Manila Standard - 2020 April 18 - Saturday

Virus outbreak at PH jails: 9 inmates, 9 jailers infected (COVBy Rio N. Araja, Rey E. Requejo for coronavirus disease 19 (COV ID-19) at the Quezon City jail facility. and Willie Casas

Chief Insp. Xavier Solda, BJMP AT LEAST nine inmates and nine Bu- spokesman, said the nine prisoners reau of J`ail Management and Penol- were isolated at a facility in Barangay ogy personnel have tested positive Next page

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 60 • 2 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

DANGER ZONE. Prison inmates at the Quezon City Jail are shown in cramped conditions in this photo taken on March 27, 2020. At least 9 inmates and 9 personnel of the Bureau of Jail Management of the Philippines have tested positive for the COVID-19, officials said, sparking urgent calls for the release of some prisoners particularly the elderly. AFP

Gov’t threatens mass arrests DILG sets crackdown on ECQ violators, fields more cops to checkpoints

More patients recover, new cases hit 218

By Francisco Tuyay and Joel E. Zurbano

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HE government warned Friday that police would arrest more violators of the Luzon-wide lockdown that was imposed to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Rey E. Requejo

“We will surely arrest many people,” Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año told radio dzMM Friday.

He said more police would be deployed to man checkpoints and to crack down on illegal cockfighting matches, gambling and other quarantine violations.

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa, meanwhile, said there would be a day of reckoning for all lawbreakers, and said law enforcers were ready to impose tougher measures against violators of the Enhanced Community Quarantine.

“Maybe some violators feel they can get away with our enforcement of quarantine rules and local ordinances, but only because we are not

PATIENTS recovering from COVID-19 continue to rise, with 52 new recoveries registered Friday, bringing the total to 487.

At the same time, the government will install about 132 sample specimen collecting booths throughout the country in line with efforts to improve the country’s testing capacity for COVID-19 infections.

Health officials reported 25 new deaths Friday, bringing total COVID-19 fatalities to 387. There were 218 new confirmed cases, bringing the total to 5,878.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said his department would not have to wait for the end of April to determine if the Enhanced Community Quarantine has flattened the curve on new infections.

DEFIANCE DENIED.

It doesn’t pay to defy quarantine restrictions as shown in these photos of the aftermath of the violations : A bike rider and a motorist are issued traffic violation receipts by enforcers for ignoring the Luzon-wide lockdown while curfew violators in Antipolo City are made to do a morning exercise after spending the night inside a city gymnasium.

Norman Cruz, Jr Josue

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NEDA chief quits; Duque stays for now

By Julito G. Rada, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Vito Barcelo AMID the rampage of the coronavirus pandemic in the Philippines, the Duterte administration’s chief economist resigned while its highest health authority apologized for his shortcomings which forced the Senate earlier to call for his resignation.

National Economic and Development Authority director-general Ernesto Pernia, a member of the government’s economic team, announced his resignation Friday citing personal reasons and “differences in development philosophy” with a few of his fellow Cabinet members.

Among the members of the economic cluster of the Cabinet, Pernia was vocal on his position for a gradual lifting of the Enhanced Community Quarantine on April 30 and allowing Next page

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM APRIL 17)

Swiss firm sparks hopes for early virus detection SWISS pharmaceutical giant Roche said Friday it had developed an antibody test that it hopes to roll out in May to detect people previously infected with COVID-19, even those who displayed no symptoms.

Roche said in a statement that it had

developed the Elecsys Anti-SARSCoV-2 immunoassay, which, using a blood sample, can detect antibodies to determine the body’s immune reaction to the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

Research teams around the world

have been racing to develop such so-called serology tests for the virus, known as SARS-CoV-2, that has sparked the global pandemic with more than 2.1 million infections and over 141,000 deaths.

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5,878

NUMBER OF CASES

387 DEATHS

487

RECOVERIES

218

NEW CASES

Infra fund eyed for anti-virus plan Wuhan hikes death toll amid doubts THE Department of Public Works and Highways says the P30 billion set aside for several projects under the Build, Build, Build program is untouched and ready for use to boost the government’s efforts to contain the coronavirus disease.

Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said the agency was still identifying

the non-priority projects from which to draw the funds from.

President Rodrigo Duterte said earlier he was open to dropping several big infrastructure projects this year to free up funds to fight COVID-19.

Villar says his department is ready to release at least P30 billion in funds

LOCAL ROUNDUP

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C H I N A’ S coronavir us ground-zero city of Wuhan on Friday abruptly raised its death toll by 50 percent, saying many fatal cases were “mistakenly reported” or missed entirely – in an admission that comes amid growing global doubts about Chinese transparency.

But China denied it had covered up the extent of its coronavirus outbreak,

WORLD ROUNDUP

in response to rising questions from Western powers led by

the United States.

A foreign ministry spokesman acknowledged that the virus’ rapid spread had contributed to undercounting that resulted in China raising its death toll earlier Friday, but he added “there has never been any Next page

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under ideal conditions to detain all law offenders, except to complete the mandatory requirements of documentation and booking,” Gamboa said. “Trust me, their brush with the law today will not go unpunished.”

So far, he said the police have reacted with compassion, and said they would continue to be reasonable and fair.

“But because so many people are willfully violating government orders to remain indoors, their bold acts of disobedience are making containment efforts against the virus less effective.

