,333,140.00 47,520.00 449,100.00 93,040.00 25,680.00 412,899,292.00 3,642,030.00 685,487,622.50 941,960.00 5,008,400.00 160,628,250.00 33,396,043.00 653,442.00 8,311,630.00 2,364,700.00 1,065,460.00 574,650.00 136,833,034.00

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 4.86 830 1830 5.10 355.00 12.88 0.72 85 1.10 0.078 1.1800 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 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 5,292,000 304,000 129,000 1,610 389,935 2,916,100 87,570 4,800 6,090,000 21,359,160 71,000 11,450,000 151,121,000 151,000 21,000,000 1,081,000 5,886,600 14,200 8,140,000 84,000 20,104,000 47,334,000 807,000 15,463,000 142,000 141,200 119,000 188,500 954,960 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 1,204,150.00 702,565.00 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 84,650.00 969,920.00 192,106,030.00 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 22,231,780.00 255,780.00 836,771.00 414,720.00 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

MINING & OIL 798,100.00 2,051,054.00 3,206,030.00 76,710.00 234,524.00 41,420.00 2,440,800.00 61,700.00 36,725.00 9,799,245.00 474,170.00 226,260.00 109,480.00 28,600.00 15,500.00 124,140.00 10,429,640.00 319,950.00 2,750.00 73,050.00 1,586,200.00 289,900.00 4,534,570.00 4,506,490.00 146,100.00 122,735,221.00 4,000.00

0.0012 5.3900 0.75 1.80 10.60 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 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 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

PREFERRED 3,622,220.00 1,994,666.00 109,500.00 3,030,940.00 8,700,560.00 4,092,325.00 13,165,733.00 1,497,510.00 646,800.00 3,092,864.00 9,862,493.00 2,207,550.00 1,469,580.00 16,331,466.50 1,318,050.00 21,928,820.00 14,341,470.00 1,019,494.00 908,070.00 9,860,330.00 12,422,679.00 1,432,980.00 852,000.00 8,494,795.00 1,256,127.00 7,474,265.50 4,250,604.00

16 102.3 100.2 505 498 101 101 108.5 502 502 5.07 990 100 100.4 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 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 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

0.710

114,000

90,630.00

1.9 6.4 0.55

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

5,689,510.00 4,950,856.00 8,124,920.00

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 788,780 60,139,682.50

91.05

927,490

85,292,213.50

DOLLAR DENONIMATED SEC. 7,140 71,878.00 27,940 280,060.80 1,800 1,603.00

10 10.02 0.95

8,390 24,260 100,900

85,267.20 245,612.60 90,897.00

WARRANTS & BONDS 133,470.00 SME 1,198,880.00 557,570.00 1,838,490.00

WEEKLY MOST TRADED STOCKS Abra Mining Oriental Pet. `A’ Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

Ayala Land `B’ Alliance Global Inc. Megaworld SM Prime Holdings Emperador ISM Communications Fruitas Holdings

VOLUME 782,000,000 194,000,000 167,948,000 89,309,400 88,988,000 88,044,000 83,006,300 73,926,800 58,380,000 41,552,000

STOCKS Ayala Land `B’ SM Investments Inc. SM Prime Holdings Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Ayala Corp `A’ Universal Robina Jollibee Foods Corp.

I.C.T.S.I. Metrobank Alliance Global Inc.

VALUE 2,327,092,700.00 2,236,429,985.00 2,167,613,320.00 1,842,016,557.50 1,216,606,541.00 869,459,108.50 808,740,518.00 764,515,612.50 718,246,295.00 688,658,532.00

D&L Industries keeps plants in full operations amid lockdown D&L Industries Inc., the country’s leading market of customized food ingredients, specialty raw materials for plastics and oleochemicals for personal and home care use, said it will continue full operations to prevent any disruption in the supply in the food and sanitation chemicals sector.

