Manila Standard - 2020 April 13 - Monday

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 55 • 2 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 • MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

SOCIAL DISTANCING. Roman Catholic priest Mark de Leon and altar boys walk

through an empty church with photos of parishioners taped on church pews as part of “social distancing” on Easter Sunday in Angeles City, Pampanga. The parish priest had parishioners and their families email over a thousand photos. AFP

Pope in Easter of solitude calls for unity among world leaders POPE Francis broke with centuries of tradition to livestream Easter Sunday mass to those suffering in the solitude of a coronavirus lockdown that forced the world’s Catholics to improvise on their holiest day.

The 83-year-old pontiff spoke to the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics from a hauntingly empty Saint Paul’s Cathedral at a ceremony attended by just a handful of priests and a small choir that was spaced out across the marble floor.

The pandemic raging outsides the Vatican’s locked gates has

HOLY BREAD. Pope Francis celebrates the

Eucharist during Easter Sunday Mass on April 12, 2020 behind closed doors at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican during the lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19. AFP

‘Virus fatalities to be cremated within 12 hours’

By Vito Barcelo, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Rio N. Araja THE government will retrieve COVID-19 fatalities from hospitals and cremate them within 12 hours as the bodies have begun to pile up at the East Avenue Medical Center National Task Force COVID-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. said the Metro Manila Development Authority and the Office of the Civil Defense have been tasked to retrieve the bodies, which are filling up morgues and storage spaces in many hospitals to prevent the virus from spreading further.

As of April 12, the Department of Health reported that there were 247 deaths due to COVID-19 while there

DOH mum on sudden spike of fatalities, cites challenges to frontliners

By Macon Ramos-Araneta, Vito Barcelo, Willie Casas and Rio N. Araja

T

HE Department of Health on Sunday announced that 50 patients lost their battle against COVID-19, the biggest number of deaths recorded in the Philippines in a single day.

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM APRIL 12)

4,648

NUMBER OF CASES

297 DEATHS

197

RECOVERIES

NEW CASES

SWAB BOOTH. Dr. Mary Kathleen Juangco (inside the booth) of QC General Hospital demonstrates the basic functions of a COVID-19 swab booth at the QCGH compund. A swab booth is used to take specimen to reduce the exposure of healthcare workers to droplets from people infected with the new coronavirus. It also minimizes the need for workers to use a personal protective equipment.

Lockdown displaces a million workers—DOLE

By Vito Barcelo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

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PH death toll surges to biggest in one day

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220

killed more than 109,000 people and left billions confined to their homes.

The pope’s message was livestreamed for the first time—a bow to technology in the face of a new illness that has changed the shape of society and altered the way religion is observed.

“For many, this is an Easter of solitude lived amid the sorrow and hardship that the pandemic is causing, from physical suffering to economic difficulties,” the pope said quietly.

A handful of priests and a few faithful also gathered at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s Old City

outbreak, with 98 percent of almost 42,000 establishments seeking the one-time government assistance of P5,000, Labor SecMORE than one million workers have retary Silvestre Bello III said Sunday.

Bello again appealed to big businessbeen displaced due to the Luzon-wide lockdown in response to the COVID-19 es to continue paying their workers and

employees despite their being unable to work for the duration of the extended community quarantine.

Based on reports from the Department of Labor and Employment regional Next page

SM DONATION. In a bid

to support the full recovery of COVID-19 patients, SM Foundation has delivered several intensive care unitgrade ventilators to medical institutions: Philippine General Hospital, Lung Center of the Philippines, Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and San Lazaro Hospital, West Visayas State University Medical Center in Iloilo and Baguio General Hospital. SM said this donation forms part of P170 million in allocations pledged

by SM Foundation to help front liners and medical institutions nationwide in the fight against the coronavirus outbreak.

Photo shows Lung Center health workers posing beside a set of equipment.

With the latest figure, the death toll from the new coronavirus jumped to 297 as of 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 12.

The total number of confirmed cases in the country is now at 4,648 after 220 new cases were listed during the same period.

The DOH also announced 40 new recoveries, which brought the total number of recoveries to 197.

The DOH was quiet over the sudden spike in the death toll.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said it is still too early to say if the country is already on the road to flattening the curve on new infections.

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‘‘

Targeted and aggressive contact tracing will be a game changer... We can shift to a selective quarantine if we follow strictly the enhanced community quarantine and do mass testing.

– National Task Force on COVID-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr.

US death toll reaches 20,506; China tallies 97 new infections THE United States recorded 1,920 deaths related to the novel coronavirus over the past 24 hours, while China recorded its highest daily toll of imported virus cases, confirming 97 new infections but no deaths reported on Sunday.

J o h n s Hopkins Un ive r sit y said the number of fatalities was lower than the previous day’s record toll of 2,108 while China, where the disease first emerged in December 2019, claims it has brought its domestic

WORLD ROUNDUP

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Free the elderly inmates—DOJ

By Rey E. Requejo, Alena Mae S. Flores, Butch Gunio, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz

THE Department of Justice on Sunday prodded the Bureau of Corrections and the Board of Pardons and Parole to comply with its earlier order to speed up processing the release of elderly and sick prisoners who have been granted executive clemency by President Rodrigo Duterte.

LOCAL ROUNDUP Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the DOJ had sought their release even before the coronavirus disease pandemic was first reported in December 2019.

Guevarra issued the statement after the petition was filed by a group of prisoners who argued they were vulnerable

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News

MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Easter in the time of COVID-19

By Honor Blanco Cabie

E

ASTER Sunday celebration in predominantly Christian Philippines this year—at a time of the coronavirus pandemic which has infected and killed thousands worldwide – is disparately done in towns where the Cross has symbolized religious faith since the 16th century.

to (sic) everyone, makes himself available to all.”

And with the COVID-19 pandemic, the priest hoped the faithful would learn to listen, would learn to obey, learn the lesson of selflessness, “that everyone who receives Him must be ready to go beyond himself/herself that others may live.”

Then referring to the apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, he said “Let us accompany Jesus to the newness of life.”

Easter follows a period of fasting called Lent, in which many churches set aside time for repentance and remembrance. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Good Friday, the day of Jesus’ crucifixion in what is called The Holy Week or “Passion Week.”

The 40-day period was established

by Pope Gregory 1 using the 40-day pattern of Israel, Moses, Elijah and Jesus’ time in the wilderness.

Easter is a very significant date within Christianity and is the foundation of the Christian faith. Jesus, the Son of God, fulfilled prophecy and through his death, has given the gift of eternal life in heaven to those who believe in his death and resurrection.

Holy Week, the end of Lent, the last day of the Easter Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday), and is the beginning of the Easter season of the liturgical year.

Religion scholars say Jesus’ resurrection marks the triumph of good over evil, sin and death, the singular event which proves that those who trust in God and accept Christ will be raised from the dead.

Since Easter represents the fulfillment of God’s promises to mankind, it is the most important holiday on the Christian calendar.

In the Gospels, the precise details of the Easter narrative vary slightly, but none of these variances are critical to the main story.

Theologians argue that the variances are simply matters of style and not substance, saying the variances, the key aspects of the Easter story all match.

Following Easter Sunday, the season of Easter begins and lasts for seven weeks, ending with Pentecost.

low financial liquidity in hospitals to procure the much needed testing kits, medicines, personal protective equipment, and other medical supplies.

At the Palace, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, spokesman for the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases said the government will now require COVID-19 patients to disclose personal information to enhance contact-tracing efforts.

The Office of Civil Defense, in coordination with other agencies and local government units, was tasked to lead the contact-tracing efforts.

The OCD and the Department of Health were directed to enter into a data-sharing agreement in accordance with the Data Privacy Act. Under the law, a person’s health condition is classified as sensitive personal information that can only be used with the consent of the person or patient.

On March 28, the IATF ordered all health facilities to get the consent of infected patients before disclosing their identities to the public.

Earlier, doctors and lawyers urged COVID-19 patients and persons suspected of carrying the virus to waive the confidentiality of their medical condition to help authorities conduct timely contact tracing.

Since the disease entered the country, the DOH never disclosed the names of the COVID-19 patients and only identified them through numbers. It only included in its reports their gender, age, travel history, and other medical concerns.

Also on Sunday, Assistant Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Party-List Rep. France Castro urged the government to include in its weekly report the number of persons tested for COVID-19 aside from new confirmed cases, deaths, and recoveries, and the transmission pattern at the subnational level.

“Starting with his third report and public address this Monday, President Rodrigo Duterte should be more forthcoming with data pertaining to the scope of transmission in the country,”

Castro said.

Castro noted that DOH after April 4 stopped reporting the number of individuals tested. “Of course, the prerequisite for these data required by the WHO [World Health Organization] is the systematic testing of all persons showing symptoms,” she said.

“The DOH should show its testing capacity or how many people it has tested for infection, which was only 48 PUIs per million Filipinos as of April 4, a far cry from our Asian neighbors.

A low testing capacity means deflated reporting of the number of persons with COVID-19,” she added.

The Alliance of Health Workers and its affiliated unions on Sunday demanded that the Department of Health consistently posts on its official website all reports relative to COVID-19 cases.

On its regular posting, the DOH should include the specific numbers of health workers categorized as positive for COVID-19 and the number of PUIs and PUMs per hospital or health facility.

On Sunday, the Quezon City government said the city has 764 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

At least 10 COVID-19 patients were able to recover from the disease, while 60 died from the disease.

Some 31 villages – Tandang Sora, Kalusugan, Ramon Magsaysay, Maharlika, Tatalon, Batasan Hills, Pasong Tamo, Central, San Roque,Paligsahan, Bagong Lipunan ng Crame, South Triangle, Culiat, Bahay Toro, San Isidro Labrador, Old Balara, Teachers Village West, Manresa, Paltok, Sto. Domingo, Bagong Silangan, Holy Spirit, Payatas, Marilag, Socorro, Kamuning, Pinyahan, San Isidro Galas, Commonwealth and Pansol – were placed under extreme lockdown.

The city government said as of last Saturday, the Hope 1 facility has reached its full capacity with 23 COVID-19 positive patients and 17 persons under investigation.

On the other hand, the Hope 2 facility still has 123 beds available for use of COVID-19 patients and PUIs.

– would be extended until the end of the month.

“The state will show the way to the country even in these tough times,” Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray said on extending the lockdown in his state.

“On Monday, we will complete five weeks since the first case of coronavirus was reported in the state. We can say that till now we have been successful in preventing the multiplication of the number of cases up to some extent.”

Maharashtra has the highest number of cases among India’s states and territories, at 1,761 including 127 deaths. India’s overall toll on Sunday stood at 8,356 infections including 273 deaths. AFP

In the different towns and cities, from as far north as Cabagan in Isabela, Paoay and Pinili in Ilocos Norte, Agoo in La Union, Dagupan in Pangasinan, Moncada in Tarlac and Cainta in Rizal to Camalig in Albay and Minglanilla in Cebu, the Easter Sunday Masses have been done online or via livestreaming.

Easter Sunday commemorates Jesus Christ’s resurrection from death, the final day of Lent which has become a major part of the Christian Filipinos’ tradition and culture.

This is preceded by Black Saturday – where the faithful do a vigil at home, given the enforced social distancing caused by the coronavirus pandemic and the instructions from the Vatican – which commemorates Jesus lying in the tomb until his resurrection on Easter Sunday, according to the Christian bible.

Easter arrived this year, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with many of the world’s population quarantined to their

homes, with those in essential services like the health workers and media exempted from the forced lockdown.

‘Virus...

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PH death...

were 4,428 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country.

“The rule is to cremate the body within 12 hours upon death... to prevent contamination,” Galvez said in a TV interview. “Within 12 hours, we will take the picture, then cremate [the body] because it will have health implications,” he added.

Galvez said in some hospitals, relatives of the deceased just leave the bodies behind.

EAMC spokesman Dr. Dennis Ordoña told CNN Philippines that bodies have piled up in the hallway of the hospital’s morgue due to lack of equipment, such as freezers, to store the bodies.

He also said it was possible that relatives cannot claim the remains of their loved ones due to the prevailing Luzon-wide lockdown.

“The capacity of our morgue is for five patients,” Ordoña told CNN. “The highest number we’ve recorded so far are 20 cadavers which have not yet been picked up.”

“Honestly, there are bodies that have started to smell. We admit that the stench reaches other areas of the hospital,” he added.

Earlier, GMA-7 news anchor Arnold Clavio, citing a frontliner, posted on his Instagram account that cadavers were littering one hospital’s hallways.

But Ordoña refuted the claim of the frontliner, saying the cadavers were in the morgue hallway, which is separate from the main hospital.

He also pointed out that so far, none of the bodies have tested positive for COVID-19. He said they are still waiting for test results to know if they have the virus.

In a Sunday press conference, Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire acknowledged that they have yet to determine if the patients whose bodies have piled up in the hospital were COVID-19-positive.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III joined the Field Implementation and Coordination Team emergency meeting with NCR Medical Center Chiefs in a video conference at EAMC Sunday morning.

Duque acknowledged the many challenges faced by health facilities at the frontlines of the COVID-19 response and the creative and innovative ways by which they have addressed these, and reassured the medical center chiefs of the department’s continued support and assistance.

Duque also said how inspired he was by the sense of community in health facilities whose members, caring deeply about the safety and well-being of their colleagues, contribute fiercely to efforts such as providing more PPEs and supplies, looking for needed suppliers and service providers, and reaching out to authorities to relay their concerns.

“This truly reflects the bayanihan spirit necessary to win the fight against COVID-19. However, to become more agile and more responsive, we have to be organized. We need to consolidate and avoid duplication of our efforts,” he said.

Medical center chiefs were reminded to maintain open lines of communication with their teams to inform them of actions taken to address their operational concerns.

The DOH also urged them and health care workers to immediately report concerns directly to the DOH and the public to be more circumspect in posting information that can unduly cause panic.

As this developed, the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. reported that, to date, a total of P4.1 billion have now been approved and are currently being released to various hospitals with COVID-19 cases.

PhilHealth said this would ensure that hospitals are provided with needed funds to cover the costs of treating COVID-19 patients.

The PhilHealth releases will also al-

US death...

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Testing sites have also been set up in recent days to pick up on asymptomatic carriers of the virus, Khabale-Patil said, adding that “as a result more positive cases have emerged.”

Local officials also closed all shops, except pharmacies, near socalled “containment zones” in Dharavi from Friday to limit the number of people in public spaces.

Mumbai’s

densely populated Dharavi slum – one of Asia’s biggest – have risen to 43 including four deaths, officials said Sunday as they ramp up testing in a race to contain the spread of the illness.

Since the first virus death in early April, Indian authorities have stepped up measures to close off areas where cases have emerged in Dharavi, which is home to around a million people.

But 15 new cases and one death were reported overnight, taking the number of infections to 43 in the district made famous by the 2008 Oscar-winning film “Slumdog Millionaire,” Mumbai council spokesman Vijay Khabale-Patil said Sunday.

ants, face masks, gloves and vitamins to all its personnel.

and at high risk of being infected with the virus.

“Let me tell you that even before the COVID-19 broke out, the DOJ had already directed the Bureau of Corrections and the Board of Pardons and Parole to speed up the release of, and/or grant of executive clemency to old and sickly PDLs [persons deprived of liberty],” Guevarra said, in a text message to reporters.

The 23 petitioners are elderly, sick, or pregnant prisoners detained in places

where COVID-19 precautions such as physical distancing cannot be observed.

The petitioners earlier asked the Supreme Court to release them, including those who are similarly situated but are not among the petitioners, for “human consideration” while the entire Luzon is on lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The BuCor has given assurances the agency is ready to tackle the virus in case it reaches the prison facilities.

The bureau, which suspended visitation rights last month when the whole main island of Luzon came under a lockdown, said it has set up isolation areas for flu cases, distributed disinfect-

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outbreak under control although it admits it faces a fresh battle against imported cases from overseas, mostly Chinese nationals returning home.

The outbreak has now claimed the lives of at least 20,506 people in the US, the most of any country.

The US also leads the world in the number of confirmed infections, with 527,111 by the Baltimore-based school’s count.

43 die in Mumbai Coronavirus

What is Easter?

According to theologians, Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus from the tomb on the third day after his crucifixion, a fulfilled prophecy of the Messiah who would be persecuted, die for the people’s sins, and rise on the third day. (Isaiah 53).

According to experts, remembering the resurrection of Jesus is a way “to renew daily hope that we have victory over sin.”

The priest at the Cabagan Square Park, in his homily on Sunday morning, said the resurrection of Jesus “from the dead heals us from our brokenness, from our crushed lives…with many searching for serenity and security.”

He added: “By allowing himself to be broken, he allows himself to be shared

cases

in

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The Feast

Easter is the principal feast of the ecclesiastical year. Leo I (Sermo xlvii in Exodum) calls it the greatest feast (fesHoly Day of Obligation tum festorum), and says that Christmas is Easter Sunday marks the end of the celebrated only in preparation for Easter.

Lockdown to be extended India has been in a nationwide lockdown since March 25. Some states including Maharashtra, where Mumbai is located, said Saturday that the strict measures – due to be lifted on April 15

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Subsidizing power needs Electric cooperatives are working on a program of subsidizing the electricity needs of poor Filipino consumers following the two-week extension of the enhanced community quarantine, National Electrification Administration said during the weekend.

NEA administrator Edgardo Masongsong said the proposed electricity subsidy program, dubbed ‘Pantawid Liwanag,’ targets poor Filipino electricity consumers in the countryside whose primary sources of income and livelihoods have been severely affected by COVID-19.

– locked down like the Vatican – to say prayers at the spot where Christians believe Jesus was crucified and resurrected on Easter.

‘Not a time for division’ The pope urged the world’s leaders to put aside their political fights and call back their armies during a global health emergency of a magnitude not seen in 100 years.

“This is not a time for division,” Francis said.