Worse and more troublesome for the police, it is taking its toll on police personnel manning the quarantine control points who risk exposure to unusually heavy crowding of unauthorized persons,” Gamboa said.

At present, there have been 65 COVID-19 cases among PNP personnel, 40 of whom remain in sick bay and 14 of whom are under home quarantine. Eight have recovered and three have died.

The PNP Highway Patrol Group and the Metro Manila Development Author-

ity are now cracking down on unauthorized travel, he said.

In coordination with local government units, PNP line units are also instructed to launch a crackdown on illegal activities that constitute a violation of rules on physical distancing and gathering of persons, including illegal cockfights, card games, and mahjong and drinking sessions in public places.

Año said LGUs have been ordered, too to be very strict and impose penalties on all violators of the lockdown.

He added that local government officials and village chiefs found violating quarantine protocols will be arrested.

Joint Task Force Corona Virus Shield commander, Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, said the police force are ready to strictly enforce the lockdown.

On Friday, the Taguig City police said it arrested 376 individuals violating the Enhanced Community Quarantine policy imposed by the government.

Most of those apprehended were unauthorized persons outside residence while 67 minors were caught violating the curfew ordinance.

Fourteen other persons were reprimanded for violating the social distancing protocol.

The city government reminded residents that anyone caught in violation of the city ordinance for the first time must provide community service for at least three hours.

As of April 16, Taguig had 174 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with the addition of five new cases Thursday.

“With one death and one recovery, the total is now 12 deaths and 19 recoveries,” the Taguig City public information office said.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases met Friday but did not discuss a “total lockdown” proposal, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said.

Nograles issued the statement a day after Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said a total lockdown is an option, in case the government fails to flatten the curve in the growth of new COVID-19 infections.

The Philippines has so far 5,660 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 362 fatalities and 435 recoveries.

A total lockdown would prevent people from going out of their homes and mandates the closure of all public establishments.

The ECQ, on the other hand, limits public movements to accessing basic necessities.

Nograles said Roque was perhaps thinking of stricter measures to fight COVID-19.

The small group tasked by Duterte to assess the government’s response to COVID-19 is expected to come up with recommendations on the ECQ’s fate by Monday.

“We will discuss what that possible scenario will be, what are the pros and cons, what we are ready to allow, what will be the new do’s and don’ts, what will be the new guidelines after April 30,” he said.

The final decision, however, would still come from Duterte, Nograles said.

“Ultimately, the President will make a decision on our recommendations,” he said.

Nograles also appealed again for public cooperation, considering that Luzonwide ECQ expires on April 30.

He said it would be more difficult for IATF-EID to come up with a decision if there are people who continue to violate the quarantine protocols.

“It makes it easier for us to make the decision because everybody is cooperating,” Nograles said. “If they don’t follow the rules, if they don’t cooperate, it destroys all the assumptions. Then the model is also destroyed.”

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“Antibody testing is central to help identify people who have been infected by the virus, especially those who may have been infected but did not display symptoms,” the Roche statement pointed out.

It added that such tests could also allow screening within high-risk groups like healthcare workers to determine if they may already have developed a certain level of immunity, Roche said.

“Once we understand more about the immunity of COVID-19, it could also help society return faster to normality,” it said.

Roche said it was working with the US Food and Drug Administration to ensure “emergency use authorization” to bring its test to market, and said it would also be made available in markets that accept the European CEmark certification.

Payatas. The jail personnel, on the other hand, have been placed under home quarantine.

He said contract tracing is now being done to identify other individuals with whom the COVID-19 patients had direct contact.

Some 40 other jail personnel were tested to determine if they contracted the virus.

Two weeks ago, a detainee died possibly due to COVID-19.

Although he died of acute myocardial infraction and hypertension, the attending physician said COVID-19 infection could have been a contributing condition, Solda said.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government on Friday urged local government units to include jails in their jurisdiction in mass testing as part of efforts to contain COVID-19.

DILG Undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said it would be up to the courts to decide if detainees should be released.

“There are some suggestions for the release of some detainees. These have to undergo proper judicial process. As long as there is court authorization, there will be no problems,” Malaya said.

At present, the BJMP has 14,875 personnel manning jails where persons with pending criminal cases are detained.

After conviction, the prisoners are transferred to prisons run by the Bureau of Corrections.

The Supreme Court on Friday ordered concerned government officials to file their comments on a petition seeking for the temporary release on humanitarian grounds of some detainees who may be vulnerable to COVID-19 infection while in detention.

During an online special en banc session Friday, the justices resolved to give the respondents a non-extendible period of until April 24, within which to submit their comment on the petition.

Court spokesman Brian Keith Hosaka said the 15-member bench conducted its special en banc session presided over by Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta through an online platform with all 15 SC justices in attendance.

“The Supreme Court without giving due course to the petition, ordered respondents to file comment by April 24,” Hosaka said.

“Respondents are ordered to take the necessary interim preventive measures required by this national emergency (COVID-19) and provide a verified report to the Court within the same period,” it added.

Earlier, more than 20 detainees asked the Supreme Court to order their temporary release through bail or personal recognizance, saying their age or physical or medical conditions make them vulnerable to COVID-19.

The petition named Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology chief Allan Iral, Bureau of Corrections Director General Gerald Bantag, and six other jail and prison officials as respondents.