D&L said in a statement it would fulfill its role in the Philippine manufacturing sector amid a challenging environment brought about by the new coronovirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“We’re working in less than ideal operating conditions right now, facing challenges in logistics, supply disruptions and reduced manpower. But as of now, we’re still able to maintain selected manufacturing capabilities, and I hope will continue to do so until the outbreak has been permanently contained,” said D&L president and chief executive Alvin Lao. The company buys some of its raw materials from China. Lao said while some delays are expected, the company has found to alternative suppliers.

“I believe that as a good corporate citizen, it is our responsibility to keep our employees safe and make sure there are no major disruptions in manufacturing raw materials used in basic food items and sanitation products that are crucial during these times,” Lao said.

“The food ingredients that we manufacture go into canned goods, noodles, biscuits, and other shelf-stable snacks.

We also manufacture sanitation chemicals such as alcohol, disinfectant spray, and sanitizer which are much needed due to current conditions,” he added.

Meanwhile, Lao said the company instituted strict precautionary measures to address employee health risks.

It also adopted a work-from-home policy and put in a staggered attendance scheme.

The company released half of the 13th month pay to employees on March 17 to help employees prepare and buy needed supplies for their homes.

D&L will pay salaries in full to all employees until the end of the enhanced community quarantine on April 13. Jenniffer B. Austria

Aboitiz companies give assistance to clients, customers THE Aboitiz Group said its business units are extending assistance to clients and customers to cope with the Covid-19 crisis and ensure delivery of service.

“We in Aboitiz fully recognize the impact of the current situation on our clients and customers—and we are doing our best to help them cope until things return to normal. We are with you as we beat the odds together during this challenging time,” said Aboitiz Group president and chief executive Sabin Aboitiz.

The distribution units of Aboitiz Power Corp.—Visayan Electric, Davao Light, Cotabato Light, and Subic EnerZone—extended the payment of bills due on March 15 to April 14, 2020 and limited scheduled power interruptions.

Business continuity plans are in place across AboitizPower’s power generation facilities and distribution utilities to ensure the adequate and reliable supply and distribution of electricity.

The group’s banking unit, Union Bank of the Philippines, offered a 30day extension with no late fees on payment of credit cards, housing loans, auto loans,and quick loans to qualified customers, and waived online Instapay transfer fees until April 14, 2020.

The bank is encouraging customers to go digital and bank from home, which the bank’s infrastructure supports.

Property unit AboitizLand Inc. is waiving one-month rent to all tenants of its malls in Luzon and Visayas and extended payment deadlines on bills issued during the previous month. The relief will enable tenants to provide assistance to their employees.

AboitizLand also provided equity payment extensions to home buyers with due dates from March 16 to April 15, 2020. It waived penalties and fees associated with transactions during the period.

Pilmico Foods Corp. continued operations and production in its flour, feeds and farm facilities to contribute to food supply stability in areas covered by the quarantine.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Life

Bernadette Lunas, Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @MStandardLIFE

FOOD

MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020

Serving safely

B3

Food establishments, delivery services implement safety measures

By Steph Llarena

F

AST food chains, restaurants, and other food establishments in Luzon were quick to implement measures to ensure customer safety. Also, many— big chains and small brands—do their part to lend a hand by providing food (and even shelter) to frontliners and those in need.

At the moment, food esDELIVERY HOTLINES tablishments open only offer Jollibee: 8-7000 food for pick up, drive-thru, McDonald’s: 8-6236 and delivery.

Burger King: 2-22-22 Earlier, Jollibee, McDonKFC: 8-887-8888 ald’s, and KFC announced Chowking: 9-8888 that they would be limiting Bonchon: 8-633-1818 operations in Luzon, in adArmy Navy: 8-333-3131 dition to following stricter Wendy’s: 8-533-3333 safety measures in handling Pizza Hut: 8-911-1111 and delivering food items.

Shakey’s: 7777-7777 Jollibee said it would be Greenwich: 5-55-55 closing down stores in Luzon Yellowcab: 8-789-9999 “as a result of the enhanced Angel’s Pizza: 8-922-2222 community quarantine.”