Oil players shift gears, hike prices

By Alena Mae S. Flores OIL prices are expected to slightly go up starting Tuesday, putting an end to five consecutive weeks of rollbacks following the decision of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to cut down production by about a tenth of global oil supply.

The oil firms are expected to raise pump prices by as much as P0.50 per liter for gasoline and P0.20 per liter for diesel.

“Expect fuel prices to go up next week [April 14, 2020 - April 20, 2020]. Diesel should go up around P0.20. Gasoline should go up around P0.45 - P0.50,” Unioil Philippines said in its advisory.

This, as OPEC and other nations such as Russia announced a production cut of about 10 million barrels per day to boost oil prices.

According to the report from the Energy department, Saudi Arabia called for an “urgent meeting” of the OPEC+ alliance and other producers to negotiate a deal on output cuts.

Saudi Arabia was able to export crude to Europe specifically France, the Netherlands, Poland, Greece and Spain although demand has remained week in north Asia as Japanese refiners are still mulling whether to increase crude oil purchases from Saudi Arabia and the UAE for May. Year-to-date adjustments are now at a net decrease of P15.07 per liter for gasoline, P14.09 per liter for diesel and P18.95 per liter for kerosene.

The oil companies implemented a price rollback of P0.35 per liter for gasoline, P0.70 per liter for diesel and P0.75 per liter for kerosene on April 7.

Meanwhile, the oil companies have expressed support to help the government and the front liners in their fuel needs.

Lockdown...

From A1 offices, some 1,048,649 workers in the formal sector were either affected by temporary closures or flexible work arrangements.

This figure is on top of the close to a quarter of a million informal sector workers needing assistance under under several government social amelioration programs.

The highest displacement was recorded in Metro Manila with about 246,810 workers, followed by Central Luzon at 179,875; CALABARZON with 99,178; Davao region at 90,414 and Region 2 with 75,189; followed by Central Visayas with 51,150; Cordillera region at 46,614 and Region 10 with 46,351 and the Bicol region with 41,322.

Region 6 recorded 36,526 while MIMAROPA had 30,721 workers. The areas with the least affected workers are CARAGA at 26,981; Region 8 at 24,940; Region 9 with 24,664; Region 1 at 17,378 and Region 12 at 11,536.

Most of the affected were displaced by the temporary closure of about 31,612 establishments involving 719,649 workers, with another 10,224 enterprises resorting to flexible work arrangements which include reduction of workdays, work rotation, forced leave and work from home or telecommuting affecting 366,404 workers.

Most of those workers belong to manufacturing, hotel, restaurants and tourism-related sectors, and education.

CAMP program implementer OIC Asst. Secretary Dominique RubiaTutay said DOLE was already able to assist about 180,000 workers with close to P900 million. With P1.61 billion in available funds under the program, the Labor Department will reach about 322,000 workers with the assistance, Tutay said.

Meanwhile, the Kilusang Mayo Uno assailed the exclusion of furloughed overseas Filipinos workers and those with “no work, no pay” status but are not terminated by their employers in the DOLE assistance program.

“May Christ enlighten all who have responsibility in conflicts, that they may have the courage to support the appeal for an immediate global ceasefire in all corners of the world.”

He said health considerations required world powers to ease crippling economic sanctions imposed against their adversaries—a possible reference to those weighing over pandemic-hit Iran.

“In light of the present circumstances, may international sanctions be relaxed, since these make it difficult for countries on which they have been imposed to provide adequate support to their citizens,” Francis said. AFP

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MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

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BI personnel ready for ‘sweeper flights’

By Vito Barcelo THE Bureau of Immigration has said that it has adequate personnel to serve passengers of repatriation and sweeper flights at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport amid the ongoing Enhanced Community Quarantine caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.

“In the past few days there have been several special and chartered flights that fly in and out of NAIA. We assure our stakeholders, especially the different airlines and foreign embassies that our men are always on hand to serve flights 24 hours a day,” BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said in a statement.

Morente said the bulk of the special flights were chartered to ferry Filipinos, mostly overseas contract workers, who were stranded abroad, while there were also several sweeper flights chartered by the different embassies in the Philippines to ferry their citizens stranded due to the ECQ. “Although we are on skeletal deployment, our officers at the NAIA continue to report in three shifts a day so as to ensure that passengers of these flights are subjected to the required immigration inspection,” the BI chief said.

According to BI port operations division chief Grifton Medina, over 1,400 Filipinos, all of them seafarers, arrived at the NAIA on Good Friday and the passengers were processed by immigration officers after undergoing health inspection by the Bureau of Quarantine.

Last Tuesday, Medina said a sweeper flight by Philippine Airlines flew out of the NAIA to London with 290 British passengers on board. He added PAL has notified BI that it will be flying three more sweeper flights this week to ferry stranded citizens of Canada and Australia back to their homelands.

EASTER BATH.

Despite the ongoing Enhanced Community Quarantine being implemented in Luzon, some people still celebrated Easter Sunday, April 12, by bathing at the breakwater off Manila Bay in Navotas City.

Norman Cruz

Bid to raise $100m for kids launched

By Willie Casas and Macon Ramos-Araneta

S

AVE the Children has launched a global appeal to raise US$100 million to manage the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and support survival through food security among the most vulnerable families across 120 countries, including the Philippines.

QC stops retail sale at Balintawak

By Rio N. Araja QUEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte has stopped retail selling in Balintawak markets to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19).

She said only wholesale selling and drop-off of products are allowed in the Balintawak markets to maintain social or physical distancing.

She said city officials and the seven market owners had reached the consensus to implement such measure.

“We have agreed to stop retail operations,” she added.

The markets involved were the Cloverleaf, North Diversion, Riverview I, Riverview II, Pilson’s, MC and Edsan Bagsakan.

According to the city mayor, the markets’ wholesale operations are crucial in ensuring the supply of vegetables and other farm products in various parts of Metro Manila.

She said more than half of Balintawak market goers came from neighboring cities and provinces.

Assistant city administrator for operations Alberto Kimpo said the market owners themselves would ensure that only their wholesale operations remain.

All retail stalls were closed effective immediately until further notice, he said, adding those affected retail vendors will be accommodated by the city’s fresh market on wheels program.

“They will be picked up by jeepneys that the city will hire and will be brought to various barangays where they can sell their goods,” he said.

LINING UP. Empty containers consisting of plastic basins and pails line up the sidewalk in Sta. Rosa City in Laguna on April 11 after the city government has instructed the community to avoid close contact while distributing relief goods in the area. JR Josue

Taguig residents warned vs. outdoor activities

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Taguig City government warned residents of Bonifacio Global City and visitors who insist on doing outdoor fitness and leisure activities that they would be apprehended for violating guidelines during the Enhanced Community Quarantine.

The local government came up with the warning after it received copies of video footages, photos and reports showing individuals jogging and doing leisure activities outside their homes.

Members of the Taguig City Police Station already arrested and charged more than 15 individuals, including foreigners, violating ECQ guidelines in BGC. Throughout the city, the authorities have apprehended more than 500 violators as of Sunday.

“Our frontliners are working hard to keep you safe. When you evade the rules of the ECQ, you not only endanger yourselves but others also. You also take time and valuable resources from areas where they are most needed,” said Mayor Lino Edgardo Cayetano.

The city chief executive reminded building managers and their security teams that they “are tasked to help implement the rules of the ECQ.” “BGC has 30 confirmed COVID-19 infections but I am confident that if they fully participate in their comprehensive approach in handling the virus, we can contain its spread. We have been doing extensive contact tracing, disinfection and containment in BGC and rest of Taguig, but we need citizens to cooperate,” he said.

The biggest appeal since the 1918 to 1920 Spanish flu pandemic, Save the Children believes that “early action is critical because a delay will cost lives, and rob children of opportunities.”

Tagged as #ProtectAGeneration, the appeal coincides with the World Health Day celebration on April 7, where the roles of nurses and midwives are recognized to keep the world healthy amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lawyer Alberto Muyot, chief executive officer of Save the Children Philippines, said that the COVID-19 pandemic spares no one – both rich and poor, young and old, but those who have the least in life, and not able to cope will be hit first and hardest, including the vulnerable and deprived children and their families.

“Children suffer the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Muyot. The rising deaths of adults leave children without parents, and guardians, while the loss of income for families is causing widespread hunger and poverty.

The 100 years of Save the Children’s expertise in providing a humanitarian response to a pandemic dates back to the Spanish flu in 1918.

“We need to go back and remember at how we started as a humanitarian organization,” said Muyot. “We need to be where we are most needed by children and their families.”

In the Philippines, the funds will be used to support the most vulnerable children and their families with hygiene essentials to ward off diseases, cash assistance to help them recover from the unintended impact of the Enhanced Community Quarantine, and educate families about the importance of physical distancing, proper hygiene and other behaviors needed to prevent and reduce transmission of the deadly virus.

PTAA asks government for support packages

ISOLATION AREA. The 50,000-seating capacity Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan has been designated as a megaisolation area for Persons Under Investigation and Persons Under Monitoring for the COVID-19 disease. Revoli Cortez

Palayan City LGU distributes relief goods, cash THE Palayan City government, led by Mayor Rianne Cuevas, has distributed food packs and cash assistance to the more than 12,000 families in their city.

According to Cuevas, aside from several kilos of rice, canned goods, vegetables and milk, they also handed P3,000 cash in assistance to every family in Palayan City, including those who belong to the so-called middle class.

“Alam ko na mauubos agad ang ipin-

amigay naming food packs lalo pa’t naextend ang quarantine hanggang April 30 kung kaya’t naisipan ko na magbigay na rin ng cash assistance sa buwan na ito,” Cuevas said.

“Hindi lang poorest of the poor kundi pati yung mga nasa middle class binigyan na rin namin ng food packs at cash dahil magiisang buwan na rin silang walang trabaho, entonces walang kita,” the mayor added.

If to be summed up, she added that the

city government will be able to distribute a total of P40 million to their constituents, from April 8, Holy Wednesday.

Cuevas said the fund came from their savings and Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA).

It was the mayor herself, together with the leaders of every barangay, who went to every house in the city and led the distribution of the relief packs and cash assistance to their residents, who were patiently waiting outside their houses.

THE Philippine Travel Agencies Association wants the government to extend support packages to their sector which they claimed has been heavily burdened by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

In a letter sent to Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, the PTAA said their members operations are now at risk with the continuation of the enhanced community quarantine which the government has imposed in March.

“As you are already aware, the travel agents and tour operators have been badly affected. We are bleeding and we will continue to bleed for an undetermined length of time with all the uncertainties,” PTAA president Ritchie Tuaño said.

According to Tuaño, they are seeking the assistance of the Department of Tourism for a favorable endorsement of their request to concerned government agencies.

The PTAA has divided the provisions they are seeking into “Survival Recommendations” which will cover the remainder of the year and “Recovery Recommendations” which will run until December 2022.

Barquez, 99

ARMY M/Sgt. Salvador S. Barquez (ret.), former adjutant-post commandant of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines and survivor of the Death March in World War II, died in Pinili, Ilocos Norte on Saturday.

He was 99.

Barquez, born in Polangui, Albay on Oct. 30, 1920, settled in Pinili after his retirement from the Army in 1964 where his wife Eugenia (nee Cabie) was born in 1930.

A veteran of the second world war, Barquez, who was active in veterans affairs and the senior citizens association in Pinili, is survived by his wife, their children Elena; Saturnino and Celia; Severino and Luz; Elvira and Eric Bayutas; Gloria and Rey Avante; Bonifacio and Nellie; Joseph and Alma; as well as Adela and Henry Yong; 17 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Barquez retired on June 11, 1964 after 25 years, three months and 21 days in the service, which included working at the then headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Camp Murphy, now Camp Aguinaldo, in Quezon City.

The date of the funeral, given the lockdown in Pinili following the COVID-19 pandemic, has not been disclosed by the familywith other members in Hawaii, Metro Manila and Cavite.

Barquez is the cousin-in-law of Honor Blanco Cabie, night editor of the Manila Standard.

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Opinion

MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2020

Reinventing the 4Ps CONDITIONAL cash transfer has been implemented in at least 18 countries including the Philippines for about three decades now, with Brazil having started the program in the early 1990s.

CCT, which even the acknowledged richest economy in the world, the United States, had adopted in 2010, aims to reduce poverty by providing welfare programs conditional upon the beneficiaries' actions. Simply put, the government (or a charity) only transfers the money to persons who meet certain criteria, which might include enrolling children into public schools, getting regular check-ups at the doctor's office, receiving immunizations and other similar programs.

In short, CCTs seek to help the current generation in poverty by uplifting the lives of the beneficiaries, thereby breaking the so-called cycle of poverty.

In the Philippines, the CCT had around for more than a decade now.

The program was started during the term of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The administration of former President Noynoy Aquino continued the program, renaming it to Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or simply 4Ps, wherein conditional cash grants are extended to extremely poor households to improve their health, nutrition and education particularly of children age 0-14.

However, from the very start, there obviously was no intention from the Aquino administration to uplift the lives of beneficiaries through the 4Ps as from a few hundred thousand households during Arroyo’s time, the number of beneficiaries ballooned to 4.5 million before Aquino stepped down in 2016.

If the CCT’s intention was to reduce poverty, Aquino’s pursued the contrary, promoting a culture of mendicancy

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

among the Filipinos through his 4Ps. The debate on the correctness of the 4Ps program has again been raised following the billions of pesos the government had allotted to the program’s beneficiaries in order for them to cope up with crisis triggered by COVID-19.

This was after some of the beneficiaries complained that the additional monthly P5,000 to P8,000 doles would not be enough their monthly expenses. At the most, some said, it could only last a week.

The conditional cash transfer program should be modified.

And while the middle class were left fuming mad at the supposed ungratefulness of the 4Ps beneficiaries, a video showing a program beneficiary gambling went viral on the social media, eliciting more angry reactions from netizens, even calling for the program’s termination.

Actually, the viral video showing a beneficiary gambling even as the President had placed the entire Luzon Island under community quarantine is not an isolated case. There are even cases when beneficiaries would pawn their ATM cards just to raise gambling money.

In fact, former Department of Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol questioned the viability of the 4Ps, saying the beneficiaries are simply waiting for money from the government rather than making them productive.

And it is for this reason former Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo has sought to modify, not only the 4Ps, but also the Unconditional Cash Transfer Program.

Expecting the pandemic to have a long-term effect on the economy, Pelayo is proposing that beneficiaries of these programs be clustered and taught to form cooperatives.

A matter of life and death

T

HIS pandemic has upended everybody’s way of life. Here at home, the government has extended the enhanced community quarantine to keep people in their homes.

Indeed, the need to prevent the spread of the virus trumps any other concerns, even though other issues like greatly diminished economic activity, resulting in the loss of jobs and earning opportunities especially for the poor, need to be addressed as well.

The numbers released Sunday by the Department of Health do not inspire much optimism. Four weeks into lockdown, it appears as though we are a long way from flattening the curve. The number of deaths—50—has by far been the biggest rise for a single day. Two hundred ninety-seven have died.

There are 220 new cases, bringing the total number of confirmed COVID patients to 4,648. No downward trend appears to be in the horizon anytime soon.

The people are confused and scared, and insecure about what the future will bring. Millions are hungry. We need our leaders to be data-driven and deliberate. We need each decision to be made with foresight. We need them to be transparent.

The national government, for instance, should not engage in self-congratulation about what they are doing, or distort the truth about the action— or inaction—done in the past. They should not exaggerate the results of their efforts, play down threats, make faulty comparisons between our situation and that of others, or tell outright lies about applying the force of the law equally when it is plain that some individuals have it better, or worse, than others.

They announced that mass testing will finally begin tomorrow—we await the details of this, because we believe that only mass testing will give us the true extent of COVID-19’s effects and inform strategies on how to effectively deal with it while we wait for a cure.

Local executives should also be honest about how they procure goods and services during these extraordinary

times, and how they deliver these to their constituents.

Hospitals and other institutions should not muzzle their staff who speak about about processes that need attention and improvement. This is not the time to prop up one’s image. The lives of those who save lives are on the line.

Likewise, patients and their families should also be transparent about their travel history, exposure and symptoms.

This is so those who are attending to them can take the necessary precautions, and those who may have interacted with them can isolate themselves.

This is not the time to compete with one another over who gets the job done.

It’s not the time to worry about stigma because all of us have been scarred already by the virus and the threat it brings. And while lying is unacceptable at any time, it is egregious during these extraordinary days.

The lack of transparency breeds confusion and encourages malicious minds to find ways to manipulate others, thus worsening the situation. Dishonesty weakens our ability to fight and fight well.

Lies cost lives.

Turn to A5

What they did right

OBSERVERS all around the world have been praising some countries on how they ably responded to the pandemic now devastating the entire world.

In Germany, though the number of COVID-19 cases were a high 124,715 as of Holy Saturday, the comparatively low number of deaths at 2,800 is quite a feat. That is just about 2.2 percent when compared to neighbors France and Belgium, for instance. As of the same date, 13,832 persons have died in France due to COVID-19 with 93,790 cases of infection, or a very high 14.75 percent ratio, while in Belgium, with 28,018 cases recorded, 3,346 have died, or 11.94 percent mortality. Italy, Spain and the UK also have quite high percentages of mortality as France and Belgium as well as the Netherlands.

Testing, tracking, treatment and transparency. No rocket science.

One might advance the argument that Germany is rich, and its health care system is “gold standard,” to borrow our DOH secretary’s favorite phrase these days. But so are France and Belgium, perhaps to a slightly lower degree. Italy and Spain also have very good health care systems, but they are in pretty bad shape in this period of the pandemic.

So rather than look at European nations, let us take a look at four nations closer to home: South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, and farther off but still in the Asia-Pacific region, New Zealand.