Several groups have called on authorities to ease prison populations by releasing detainees who are at risk of contracting the virus.

The Department of Justice said it is studying calls for the release of “lowrisk offenders” in the custody of the Bureau of Corrections.

Edre Olalia, president of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers, said the urgency of the situation calls for a “more decisive, less ponderous approach” even as he acknowledged the “prudent and practical considerations.”

Human Rights Watch Asia on Friday the importance of early release of in-

mates from jails in the country.

“Finding that the coronavirus has infected 18 inmates and personnel at the Quezon City Jail shows why it’s so critical the government actively pursues early release of detainees charged with low-level, nonviolent offenses, as well as the sick and older inmates,” said Phil Robertson, Deputy Asia Director of Human Rights Watch, in their statement on the outbreak of COVID-19 inside the Quezon City Jail.

“The government needs to act urgently to mitigate what could be a catastrophe inside the country’s overcrowded prisons before it’s too late,” said Robertson.

COVID-19, like other infectious diseases, poses a higher risk to people who live in close proximity to one another.

Congestion in the Philippine prison system and other concurrent health problems have been well documented.

The chief of the hospital at the New Bilibid Prison, the country’s national penitentiary, said that about 5,200 inmates die every year from tuberculosis and other illnesses, as well as violence—about 20 percent of the prison’s total population.

The United Nations High Commissioner For Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, raised the alarm on March 25 about detention facilities and COVID-19 around the world, warning of “catastrophic consequences” if the prison population is neglected. Among the measures she called for are early release of vulnerable detainees.

On April 8, political prisoners through the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers submitted a petition to the Supreme Court for the temporary release of all prisoners who are vulnerable to COVID-19 infection for humanitarian reasons.

On Friday, it was learned that about 30 detainees in the Correctional Institute for Women are suspected of having COVID-19.

He said the Department of Health intends to conduct some 8,000 to 10,000 COVID-19 tests daily by the end of April. The DOH on Tuesday started expanded testing by conducting about 3,000 tests a day.

The results of these tests, Duque said, could be used as a basis to determine if the ECQ will be extended or lifted.

The DOH is also relying on the advice of experts.

He said the recent expansion of testing capacity would be enough to give a clear picture of the COVID-19 crisis, and whether the number of cases has decreased or increased as a result of the lockdown.

“I think the expanded testing in the coming days is sufficient to give a good approximation of the epidemic curve in NCR, Luzon, as well as Region 4-A and Region 3,” he said.

The country currently has 16 laboratories capable of testing for COVID-19 infection.

Duque said testing facilities should operate for 24 hours to maximize outputs.

“We have many laboratories right now, but I said, we should double the operating hours. The operating hours should not be 8 hours only, there should be three shifts or 24 hours so that we can double or triple the output,” he said.

He also said the testing laboratory in Marikina City is on its way to being accredited by the DOH. Marikina City Mayor Marcy Teodoro earlier said he plans to open the testing center by Friday even without an accreditation from the Health department.

However, the DOH warned the local government unit that opening the testing center without the department’s approval may put the city’s residents at risk.

As this developed, the DOH announced Friday that it is conducting Emergency Hiring of Health Personnel for COVID-19 Response.

“We are now hiring physicians, nurses, medical technologists, and other support health personnel on a contract of service basis, for a minimum of three months,” said Duque.

He said this aims to augment the current health workforce.

The DOH spelled out the monthly compensation and benefits: 1. Basic salary + premium of up to 20 percent of basic salary.

2. Up to P500/day hazard allowance.

3. P500 GSIS group insurance.

4. P1,000/month communication and transportation allowance 5. P100,000 in case of infirmity due to COVID-19 and P1,000,000 in case of death 6. Hospitalization benefits 7. Health personnel will also be entitled to other benefits.

Once hired, Duque said they will be deployed in the following order of priority: DOH-designated COVID-19 referral hospitals; temporary treatment and monitoring facilities for COVID-19; DOH-designated COVID-19 diagnostic facilities; public hospitals (national and local) handling COVID-19 patients; and private hospitals duly designated by the DOH to handle COVID-19 cases.

Francisco Duque III, in an interview over dzMM beamed nationwide, apologized for his shortcomings in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic which claimed the lives of almost 400 Filipinos and sickened almost 6,000 others.

Since the problem of COVID-19 is fairly new, Duque said they did not have any past experience in handling such a virus.

In Malacañang, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said Duque still enjoyed the trust of President Rodrigo Duterte, despite mounting calls by several senators for him to resign.

Nograles, also Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases spokesperson, admitted that “missteps” in the fight against COVID-19 were normal.

Nograles said members of the Cabinet expressed their support for Duque since the latter had always been straightfor-

ward when it came to assessing the COVID-19 situation.

Duque noted it was not only the Philippines, but other countries, were grappling with the virus, which had Wuhan City in Hubei province in China as the epicenter.

Regarding Duque’s admission, Senator Panfilo Lacson hoped this would be followed quickly by more proactive and positive action to address the issues and concerns raised by his own people at the DOH, as well as government and private physicians and health workers against his leadership.

“After all, it is them who have brought most of these concerns to the attention of the senators who signed the call for his resignation,” said Lacson, one of the signatories in Senate Resolution 362 which asked Duque to quit his post.