Papa John’s Pizza: 8-887-7272 “For those that are still open, Domino’s Pizza: 8-997-3030 we shall be offering drive-thru Teriyaki Boy: 888-7-9000 and delivery services, as well Tokyo Tokyo: 8-6596 as take out (only for stores alKenny Rogers: 8-555-9000 lowed by local ordinances).”

Max’s: 888-79000 Jollibee also announced its Mang Inasal: 7-3333 intensified sanitation and soReyes Barbecue: 0915-5446162 cial distancing protocols by (1) Gerry’s Grill: 8-332-1111 disinfecting all delivery equipChooks-to-Go: 8-687-1010 ment before and after each use; Tapa King: 8888-8272 (2) requiring all riders and crew Pancake House: 8887-9000 to wash their hands, wear face North Park: 8-737-3737 masks, and go through regular Aristocrat: 8-894-0000 temperature check; (3) and by Amber: 8-884-8888 implementing contactless deGoldilocks: 8888-1999 livery, wherein riders will keep Red Ribbon: 8-7777 a six-feet distance during transConti’s: 8-850-8888 actions as customers get their Cara Mia: 8-822-1111 order directly from the delivery bag, and leave their payment and get their change in the container provided.

McDonald’s also announced its “no-touch” delivery method in select areas (Read: Fast food implements ‘no-touch’ delivery published on March 16), allowing proper social distancing between the customer and rider.

Orders can be made via hotline, app, McDelivery website, GrabFood, and foodpanda.

It also reported safety procedures followed by all crew members, and the sanitation of delivery equipment before and after each use.

Delivery hours for McDonald’s Luzon-based stores are limited from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., “but may vary per area depending on store availability.”

Meanwhile, KFC has opened select stores to accept takeout and delivery orders. Customers can visit kfc.com.ph to have their orders delivered.

However, McDonald’s and KFC both temporarily suspend their delivery time policy to accommodate as many orders as possible.

GrabFood and foodpanda also announced the implementation of contactless delivery.

For GrabFood, delivery partners will place the order at the specified location (per the customer), and let the customer pick up their

McDonald’s implements a ‘no-touch’ delivery service, which is available from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. only.

KFC stores accept takeout and delivery, but temporarily suspend delivery time policy to accommodate as many people as possible.

Jollibee ensures customers that its delivery equipment are sanitized before and after each use, and riders follow contactless delivery.

order while they stand at least six feet away. ment and contact their driver to instruct them to leave food at the door.

The delivery service “strongly” encourages consumers to opt for “Riders can request contactless deliveries, too, after receiving cashless payment. Those paying with cash may place the amount in your order. If this happens, the customer’s cooperation is much apan envelope and leave it where their order is placed. preciated,” said foodpanda.

Foodpanda’s contactless delivery requires customers to use online pay-

RECIPE FILES

Pantry-based ‘quarantine dishes’ WE COMPILED a few recipes of dishes we can make using canned goods, wet and dry food items, and other ingredients available in the pantry.

(@koreanbapsang/IG)

Creamy Tomato Soup (from Food Network) Cook and prep: 1 hr. and 5 mins. | Serves 4-6 Ingredients: 4 tbsp. unsalted butter 1 slice bacon, finely chopped 1 pc. onion, chopped 1 pc. carrot, chopped 1 stalk celery, chopped 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped 5 tbsp. all-purpose flour 4 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth 1 can whole, peeled tomatoes 3 sprigs parsley 3 sprigs fresh thyme 1 pc. bay leaf 1 cup heavy cream 1 3/4 tsp. kosher salt freshly ground black pepper Procedure: 1. Heat the butter in a large soup pot over mediumhigh heat. Add the bacon and cook, stirring, until crisp and most of the fat has rendered, about 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a paper towellined plate and set aside.

2. Lower the heat to medium, add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic, and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until soft and fragrant, about 8 minutes.

3. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Pour in the broth and crush the tomatoes through your fingers into the pan. Bring to a boil while whisking constantly.

4. Tie the parsley sprigs, thyme, and bay leaf together with a piece of kitchen twine and add to the pot. Lower the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool.