Hereinafter, we shall refer to them as Sokor, Twn, SG and NZ. Every non-biased observer has been praising these countries for the measures they have undertaken to contain the spread of the pandemic in their respective territories. But for NZ, which is 10 and a half hours away by plane, all the others are within easy reach of our

capital. Sokor is four and a half hours away; SG three and a half hours by air; and Twn is closest, with its capital less than two hours away from Manila.

In terms of climate, both Sokor and NZ are temperate, the former quite close to the North Pole; the latter to the South Pole. Their four seasons are quite distinct, their winters quite cold. Twn is relatively colder than the tropical climate that our Phl shares with SG, but not quite differently so.

In terms of land area versus inhabitants, SoKor is just 10 million hectares with less than 52 million people (one-third our land area with one-half our population). Twn has just about one-eighth our hectarage, with a little more than one-fifth our population. SG has the smallest land area, at a scant 26,800 hectares packed with 5.7 million people (the size of San Juan, Quezon City, Caloocan and Manila put together, also densely packed with 6 million inhabitants).

And NZ with a land area just a tenth lower than RP, or 26.8 million hectares compared to our 30 million, is one of the most sparsely-populated nations on earth with 5 million human inhabitants.

NZ raises roughly 6 million heads of cattle (more than its people) and about 30 million sheep (six times the number of its human population).

But, all four populations are far richer than the average Filipino with a population of 107 million. Nominal per-capita income in Sokor is 31 thousand US dollars, Taiwan is 25 thousand, SG is among the world’s highest at 65 thousand, and NZ is about 42 thousand. Our RP, the 12th most populous nation on earth, makes do with US $3.5 thousand per capita.

Now having cited all those demographics as background, how did Sokor, Twn, SG and NZ react, or even prepare for a pandemic so virulent as the current “veerus”?

In varying degrees and differing timelines, all four nations have practiced adequate testing, serious contact tracing leading to the ability to treat those tested positive, and full transparency in what their health officials and government are doing.

The four T’s: testing, tracking, treatment and transparency. No rocket science to these. They have yet to develop Turn to A5

Incineration of COVID-19 wastes will worsen the situation

By Merci Ferrer, Faye Ferrer and Jorge Emmanuel, PhD A RECENT memo by the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources violates the law, undercuts safer and cheaper options, and poses a threat to public health and the environment.

On March 26, 2020, EMB issued a memorandum that allows incineration for all COVID-19 related healthcare wastes collected during this period of Enhanced Community Quarantine.

While purporting to ensure continuity of operations in public health and safety, the memo will only make the situation worse.

Violation of RA 8749 The memo issued and signed by Engineer William Cuñado, EMB OIC-Director, directs all EMB regional directors to use thermal treatment by incineration as a mode of disposal with total disregard for RA 8749 or the Philippine Clean Air Act. Section 20 of the

Clean Air Act bans incineration. Even the Supreme Court’s orbiter dictum (opinion that does not set precedent, is not binding and is unenforceable) in the MMDA v. Jancom case does not annul the prohibition. The memo is in clear violation of the law.

Disinfection and treatment systems All the “alternative” treatment modes in the EMB memo with the exception of incineration and crematoria have already been in use for medical waste treatment for decades. Disinfection through chlorination and sterilization using an autoclave or hydroclave are all in the Philippine Department of Health (DOH) Healthcare Waste Management Manual that hospitals have been using since the manual’s early version in 2004. The latest version of the manual (2012) also includes microwave treatment, disinfection by hydrogen peroxide, and methods of encapsulation and burial, which are not even mentioned by Engineer Cuñado.

The only thing new in the memo is permitting incineration and use of crematoria. It appears that the EMB memo intends to bypass the Clean Air Act by

allowing a process which emits poisonous and toxic fumes while introducing the use of crematoria for healthcare waste disposal.

Disinfecting COVID-19 contaminated materials Despite its high transmissibility and case fatality rate, the virus responsible for COVID-19 is ironically enough easily destroyed by decontamination.

The COVID-19 coronavirus belongs to a group of viruses called enveloped viruses that are among the most sensitive to chemicals and heat compared to other disease-causing microorganisms.

The COVID-19 virus is readily inactivated by such disinfectants as 0.1percent sodium hypochlorite (the active ingredient in Zonrox, Winrox, and other bleach products), 70 percent ethyl alcohol, 50 percent isopropyl alcohol, and 0.5 percent hydrogen peroxide.

WHO already recommends these and other disinfectants for clinical laboratory waste. WHO also recommends disinfecting COVID-19 contaminated linen in a diluted bleach solution of 0.05 percent hypochlorite for 30 minTurn to A5

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Opinion Asia-Pacific response to COVID-19 and climate emergency must build a resilient and sustainable future

By Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana THE unprecedented public health emergency triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic and its multi-faceted impact on people’s lives around the world is taking a heavy toll on Asia and the Pacific.

Countries in our region are striving to mitigate the massive socioeconomic impact of the pandemic, which is also expected to affect the region’s economic health. In its annual Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2020 launched last week, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) expects growth in Asia-Pacific developing economies to slow down significantly this year.

Bold investments to sustain the region’s physical and economic well-being is imperative. The Survey advises policymakers to protect the economic health of the region with measures that support affected businesses and households and prevent economic contagion. To tackle COVID-19 in developing Asia-Pacific countries, the Survey also calls for an estimated increase in health emergency spending by $880 million per year through to 2030. Fiscal support will be crucial in enhancing health responders’ ability to monitor the spread of the pandemic and caring for infected people. ESCAP is also calling on Asia-Pacific countries to consider setting up a regional health emergency preparedness fund.

The pandemic is also an opportunity for us to rethink our economic growth path that has come at a heavy cost to people and planet. According to the latest ESCAP assessment on implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Asia and the Pacific is not on track to achieve any of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

by 2030, with regression on several environmental Goals.

This stands in stark contrast with the region’s impressive gains in material prosperity, which have been powered by intensive resource use. We are currently paying the price amid a public health emergency in a region with 97 of the 100 most air-polluted cities in the world and five of the 10 countries most vulnerable to climate change. Economic policymaking is understandably focused on maximizing growth to reduce poverty and create jobs. Yet, we need to question this when the methods of growth undermine its sustainability over the long term.

The 2020 Survey is proposing a transition towards a growth path that ensures we bequeath a healthy planet to future generations. It is calling for a shift in the paradigm of production and consumption, which is at the core of all economic activities.

To bring about this fundamental shift in the way we produce and consume, we need to adopt the motto of “no more business as usual” for all stakeholders in planetary well-being, namely governments, businesses and consumers. Policymakers should not lose sight of a looming climate crisis, but rather design economic stimulus packages with social inclusion and environmental sustainability built into every decision.

The Survey identifies challenges and constraints to making this switch for each group of stakeholders. The good news is that it is possible to take on these challenges and align the goals of all stakeholders with the 2030 Agenda’s goal of sustainability.

In particular, the Survey urges governments in the region to embed sustainability in policymaking and implementation, transition out of fossil fuel dependency and support the greening of finance. The region continues to pro-

Incineration...

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utes. The DOH Manual calls for decontamination of infectious waste by 5 percent hypochlorite, which is a safe concentration since it is ten times higher than what is needed to inactivate the COVID-19 virus.

Coronaviruses such as the COVID-19 virus are also easily destroyed by simple soap and water because of the nature of enveloped viruses. Soap molecules act as chisels that break open enveloped viruses and trap their fragments in structures called micelles that are formed by soap. The WHO, DOH, and other health agencies keep emphasizing washing hands with soap for 20 seconds and rinsing with water as a simple but effective method to stop transmission of the COVID-19 virus.

Furthermore, past studies have found that other coronaviruses are destroyed by hot water at only 56°C (133°F) for about 45 minutes. It is likely that the COVID-19 coronavirus will also be destroyed at 56°C, which by the way is the temperature of the hot wa-ter setting of many commercial washing machines. WHO adds a safety factor by recommending washing contaminated clothes, bedding, and towels of COVID-19 patients in hot water with detergent at 6090°C. Boiling in water would destroy the virus even faster.

Microwave units used for infectious waste require enough water to produce steam and operate around 100ºC to achieve high levels of disinfection in about 30 minutes. Autoclaves, which are basically pressure cookers operating at temperatures between 121-134ºC, reach sterilization levels (the same levels used to sterilize surgical instruments) and are far more than adequate to handle COVID-19 wastes.

Since coronaviruses can be destroyed at temperatures even below the boiling point of water (100°C), incinerating infectious wastes at 850 to 1200°C is overkill and completely unnecessary, especially since cheaper methods as those mentioned above are readily available on-site. Unlike alcohol, ordinary bleach is still found throughout the country.

Incinerating healthcare waste produces toxic substances Opposing incineration goes beyond the legal requirement and has everything to do with health. Much of healthcare wastes are single-use materials such as disposable gloves, gowns, face masks, and IV bags, which are mostly plastics made from fossil fuels. When burned, they release toxic substances, including respirable fine particles, heavy metals, carbon monoxide, and acid gases, all of which adversely impact the respiratory system. COVID-19 is a severe acute respiratory disease that will be exacerbated by respiratory pollutants. Patients that experience severe and even fatal outcomes for COVID-19 are those with other health problems including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other respiratory disorders. Many of the pollutants from inciner-

What...

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any vaccine to repel the unwanted invader in their shores.

Some of them, particularly Twn, learned bitter lessons when they were invaded by SARS in 2003-04. Seventy three Taiwanese died out of 346 cases

vide $240 billion worth of annual subsidies to fossil fuels while investments in renewables remain at $150 billion.

Businesses can integrate sustainability by factoring in environmental, social and governance aspects in investment analysis and decisions. Carbon pricing will be a key tool to reduce emissions and mitigate climate-related risks. The region is already a leader in adopting the emerging sustainable business paradigms of the shared economy and circular economy.

All of us as consumers must understand the importance of switching to sustainable lifestyles. This will begin with increasing awareness of the impact of consumer choices on people and planet. Governments will have to play a significant role in encouraging consumer choices through positive reinforcements, small suggestions and eco-labelling of products.

Integrating sustainability also requires international collaboration, given the interconnected world in which we live. Asia-Pacific governments need to coordinate their climate action, particularly the development of climate-related standards and policies. Having achieved so much, yet also at the risk of losing so much, the Asia-Pacific region stands at a pivotal moment in its development journey. The next phase of its economic transformation should be more sustainable, with cleaner production and less material-intensive lifestyles.

With headwinds to the region’s development journey strengthened by the COVID-19 pandemic, let us heed the United Nations Secretary General’s call to mobilize for a decade of action to build a sustainable and resilient future.

Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana is the United Nations’ under-secretarygeneral and executive secretary of ESCAP.

ators are also known to suppress the immune system. Thus, creating air pollutants by incinerating infectious wastes will further compromise COVID-19 patients in healthcare facilities and communities.

The Clean Air Act prohibits the burning or incineration of medical wastes in part because incineration creates the most toxic chemicals known to science, dioxins, and furans, which remain in the environment for decades to hundreds of years. Dioxins and furans are linked to various types of cancers, reproductive disorders, birth defects, endocrine disruption, suppression of the immune system, and other health problems. The Philippines does not have the capacity to continuously monitor incinerator emissions of dioxins and furans. This means it is unlikely that emission limits for dioxins and furans will be enforced even without a pandemic.

Large amounts of dioxins and furans are also found in incinerator ash. This is why the ash must be safely transported and disposed of in hazardous waste landfills according to the Stockholm Convention for Persistent Organic Pollutants, to which the Philippines is a party. The guidelines of the Convention even recommend catalytic treatment of ash, solidification prior to landfilling, or use of double-walled containers. Since the country does not even have enough hazardous waste landfills, toxic incinerator ash will probably end up in dumpsites or rivers.

Protecting people's health The EMB's role should not be to negate the protection of public health and the environment by undermining the Clean Air Act and the DOH Healthcare Waste Management Manual. What hospitals and other healthcare facilities should do is to ensure compliance with the DOH Manual and where possible, strengthen their waste management systems. Rigorous waste segregation and proper handling, storage, and transport of healthcare waste should be strictly followed.

The correct use of personal protective equipment should be enforced. The COVID-19 pandemic should not be an excuse to return to outdated and polluting disposal methods like burning and incineration. Continued use of safe and environmentally sound treatment methods is more protective of public health.

Merci Ferrer is convener, War on Waste/Break Free From Plastic-Negros Oriental manager, Zero Waste Cities Project-Dumaguete, and the former director, Asia Office, Health Care Without Harm.

Faye Ferrer is a consultant for Healthcare Waste Management.

Jorge Emmanuel, PhD is adjunct professor, Silliman University, co-author, “Safe Management of Wastes from Healthcare Activities,” World Health Organization, former UNDP chief technical advisor on Global Healthcare Waste Projects and former healthcare waste expert for UNDP’s Ebola Crisis Response Program in Africa.

of the severe acute respiratory disease which has similar symptoms as the COVID-19. That’s a high 21-percent mortality rate, higher than even China’s mortality rate despite the fact that the virus originated in its south.

And so Twn prepared right after, cognizant of the probability that SARS might recur, or another variant of it mutates, as it now has with the coronavirus

from Wuhan in central China.

As of this writing, 16 years after, no cure or vaccine to prevent or treat SARS has yet been proven effective or safe for humans. Then the virus from Wuhan struck, with greater intensity. Thus far, 1.77 million have been infected with 108,679 dead in 211 countries and territories, virtually the entire globe. SARS is picayune in comparison.

MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2020

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How did you treat the poor?

I HAVE never used religious quotes in my writings. But, as I was scrolling through my newsfeed, the headline of the CNA (Catholic News Agency), “God will judge us by how we treated the poor, says Pope Francis” caught my attention.

Stay healthy and keep helping.

Reading the lead further got me hooked. It quoted Pope Francis in his daily Mass homily on Holy Monday, “Many people suffering from poverty are victims of the ‘structural injustice’ of today’s global economy.” Wow! I paused for a moment and then remembered that Pope Francis is a Jesuit from Latin America, linked to liberal theology and progressive views on socio-economic issues.

“We will be judged for our relationship with the poor,” Pope Francis said.

The theme of the Pope’s homily drives the hard truth on the disproportionate impact of the pandemic relative to where one belongs in the economic hierarchy. The raging crisis has created a fallout of troubles which started as an uncontrolled virus outbreak in China, exploding into a global nightmare with intensity and complexity never seen in human history.

Let’s take the prohibitions under the ongoing Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) or lockdown for short.

All public transport has been suspended. Not much of a problem for car owners except for curfew hours and traveling across city borders. For those who were daily commuters of our terrible public transportation system, the only way to get around is to walk, or rather hike. We’ve seen the sad stories of health workers stranded and forced to walk for hours to report for duty. People lugging heavy bags of food from the nearest wet market or grocery store where they had to endure the summer heat in hour long lines just and hours more to get back home just in time to beat the curfew.

Try to make a list of people you know who lost their daily means of livelihood because of the lockdown. Your favorite barber, the crew and cook of your favorite bar or restaurant, your favorite food vendor who brings your daily lunch pack, the Grab drivers, the street hawker, the neighborhood carinderia, the tiangge, the car wash, you get the idea. There are millions of innocent lives suddenly thrown in extreme distress that need help.

The International Labor Organization (ILO) warned that as many as 25 million jobs could be lost globally due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As for the Philippines, the ILO projected that around 30,000 to 60,000 workers (I think more because of the underground economy) might be laid off following the closure of several businesses. However, the ILO stressed that the impact

Reinventing...

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The Department of Trade and Industry, Pelayo said, should focus on teaching financial literacy and management to said beneficiaries with the help of the barangay and private sector.

According to Pelayo, expanding micro, small, and medium enterprises is the only real and sustainable long-term solution in feeding the poorest of the poor, and not through a program which promotes mendicancy.

The proposal to reinvent the program is actually only a part of a series of programs Pelayo has proposed to President Rodrigo Duterte through a letter via a letter he sent through Senator Bong Go. The former Candaba mayor is also proposing for local government units, members of the House of Representatives and the Senate to postpone all their infrastructure projects and realign savings to these most affected sectors.

In Sokor, Twn and SG, no lockdown has been imposed upon entire populations, as China immediately did in Wuhan and Hubei. What their health officials did was to impose travel bans, first on China, Hong Kong and Macau, expanding to other countries according to the extent of infestation in other areas. Then they did adequate testing to determine who were infected, more in

could be lower if there would be an internationally coordinated policy response, such as extending social protection, supporting employment retention and financial and tax relief.

Think tank Capital Economics says Southeast Asian emerging markets such as the Philippines are considered high risk because of the high density of populations in urban areas, weak health care systems, and poor quarantine protocols. The limited testing capacity will mislead authorities on the actual number of cases which will most certainly be higher. World Bank data show that health care spending in the Philippines is a measly 4.39 percent of GDP in 2016, compared to the world average of 10.02 percent. In addition, due to the lockdown in Luzon, consumption, the main driver of the Philippine economy, is seen to decline.

We don’t have to wait for the data, we see this happening now and our middle class is in real risk of falling to poverty level. If this happens, we may be in the brink of violent social unrest and longterm economic ruin. But not yet.

Though government is naturally handicapped by policy roadblocks and inefficient bureaucratic systems, the biggest business groups are redefining cross-industry collaboration as a social responsibility model that harnesses the resource capacities problem solving skills and innovativeness of the private sector to aid vulnerable communities of the metropolis and outlying areas in the country’s COVID-19 epicenter.

Started with phone calls from brothers Fernando Zobel de Ayala and Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, the early response from 20 business conglomerates grew by the day to what is now a 54-strong collaboration of some of the country’s industry leading business groups throwing support for Project Ugnayan. This is a fast-action intervention that in no time raised P1.5 billion for the door-to-door distribution of P1,000 worth of grocery certificates or food packs to 1.5 million households in the poorest communities in and around Metro Manila. Multiplied by the average family household of five, that’s 7.5 million mouths that now have some sustenance while waiting for more help to arrive in the extended ECQ. The Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation runs the project’s secretariat while day-to-day, street level distribution is handled by Caritas Manila’s Damayan Program and network of parish priests and volunteers with the support of the local governments, barangays and Philippine National Police.