Pernia’s resignation happened at a time when the country is battling the impact of the coronavirus disease which is seen to make the economy contract to its lowest level in decades.

Duterte, who accepted Pernia’s resignation, has tapped Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua as acting secretary of the National Economic and Development Authority, Malacañang announced shortly after the resignation.

“After reflection during Holy Week, and consultations with my family and close colleagues, I have decided to resign from my post as Secretary of Socioeconomic Planning. This is due partly to personal reasons and partly to differences in development philosophy with a few of my fellow Cabinet members,” Pernia, who thanked the President for appointing him, said in a statement.

Potential treatment It is approved for use in flu outbreaks and has been deployed to treat Ebola, but now Avigan is being tested as a potential coronavirus treatment.

Here are some questions and answers about the anti-viral medication:

What is Avigan?

Avigan is the brand name of the drug favipiravir. It was developed by what is now known as Fujifilm Toyama Chemical and approved for use in Japan in 2014.

But in Japan, it is only approved for use in flu outbreaks that aren’t being effectively addressed by existing medications. It is not available on the market and can only be manufactured and distributed at the request of the Japanese government.

Favipiravir works by blocking the ability of a virus to replicate inside a cell.

There are some safety concerns: it has been shown in animal studies to affect fetal development, meaning it is not given to pregnant women, and some doctors say they would not recommend it for children or adolescents.

How is it being used to treat coronavirus?

Some doctors began trying favipiravir to treat coronavirus patients early on, reasoning that its anti-viral properties would be applicable.

Some initial results suggested the drug could help shorten recovery time for patients, with China’s ministry of science and technology hailing it as yielding “very good clinical results”.

There are currently around five clinical trials ongoing in countries including the US, Italy and Japan, where Fujifilm announced it would be testing the drug’s efficacy on a group of 100 patients through until the end of June. AFP

Infra fund...

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“The government plans to spend over P1 trillion on various construction projects to fill the country’s needs for longer and wider roads, convenient train systems and bigger airports and seaports may now be shelved with the COVID-19 pandemic wreaking havoc on the local and global economy,” Palace spokesman Harry Roque said.

Docking allowed The Department of Foreign Affairs said Friday foreign cruise ships with Filipino crew on board will be allowed to dock in Manila and the ships may be

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This prompted the militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan to raise the question as to whether Pernia’s resignation meant the lockdown will be extended.

“Does Pernia’s resignation indicate that there will be a lockdown extension?

NEDA has stood for a selective community quarantine to be able to revive the economy, instead of an indefinite and extensive lockdown,” Bayan secretarygeneral Renato Reyes said.

Elsewhere, just a day after 14 senators asked him to resign over failure of leadership, among others, Health Secretary

used as quarantine facilities for sailors.

“The use of the cruise ship as a quarantine site will be determined by the cruise ship’s suitability as a quarantine facility and the cruise ship owners’ willingness and capability to financially sustain the operation of the quarantine program in their ship,” Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

“While the DFA works hand-in-hand with various foreign governments and cruise ship companies with regard to the repatriation of [Filipino workers abroad], the quarantine facilities and program will be determined and facilitated by the Department of Health and Bureau of Quarantine,” Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

continue the cash donation to workers.

The labor group says millions of income-less employees displaced by the quarantine lockdown will have nothing to buy food with or anything that will let them survive until the crisis is over.

The group said the government stopped all work in establishments and businesses on March 15, but extended the lockdown for another 15 days to fight COVID-19.

TUCP president and TUCP Party-list Rep. Raymond Mendoza said the Labor department suspended the 5,000-peso financial assistance under the COVID Adjustment Measures Program for formal-sector workers effective April 15, Decision on dole slammed 2020, following near-depletion of the The Trade Union Congress of the program’s P1.6-billion budget. Vito BarPhilippines on Friday slammed the de- celo, Rey E. Requejo, Rio N. Araja, cision of the Labor department to dis- Joel E. Zurbano and Jess Malabanan

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The city government of Wuhan said in a social media posting that it had added 1,290 deaths to the tally in Wuhan, where the global pandemic emerged in December 2019 and which has suffered the vast majority of China’s fatalities from COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus. That brings the total number of deaths in the city to 3,869.

Wuhan’s epidemic prevention and control headquarters cited several reasons for the missed cases, including the fact that the city’s medical staff were overwhelmed in the early days as infections climbed, leading to “late reporting, omissions or mis-reporting”.

It also cited insufficient testing and treatment facilities, and said some patients died at home and thus their deaths were not properly reported.

US gradual reopening

President Donald Trump on Thursday (Friday in Manila) laid out guideLate reporting, mis-reporting lines for a gradual reopening of the The change also pushes the nation- United States after the battering of wide death toll up by nearly 39 percent the coronavirus pandemic, saying to 4,632, based on official national data normal life should resume quickly in some states. AFP released earlier on Friday.

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Cavite women sew face masks under Villar’s initiative

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Cynthia Villar is hitting two birds with one stone in her latest effort to help Filipinos amidst the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) crisis in the country.

She is distributing face masks to all barangays in her home city of Las Piñas, which are sewn by a group of women in Cavite.

“We are helping prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our barangays, at the same time, we are able to provide a source of income for some women in Cavite, which as the rest of the country, is in enhanced community quarantine or lockdown”, said Villar.