5. Remove and discard the herb bundle. Working in batches, transfer the mixture to a blender and puree until smooth. Return the puree to the pot and reheat over medium heat.

6. Whisk in the heavy cream, salt, and pepper, to taste.

Divide among warm soup bowls and serve immediately.

Ram-Don (from Food52) Serves: 1 Ingredients: 1 6-8 oz.

1 tbsp.

1 packet

Tuna Salad (from Food Network)

Slow-cooked Chicken Breast (from Quartz)

Cook and prep: 15 mins. | Serves 3-4 Ingredients: 2 cans white meat tuna packed in water, drained 2 tbsp. minced celery 2 tbsp. minced red onion, soaked in cold water for 5 minutes and drained 1 tsp. minced flat-leaf parsley 1/3 cup mayonnaise 1 tbsp. whole-grain mustard freshly ground black pepper freshly squeezed lemon juice (optional) Procedure: 1. In a small mixing bowl break up the tuna with a fork. Toss with the celery, onion, and parsley.

2. Add mayonnaise and mustard, and season with pepper, to taste. Stir to combine.

3. Add lemon juice, to taste, if using.

Cook and prep: 4 hrs. | Serves 8 Ingredients: 8 pcs. chicken breasts ½ cup broth (chicken or vegetable) 3 pcs. red onions (sliced) salt and pepper 2 tbsp. spices for added seasoning; chili powder, paprika (optional) Procedure: 1. Combine seasonings in a bowl. Rub chicken breasts with the mixture.

2. Arrange onions at the bottom of a large pot or slow cooker and add the broth.

3. Arrange chicken atop the onions and broth.

Cover and cook on medium high for about 4 hours.

4. Remove chicken from pot and tear into shreds. This can be served in a dish once cooled or frozen and stored for a later meal.

1 packet

well-marbled sirloin steak oil instant jajangmyeon noodles (Neongshim’s Chapagetti) instant jjampong noodles (Neongshim’s Neoguri) salt and pepper, to taste

Procedure: 1. Bring 4 cups of water to boil in a medium pot.

2. While waiting for the water to boil, prepare the sirloin: Pat it dry and season on all sides with salt and pepper.

3. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.

When the skillet is smoking, add the steak and cook for 3 to 5 minutes on both sides. Set aside to rest.

4. Once the water is boiling, add both types of noodles and cook until just-tender, 4-5 minutes.

5. Strain the noodles, reserving 4-5 tablespoons of the water used.

6. Return noodles to the pot over low heat and add the Chapagetti seasoning, half of the Neoguri seasoning, and the reserved noodle water. Stir until the seasonings are well blended.

7. Thinly slice the steak and add to the noodles.

Stir and serve.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

B4

MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020

Seven empowering tracks to help ease worries W

empowering women to stop succumbing to pressure and not get “blinded with what the world wants you to be.” The modern chill track also inspires listeners to stay true and follow one’s heart.

HAT better way to feel a little relief in these trying times than to listen to music, especially from women whose tunes aim to uplift those who are disheartened.

In line with the celebration of National Women’s Month, here are some of the best music picks from ABS-CBN Music artists to accompany those who will be spending the following weeks in the comfort of their homes:

“Elixir” by YUZON

Nicco Locco, Nicholas Timothy Fowler in real life, is a German Italian model and budding actor in the Philippines.

This feel-good single under Tarsier Records is from singer-songwriter Bianca Yuzon, or simply YUZON. It reminds listeners how love becomes a medicine for the betterment of someone’s being and boasts of the benefits of loving and being loved in return, of simply considering one’s presence as a “remedy, a different kind of Elixir.”

“Raise Your Flag”

by KZ Tandingan feat. Kritiko What was merely one of Miss Universe Catriona Gray’s remarkable answers at the 2018 pageant spawned this catchy hymn, which aims to inspire those who are on the verge of surrender to instead pick up speed as nothing is impossible with perseverance.

It also sends out a powerful message of solidarity for those who feel unnoticed, deserted, and underappreciated.