Distribution channels got much-needed boost thanks to manpower and resources from ABS-CBN’s Pantawid ng Pagibig project, the ADB and Government’s “Bayan, Bayanihan!” program, and Jollibee’s FoodAID program.

Project Ugnayan will declare mission accomplished in a few days. This, by any standard, is an amazing feat of project management, and because of its early action, it has strategic significance in helping diffuse the potential for public disorder because of the disruption of jobs, transportation and food supply—a painful side effect of the ongoing lockdown that has been alleviated, for now.

Stay healthy and keep helping.

Happy Easter!

The singular focus, Pelayo said, should be food on the table for the poorest of the poor while maintaining peace and order in the country.

Another novel idea is to introduce an Adopt-a-Family program wherein those who are able to sponsor the needs of cash-strapped families could do so during this most crucial time.

This scheme, according to Pelayo, can also be applied to big businesses helping micro enterprises which do not have the liquidity and capacity to reopen after the lockdown.

Lastly, Pelayo wants the Buy Lokal campaign be promoted as this would increase the competitiveness of local enterprises, he says.

While all of his proposals appear viable, it is the 4Ps aspect which needs to be attended. Not only will it make the beneficiaries productive. It could also appease the middle class who now see themselves as the milking cows of some of the beneficiaries who have given up on making themselves productive.

Sokor where massive testing, including drive-in tests were done.

Those who tested positive were immediately quarantined, either in hospitals if requiring serious treatment, or isolated in homes or designated places to contain the probability of spreading the contagion.

(Full version at www.manilastandard.net)

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MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

World/Business

IN BRIEF

Kim Yo Jong

Kim’s sister rises in Nokor hierarchy SEOUL—North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s powerful younger sister has been reinstated to a key decision-making body, state media reported Sunday, marking her rise in the isolated nation.

Long one of her brother’s closest advisers, Kim Yo Jong was reappointed an alternate member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee in a reshuffle of top officials, according to the official Korean Central News Agency.

The meeting to decide on the appointment was presided over by Kim Jong Un, it added.

Analysts say Kim Yo Jong is believed to have been removed from the position last year after the collapse of a second summit between her brother and US President Donald Trump in Hanoi.

“The restoration is part of Kim Yo Jong’s recent rise within the North’s hierarchy,” Ahn Chan-il, a North Korean defector and researcher in Seoul, told AFP. Kim Yo Jong acted as her brother’s envoy to the South at the time of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in 2018, which ushered in a rapid diplomatic rapprochement on the divided peninsula.

She has frequently been pictured alongside him at summits with Trump or the South’s President Moon Jae-in. AFP

Joe Biden wins Alaska primary WASHINGTON—Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, was declared winner of the Alaska primary late Saturday after the state shifted to postal voting due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The state’s ballots were sent out before Biden’s rival Bernie Sanders pulled out of the race last week, meaning the Vermont senator also took a proportion of the vote.

However, Biden emerged as the clear winner with 55.3 percent of the vote and nine of the state’s 15 delegates, Alaska Democrats tweeted from the party’s official account.

Sanders took 44.7 percent of the votes and eight delegates, according to the tweet.

He has stressed he will remain on the ballot and seek to gain as many delegates as possible in order to “exert significant influence” over the direction of the party.

Biden, like most Americans, is under stay-at-home orders due to the global coronavirus pandemic, and has marked becoming the de facto 2020 nominee with press releases and comments broadcast online from his basement. AFP

FLYOVER FOR FRONTLINERS. The US Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron Thunderbirds perform a flyover in honor of frontline responders in the fight against the novel coronavirus in Las Vegas, Nevada. The pilots of the F-16 Fighting Falcons out of Nellis Air Force Base performed the 25-minute flyover. AFP

Virus a ‘perfect storm’ for South Asian nations N EW DELHI—South Asia is on course for its worst economic performance in 40 years, with decades of progress in the battle against poverty at risk, because of coronavirus, the World Bank said Sunday.

India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan and other smaller nations, which have 1.8 billion people and some of the planet’s most densely populated cities, have so far reported relatively few coronavirus cases but experts fear they could be the next hotspots.

The dire economic effects are already much in evidence, with widespread lockdowns freezing most normal activity, Western factory orders cancelled and vast numbers of poor workers suddenly jobless.

“South Asia finds itself in a perfect storm of adverse effects. Tourism has dried up, supply chains have been disrupted, demand for garments has collapsed and consumer and investor sentiments have deteriorated,” said a World Bank report.

It slashed its growth forecast for the region this year to 1.8-2.8 percent from its pre-pandemic projection of 6.3 percent,

with at least half the countries falling into “deep recession.”

Worst hit will be the Maldives where the collapse of tourism will result in gross domestic output contracting by as much as 13 percent, while Afghanistan could shrink by as much as 5.9 percent and Pakistan by up to 2.2 percent.

Regional heavyweight India, where the fiscal year began on April 1, will see growth of just 1.5 to 2.8 percent in its current financial year, down from an expected 4.8 to 5 percent for the year just ended, the bank predicted.

The report also warned that the pandemic will reinforce inequality in the region, with the pandemic hitting informal workers with limited or no access to healthcare or social safety the hardest.

In India for instance, the world’s biggest lockdown has prompted hundreds of thousands of migrant workers to return to

their home villages, many on foot.

Governments need to “ramp up action to curb the health emergency, protect their people, especially the poorest and most vulnerable, and set the stage now for fast economic recovery,” the World Bank said.

In the short term this means preparing weak healthcare systems, providing safety nets and securing access to food, medical supplies and necessities for the most vulnerable.

It recommended temporary work programs for migrant workers, debt relief for business and individuals and cutting red tape on imports and exports of essential goods.

And once the crisis is over, governments need urgently to pursue “innovative policies” and jumpstart economies.

“Failure to do so can lead to long-term growth disruptions and reverse hard-won progress in reducing poverty,” the bank’s Hartwig Schafer said.

The World Bank is taking “broad, fast action,” deploying up to $160 billion in financial support over the next 15 months to help countries protect the poor and vulnerable, support businesses, and bolster economic recovery. AFP

Overtime for French coffin industry as deaths surge JUSSEY, France—It’s a grim truth that times are good for the coffin business when they’re bad for people, and the coronavirus pandemic is no exception.

At a factory belonging to Europe’s largest coffin maker, OGF, in eastern France, workers are doing overtime to meet demand from families parting with their loved ones.

“Due to the epidemic, we decided to manufacture just four models of coffins that are top sellers with families” compared to the 15 types usually on offer, said factory director Emmanuel Garret.

The change “allowed us to optimize production,” he added.

Output has risen to 410 coffins per day, compared to 370 normally.

Workers are putting in nearly an extra hour per day.

“People have been forewarned and are ready to come in and work on Saturdays,” said Didier Pidancet, who heads up the team that selects the wood for the coffins.

France has been one of the countries worst hit by the coronavirus.

“We’re proud to be participating in this national effort, we’re doing our best to ensure that victims can have their final overcoat, as we say,” added Pidancet.

Founded in 1910, the factory in the town of Jussey originally produced wood charcoal and flooring. At the outset of World War II it began to specialize in making coffins.

It is now part of the OGF Group, which has two factories including the one at Jussey, and makes one in four coffins used in France.

The 10 hectare site is responsible for the entire process of producing coffins. It

strips the logs, cuts then dries the wood, which is eventually crafted and assembled into coffins.

The wood, mostly oak, comes from local forests.

While temporarily cutting back on the number of models, the factory has made another adjustment: it has been making more larger coffins.

“Orders for larger sizes are up a bit,” said Garret, although he declined to draw a link to reports that COVID-19 mortality rates are higher for overweight people.

While many manufacturers have encountered problems as lockdown restrictions complicate deliveries, the Jussey factory is well stocked.

“We’re OK, we have three months of stocks of wood, glue, nails and varnish,” said Garret. AFP

Imagining the post-COVID-19 creative industries landscape NO ONE expected that life would suddenly come to a halt due to COVID-2019. The immediate measures put in place by governments such as physical distancing, lockdowns, workfrom-home arrangements and cancellations of mass gatherings have drastically changed our lives. Because the creative industry is highly dependent on social interaction, it is badly hit.

Canceled engagements meant unpaid work, audience refunds and revenue losses.

Jobs in this sector have always been precarious, with the existence of multiple jobholding, contractual projects, unemployment or underemployment due to scarcity of projects, high mobility, prolonged work hours and insufficient access to social security benefits.

Now, the onslaught of this pandemic magnified its vulnerability. Sadly, funding its recovery will not be a priority, given that the immediate need is to mitigate the spread of the virus.

In Germany and Australia, the government has set aside some arts grants support for new works and collaborations, employment for independent artists and stimulus packages to aid in the sector’s sustainability. Our government’s cultural agency and labor department recently pledged to support displaced and disadvantaged freelance artists and cultural workers affected by the nationwide quarantine by providing 10-days tax-free minimum wage and sanitation of their residences. Various private initiatives that benefit workers within the sector have already been in place since week 2 of the quarantine through free art classes, concerts and productions delivered from the artists’ respective homes.

These stopgap efforts may be in place for

now, but at some point, we all need to answer certain nagging questions.

Will the industry ever go back to the way it was before COVID-19? Will the arts retain its patrons and audiences in these times of uncertainty, with limited resources and spending power, and with the looming threat of recession? Will creatives survive? Let’s imagine some scenarios for some sub-domains in the sector.

The cultural and natural heritage domain might encounter difficulty picking up, as it is tightly linked to the tourism industry, and is entirely dependent on peoples’ mobility.

According to the GlobalWebIndex (GWI) research done this March to assess COVID-19’s impact on consumer behaviors, attitudes and perceptions worldwide, vacations and trips are among the top items considered for delayed purchase, across all age groups.

Therefore to survive, and more importantly, contribute to enhancing everyone’s quality of life while in quarantine, the industry must innovate. For example, museums and galleries have set up virtual tours. One can virtually view Juan Luna’s Spoliarium from the NationalMuseum’s website: https://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/Firefly/Go_Museum.html In the books and press domain, publishers opened virtual libraries and granted free access to various scholarly journals and books.

The quarantine has given millennials additional time to spend on reading, particularly newspapers. The demand for electronic ver-

sions of books and journals has increased until governments lift the lockdowns.

The broadcast and interactive media domain is busier this time. Lately, news coverage has dominated media consumption across all generations, followed by film and music streaming. Members of Gen Z are preoccupied with messaging apps, millennials with film streaming, Boomers with television, while Gen X preferred to spend more family time. From the survey, music streaming and gaming are part of Gen Z’s top 10 activities, particularly here in the Philippines.

The creative services domain is currently struggling. Advertising and visual communication budgets are being reallocated to COVID efforts. Restaurants are only limited to deliveries. Architectural projects are bumped off until everything stabilizes. The visual arts domain is experiencing a similar dilemma, as paintings, sculptures, jewelry and furniture are considered luxury products. On the other hand, the fashion industry is channeling its creative juices to the design and production of PPEs and masks, supported by donations from private entities.

The most affected domain is the performing arts, as the sector relies heavily on events.

It might take a longer time for it to recover with the expected extension of the quarantine.

For now, artists engage themselves in providing free streaming of past productions, music concerts, and dance classes to raise funds

GLORIFE SAMODIO

Green LiGht

for health workers and vulnerable sectors.

The GWI study confirms this as an appropriate strategy, since 75 percent of respondents around the world are into live streaming of music concerts and conferences, while 20 percent are into theater shows, particularly millennials and higher-income groups. For example, Lea Salonga’s one hour concert as part of Bayanihan, Musikahan’s fundraising efforts raised over P1 million.

Moving forward, the only way for creatives to prevail is to fully embrace technology, and challenge themselves in creating more audience engagement opportunities, as people resort to in-home entertainment on multiple channels and devices.

Now more than ever, they need to come up with new stories and perspectives, new modes of delivery, exercise agility in their mindsets and unleash their entrepreneurial spirit to earn sustainably from their creative products.

In a few months, things might go back to “normal,” but undoubtedly, it will be a “new normal” that includes living with the battle scars that COVID-19 has left us.

Glorife Samodio is a Doctor of Business Administration student at De La Salle University, where she also serves as the Culture and Arts Office director. She is the founding president of the Association of Cultural Offices in Philippine Educational Institutions, Inc. For comments or reactions, please email glorife_samodio@dlsu.edu.ph.

The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of De La Salle University and its faculty and administrators.

More than 10% of US carrier crew infected WASHINGTON—More than 10 percent of the 4,800 crew of the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier have tested positive for the coronavirus, the Navy said, days after the navy chief resigned over his mishandling of the outbreak.

“92 percent of the TR crew have been tested. As of today, 550 were positive, while 3,673 were negative,” a US Navy spokesman told AFP. The spokesman said 3,696 have been moved to hotels and barracks available on Guam, where the ship has been docked since its former captain blew the whistle on the outbreak, igniting a public standoff with the Pentagon that culminated in the resignation of US Navy Secretary Thomas Modly on Tuesday.

Modly stepped down five days after removing the Roosevelt’s captain, Brett Crozier, for writing a letter – that was leaked to the media – describing the virus-struck vessel’s dire situation and alleging the Pentagon was not paying adequate attention to it.

The removal of Crozier, respected in the military and popular with his crew, was seen as heavy-handed and decided too quickly, before an investigation was carried out.

A navy veteran with a spotless career, Crozier had written a letter to his superiors in late March complaining of an uncontrolled COVID-19 outbreak among the Roosevelt’s crew, and called on the Pentagon to allow him to vacate the nuclear-powered ship and sterilize it.

“The spread of the disease is ongoing and accelerating,” Crozier wrote. “We are not at war. Sailors do not need to die.”

The letter was published by the San Francisco Chronicle, a leak Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Modly insinuated was deliberate and violated the Pentagon’s chain of command. AFP

UK chief making ‘good progress’ in virus recovery LONDON—Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson was making “very good progress” in his recovery in hospital from coronavirus, officials said, as the country’s deaths toll from the disease approached the grim milestone of 10,000.

The 55-year-old leader was spending his second full day out of intensive care at London’s St Thomas’ Hospital, where he has been able to take short walks between periods of rest, according to Downing Street.

“The Prime Minister continues to make very good progress,” a No. 10 spokeswoman said.

News of his improvement contrasted with the latest official statistics showing Britain recorded Saturday nearly 1,000 daily COVID-19 deaths for the second consecutive day – one of the worst rates globally.

The health ministry announced another 917 coronavirus hospital patients had died in the latest 24-hour period, down from the toll on Friday but still the country’s second highest yet.

An 11-year-old was among the victims, according to England’s National Health Service.

It brings the total number of COVID-19 fatalities in British hospitals to 9,875, while the number of confirmed cases in the country climbed by 5,234 to 78,991.

That is thought to reflect only a fraction of the actual number of people infected because not everyone has been tested for the virus. AFP

Business

A7

MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2020 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks may yield to profit taking S

By Jenniffer B. Austria

HARE prices are expected to move sideways this week with an upward bias, with investor confidence slowly coming back as the government implements measures to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the domestic economy.

The government last week secured World Bank’s approval for a $500-million to fund a economic stimulus package to contain the virus and help affected sectors.

“Market barometer PSEi rose 3.06% week-on-week for the third straight week to 5,510.83 as investor confidence is slowly returning back after government announced concrete measures that would help soften the impact of the pandemic and the extended lockdown,” BDO Unibank Inc. chief investment

strategist Jonathan Ravelas said.

“The week’s close at 5,510.83 highlights the bounce has still some room to try 5,800 levels in the near-term. Some profit-taking activities may have started as we are near the said levels,” he added.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index last week rose 3.1 percent to 5,510.83, while the broader All Shares Index climbed 2.2 percent to 3,332.44.

Except for the financial index which declined 2.2 percent, all other sub-indi-

ces ended in the green led by industrial, which rose 9.9 percent, holding firms which gained 4.7 percent, services which advanced 2.8 percent ,and mining and oil and property which added 1.4 percent and 0.5 percent, respectively.

Foreign investors were net sellers during the week by P2.5 billion, while the average daily value traded stood at P5.7 billion, up from the previous week’s average of P5.35 billion.

Weekly top price gainers were Universal Robina Corp., which jumped 18.4 percent to P122, Jollibee Foods Corp., which climbed 17.6 percent to P120, and Manila Electric Co., which advanced 10.9 percent to P266.20.

Weekly top price losers were Filinvest Development Corp., which declined 9.5 percent to P8.50, SSI Group Inc., which dropped 6.9 percent to P1.21, and Bank of Philippine Islands which fell 5.8 per-

cent to P57.05.

Asian markets, meanwhile, were mostly higher on Friday after the latest US coronavirus stimulus measures boosted Wall Street overnight.

In its latest attempt to ease the economic pain inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the US Federal Reserve said it would pump $2.3 trillion through new lending programs.

The strong close on Wall Street boosted Tokyo’s benchmark Nikkei 225, which finished 0.8 percent higher.

The market remains in a “tug-ofwar between those who are pessimistic (about the pandemic) and those who are optimistic... they don’t want to miss a rare chance to buy” shares at low prices, said Mutsumi Kagawa, chief global strategist at Rakuten Securities.