Prior to this, Villar has distributed bottled drinking water, rice and other relief goods to the city’s barangays.

Her family also provides the daily meals and temporary housing of frontliners of the Las Pinas General Hospital and Satellite Trauma Center.

A total of 4,400 cloth face masks will be done and distributed to 22 barangays in Las Piñas. The women who will sew them will be paid. They will also be sewing PPE (personal protective equipment) Hazmat which will be donated to medical frontliners, out of the cloth materials donated by Barangay Treasurer Bridget Chiongbian of Forbes Park. Senator Villar will pay for the labor.

The same group of women from Dasmariñas, Cavite were tapped by Villar to make bags out of the tarpaulins used for her campaign during the last elections.

According to Villar, sewing face masks is a perfect source of livelihood for the women since they can do it without leaving their homes or during the quarantine/lockdown period.

“As you know, I have always been providing women livelihood projects to sustain them and augment their family’s income,” she said.

During this health emergency, they really need sources of income, so that they will not be entirely dependent on relief goods,” added Villar.

CONTROLLED. Firemen control a fire which gutted a four-door residential apartment in Brgy. 791 Diamante St. in Sta. Ana, Manila on Friday, April 17. A 70-year -old woman died in the fire that reached the first alarm. Norman Cruz

New GCTA almost done—DOJ

By Rey E. Requejo

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HE revision of the manual governing the grant of the Good Conduct Time Allowances to prisoners is “almost done” several months after the controversy over the anomalous implementation of the GCTA Law had been exposed, an official of the Department of Justice said on Friday.

Justice Undersecretary Markk Perete announced that the status of the uniform manual governing the implementation of the GCTA Law is almost complete, except for some issues that need to be threshed out.

“For finalization. Almost done except for some issues that need to be resolved,” Perete said in a text message to reporters.

According to Perete, the DOJ has been working on the manual even during the implementation of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine aimed at preventing the spread of the dreaded coronavirus disease.

“Like in most other transactions we handle at the moment, we are setting meetings by videocon to finalize the manual,” the DOJ official said.

“But even pending finalization of the manual, and for humanitarian considerations, the release of PDLs [persons deprived of liberty] in the vulnerable/high risk category not guilty of heinous crimes or of other serious offenses is being expedited,” Perete added.

Republic 10592 or the GCTA Law allows deductions to the sentence of a prisoner who shows good behavior behind bars. There are also time allowances for loyalty and for study, teaching, or mentoring.

However, the Bureau of Corrections manual on time allowances have been subjected to revision after the DOJ and the Department of the Interior and Local Government modified the implementing rules and regulations of the RA 10592 in September last year.

The revised IRR excludes recidivists, habitual delinquents, escapees and those

charged with heinous crimes from earning time allowances and credit for preventive imprisonment.

The government was prompted to review the IRR of the 2013 law following the controversy surrounding the reported release of convicts of heinous crimes whose sentences were shortened by GCTAs. President Rodrigo Duterte ordered heinous crime convicts who were freed on this ground to surrender, but even those released for other reasons turned themselves in.

Earlier this week, the BuCor’s spokesperson said the processing of GCTA and other time allowances remains suspended pending the approval of the manual.

The DOJ is currently studying calls for the release of “low-risk offenders” to ease prison populations as COVID-19 threatens Philippine detention facilities.

KMU favors mass testing using PCR LABOR group Kilusang Mayo Uno is proposing a calibrated return to work, so long as mass testing using real-time PCR (Reverse Transcription Ploymerase Chain Reaction) method is used.

The KMU issued the statement following the announcement by Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion that with the rapid kits now readily available, workers can go back to their companies following massive rapid testing guidelines.

KMU has opposed the use of rapid kits for screening workers, and a ‘calibrated opening of malls’ after April 30 proposed

by NEDA Chief Ernestio Pernia, without mass testing among the general public.

“As much as we want to go back to work, rapid testing cannot guarantee workers’ health and safety. It is not the solution to the spread of COVID-19. The proposal is reckless at this time that there

FREE DISINFECTANTS. As street misting with disinfectants has been ruled out as an effective anti-virus program by the Department of Health, the city government of Makati instead distributes free disinfectants to residents, in these photos taken at Barangay Olympia with the supervision of Kagawad Rodrigo (Jok Jok) Binay. Diana Noche

‘December SK, village poll a mistake’ EMB faces COVID

By Maricel V. Cruz A LAW-ENFORCEMENT advocate in the House of Representatives on Thursday branded the postponement of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections from May this year to December next year a “mistake” as many village officials were proven incompetent during the Coronavirus Disease-19 outbreak.

In a statement, Party-list Rep. Jocelyn Tulfo of ACT-CIS said: “Postponing the barangay and SK elections so far into the future–in December 2022–was a mistake.

Mistakes can be corrected. Let us correct this soon,” Tulfo said.

Tulfo said that instead of December

2020, the barangay and SK elections should be held early or middle of next year while memory of the deadly virus crisis is still fresh in the mind of voters.

“Waiting for December 5, 2022 for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections would be torture for the millions of Filipinos whose village officials are performing dismally and whose incompetence was exposed during the COVID-19 outbreak,” she said.