“Wave” by Yeliee Yeliee’s debut release “Wave” is one that’s close to her heart not only because of the metaphor of waves in her life as a surfer, but also because the song tackles her battle with depression.

“It’s like a metaphor, that when you go through difficult times, you eventually find a way to get back on your feet. Just like when you get a wipe out, for you to catch another wave, you just have to go for it again,” the 22-year-old artist explained on the inspiration behind the song.

“Better Weather”

by Leila Alcasid Leila Alcasid’s “Better Weather,” produced under Tarsier Records, seems like an affirmation for those who are ‘barely keeping it together.’

Another empowering track by Leila is “No Rain,” which emboldens listeners to be resilient despite constantly feeling lost and abandoned. Perfect to listen to during uncertain and confusing times, the song encourages forging ahead and growing from it in the process, until the sky clears again.

“No Hearts” by Gibbs “Ako Muna”

by Yeng Constantino This 2018 release off of the pop rock princess’ “Synesthesia” album is the ultimate anthem for self-love that strongly advocates prioritizing oneself over any kind of romantic affiliation.

It also acknowledges the pain of having to live alone for some time, but also paints the beauty of entering a relationship after completing the quest for self-discovery.

“No Hearts” by songwriting duo Gibbs—composed of sisters Chi and Gabs Gibbs—is an anthem for selfworth. It’s about knowing when to stop being played and choosing to move on despite a heartbreak.

Check out Star Music’s “Filipina Anthem” playlist on Spotify or visit ABSCBN Star Music and Tarsier Records’ “Take It Easy” YouTube channels to listen to these songs. For updates, follow @abscbnpr

by Janella Salvador Janella Salvador’s comeback single on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or last year titled “Take It Easy” is a track visit www.abs-cbn.com/newsroom.

GMA Public Affairs makes multi-million peso camera upgrades TRUE to its commitment to provide world-class content to its viewers around the globe, GMA Public Affairs just purchased units of the latest in ARRI’s camera line – the Alexa Mini LF. The ARRI cameras, widely considered as the benchmark in image quality for film production, are the cameras of choice of almost all movies that make it to the roster of Oscar nominees year after year.

With this purchase by its Public Affairs department, GMA Network, Inc. becomes the first broadcast company in the country to use the Alexa Mini-LF. The newly-launched Alexa Mini-LF packs the Alexa large-format sensor into the compact size and low-weight body of the Alexa Mini. Intended for use in GMA’s upcoming film projects and biggest primetime dramas, the Alexa MiniLF will give the best image quality in

GMA Network First Vice President for Public Affairs Nessa Valdellon (right) receives the ARRI Alexa Mini LF from MQ Lighting, Inc. Vice President for Sales, Cinema, and Photographic Equipment Christian Bernard Ong (left).

Canon Singapore Senior Officer Yi Ci Low (rightmost) flew in from Singapore to conduct the training on the Canon C700 FFs for the documentarists and videographers of GMA Public Affairs.

these productions. GMA’s acquisition also includes the ARRI Signature Prime lenses, known to exemplify state of the art optical precision while rendering organic, emotionally engaging images.

GMA has been upgrading its cameras to large format since 2019, when it also became the first Philippine broadcast company to purchase the Canon C700 Full Frame cameras for use in its primetime dramas. This year, the country’s most internationally-acclaimed documentary producers from GMA Public Affairs are set to use these stateof-the-art full frame cameras in its 4K productions, bringing Philippine-made documentary films to new heights.

With this multi-million peso investment in the best cameras and technology available today, GMA Public Affairs intends to make its mark in the international scene.

GMA Public Affairs just purchased units of the latest in ARRI’s camera line – the ARRI Alexa Mini LF. The ARRI cameras are widely considered as the benchmark in image quality for film production. With this purchase by its Public Affairs department, GMA Network, Inc. becomes the first broadcast company in the country to use the Alexa Mini-LF.

Up close and personal with Nicco Locco HAVING a conversation with new Nicco Locco is a guaranteed light and easy experience. Not only is he an eye candy, the fact that there is something between his ears, is the icing on the cake that makes the tetea-tete engaging, if not pleasurable.