Seoul also rose, gaining 1.3 percent, and Taipei was up 0.4 percent. But Shanghai ended down one percent. With AFP

Manila Standard BuSineSS Weekly StockS revieW STOCKS

APRIL 6-8, 2020 Close Volume

Value

Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI Bright Kindle Resources China Bank COL Financial Eastwest Bank Ferronoux Holding First Abacus I-Remit Inc. MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

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

47 98.50 57.05 0.60 20.4 15.3 7.6 2.59 0.5 0.94 0.290 36.3 0.68 8.65 16.00 19.86 43.45 76.6 169.3 17 105 1620.00 53.80 1.08

41,400 11,156,850 13,587,120 64,000 167,300 112,500 621,700 168,000 10,000 224,000 2,100,000 15,969,400 53,000 5,100 200 2,288,700 480 10 2,530 75,200 2,074,490 85 28,120 15,000

FINANCIAL 1,920,380.00 1,120,785,413.00 814,654,975.00 37,720.00 3,374,799.00 1,746,832.00 4,815,724.00 426,230.00 5,000.00 192,930.00 618,100.00 596,994,255.00 33,580.00 44,118.00 3,200.00 45,198,118.00 52,165.00 766.00 428,906.00 1,308,884.00 222,769,704.00 135,665.00 1,505,781.00 15,030.00

Aboitiz Power Corp.

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

Axelum Basic Energy Corp.

Bogo Medelin C. Azuc De Tarlac Cemex Holdings Century Food 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.

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

Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

Petroenergy Res. Corp.

Petron Corporation Phinma Energy Phoenix Petroleum Phils.

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

Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Steel Corp.

Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp.

Vivant Corp.

Vulcan Ind’l.

27.25 2.02 6.99 0.5 1 2.58 0.172 86 13.20 1.03 14.3 5.97 48 25.05 1.9 3.6 5.050 7.55 5.40 7.98 1.87 17.3 52.25 1.33 32.00 0.7700 12.20 4.46 0.960 120.00 39.00 4.7 3.19 5.80 10.56 4.6 6.3 0.140 266.20 4.94 1.8 2.42 2.57 8.95 10.18 18.06 4.5 4.52 1.45 1.36 0.79 5.12 54 7.77 0.109 0.74 122 2.49 0.77 15.10 0.60

7,250,100 43,602,000 720,000 2,301,000 393,000 7,951,000 2,930,000 970 5,600 11,259,000 3,789,300 8,925,400 200 1,200 38,000 67,000 12,605,800 812,200 2,732,500 16,851,400 3,707,000 3,332,500 51,250 43,350,000 1,156,300 1,938,000 662,200 2,362,000 328,000 7,533,030 900 5,000 29,000 10,500 13,657,400 5,541,000 3,454,800 4,420,000 1,227,200 1,000 1,148,000 64,000 11,101,000 7,900 191,800 1,873,500 167,000 160,000 2,377,000 20,000 1,490,000 12,428,300 849,390 605,600 12,110,000 413,000 6,454,360 105,000 13,902,000 2,300 4,061,000

INDUSTRIAL 205,013,395.00 88,535,040.00 4,765,169.00 1,176,900.00 384,000.00 20,458,870.00 478,230.00 82,649.50 74,300.00 11,809,760.00 52,947,470.00 55,365,655.00 9,600.00 30,060.00 70,770.00 215,270.00 62,735,101.00 6,177,401.00 14,638,831.00 135,027,196.00 7,043,520.00 59,058,122.00 2,611,000.00 56,184,820.00 36,988,925.00 1,490,560.00 8,111,094.00 10,544,430.00 314,400.00 837,860,635.00 34,900.00 23,200.00 90,690.00 64,147.00 143,019,485.00 25,369,050.00 21,562,370.00 519,980.00 317,815,018.00 4,940.00 2,050,910.00 155,860.00 28,424,280.00 68,395.00 1,950,152.00 34,658,026.00 735,980.00 696,790.00 3,351,610.00 27,630.00 1,161,130.00 63,293,653.00 45,297,736.50 4,726,617.00 1,292,250.00 287,000.00 751,620,858.00 270,370.00 11,169,010.00 34,582.00 2,412,390.00

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 F&J Prince ‘A’ Filinvest Dev. Corp.

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

Lopez Holdings Corp.

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

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

0.520 41.95 6.64 0.53 5.90 5.61 0.455 0.485 498 1.500 4.84 4.00 4.06 8.50 0.180 399 3.80 54.50 5 6 0.43 2.87 7.45 0.490 2.49 2.1 2.8000 0.720 94.50 870.00 0.95 0.68 156.000 174.50 0.2080 0.132

8,790,000 6,511,300 9,940,600 446,000 43,900 41,300 64,291,000 1,754,000 1,690,130 5,951,000 6,138,600 50,680,000 2,000 27,800 4,190,000 807,170 282,000 6,751,460 1,000 57,400 350,000 2,124,000 10,480,900 55,000 145,902,490 1,000 13,000 336,000 1,056,330 1,155,800 1,048,000 258,000 14,270 18,740 930,000 1,710,000

HOLDING FIRMS 4,518,460.00 279,764,765.00 68,182,325.00 229,425.00 263,818.00 235,686.00 26,888,695.00 831,795.00 817,838,720.00 9,105,910.00 30,200,627.00 204,169,840.00 8,140.00 236,510.00 754,200.00 325,315,630.00 1,038,830.00 370,153,037.00 5,000.00 344,400.00 149,050.00 6,373,960.00 77,504,668.00 25,930.00 369,640,720.00 2,100.00 35,520.00 240,810.00 99,297,804.00 991,266,720.00 922,110.00 163,900.00 2,120,339.00 3,485,929.00 176,790.00 223,770.00

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

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

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

11.600 0.55 6.41 1.100 0.570 32.000 1.35 3.8 6.04 0.375 0.72 0.740 0.135 0.260 6.900 16.16 0.300 0.91 0.75 3.50 2.72 0.145 0.7300 0.3400

394,400 4,236,000 200 2,318,000 6,318,000 27,942,300 258,000 6,090,000 3,800 5,720,000 7,000 731,000 40,000 500,000 559,200 988,500 180,000 60,527,000 1,194,000 4,000 209,293,000 12,190,000 2,119,000 1,250,000

PROPERTY 4,597,484.00 2,306,850.00 1,282.00 2,383,010.00 3,678,880.00 906,761,695.00 344,140.00 22,068,120.00 22,768.00 2,132,000.00 5,150.00 521,460.00 5,400.00 120,930.00 3,721,508.00 15,820,612.00 53,500.00 56,333,830.00 902,510.00 14,000.00 553,756,970.00 1,724,160.00 1,497,410.00 420,600.00

MARCH 30-APRIL 3, 2020 Close Volume Value 46 99.30 60.60 0.52 19.98 15.2 7.6 2.71

21,200 15,467,420 15,107,650 105,000 334,600 13,700 736,600 493,000

959,125.00 1,568,567,416.00 922,096,712.00 57,140.00 6,733,792.00 207,670.00 5,692,298.00 1,313,820.00

0.86 0.270 37 0.69 8.5 16.00 19.00 42 103 169.5 17.1 108.5 1620.00 53.50 1.11

3,000 600,000 22,792,000 602,000 100 304,400 5,590,800 4,300 460 3,520 207,200 2,616,430 215 21,810 30,000

2,740.00 158,700.00 873,507,245.00 401,360.00 850.00 4,876,410.00 108,063,317.00 185,490.00 35,680.00 582,838.00 3,468,702.00 278,669,622.50 344,900.00 1,158,883.50 31,060.00

28.2 2.01 6.48 0.53 1 2.5 0.164 97.7

10,252,000 34,469,000 1,265,700 1,584,000 5,060,000 7,535,000 2,080,000 550

271,733,790.00 68,937,170.00 8,148,880.00 815,070.00 4,884,360.00 17,267,570.00 332,440.00 49,246.50

1.03 13.88 6.3 48 25.05 1.87 3.5 4.810 7.53 5.03 8.05 1.91 17.16 49 1.16 32.90 0.7900 11.98 4.45 0.950 102.00 30.35 4.6 3.1 5.50 9.76 4.62 6.1

22,703,000 3,344,800 8,440,200 810 11,700 278,000 94,000 13,440,000 2,666,200 2,374,700 16,454,200 4,177,000 9,955,100 957,700 37,566,000 1,849,800 4,128,000 1,435,900 1,499,000 2,701,000 7,008,770 700 14,000 22,000 21,700 8,871,200 2,519,000 6,095,600

24,005,550.00 45,449,352.00 54,591,408.00 39,465.00 337,080.00 519,900.00 312,960.00 66,137,890.00 19,799,368.00 12,136,384.00 131,903,559.00 8,081,160.00 165,549,636.00 45,618,810.00 43,674,680.00 59,391,235.00 3,285,220.00 17,389,324.00 6,728,610.00 2,604,170.00 735,355,106.00 21,195.00 62,500.00 68,200.00 105,960.00 84,502,114.00 11,778,840.00 37,991,666.00

240.00 4.90 1.79 2.44 2.59

1,387,090 2,000 10,462,000 439,000 12,315,000

310,946,862.00 9,800.00 18,591,530.00 954,950.00 30,914,050.00

10.30 18.6 4.3 4.40 1.44

404,700 2,176,800 38,000 280,000 4,347,000

4,001,879.00 40,677,764.00 160,940.00 1,184,790.00 5,933,020.00

0.76 4.84 49.4 7.95 0.106 0.75 103 2.8 0.86 13.00 0.57

1,782,000 5,270,700 1,747,930 567,600 2,510,000 228,000 10,107,160 175,000 26,613,000 1,600 1,429,000

1,315,100.00 25,552,318.00 85,315,331.00 4,464,630.00 255,320.00 160,070.00 1,029,911,474.00 439,650.00 23,622,890.00 21,782.00 799,880.00

0.520 39.90 7.03 0.49 6.00 5.7 0.510 0.560 451 1.500 5.01 3.84

8,171,000 5,362,400 17,783,600 400,000 70,100 280,600 1,466,000 180,000 6,111,610 7,135,000 8,477,800 44,441,000

4,169,880.00 198,674,680.00 120,672,470.00 213,020.00 421,340.00 1,552,470.00 736,805.00 99,440.00 2,843,814,804.00 11,318,710.00 41,625,667.00 164,264,360.00

9.40 0.180 399 3.70 53.20

38,000 10,000 1,103,190 494,000 13,296,000

309,608.00 1,800.00 441,651,448.00 1,803,040.00 696,905,355.00

6 0.405 2.81 7.5 0.520 2.46

13,200 420,000 1,918,000 5,958,300 86,000 330,168,000

79,200.00 170,950.00 5,436,570.00 44,267,892.00 38,245.00 811,458,710.00

2.7500 0.820 93.00 825.00 0.84 0.59 152.500 200.00 0.1880 0.130

3,000 12,000 1,163,380 1,869,590 1,720,000 299,000 4,940 32,330 530,000 3,330,000

8,490.00 9,700.00 107,093,170.50 1,508,357,690.00 1,427,340.00 182,280.00 749,300.00 6,286,761.00 97,010.00 409,010.00

11.600 0.51 9.00 1.010 0.600 32.000 1.33 3.95 6 0.365 0.74 0.790 0.120 0.236 7.000 16.12 0.315 0.91 0.75 3.60 2.52 0.148 0.7400 0.3800

718,900 4,977,000 1,200 459,000 6,346,000 80,693,000 2,383,000 3,237,000 287,900 11,070,000 93,000 94,000 4,420,000 110,000 441,000 997,500 360,000 54,915,000 1,559,000 8,000 239,126,000 30,050,000 8,889,000 2,920,000

8,515,838.00 2,567,360.00 10,800.00 478,920.00 3,755,250.00 2,503,842,965.00 3,097,730.00 12,477,200.00 1,746,011.00 4,080,250.00 63,460.00 68,730.00 527,100.00 25,410.00 3,087,609.00 16,027,286.00 106,750.00 49,963,810.00 1,144,430.00 28,840.00 592,444,450.00 4,282,650.00 5,855,680.00 1,107,600.00

STOCKS

APRIL 6-8, 2020 Close Volume

MARCH 30-APRIL 3, 2020 Close Volume Value

Value

Phil. Realty `A’ Primex Corp.

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

0.275 1.74 13.74 1.52 2.77 29.20 1.85 1.180 3.930 3.500

780,000 41,000 9,859,500 742,000 1,032,000 43,483,900 1,841,000 2,363,000 5,839,000 160,000

195,580.00 67,880.00 139,555,384.00 1,117,380.00 2,833,450.00 1,303,441,030.00 3,431,860.00 2,786,150.00 23,553,540.00 561,640.00

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

Chelsea DFNN Inc. Discovery World DITO CME Holdings Easy Call “Common” FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Grand Plaza Hotel Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. IPeople Inc. `A’ Island Info Jackstones LBC Express Leisure & Resorts Macroasia Corp.

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

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

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

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

SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Waterfront Phils.

Wilcon Depot

5.87 16.84 1.2 4.7 0.285 0.038 2.26 5.68 0.0280 48.05 6.59 2.61 3.29 1.85 1.7 5.19 830 2160 5.09 12.72 0.74 73.75 8.49 0.080 1.78 12.18 1.39 4.20 11.90 0.375 2.06 1.46 1.44 1.59 1.600 1.75 6.70 2.14 3.99 8.5 132.00 1.96 1100.00 0.200 0.300 41.40 61.50 5.75 1.21 0.385 0.158 0.415 12.580

202,100 1,743,100 15,000 6,635,000 2,400,000 30,200,000 297,000 14,365,400 83,200,000 989,490 900 2,679,000 158,000 2,000 86,948,000 72,000 10 287,745 951,700 4,500 1,266,000 4,985,860 3,000 1,210,000 16,000 15,800 1,136,000 7,863,000 2,200 1,260,000 49,000 8,745,000 2,443,000 26,000 6,175,000 83,000 111,800 18,000 13,000 3,300 163,160 14,469,000 505,370 2,850,000 17,290,000 15,321,500 1,998,810 56,200 3,903,000 4,340,000 5,020,000 1,650,000 6,383,800

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

United Paragon

0.0011 5.1900 0.75 1.70 10.86 0.7800 0.8100 2.62 0.239 6.17 0.660 0.189 0.077 0.083 0.0066 0.0064 0.53 1.62 0.91 0.3550 0.4500 0.0084 2.04 3.84 0.0082 11.60 0.0045

MINING & OIL 397,000,000 397,700.00 391,500 2,044,223.00 2,794,000 2,048,670.00 203,000 348,080.00 18,700 202,974.00 18,000 14,040.00 90,000 72,900.00 1,017,000 2,653,800.00 1,020,000 205,490.00 84,900 526,191.00 19,079,000 12,260,590.00 5,610,000 1,050,260.00 10,790,000 781,620.00 4,740,000 385,650.00 62,000,000 400,600.00 29,000,000 191,300.00 860,000 485,940.00 17,892,000 28,728,010.00 1,630,000 1,460,720.00 1,690,000 576,700.00 2,740,000 1,247,750.00 78,000,000 642,700.00 1,971,000 3,977,300.00 5,070,000 19,708,600.00 26,000,000 208,200.00 6,718,700 80,228,384.00 74,000,000 291,600.00

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

Alco Preferred B Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ CPG PREF A DD PREF First Gen G GLOBE PREF P GMA Holdings Inc. GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B House Preferred MWIDE PREF PCOR-Preferred 2B PCOR-Preferred 3A PCOR-Preferred 3B 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

15.3 100 497 490 99.5 97.5 108 499.8 4.89 998 990 95 99.45 1039 1015 1006 102.5 995 76.3 74.9 74.4 75 75.05 75 74.85

247,500 1,530 3,280 560 3,380 48,840 40 40 200,000 10 1,210 3,710 15,200 10 1,465 7,000 950 9,610 17,420 8,510 500 244,510 22,850 132,650 83,940

LR Warrant

0.880

175,000

SERVICES 1,183,423.00 28,863,458.00 17,900.00 30,890,830.00 666,500.00 1,149,700.00 654,660.00 84,197,484.00 2,277,300.00 48,887,352.00 5,931.00 7,009,370.00 442,440.00 3,720.00 146,939,020.00 151,250.00 8,300.00 621,116,480.00 4,818,179.00 42,464.00 952,810.00 369,501,235.50 20,224.00 99,830.00 25,190.00 187,984.00 1,554,890.00 33,585,110.00 23,934.00 439,450.00 97,440.00 13,090,290.00 3,537,780.00 39,890.00 10,119,600.00 143,930.00 742,274.00 38,580.00 47,950.00 25,810.00 21,529,864.00 28,502,540.00 571,360,125.00 571,640.00 5,185,300.00 622,884,645.00 119,795,291.50 299,691.00 4,950,970.00 1,688,900.00 809,280.00 695,200.00 80,445,210.00

PREFERRED 3,655,990.00 151,180.00 1,631,440.00 274,400.00 336,270.00 4,761,335.00 4,320.00 19,992.00 977,780.00 9,980.00 1,196,670.00 352,433.00 1,494,425.00 10,390.00 1,486,975.00 7,042,000.00 97,200.00 9,553,825.00 1,320,366.00 634,159.50 37,200.00 18,313,748.00 1,691,157.50 9,943,482.50 6,175,231.50 WARRANTS & BONDS 151,330.00 SME 6,814,610.00 1,426,800.00 5,168,250.00

0.228 1.7 13.88 1.46 2.97 29.00 2 1.150 4.030 3.540

480,000 127,000 15,576,900 1,288,000 1,058,000 66,418,300 3,400,000 2,382,000 6,425,000 930,000

131,330.00 213,150.00 217,773,624.00 1,871,500.00 2,936,010.00 1,870,804,785.00 6,634,560.00 2,798,740.00 26,169,930.00 3,222,280.00

5.98 16 1.15 4.72 0.275 0.039 2.25 5.98 0.0280 46.6 6.07 2.56 2.53 1.89 1.58 4.85

136,400 812,400 19,000 33,133,000 3,770,000 18,200,000 228,000 12,503,800 63,100,000 1,131,700 8,300 11,358,000 12,000 13,000 153,782,000 134,400