“Having the village elections on December 5, 2022 will only serve to dim the voters’ memory on how their incompetent village officials performed when they were needed by the community,” she added.

1-year extension credit aid for farmers ok’d

By Rio N. Araja THE Presidential Agrarian Reform Council has approved a one-year extension for the continuous provision of credit assistance and capacity development worth P87.3431 million to benefit 60 agrarian reform beneficiary organizations.

Secretary John Castriciones said the council passed Executive Committee Resolution No. 2020-SP-01 that shall benefit over 1,800 farmer-beneficiaries nationwide.

The PARC members said the proposed

one-year term extension of the credit assistance program for program beneficiaries development window 3 meritorious, he cited.

“The 60 ARBOs are expected to be provided with P76 million (87 percent) credit assistance and P11.341 million (13 percent) capacity building support. Key officers and staff of ARBOs will be provided with trainings which will include agri-enterprise management and operations, governance and institution-building, financial literacy, among others,” he said.

waste disposal crisis

By Butch Gunio IN RESPONSE to Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu’s directive to anticipate the increased volume of infectious wastes during the novel coronavirus (COViD-19) pandemic, the Environmental Management Bureau has issued guidelines on the issuance of special permits to transport medical wastes during the Enhanced Community Quarantine period.

EMB Memorandum Circular Nos. 202014, 15 and 16, signed by EMB OIC-Director Engr. William P. Cuñado, direct the simplification of processing SPTTs by registered transporters and existing transport, storage and disposal facilities, “pursuant to the need for continuity of operations in the field of public health and safety.”

Transporters with SPTT are exempted from the travel ban to ensure that the collection and transportation of pathological and infectious wastes for treatment is unhampered.

Per the guidelines, the EMB seeks “to continuously monitor the transportation, storage, and disposal of hazardous wastes in order to avoid environmental contamination; and to provide temporary protocols for waste generators, transporters, and treaters, local government units, law enforcement authorities, and other stakeholders in the smooth implementation of proper hazardous waste management.”

is no significant diagnostic testing being done at different localities,” Jerome Adonis, Secretary-General of KMU said reacting to Concepcion’s recommendation.

KMU said there is a need for targeted mass testing to determine the infected section of the population, to be followed with the corresponding isolation, quarantine and treatment response, and effectively contain the COVID-19 spread.

According to a published material of Dr. Maria Cecilia Lim, MD, FPSP, Anatomic and Clinical Pathologist, rapid kits cannot be used for screening the public “because the current test kits are usually negative in people without symptoms of the COVID-19 infection. The tests usually become positive in people with symptoms,” while the PCR method “detects the presence of the COVID-19 virus in the body so the test becomes positive earlier or even before the symptoms begin.”

No SAP anomaly in SJDM—mayor

By Orlan Mauricio SAN JOSE DEL MONTE CITY— “There is no favoritism or any political agenda in the distribution of the government’s cash assistance under Social Amelioration Program being implemented by the city government.”

This was the unequivocal response of City Mayor Arthur Robes to a barangay official who denounced the city government and city Social Welfare and Development Officer Marilyn Cumba for alleged irregularity in the evaluation of families and household who are qualified to receive the P6,500 SAP-cash.

Robes said that as of Thursday, the joint DSWD and City’s Task Force COVID headed by Asst. City Administrator

lawyer Rhizaldy Mendoza finished distributing the cash relief to some 7,740 households in seven out of the 59 barangays of the city, including Brgy. St. Martin de Porres headed by Brgy. Capt.

Susan Estipona complained to a TV network.

Some P434 million covering 66,816 beneficiaries will receive the P6,500 cash which is expected to be completed

by April 25. The city has some 150,000 households and existing 14,200 families under the 4Ps program of the government.

Robes said the Sanggunian Panlungsod has already approved last Thursday the release of an additional P117 million to cover the relief assistance to the 56% (percent) of the households who were not included in the SAP.

San Jose del Monte City Mayor Arthur Robes says there is no favoritism in the release of cash aid under the government’s Social Amelioration Program

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Opinion

SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Chinese in Boracay SANTA Banana, what is happening to our country?

In the midst of the rising number of of COVID-19 patients, here comes this report that a special flight arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and then proceeded to Caticlan, where 350 Chinese were supposedly ferried to Boracay Island.

My gulay, isn’t Boracay off-limits to everybody now that we are battling a pandemic? Isn’t Boracay supposed to be on lockdown, as well?

Whoever authorized that special flight from China should be tarred and feathered. Better yet, jailed with the keys thrown to Pasig River. If it was Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat who did it, then she should be fired pronto.

The fact that Senator Joel Villanueva denounced what happened gives credence to this anomaly. These Chinese could easily add to the number of COVID-19 patients, or even fatalities, in our country.

I have received information that right here at Merville Park Subdivision in Parañaque, where my wife and I are living with our daughter, there are many houses occupied by POGO workers.

They continue to go in and out of the village. Worse, they are also escorted by cops in going to their place of work.

Santa Banana, what makes the Chinese so special when we mortals cannot even go out of our homes?

We are on lockdown for a reason. But why are the Chinese free to enjoy Boracay?

I am insulted, discouraged and disgusted at this special treatment. Will somebody please assure me that the Philippines is not yet a province of China? The Chinese have come to enjoy immense privilege here under the Duterte administration. *** Harry Roque has assumed his former position as presidential spokesman.