His big brown eyes light up, especially when you have obviously piqued his interest. When he smiles, he becomes more charismatic and friendlier. And when he answers your queries, there is no cockiness in his reply, sincere and straightforward.

With Mr. Nicholas Timothy Fowler (his real name), up close and personal, is the real deal.

His idea of a perfect happiness, Nicco begins, “I think everything comes down to a balance in life. Before, I didn’t really understand what balance was but now that I am in my mid-20’s, I think I am starting to get there, to finding that happiness kasi may balance na ako.”

“I think balance is having something that satisfies you internally,” he adds.

“So whether it’s to work or whatever you do in your life that sense of balance makes me inspired with my work, the influence to be an inspiration to others especially being a foreigner in the Philippines. When I first realized I can have this impact on people and the younger generation, that really started the inner happiness.”

Nicco emphasizes that we should also have special friends in our life, people we can talk to and share our personal feelings with.

“Without them, all these feelings gets bottled up inside and when that happens, ang daming complications na, and one day, it will just explode.”

Showbiz, of course, easily opens its doors for foreigners like him. What makes him a stand out, he says: “My edge over the others, I think is that I learned the language, Filipino. Learning it got my foot inside the door. I realized as well that I need to have a personality that is relatable to most Filipinos.”

“Siempre ako, maybe if I can look half-Filipino, I made an effort na maramdaman na may pusong Pinoy ko and I believe people feel that. I became creative in letting my audience know that I want to relate to them and they can relate to me.”

The half-Canadian, half-Italian acting newbie, smiles his sweetest as he shares his congenial moments with Pinoys.

“Sobrang masaya! I feel so grateful and blessed every time someone wants to take a picture with me, everyone is so mabait.”

Nicco reveals that he didn’t really know what his purpose in life is. He was a budding actor in the US but somewhere along the way, he lost the passion.

“I went to Asia and dumating ako sa Pilipinas and in this beautiful country of yours, with people who on a daily basis wear a smile, is where I have found my purpose and that is through inspiring other people, contributing

a positive way to the Filipino society. Being in Manila gave me the opportunity to prove to myself, and to others that even if you have a broken past history, a point in your life when you want to give up, you can always move forward and be the better, if not the best version of yourself.”

He comes clean about a relationship that ended bitterly and his take home lessons from it.

“You can never take love for granted. I think love is something that you can’t just find that easily. The hardest part was seeing the pain I caused the other person. Seeing hurt and cry. I realized the effect I can have on somebody. Being a foreigner in the Philippines and trying to create a life and career here, parang letting my supporters down was the hardest.

People look up to me, when someone says I’m their lodi, it means a lot, parang they look up to me. So when I let them know because of all these nasty stuff, they send me messages, is this true?” he shares.

Since that episode in his life is already water under the bridge, aside from mod events hosting, modeling, vlogging and acting, Nicco was part of the 2019 MMFF movie Culion which was lion, awarded Best Ensemble.

He also took home a best actor trophy for Sabado, from Sin the GAWAD Sining Film Festival Awards.

Last two quesan tions, for Nicco, which he gamely answers, what happens if a planet woman crash lands on you, what will you tell her about the earth and what will you tell her about you?

“I will tell the woman from Venus that this is a wonderful place but you need to be careful, you cannot trust everybody, you can only trust a few people in your life, that I would tell them firstly. About me, I will tell her that if she needs help getting directions, just let me know. I am a nice guy,” Nicco chuckles.

And when did he realize his good looks?

“Ugly duckling ako in high school,” replies Nicco. “I was a bit chubbier, round-faced, you know.

Puberty already hit me by then and I could not care less. I was not body conscious, medyo mabaho ako nun, stinky kid, in junior high school.”

“In college, in my freshman year, something changed, and I did not how it happened. Girls started to approach me. From someone that nobody noticed, when they started making papansin, it was super overwhelming. I know I may be pleasant to look at but not that good looking.”

You may deny it all you want Nicco Locco, but this talent from Team MSB, up close and personal is not only good looking, he has a good heart.