823,727.00 12,777,486.00 22,900.00 162,475,520.00 968,170.00 691,800.00 479,400.00 73,023,385.00 1,628,900.00 50,990,595.00 51,136.00 29,868,930.00 31,900.00 24,130.00 252,400,990.00 665,931.00

2050 5.10 12.76 0.75 70 7.44 0.077

375,645 2,348,800 500 1,960,000 9,124,620 9,900 6,370,000

743,469,175.00 11,890,523.00 5,330.00 1,451,010.00 664,668,028.00 69,502.00 507,950.00

11.98 1.30 4.25 12.98 0.365

20,200 10,789,000 14,232,000 1,700 370,000

239,288.00 14,449,200.00 64,336,020.00 20,696.00 137,400.00

1.47 1.39 1.58 1.560 1.6 6.49 2.42 4.00 8.5 131.00 1.58 1118.00 0.195 0.300 38.70 56.00 5.60 1.30 0.395 0.154 0.390 12.700

8,098,000 4,311,000 104,000 10,308,000 3,000 55,200 12,000 65,000 600 948,730 5,065,000 1,014,235 3,840,000 10,040,000 25,410,200 2,834,860 14,000 4,432,000 22,910,000 3,750,000 1,960,000 2,891,800

11,474,640.00 6,379,730.00 156,860.00 15,422,220.00 4,800.00 354,312.00 25,810.00 257,510.00 4,850.00 124,759,553.00 7,715,520.00 1,126,152,145.00 752,780.00 2,975,700.00 951,762,800.00 157,376,771.00 75,966.00 5,494,980.00 9,096,250.00 581,230.00 728,300.00 37,240,728.00

0.0010 5.2700 0.73 1.90 10.86

42,000,000 437,200 1,436,000 95,000 48,300

43,800.00 2,256,014.00 1,014,980.00 177,750.00 523,818.00

2.6 0.205 6.20 0.580 0.184 0.074 0.089 0.0084 0.0071 0.58 1.53 0.9

1,234,000 610,000 16,300 15,342,000 300,000 11,820,000 170,000 6,000,000 1,000,000 3,437,000 26,733,000 309,000

3,193,480.00 137,290.00 101,602.00 8,544,520.00 56,200.00 885,350.00 14,650.00 43,100.00 7,100.00 1,936,070.00 41,267,180.00 281,870.00

0.4600 0.0083 2.00 4.00 0.0080 11.82 0.0037

260,000 20,000,000 2,927,000 1,909,000 28,000,000 10,259,400 13,000,000

120,950.00 165,100.00 5,865,990.00 7,757,670.00 198,600.00 114,986,432.00 49,300.00

13.98 100 498 490 99.5 97.25 108 499.8 4.9 999 980 94.95 99.1 990 1016 1022 100.1 996 75.5 73.4 74.35 74.5 73.75 74 74

289,300 9,000 11,950 2,460 630 104,780 14,650 80 5,540,200 20 3,640 2,340 3,110 785 65,335 10,135 22,410 8,220 458,180 69,500 43,990 151,000 4,500 107,000 57,020

4,024,084.00 896,000.00 5,951,120.00 1,195,370.00 62,855.00 10,238,344.50 1,508,230.00 39,966.00 27,171,151.00 19,980.00 3,567,200.00 217,394.50 305,342.00 777,395.00 66,339,345.00 10,332,960.00 2,253,437.00 8,197,810.00 34,470,661.00 5,114,015.00 3,250,479.50 11,217,591.00 332,825.00 7,976,038.50 4,216,248.00

0.710

106,000

76,810.00

1.9 6 0.48

2,040,000 653,000 7,150,000

4,031,420.00 3,925,676.00 3,396,200.00

Italpinas Kepwealth Xurpas

1.61 5.7 0.55

4,018,000 242,700 9,900,000

First Metro ETF

84.5

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 108,000 9,248,794.00

80.95

214,950

17,141,994.50

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2

9.8 9.7

DOLLAR DENONIMATED SEC. 3,220 31,566.00 10,330 100,308.00

9.9 9.7

110 24,910

1,089.00 248,892.30

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

DITO CME Holdings Boulevard Holdings Oriental Pet. `A’ United Paragon ATN Holdings A Manila Mining `A’ Filinvest Land,Inc.

VOLUME 397,000,000 209,293,000 145,902,490 86,948,000 83,200,000 78,000,000 74,000,000 64,291,000 62,000,000 60,527,000

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

Ayala Corp `A’ Bank of PI Universal Robina Puregold Globe Telecom

VALUE 1,303,441,030.00 1,120,785,413.00 991,266,720.00 906,761,695.00 837,860,635.00 817,838,720.00 814,654,975.00 751,620,858.00 622,884,645.00 621,116,480.00

SEC official sees quick recovery of bond mart

THE Securities and Exchange Commission is optimistic about the recovery of the Philippine capital market as companies continue with their planned fund-raising activities amid the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The SEC said in a statement over the weekend investors appetite from recent bond offerings from several companies remained strong despite the current market environment.

“We are optimistic that the Philippine capital market will make a strong recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said SEC chairperson Emilio Aquino.

“We take the success of recent fundraising activities as one indication of the investing public’s continued confidence in the strength and resilience of our corporate sector, capital market and economy as a whole, especially with the reinforcements coming from the government,” Aquino added.

Aboitiz Power Corp. recently announced plans to proceed with the issuance of the fourth tranche of its P30billion, fixed-rate bonds under a shelf registration with the SEC. The power generation and distribution company looks to issue P9.55 billion worth of fixed-rate retail bonds within the quarter or the next.

Several companies that recently completed their public offerings as the country entered a state of public health emergency also received positive response from investors.

Bank of the Philippine Islands on March 27 announced the issuance of P33.9 billion worth of bonds, with a tenor of 1.5 years and an interest rate of 4.05 percent yearly.

Strong investor demand allowed the bank to increase the P5-billion base offer more than six times and end the offer period 11 days ahead of the March 17 schedule.

SM Prime Holdings Inc. issued bonds worth P15 billion on March 25. The public offering, which ran from March 2 to 13, comprised of five- and seven-year bonds with 4.8643 percent and 5.0583 percent in annual interest, respectively.

The bond offering by Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. was oversubscribed twice after running for only three days and closing ahead of its March 27 schedule.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Filinvest Group fully pays $300m in maturing debt FILINVEST Development Corp. fully paid $300 million in maturing foreign currency obligations issued seven years ago.

Filinvest said in a statement over the weekend it retired fixed-rate seven-year bonds using the group’s excess cash coupled with a new local currency term-loan financing from local banks.

“Our continued adherence to our financial commitments is aligned with the Filinvest group’s 60-year unblemished credit track record. FDC is revisiting its plans in light of the potential economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Filinvest president and chief executive Josephine Yap. “We intend to take a more cautious direction and anticipate that relaxation of the quarantine may come in stages.

As such, we would like to adopt a more flexible short term planning process while still mindful of our medium term strategy,” Yap added.

The US dollar-denominated fixed-rate bonds, issued on April 2, 2013, had an original issuance amount of US$300 million and with a yearly interest rate of 4.25 percent.

From the time of the bond issuance and throughout the entire tenor, the full amount of the bonds was fully hedged against foreign currency exchange risks.

In 2013, FDC redeemed US$13.5 million of the US$300-million, fixed-rate bonds at a discount, reducing the principal amount to $286.5 million.

With the dollar-denominated debt already settled, the conglomerate said deferred a planned P8-billion, fixed-rate peso bond offering.

Prior to the national government’s declaration of enhanced community quarantine over Luzon and the decision of other local government units to do the same in other parts of the country due to COVID-19, the group had planned to issue up to P8 billion in fixed rate bonds.

Jenniffer B. Austria

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

A8

MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2020

Business

Travel firms ask gov’t to help subsidize workers’ pay

By Othel V. Campos A GROUP of travel agencies asked government’s assistance for the industry’s survival and recovery.

The Philippine Travel Agencies Association sent a letter to Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat containing proposals that the government include the travel sector in the proposed economic stimulus package amid heavy losses due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

The group the operations of members were at risk with the continuation of the enhanced community quarantine.

“As you are already aware, the travel agents and tour operators have been badly affected. We are bleeding, and we will continue to bleed for an undetermined length of time with all the uncertainties,” said PTAA president Ritchie Tuaño.

The group sought the assistance of the Tourism Department for a favorable endorsement of their request to concerned government agencies.

The PTAA divided the proposals into “survival recommendations” to cover the remainder of the year and “recovery recommendations,” which will run until December 2022.

It asked the government to defer corporate income tax payments of their members this year to April 2021.

They are also seeking corporate income tax and value added tax holiday this year for their members, along with the withholding of taxes on salaries and professional fees.

The group also sought a 50-percent to 75-percent subsidies on the salaries of their members’ employees until the end of the year, citing the model being used in Singapore.

It pushed for a waiver on both employees and employer’s contribution to the Social Security System, Home Development Mutual Fund and Philippine Health Insurance Corp. without prejudice to the benefits of their employees.

The association is seeking a waiver or significant discounting on office rentals of their members until the end of the year, up to 30-percent discount on utilities payments, the granting of soft loans at low interest payable over two years and a moratorium on outstanding bank loans until end of the year.

SMC FLOUR DONATION. San Miguel Corp. donates over 8,400 sacks of flour to local government units and bakers around Metro Manila to help keep small businesses afloat while ensuring that affordable and nutritious breads are available to their respective communities. A 25-kg bag of flour can make about 1,600 pieces of pandesal. The flour donations were distributed to Manila, Caloocan, Las Piñas, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, Quezon City, San Juan, Taguig, Valenzuela and Pateros. San Miguel also donated flour to Batangas, Bulacan and Nueva Ecija, four army camps and two non-government organizations outside Metro Manila.

SM Group backs gradual reopening of businesses T

By Jenniffer B. Austria

HE SM Group called for the gradual reopening of businesses once the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine period ends on April 30.

SM Investments Corp. vice chairman Teresita Sy-Coson said she was supporting the gradual increase in business activity and transportation to prevent a further rise in unemployment.

Sy-Coson said in a statement over the weekend business activity could resume once all precaution measures were put in place to protect Filipinos from the onslaught of coronovirus disease 2019.

“We appreciate the moves of the government to protect the Filipinos from the onslaught of COVID-19. May I add that with all the precaution in place, if DOLE [Department of Labor and Employment] can look into gradual increase of employment with gradual increase of businesses,” Sy-Coson said.

“If all the industries can start operating 50 percent, including the transport,

and with all the medical precaution like making test kits more available and disinfecting measures and sanitation safeguards, then we can gradually increase the employment including the returning OFWs who are adding to our number of unemployment,” she said.

Sy-Coson, who is also the chairman of BDO Unibank Inc., said while the government was able to extend assistance to affected Filipinos through its P275-billion budget under the Bayanihan Heal As One Act, it was important for workers to keep their jobs to ensure the sustained growth of the domestic economy.

“Employment is also the key to the health of their family by having enough food for their own immunity and the key to the health of our economy,” Sy-

Aboitiz Group banking and financial services unit Union Bank of the Philippines is supporting Cargill Philippines by addressing the firm’s request to allow the timely printing and release of checks in certain UnionBank branches amid the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak. Shown are UnionBank Lipa (standing, from left) business manager Vergil Mojares, branch manager Marilyn Boitizon and sales service officer Myrna Buela serving a Cargill check writer client (seated).

Flour millers urge consumers to avoid hoarding of bread FLOUR millers on Sunday called on consumers to be considerate when buying bread and limit their purchases to two days’ worth of consumption to allow inventory to reach the rest of the buying public.

Philippine Association of Flour Millers executive director Ric Pinca cited reports showing that groceries and supermarkets were running out of bread supply lately as consumers were observed to buying more than their normal consumption.

“There is enough bread in the market for everyone. Bakeries continue to produce bread and other bakery products to meet consumer demand. We also have enough flour and deliveries to bakeries remain unhampered as flour trucks and other food delivery vehicles were issued passes by

the Inter Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases, the group tasked to oversee the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic” he said.

Pinca assured community bakeries in residential neighborhoods had enough bread and flour supply to meet the country’s normal demand for the commodity.

It said the country has three months of inventory of wheat and flour while forward purchases of the raw material wheat were already made, an assurance of ample supply of wheat all year-round.

The Philippines produces 83 million bags of flour a year, 70 percent of which goes to the bread industry while the rest become pastries, noodles and other flat flour products. Filipinos consume some 20 kg of flourbased food per person each year.

Pinca said a vessel recently unloaded 50,000 metric tons of wheat grains at the Manila anchorage for flour mills along the Pasig River. Several more vessels are expected to arrive at the end of the month in other ports in the country.

Pinca said wheat flour millers were providing bread to Covid-19 frontliners in hospitals, military and police forces who are manning the checkpoints in various locations in Metro Manila.

“We believe that it is in times of crisis like this coronavirus pandemic that the business community should extend a helping hand to those who need the help most, especially the less privileged groups and those leading the fight against the spread of the pandemic,” Pinca said.

Othel V. Campos

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE chairman of PLDT Inc. and Metro Pacific Group said it will take time for businesses to recover even if the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic ends as early as May. “We have experienced crises before—the Asian financial crisis in 1997 and the Wall Street meltdown of 2008.

And epidemics of malaria and influenza and more, recently, SARS. But COVID-19 is a very different phenomenon, because it is a health crisis that brings it with it painful financial consequences to businesses, grief to those affected by the virus,” said business leader Manuel Pangilinan in an Easter Sunday message.

“Suddenly and sharply, our way of life has been changed by something we cannot see,” he said.

Reports showed that more than 108,799 people died among 1.77 million coronavirus cases globally as of April 11. In the Philippines, the number of COVID-19 cases reached 4,428 and 247 deaths as of April 11.

“I wish I could say that the end is in sight for COVID. As of now, we still cannot see the peak, much less reached it. So there will be more to endure this month of April,” Pangilinan said.

Pangilinan said that when, “we reach the summit, hopefully by the end of April or early May, I am sure we will all be relieved because it is the beginning of the end.”

He said that realistically, the country should not expect to see the pandemic to end as quickly as it started.

“Viruses do not simply keel over and die. Instead a tail would likely emerge from the apex, the shape and length of which will be determined by how well we manage the virus’ exit. This could take a few week or a few months,” Pangilinan said.

“Which means it will take time for us and our business to recuperate to normal. It will take time for us to overcome our fear of joining social gatherings or business meetings. It will take time for malls, hotels and restaurants to recover their trade,” he said.

IN BRIEF ATI cruise terminal is quarantine facility

Sy-Coson

Coson said.

President Rodrigo Duterte extended the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine until April 30 in a bid to contain the spread of COVID-19.

SM Investments is one the largest conglomerates in the country with interests in banking, real estate and retail sectors.

Survey stresses role of vaping in tobacco control

UNIONBANK SERVICE.

PH economy will take longer time to recover, says Pangilinan

RESULTS of a first-of-its-kind survey in India highlight the potential of e-cigarettes as an additional option for tobacco control and how vaping can have a substantial impact on public health.

Peter Paul Dator, president of The Vapers Philippines, said the groundbreaking survey in India clearly shows that vaping helps smokers quit or reduce smoking.

“Its results are particularly relevant to the Philippines because like India, our country has a large number of smokers and a low smoking cessation rate. The Department of Health and other local policymakers should look at the evidence for e-cigarettes with an open mind and start making science-based decisions to help reduce smoking in the country,” said Dator.

Dator was referring to the interviewbased survey involving 3,000 vapers aged 18 and older from eight of the largest metropolitan cities in India. The vast majority of respondents (71.3 percent) used e-cigarettes to quit (30 percent) or reduce (41.3 percent) smoking.

Similar results were observed in smokeless tobacco users. Most (79 percent) believe that e-cigarettes are less harmful than combustible cigarettes.

Survey participants reported minimal side effects (cough, headache, dry mouth/throat) and some health benefits (improved general health, breathing, smell and taste) after they started vaping.

Around 81 percent of survey respondents were men and 19 percent women, with average age of 29 years. The majority (80 percent) were first exposed to nicotine through combustible cigarette smoking, SLT use or both.

Leading tobacco harm reduction expert Dr. Konstantinos Farsalinos and Indian researchers conducted the survey whose results were published on March 30, 2020 in Harm Reduction Journal.

ASIAN Terminals Inc. said its international cruise terminal at Pier 15 of Manila South Harbor will be used as quarantine facility in support of government’s efforts against the Covid-19 pandemic.

ATI is making available its Passenger Terminal Building and adjacent berthing facilities as added temporary quarantine areas in response to the government’s call for solidarity, particularly in mobilizing interim healthcare facilities needed amid the national health crisis.

The PTB with a 2,000-seating capacity will be converted into a temporary holding facility while Pier 15’s two southside berths will accommodate the floating hospital vessels being deployed by Department of Transportation.

The Philippine Ports Authority and Philippine Coast Guard, agencies attached under the Department of Transportation, along with the Department of Public Works and Highways as members of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, are leading the terminal’s conversion.

Pier 15’s southside berths are strategically located near PCG’s national headquarters, guaranteeing strict isolation, tight area security and regular disinfection. Darwin G. Amojelar

PNB opts to waive fees on remittances

THE country’s fifth largest lender, Philippine National Bank, is waiving the remittance fees for various channels until May 8, 2020. The waiver applies to cash transfers that will be credited to PNB deposit accounts in the Philippines.

PNB president and chief executive officer Wick Veloso said the bank was committed to make remittance convenient and hassle-free to customers. “Waiving the remittance fees is a big help to our kababayans who send cash to their loved ones in our country,” Veloso said.

“So starting April 9, Araw ng Kagitingan, until May 8, we would like to do our own simple part in helping them. They are our selfless heroes.”