This is timely because we need credible statements from the Palace.

Former spokesman Salvador Panelo has become a liability to the President. He was more like a clown. My own information has it that it was the Malacañang Press Corps that had Panelo replaced. He never had any rapport

EDITORIAL

with the media.

Actually, the ideal press secretary and spokesman should come from media. These roles used to be performed by one person. Credibility and rapport with the press were top requirements.

The best press secretaries/ spokesmen were J.V. Cruz, Joe Aspiras and Rod Reyes.

I wonder what will become of Panelo. Will he continue to be legal counsel?

President Rodrigo Duterte used to have a media person in the position, but he was not the kind of press secretary

Will somebody please assure me that we are not yet a province of China?

A measure of comfort anxious at not being able to go out as previously during the Enhanced Community Quarantine.

No watching of movies in crowded cinemas, no get-together among friends in food chains or even strolling at the mall.

The protocols being implemented by the authorities during the lockdown include social distancing, staying at home, observance of buying grocery items at appointed times.

But the arts make isolation bearable These people, in their silent manners, during this uncertain period.

These people are the ones behind have helped restore the sanity of those

I

N THESE undoubtedly difficult times, in the nasty zone of the coronavirus pandemic which is daily raising the number of infected cases and the death toll, we have apparently glossed over efforts of those behind the arts.

This hospital needs a lot of help.

My interest in the hospital started when a friend sent me shocking pictures of NCMH frontliners as they were performing their jobs as health care workers. The acute shortage of personal protective equipment for HCWs was already causing public uproar but the pictures I received were heartbreaking. Doctors and nurses were wearing motorcycle helmets for protection of their faces; plastic raincoats as gowns; trash bags and plastic bags as head covers and boots; and rubber utility/gardening gloves as gloves and boots instead of proper PPE. One doctor I know remarked, “wala na ngang PPE, wala pang dignidad.”

The pictures simultaneously showed both desperation and dedication on the part of NCMH front- liners in treating patients and saving lives. Moreover, the pictures showed how much they were left to their own devices.

Then I received a copy of “An open letter to the officials of the National Center for Mental Health” allegedly written by a doctor at the NCMH. This outlined very serious accusations against the hospital’s Medical Center Chief Dr.

films, music, the visual arts available online, the plays, the musicals, dances, the literary arts, and the multidisciplinary arts. These help remove heavy blocks of anxiety on the shoulders of those at home.

The visual arts include—and they come in easy tutorial lessons—drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, film making, as well as design and working with textiles.

We pause from our dejected state and express our gratitude to those who have done much for the arts during these uncanny times.

I am talking about. He or she must be ideally from the print media, not broadcast. Broadcast is an impact medium, while in print, there must be analysis and interpretation.

I should know this, having gone full circle in print, television and radio.

Truth be told, I had an offer to be press secretary three times. I declined because I did not want to be in government. *** There is only one way President Duterte can stop the exodus of Filipino nurses to the United States. The US Embassy is promising an immediate issuance of visas.

He should assure our nurses of higher pay so they would stay. It is unfortunate that our nurses would risk getting infected with COVID-19 just for the pay. *** ERRATUM. In my recent column, “A tragic death,” I wrote about my dear friend Dr. Cayetano Mangahas, a doctor at the Chinese General Hospital.

I said that he had died in isolation and that when he was cremated, nobody knew where his ashes were.

The truth of the matter is that he died at home, alone (he was a widower.) The maids contacted Dr. Dy Bun Yok, a noted cardiologist from the same hospital, who in turn contacted Arlington crematorium to retrieve the remains of Dr. Mangahas. After the cremation, Arlington sent back the ashes to the home of the deceased.

Dr. Dy Bun Yok was my doctor when I had a CT-Scan years ago. He did not charge me, not even a single centavo. I could not thank him enough.

Big problems in NCMH THE National Center for Mental Health, popularly known as “Mental Hospital” in Mandaluyong has been beset with big problems that are made more complicated and life-threatening with the Corona Virus-19 Disease pandemic.

Adelle Chua, Editor

Roland Cortez about how he has been neglecting the HCWs at the hospital. The letter said that aside from PPE, HCWs were severely lacking other crucial supplies, food, and even transportation for employees who live far from the hospital. Moreover, employees who were COVID+, PUI and PUM were not being assisted by the management.

My sources (who requested anonymity) told me that as of April 3, there were 34 confirmed COVID+ cases at the NCHM. The number composed of 28 employees including four psychiatrists, 12 nurses, and seven nursing attendants; and six psychiatric in-patients, three of whom have died. On April 3, there were 297 persons under investigation , and 181 persons under monitoring . Insiders were saying that if they would not be provided with adequate PPE, the cases would surely balloon.

This was when I started reaching out to friends who were helping in the provision of the needs of our HCWs to also help NCMH. Apparently, employees were being prevented from publicly seeking donations so the doctors and other employees resorted to quietly begging for what they needed.

What shocked me more was reading the undated memorandum no. 2020-0015 from the Medical Center Chief Cortez addressed to all concerned NCMH employees concerning “Quarantine Guidelines for PUI/PUM Employees.” This paper said, “As per DOH guidelines, only those employees who are considered PUI should be quarantined. Those considered PUM should report to work provided that they observe proper protective measures such as the wearing of face masks.”