“This is especially needed now that the entire world is coping with the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he added.

The waiver covers over-the-counter transactions done at the following PNB overseas branches: Los Angeles, Guam, Singapore, Japan, Global Hong Kong, Canada (through PNB-Remittance Company Canada) and Europe. For PNB Europe, remittance fees are also waived for the Web Remit and Phone Remit channels.

Megawide commits to finish infra projects

ENGINEERING and infrastructure developer Megawide Construction Corp. is supporting the government’s P27.1-billion spending plan for everyone affected by the coronavirus pandemic as the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon is extended.

Following a recent pronouncement by the Duterte administration that the government’s infrastructure program will meet its target completions for the year despite the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Megawide said it would continue to implement some P20 billion worth of contracts in the next two years.

These include the completion of the new passenger terminal in Clark, Pampanga that will help decongest Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

“We’re supporting the government’s plan to provide targeted and direct programs to guarantee that benefits will go to Filipino workers and other affected sectors,” said Megawide chairman and chief executive officer Edgar Saavedra.

Sports

MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2020

Anthony named best on defense by press corps

NorthPort Batang Pier forward Sean Anthony (with ball) attacks the hoop while Barangay Ginebra players, from right: Justin Brownlee, Aljon Mariano and Greg Slaughter look on. PBA Media

Restive football sponsors worry about absence from stadiums PARIS, France —With stadiums dark, match shirts folded in closets and most players confined at home, football’s sponsors have lost all visibility and are growing restless.

European clubs are struggling to offer their “partners” a return on their investments as sport grapples with the coronavirus pandemic.

“We’re trying to do activities with our players for our sponsors, who are even more demanding since the lockdown. But it’s very complicated because of the health crisis,” one club marketing manager told AFP. The stars, the surest way for sponsors to attract an audience, are at home, many back in their native countries.

Worse, there are no games for them to play. Matches on TV display the brands on the team jerseys or around the pitch to millions of viewers.

At West Ham, one of the sponsors, high-risk finance company Basset & Gold, which the club stresses is not connected with owner David Gold, has just gone ban k r upt, blam i ng the coronavir us crisis.

Many sponsors are in sectors hit especially hard, such as airlines and hotel and restaurant chains.

Some sponsors are beginning to cancel payments.

‘Everything has to be suspended’ “It’s quite obvious that having no more events, everything has to be suspended, it seems so logical to me. It’s a case of force majeure,” Marc Vanhove, the boss of the Bistro Regent restaurant chain, which sponsors the Bordeaux shirt, told AFP. The Bordeaux-based chain suspended its contract, which runs until 2023, he said, “until we have the dates for the resumption.”

French hotel group Accor, PSG’s main sponsor, left open the question of whether it would pay the full amount provided for in its contract (about 50 million euros, $54.7 million, a year), before saying two days later that it had honored its commitments. AFP

Yulo remains in Tokyo to prepare for Olympics

By Peter Atencio

W

ORLD champion Carlos Yulo won’t be coming home anytime soon. The Tokyo Olympics may have been postponed for next year, but the 20-year-old Yulo will continue to train in Japan.

Yulo’s mother, Angelica Yulo said this following her almost daily talks with her son, who is in Tokyo.

She eased worries about the situation involving her son. This after Japan was placed into a state of emergency last Tuesday as the country struggles to stay in control amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

Under this situation, residents are requested to avoid nonessential trips within and outside the designated areas.

But there are no restrictions on travel.

“Walang lockdown sa Japan. Nagte-training siya sa bahay. Pero, pag lumalabas siya, hatid-sundo na siya ng coach niya,” said Yulo’s mother who lives in Leveriza, Manila with the rest of their family.

A decision on where Yulo will go after the enhanced community quarantine

ends in Metro Manila this April 30 in Manila has not been discussed.

That’s because Yulo is in the middle of his studies in Japan.

With the Olympics postponed, Yulo’s routines have slowed down, and it is expected to pick again soon.

“He is well and training hard, but so sad the Olympic (was) postponed as he reached his peak to win the gold in the floor routine. He trains at home for his strength and in the gym for his skill,” said Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion.

Last month, Yulo returned to Japan with an injury sustained during the Federation Internationale de Gymnastique Apparatus World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan.

While in Baku, Yulo missed his pet floor exercise event, a routine where he

earned an Olympic qualifications slot in the World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany last year.

Yulo chose to compete in the parallel bars and vault, and this is where he sustained a cut in his right palm.

Pole-vaulter EJ Obiena and boxers Eumir Felix Marcial and Irish Magno have also landed spots in the Tokyo Olympics.

National teammates Jag Timbang and Ace de Leon both returned home to the Philippines after the competition.

Timbang competed in the f loor exercise and vault while De Leon vied in the floors.

Yulo scored a total of 14.166 and had a low of 11.066 while Timbang tallied 12.650 and de Leon made 12.133.

Early this month, Yulo and top skateboarder Margielyn Didal made it to the 2020 Forbes Asia ‘30 under 30’ list for sports and entertainment.

Other Filipinos in the list in other fields are PayMongo founder Francis Plaza, The Cacao Project founder Louise Mabulo and Alexandrite Pictures multimedia artist Breech Asher Harani.

Quizon rules Natl Bullet chess tourney INTERNATIONAL Master (IM) Daniel Maravilla Quizon bagged another title this year after ruling the fourth leg of the 1st Philippine National Bullet Chess Championships online tournament on Saturday, April 11, 2020.

The 15-year-old Quizon, the top player of Dasmariñas Chess Academy under the leadership of Rep. Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga and national coach International Master (IM) Roel Abelgas, tallied 83 Arena points.

Quizon also won the Rising Phoenix International Chess Championship 2020 hosted by Rising Phoenix Chess Academy Owner/Managing Director International Master (IM) Joel “Cholo” Banawa and the 1st All Dasmarinas Online Blitz (five minutes) Chess Tournament.

Reigning National Open champion United States based Grandmaster (GM) Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr., winner

tled for 3rd place with 81 points.

The online chess tournament was held to continue the National Chess Federation of the Philippines’ program for athletes in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is backed by NCFP chairman/president Rep. Prospero “Butch” Arreza Pichay Jr. and organized by NCFP executive director Atty. Cliburn Anthony Orbe who also participated.

“Congratulations to the winners of our 4th leg. We made another record number of participants at 523! The field is so strong. Hirap makapuntos talaga, grabe. I guess I should be happy with my 52nd place. But I know I can do better,” said Orbe.

International Master Daniel Maravilla Quizon Rounding up to the top 10 were 4th ponders his next move during a chess tourney. Chester Neil Reyes, 5th Grandmaster (GM) Darwin Laylo, 6th Sherwin Tiu, of the inaugural leg of the online series, 7th Fide Master (FM) Arden Reyes, 8th wound up 2nd place with Arena 82 points Karl Victor Ochoa, 9th National Maswhile International Master (IM) Joel Pi- ter (NM) Jayson Bullanday Salubre mentel who hails from Bacolod City set- and 10th Ellan Asuella.

Frodeno completes grueling triathlon at home PARIS, France—Former Olympic champion Jan Frodeno on Saturday (Sunday Philippine time) completed a grueling charity triathlon without leaving his own home.

Frodeno, who was 2008 Olympic gold medalist in triathlon at Beijing, completed the course in eight hours 33min and 39sec.

His race at his home in Girona was made up of 3.8km in his counter-current swimming pool, 180km cycling on his roller trainer, and running a 42.2km marathon on a treadmill.

“That was certainly different and great fun,” said the German athlete.

“I’m really pleased we were able to make this happen, and to raise money for such good and important causes.

“We’ve been subject to lockdown for almost four weeks now and there is strict monitoring of compliance with these rules, and rightly so.

“The situation here is really dire. That’s why I’ve been training at home. However, when I see what the people here in the hospitals are doing for us, this small sacrifice is one I wholeheartedly make.”

Frodeno said part of the 200,000 euros ($218,710) raised will go to the Laureus Sport for Good project in the Spanish city of Girona where he lives.

The rest will be given to local healthcare institutions involved in fighting the coronavirus. AFP

B1

In this file photo taken on May 08, 2010 Germany’s Jan Frodeno crosses the finish line in the men’s event at the Seoul round of the Triathlon ITU World Championship in Seoul. AFP

WHEN it rains, it pours for Sean Anthony.

The do-it-all NorthPort forward gets another major award after being named as the Defensive Player of the Year by the PBA Press Corps.

The honor comes in the heels of Anthony earning a first ever Mythical First team selection and a place in the All-Defensive team during the recent PBA Leo Awards.

Anthony, 34, is going to receive the honor during the 2019 PBA Press Corps Awards Night which will be held at a later date following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

The event was supposed to be held last March 16 at the Novotel Manila at Araneta Center and to be aired over Cignal TV. This marks the first time Anthony will be receiving the award, which has the likes of Chris Ross, June Mar Fajardo, Marc Pingris, Chris Jackson, Freddie Abuda, Gabe Norwood, among others, as past recipients.

Poy Erram was the last to be accorded the honor in 2018.

The Defensive Player of the Year is one of 11 awards to be handed out during the affair, now on its 26th year.

Earlier announced as recipients of the different honors were Terrence Romeo (Quality Minutes), CJ Perez (Scoring champion), June Mar Fajardo (Order of Merit), and Game of the Season (NorthPort vs. NLEX).

Others include the All-Rookie team (Perez, Robert Bolick, Javee Mocon, Bobby Ray Parks, and Abu Tratter), All Interview team (Kiefer Ravena, Christian Standhardinger, Beau Belga, Vic Manuel, Arwind Santos, coach Yeng Guiao) and the D-League Finals MVP (Thirdy Ravena—Aspirants Cup and Hesed Gabo—Foundation Cup).

Still to be named is the President’s Award, the Danny Floro Executive of the Year, and the Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan Coach of the Year.

Eala maintains shape while training in Spain WORLD no. 4 junior player Alexandra Eala and other athletes-scholars of the Rafa Nadal Academy are staying safe, and doing their best to stay in shape, and remain sharp in Mallorca, Spain.

The 14-year-old Eala said this as she assured her parents and supporters in the Philippines of her status.

“I very much miss being on court and competing in tournaments, but in this difficult time there is not much that any of us can do,” said Eala in an online statement.

Last month, Eala skipped her second professional tournament due to corona virus threat in Tunisia.

Her coaches from the RNA asked Eala to return to Mallorca together with other scholars so they can isolate themselves from the ongoing pandemic.

Spain is one the two European countries with the most reported coronavirus infections, and it has recently logged the lowest daily death toll since March 23.

Eala, along with her brother Miko are now training indoors, and have been doing a lot of outdoor activities.

“Right now, I’m just doing some physical activities which are going to help me stay fit and be ready for when I get back on court,” added Eala.

For the young Eala, she had a successful start in 2020.

This is after she won the Australian Open Junior doubles champion last January.

She partnered with Indonesia’s Priska Madelyn Nugroho for formidable partnership at the hard courts of Melbourne Park in the girls’ doubles.

Their victory over Slovenia’s Ziva Falkner and Matilda Mutavdzic of Great Britain in the finals proved to be a milestone for Eala.

With Spain’s lockdown expected to continue until May, athlete scholars at the RNA also keep themselves busy by attending to their studies via online linkages.

“The academy is taking all the necessary precautions and, for now, I am not doing any workouts outdoors or in big groups of people. Since school has been moved online for the time being, I don’t have a problem keeping myself occupied,” stated Eala. Peter Atencio

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

B2

MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2020

Brandon Vera

prepares for the biggest

role of his life

B

UY Bust star and ONE Heavyweight World Champion, Brandon Vera, is preparing for many firsts in his life these days.

Currently spending his quarantine period with wife Jessica in Guam, the ONE Championship star reveals that he spends a lot of time farming: stocking, clearing, cutting, digging, and dumping junk from their farmland. He plans to build a barn that will double as a gym so he can stay in shape even at home.

Vera, the reigning ONE Heavyweight World Champion, isn’t preparing for any specific bout at the moment – what with his scheduled return to live action at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila on May 29 still to be confirmed, due to the global situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. But the Fil-American sports and entertainment celebrity is definitely preparing heavily for a major milestone in his life: fatherhood.

Vera’s wife, Jessica, is in the second trimester of her pregnancy, and it won’t be long until they welcome their first child together into the world. Vera says he has to be physically and mentally prepared for something he’s been preparing for his whole life.

“I’ve been preparing for fatherhood

my whole life with my nephews, nieces, and family. We have to be ready for the whole experience now - from packing the hospital bag when the time comes, all the way to helping our son grow as a self-contributing member to society in an amazing way,” says Vera.

With each passing day, Vera admits the excitement grows.

“I didn’t realize how excited I would be, and it increases every day. It does not stop! What I’m most looking forward to is hanging out with my son and seeing if I can help mold him into a better man than I could ever think of becoming,” he says.

They’ve already thought of a name for their son, Vera says, but fans will have to wait until the baby is born to find out.

“We’ve already thought of a name, but we’re not telling anyone! Not until we announce it the day he’s born…but it is a classic,” he says.

The heavyweight champ is also preparing to be a winner in the entertainment industry. Following his breakout

Rapper talks of forbidden affair in new single

role in the critically-acclaimed Filipino action film, Buy Bust, Vera has received more movie offers with more big roles in the future—one alongside a famous Filipino-Arabian model.

“We were in the middle of a new action film co-starring MJ Lastimosa, but we have postponed the rest of the film until the COVID-19 virus is under control and the environment is safe for all of the crew to resume working and creating,” says Vera.

Vera added that the movie has a projected late-2020 premiere, but that delays will obviously push everything back further in time.

Television also beckons to Brandon Vera. The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition,, hosted by none other than ONE Championship Founder, Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong is pushing for a late-2020 release.

This version The Apprenof tice – licensed under MGM Television and produced by ONE Studios -- will feature 16 handpicked contestants from all over the world in a high-stakes game of business competitions and physical challenges.

The winner will receive a $250,000 job offer to work for a year directly under Sityodtong as his protege at the ONE Championship Global Headquarters in Singapore.

Being a businessman himself, Vera is excited for the new spin on the classic reality television series, and hopes to make a surprise appearance on one of the episodes.

“No doubt, I will be watching it and I will be recording every episode. I also hope to make a cameo guest appear appearance on it one day, but I don’t need the pressure of being

EXPECTING.

Brandon’s wife, Jessica, is in the second trimester of her pregnancy

in the corporate world,” Vera ex explains, adding that the pressure of competing on the biggest martial arts stage in the world is all the pressure that he needs.

Brandon is preparing heavily for a major milestone in his life—fatherhood.

Brandon and Jessica are celebrating their 2nd wedding anniversary on April 20.

‘Run’ dashes on HBO today

Kritiko, John Michael Edixon in real life, is one of the versatile artists under ABS-CBN Music.

RAPPER-composer Kritiko unravels the beginning of an illicit love affair in his new rap song “Amazak” under Star Music.

“I am very attached to this song primarily because this is the first song that I’ve written where the tune is somehow similar to singing,” Kritiko explained and further said that he was also thrilled of his transformation as an artist with this song.

“Another sentiment during the writing process was my switch from the inspirational type of vibe to a somehow sexy and a more sensual approach,” he said.

The intimate track, self-penned by the artist, is about one’s intense yearning for a special person, with the rap verses shedding light on the obstacles he’s faced with that prevents him from being with his loved one. Its title is derived by reading the Filipino word kasama (companion) in reverse.

“Amazak” is only the first in a trilogy of Kritiko’s original rap-love songs

depicting similar narrative that will be part of his debut EP to be released soon.

“The EP contains five tracks where the story of each track flows from one another,” he shared. “These songs contain true to life scenarios that happen in our world today; however, they aren’t accepted because the story of this EP is about forbidden love.”

Kritiko, whose real name is John Michael Edixon, first gained attention when he placed third in 2018’s Himig Handog songwriting competition for his entry “Kababata,” which he sang with Kyla.

Since then, he has collaborated with notable Kapamilya singers, including KZ Tandingan for the empowering anthem “Raise Your Flag,” and Ogie Alcasid and Inigo Pascual for a remix of “Do You Wanna Dance with Me.” He also wrote and performed “Salamat Sa” with Loisa Andalio, and recorded the rap verse to “Kay Sayang Pasko Na Naman” with Vice Ganda and Anne Curtis.

Merritt Wever and Domhnall Gleeson star in new HBO comedy series.

WRITTEN and produced by Vicky Jones, new half-hour comedy series Run debuts same time as the U.S. today at 10:30 a.m. exclusively on HBO GO and HBO. The series follows a woman whose humdrum life is thrown upside down when she receives a text from her college sweetheart inviting her to drop everything and meet him in New York to fulfill the pact they made 17 years earlier.

New episode premieres every Monday at same time, with a same-day encore at 10:30 p.m. on HBO. Starring Emmy winner Merritt Wever (Godless, Nurse Jackie)

and Domhnall Gleeson (Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Ex Machina), Run is a romantic comedic thriller about a woman, Ruby Richardson (Wever) who walks away from her ordinary life in the suburbs to revisit her past with her college boyfriend, Billy Johnson (Gleeson), with whom she made a pact 17 years prior that if either one of them texted the word “RUN” and the other replied with the same, they would drop everything and meet in Grand Central Station and travel across America together.

Recurring guest stars for season one include Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG

winner, Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag, Solo: A Star Wars Story) as Laurel, a woman who Ruby and Billy meet on their journey; Rich Sommer (Mad Men) as Laurence, Ruby’s husband; Tamara Podemski (Coroner) as police detective Babe Cloud; and Archie Panjabi (HBO’s upcoming I Know This Much Is True, The Good Wife) as Fiona, Billy’s former P.A. Executive produced by Vicky Jones, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Jenny Robins, Kate Dennis, Emily Leo, and Oliver Roskill of Wigwam Films, Run is produced by eOne, the studio behind acclaimed HBO series Sharp Objects.

Life

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

FOOD

MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2020

B3

FOOD FOR HOPE

Families from the SM Cares Village in Concepcion, IloIlo show the food packs they received from SM Foundation.

Yolanda survivors receive food packs UMAMI ORIGINS. Dr. Kikunae Ikueda (left), the inventor of Ajinomoto, discovered umami which became the basis for MSG production in the early 1900s. The chart (right) shows how MSG is made through fermentation using a bacteria discovered in the ‘60s.

Microorganisms:

The secret behind many kitchen staples B

also why milk is now pasteurized, a process whereby it is heated to eliminate bacteria and extend its shelf-life.

Today, fermentation is defined as a process by which microorganisms cause a beneficial change in an organic substrate. Yogurt and cheese are considered to be “fermented” not “spoiled,” because microorganisms are employed deliberately to create a beneficial change in the milk. Bacteria aren’t the only microorganisms used for fermentation. For example, yeast, which is not a bacteria, is used to ferment dough, giving us bread.

Speaking of microorganisms, In 1909, Dr. Kikunae Ikeda, the inventor of AJI-NO-MOTO, isolated glutamic acid from kombu, which is a type of seaweed. He recognized that the taste of this substance was neither sweet, sour, salty, nor bitter, so he gave it a new name: umami.

Dr. Ikeda’s discovery led to the development of MSG, which would bring umami to tables as a food seasoning.

But producing MSG on a large scale was challenging, which is a problem faced by many great discoveries. For years, MSG was produced through the “extraction method,” which uses wheat protein extracted from gluten. But this process was inefficient, difficult to perform on a large scale, and hard to reproduce reliably in factories outside of Japan.

Fortunately, in the 1960s, the bacteria responsible for creating glutamic acid was discovered, and fermentation became the primary production method of MSG. Importantly, this made it possible to produce MSG in Southeast Asia, South America, Europe, and North America.

EHIND that soy sauce bottle, that serving of kimchi, and that tub of yogurt are microorganisms.

Fermentation has been used by humans for at least 10,000 years, primarily as a way to preserve foods and to improve their taste.

It’s a natural process that is still used today to make a wide variety of food items including the aforementioned, as well as, unknown to many, monosodium glutamate or MSG. It’s easy to confuse fermentation with food spoiling, because the underlying mechanism is basically the same. To understand the difference, let’s take a look at milk. Naturally, if one lets milk sit in the refrigerator past its expiration date—or even worse, was not put in the refrigerator—the milk turns sour.

That’s a common example of spoiling.

But, of course, milk can be turned into healthy, tasty food products such as cheese and yogurt. These are common examples of fermentation. Scientifically speaking, the cause of both spoiling and fermentation is the same: microorganisms It wasn’t until the 1850s that scientists really understood the process. Before then, milk turning sour was thought to be a purely chemical reaction. In other words, scientists thought that two chemicals were interacting with each other to form a new product, which is what happens when iron rusts or when a match is lit.

Yogurt and cheese had been made for centuries, but nobody truly understood why milk could be turned into these food products.

It was Louis Pasteur who demonstrated that living microorganisms—in milk, bacteria—caused the changes that occur in milk. This is

The original AJI-NO-MOTO seasoning created by Dr. Ikeda. (Photo from Wikimedia Commons)

Nearly 900 families in Bogo City in Cebu, Concepcion in Iloilo, and Ormoc and Tacloban in Leyte affected by the enhanced community quarantine were all smiles after receiving food packs from SM Foundation and fashion company Uniqlo.

Inside the food packs the family in SM Cares villages received were kilos of rice, cup noodles, cans of sardines and tuna, and bottles of distilled water.

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

The SM Cares villages were built for survivors of super typhoon Yolan-

da in 2013. The project was a joint undertaking of SM and its service providers, tenants, business partners, employees, and communities.

The disaster-resilient houses were given to the beneficiaries for free, with SM working with several non-government organization partners for its community development, including livelihood and values-formation activities.

Each village has utilities, basic amenities like street lights, as well as a community center and a basketball court. There are also chapels and convenience stores for its residents.

Aside from the houses, the SM Cares Village also has amenities such as sewage treatment plant, materials recovery facility, rain-catchment system, and provisions for water and electricity.

Medical frontliners from Pampanga Medical Specialist Hospital thank Chef Sau Del Rosario for sending meals.

Kitchen Heroes cook for COVID heroes Heroes help heroes distribute 350 to 700 as winners and ambasburgers daily. sadors of Solane Kitch“We have reached en Hero Chef’s Edition out to frontliners in 2019 aid frontliners in seven hospitals—both the fight against the private and public—as coronavirus pandemic. well as in four baranChefs Roseller gays, Cebu City police “Soy” Fiel and Coke offices, and checkpoint Semblante, along with and public sanitation SKH ambassador personnel. We aim to Chef Sau Del Rosado more until this crisis rio spearheaded food is controlled.”

Cocina Collective drives for frontliners, representative Chef Deofrey SKH ambassador with the support of Chef Sau, who is from Vistal and Solane Kitchen LPG brand Solane.

Hero 2019 winner Chef Coke Pampanga, has been Solane Kitchen preparing meal packs Semblante.

Hero Chef’s Edition, twice a week for dea cooking competition livery to different hosheld last year, showcased talented pitals in the province. He called on Filipino chefs from different regions. his colleagues and friends to join his Chef Soy from Lanao Del Norte cause, and they are able to procure 500 has initiated a food provision dis- healthy meal packs per delivery run. tribution for frontliners in his prov“Those working in the hospitals ince, including those assigned at the are working 12 to 16 hours a day. And Kapatagan Provincial Hospital and we’re here to cheer them on and nourKapatagan Isolation Facility for per- ish them,” he said. sons under investigation, PNP, BFP, Solane provides the chefs’ cooking and other personnel at the Quarantine fuel for free.

Control Points in the municipalities “As these frontliners are workof Lala, Salvador, and Kapatagan. ing hard to make sure we are safe Meanwhile, in Cebu, Chef Coke and healthy, Solane is here to help partnered with Cocina Collective to make sure they are taken care of,” provide nutritional snacks for front- says Solane chief executive officer liners. Together, they produce and Ruben Domingo.

Frontliners manning checkpoints receive thirst-quenching beverages from ARC.

Quenching thirst at checkpoints Kimchi

Yogurt

Soy sauce

Military, police, and barangay officials got a much needed respite from manning the checkpoints under the scorching heat after receiving beverages from ARC Refreshments Corporation.

The manufacturer and distributor of brands such as RC Cola, Juicy Lemon, Arcy’s Rootbeer, Seetrus, Rite ‘N Lite, and Fruit Soda Orange recently distributed thousands of cases of its refreshments to checkpoint-manning frontliners in various locations.

ARC employees delivered cases of Fruit Soda Orange to checkpoints in Metro Manila, North and South Luzon, and all the way to some parts in Visayas.

Checkpoints that received donations

included Navotas, North Caloocan, Harmony Hills, Bagong Silang, C3, Quezon City, 47 checkpoints in Isabela Province, 15 checkpoints in Cagayan Province, General Trias, Bacoor, Las Piñas, Kawit, Binakayan, Canaynay, EVACOM, Rosario, Noveleta, Imus, Talon, Tagoloan, and Iloilo.

“ARC believes that it is our social responsibility to continue to uplift the Filipino spirit especially in times like this. These individuals who protect and man the checkpoints in compliance to the enhanced community quarantine guidelines are the real heroes,” said James Loverio, head of marketing at ARC Refreshments Corp.

Desiree Carlos, Editor daycarlos28@yahoo.com

B4

MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2020

Indoor games

Pets

for dogs during

quarantine

S

1. Train your dog or review basic commands such as sit, stay, and come.

2. Lead your dog to a room and ask him/her to stay.

3. Leave the room.

4. Hide in a different place.

In “Great Indoor Games to Play With Your 5. Call your dog to look for you.

Dog” in the Americal Kennel Club website, Jordan 6. Celebrate his/her accomplishment when he/ Upmalis,noted that “Being stuck at home, for any she finds you by giving him/her a treat. reason, can be a bummer for both you and your pup.”

However, Upmalis stressed that owners and pets Obedience Training can engage in meaningful activities that can keep Speaking of basic commands, you can take one’s pet stimulated mentally and physically. advantage of the time you are at home with your Here are some activities and games to keep you dog during this lockdown by teaching him basic dog on his/her toes. commands. This is the best way to stay occupied, Upmalis noted.

Hidden Treasure You can be resourceful and teach your dog the ba“Dogs have a remarkable sense of smell. Did you sic commands like sit and stay, and add other comknow that they have approximately 45 times more mands, by repetition and rewards. You can also look scent receptors than humans? And what better way for tutorials on Youtube or google instructions. to exercise that sense of smell than by making a game that uses it?” Upmalis said.

Play-Wild Sits 1. Look for bowls of boxes and arrange them up1. While your dog is on a leash, can him or her as side down on the floor or table. excited as possible. Run around ceering your dog 2. Put a prize inside. The prize can be your to jump up and down. dog’s favorite treat or toy under one or two boxes 2 In the middle of playing around, instruct yoru of bowls. dog to sit.

3. Encourage your dog to look for the toy or treat “This may take some practice, depending on how and to start sniffing around. hyperactive your dog is, but after a few tries, your 4. When your dog finds the toy or treat, con- dog should be able to go from a state of excitement gratulate the dog and reward him or her with the to sitting patiently on command,”Upmalis said. hidden treasure.

“You can also use a snuffle mat to engage your Obstacle Course dog’s sense of smell and curiosity. There are mulYou can use common household objects and detiple pockets to hide treats in and different puzzles sign an obstacle course. You can make simple or with adjustable difficulty. Help mentally stimulate difficult depending on what you want. your dog and work on their nose work skills!” Up“You could use broken-down boxes for your dog malis suggested. to crawl through, place chairs down for them to navigate through, and even stack books for him to Hide-and-Seek jump over,”Upmalis said.

If you enjoyed this game when you were a kid, “You can make an easy DIY dog jump made you dog will surely enjoy this too. from household items, or you can also use a set

TAYING at home for a long period of time may eventually lead to boredom for both owners and pets.

Doggos and cattos may eventually not get the medical help they need if the fight against Covid 19 continues for a longer period of time.

A veterinarian’s plea for pets in the time of Covid-19 IN A time of crisis, them because of covid.

PET TALES animals are at risk of This weekend, I

BY DESIREE CARLOS wore reusable mask being neglected and worse, sacrificed. and cap into surgery A veterinarian wrote about how pets/ to save a dog’s life. My disposable caps animals may end up as collateral dam- and masks are being donated and diage in this war against an unseen enemy verted to our human counterparts. called Covid 19, specially if this crisis She had severe heart disease and was will continue for a longer period of time. unstable under anesthesia. She survived The veterinarian stressed that own- this surgery, she went home to her mom, ers CAN SAVE ANIMALS. in part due to the ventilator that kept her STAY AT HOME, the vet said. breathing steady. The same ventilator This appeal was posted by a friend that is earmarked for donation to human in Facebook. The origin and author is hospitals if the need arises. unknown. Please read his appeal and This weekend for the first time in my understand why our pets may end up life, I euthanized pets without stroking not getting medical treatment or worse, their fur, rubbing their ears, or hugging dead, as humans fight Covid 19. their grieving owners. I stood 6 feet “This weekend I euthanized twice as away, wearing a face mask, and giving many pets as usual. my injections and condolences from Owners cannot justify unexpected afar. It broke my heart a little more bills when they have no idea when their every single time. next paycheck is coming.

Your veterinarian isn’t on the front This weekend, I rationed my anes- line of this war, we are the rear defense. thetic drugs, as they are being diverted We are being called as volunteers in to humans on ventilators. states where human medical profesI carefully considered each pain in- sionals are overwhelmed. We are dojection knowing that opioids will be nating and rationing our medications. diverted next.

We are giving up our ventilators. And I pulled a sewing needle out of a we know why. We know that our acpuppy’s throat while wondering what I tions will save human lives, and we would have done to save her life with- won’t hesitate at doing what we have out these medications. to. But don’t for a second think that our This weekend, I gave tragic news and hearts aren’t breaking too. And as this terminal diagnoses over the phone, over virus spreads, it will get worse. and over again. To owners whose face I Please, Stay Home. had never seen. To familyies who sent Your pet can’t catch COVID, but it their pet inside, unable to accompany can hurt them nonetheless.”

‘Fetch the ball’ is one game that Krauss, rescued dog of Save ALL, never tires of playing. It is a game one can play with one’s dog inside the house, in the garage or in a small garden.

of cones to create your own training and obstacle you as you change direction. This is an awesome course,”Upmalis added. way to work on coordination, while also getting a cardio workout — for both of you,” Upmalis said.

Cardio Twist There are a lot of things you can do inside your This is known in the sport of agility as house with your dog. weave poles.

Consider this lockdown as a time to bond with “..this is a training game you can play with your your dog and a time to develop his /her mental and dog, regardless of whether or not you’re training physical skills. for the competition ring. You can set up ‘poles’ usNote from AKC who now helps dog owners ing household objects, like chairs or even friends adapt to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic: Find or family members, and instruct your dog to heel answers to all your coronavirus concerns, plus alongside you as you weave between them. You at-home activity ideas, training tips, educational can change your pace from fast to slow, which will resources, and more at our ‘Coping With Coronaencourage your dog to concentrate on following virus COVID-19′ hub.

Loving your pets more amidst Covid 19 THIS is not your usual know more about Covid 19 story or article. Neither is this a story on social distancing and quarantine guidelines while the country, specifically in the Island of Luzon, is on mandated enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

Needless to say, by this fourth week of lockdown, we basically know all these facts and information about Covid 19. As we while away our time during this quarantine period we are actually just waiting and anticipating what will happen next as we tinker on our laptops or cellphones. And then an important question pops: is loving and caring for your pets amidst the global Covid 19 pandemic, bad or insensitive?

A post by the mayor of Gapan, Nueva Ecija in Facebook last week earned the ire not just of netizens from Gapan but in other regions as well.

Mayor Emeng Pascual posted an appeal to help locate somebody using the account name Anthana Namguz Ed Wo. Anthana thanked the city government in a post in Facebook, and said his dogs will now have something to eat too.

Mayor Pascual wanted to find Anthana to get back the rice which to him should be given to humans only.

As expected, the emotions of netizens were roused from their slumber. Anthana was bashed for his being insensitive, for wasting the resources of the government when more humans are hungry and in need of food.

According to Mayor Pascual, during his press conference on the matter, he was surprised that there were 5,000 netizens who responded and who were so angry at the FB post of Anthana.

Anthana, having been called upon and presented in the said press conference, apologized to the mayor. His explanation was simple. He said his dogs are his family and whatever he eats, his dogs eat too. He apologized for having made a mistake in posting about his dogs not going to get hungry and thanking the mayor for the sack of rice given.

The sack of rice was earlier taken back by the barangay captain from Anthana but the same official later brought the sack back to Anthana’s apartment.

But Anthana was already subjected to cyber bullying. He was bashed, humiliated, threatened and his person, as a gay individual, insulted and degraded.

What did he do to deserve such social media attack and shaming? While Anthana expressed his thanks to the giver, the Facebook post was in itself, loaded with meaning and varied interpretation. While the general perception is that it could have been worded better, the reality is not all may have

CLAWS PROTECTION

BY ATTY. HEIDI MARQUEZ AND GREG SALIDO QUIMPO

that gift of good communication.

Mayor Pascual’s post --- an appeal to find the person ( Anthana) with the intention to take back his relief allocation---fueled up what was simply a thank you post.

Jonathan receives more help from animal lovers and the Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF) after he was bashed, threatened, and insulted. A genuine dog lover like Jonathan who takes good care of voiceless creatures like dogs do reap good karma. Part of his reward is being looked at with so much love by his dogs who he considers as his babies.

The subsequent press conference, for whatever its purpose, brought to light not the plight of the hungry and angry constituents or netizens, but rather the love of one person to his

dogs whom he had considered his family.

This love shone and endeared Anthana both to the pet loving netizens and to those who are not pet owners who followed the viral story.

This incident involving Anthana who we now know as Jonathan brought so many realizations.

While the Covid 19 virus and the current ECQ have made some of us focus on the basic needs, family and how to make further sacrifices, others however, directed their attention on negativity bordering on selfishness.

While part of our realization is that the cause of the pandemic is man’s continuing disrespect, use and abuse of animals, we have not learned or will never learn our lesson that animals are part of our ecological system and that we need to co-exist with them: that how we treat the animals impacts on our environment, our food production and most of all on human health.

Simply, as in this case, some people treat animals like their family. They take that effort to prepare for their pet’s food, share their food with them and even their home and their bed! In fact, they call them their “furbabies” and treat them as if their pets are their children.

To some, animals are just commodities.

They are aware of them because they are their source of food, or even part of their wardrobe. But there is more to these animals than being a commodity. They breathe the same air we breathe. They share the same environment we live in. Most of all they can get hurt and they suffer from human’s doing.

As for Jonathan, his dogs are his family. He shares his food with them. He lives with them and his dogs are his source of happiness.

A bad post gone viral turned out good anyway as we found love prevailing during this crisis.

As the netizens learned about Jonathan’s story, more help came, even more than the one sack of rice that was almost taken away from him.

The Animal Kingdom Foundation, along with its supporters, sent dog food for Jonathan’s furbabies and food supplies for Jonathan.

Truth is that when your intention is good, no matter how bad the situation is, it will come around to benefit the one with a good heart.

Editor’s Note: AKF rehabilitates and rehomes the rescued dogs and a few cats from its shelter in Capas, Tarlac. This haven for the rescued animals was built in 2006 and is purely operating on donations. Please visit #AKFanimalrescue on FB or email AKF at: akfadvocates@gmail.com