Requiring PUM to report for work is in violation of the protocols of the Department of Health that order PUM to self-quarantine.

Turn to A5

Virtual reality for inmates WITH nine inmates and nine personnel from the Quezon City Jail testing positive for COVID-19, it seems virtual visit will be the new norm for prisoners all over the country. Anticipating such eventuality, a legal aid organization founded by a lawmaker prepared 25 sets of computers for the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, for distribution to different jails around Metro Manila for the implementation of “e-dalaw” or electronic visit in lieu of physical visits to Persons Deprived of Liberty due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While inmates are spending time behind bars for purposes of rehabilitation and penalty for the crimes they have committed, Lakbay Hustisya Foundation founder, Rizal 2nd District Representative Fidel Nograles, said they should not be deprived of their rights to send time or talk to their families and that even the lockdown brought about the global pandemic should not be an obstacle to justice.

“Where there are barriers, we must use the tools available to transcend prison walls and reach out to our PDLs,” Nograles says.

Lakbay Hustisya Foundation is a trust fund organized to support legal aid activities around the Philippines.

Since the Enhanced Community Quarantine suspended jail visitation around Metro Manila, the neophyte solon and legal aid advocate has sought to connect inmates with their lawyers through online consultations via Skype and other

technologies through the e-dalaw program of BJMP. While the public have their cellular phones and computers for video calls with their loved ones and online consultations with professionals, this is one luxury the PDLs don’t have.

That doesn’t mean however, that given such restrictions as inmates are not allowed to have such gadgets while inside prison, that their rights to visitation should be summarily dismissed, especially if we have the technology to bridge the communication gap, according to the Harvard-trained lawyer.

Prisoners may not be allowed gadgets, but they have the right to communicate with their loved ones.

Nograles’ initiative has been highly appreciated by the BJMP. Spokesperson Xavier Solda says Lakbay Hustisya’s donation will go a long way in augmenting the scarce electronic and technological resources of jails and enhancing access to justice of PDLs despite the suspension of jail visitation rights due to the lockdown.

Aside from the virtual visit or the edalaw, Nograles also reiterates the call of the House of Representatives’ Justice Committee to temporarily release prisoners who are vulnerable to contracting the novel coronavirus, particularly the elderly, those with underlying health conditions, and low-level, non-violent, and first-time offenders.

For not only it is the most humane thing to do, releasing those prisoners

now could avert a potential major disaster, considering prison facilities all over the country are overcrowded, making social distancing and quarantine fore those possibly infected next to impossible.

It's always nice to hear from this neophyte solon, oozing with fresh and innovative ideas. We just hope, and if I may quote him, for “President Rodrigo Duterte and the Department of Justice will address this potential time bomb immediately.” *** Let’s give credit where it is due.

Last month, I was supposed to write a follow-up article on the alleged premature tagging of houses for demolition in Alfonso in Cavite to give way for the Cavite-Tagaytay-Batangas Expressway even as the project has yet to gain approval from the National Economic and Development Authority.

However, with the current situation, I have decided to forego my article for the meantime.

But checking on my subject, I had to admit I was impressed at how their mayor, Randy Salamat, is performing in the midst the Covid-19 crisis.

With Alfonso being one of the hardest-hit in the Taal Volcano eruption last January, Salamat has laid the necessary foundations for his constituent to cope up with the COVID-19 challenge.

First, Salamat distributed Anti-COVID-19 hygiene kits, each containing face masks, disposable gloves, alcohol, bar soaps, and bleach. Children, pregnant women and senior citizens were made a priority.

He then tasked his Administration Officer, Erwin Signo, to design a misting machine installing them at the following areas: Welcome Arc, Public Market and Municipal Hall.

Turn to A5

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Opinion Quezon City values its health workers zero to P25,000 and second-year residents from P21,000 to P35,000).

If there would be any delay in the processing of these benefits, this delay shall immediately be resolved and the benefits received in full by our health workers.

To further assist our health workers, the city has passed several executive orders and ordinances to provide our health workers with additional benefits such as hazard pay and special risk allowances, as well as to protect them against all forms of discrimination. Just last Monday, the City Council passed an ordinance that would grant frontliners who contract COVID-19 with substantial financial assistance.

Likewise, all of the city’s department heads have pledged a large percentage of their salaries on a monthly basis for the benefit of our frontline workers, and the mayor herself has matched their contributions by pledging her entire year’s salary for the worthy cause of looking after our health workers.

Quezon City remains committed in our unwavering support of our valiant health workers and shall exert everything in its power to aid them in our fight against COVID-19.

JOSEPHINE SABANDO Director, Quezon City General Hospital

Doubt and faith during a pandemic TOMORROW is the Second Sunday of Easter. The gospel that will be read recalls how in the evening of the first day of the week after the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the disciples met, locked up in the room afraid. Jesus suddenly appeared and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Jesus showed them his

It is what we do with doubt that enriches our faith.

when we are fearful, much like the disciples, afraid that the virus, the invisible enemy, will one day knock at our locked doors? Does a loving God really exist when so many are sick and dying?

Above all, when our loved ones die alone and when we cannot celebrate their lives through the proper rites, how can we not cry: My God, My God, why have you forgotten us?

Lingering doubt, we experience, not only in these extraordinary times of the coronavirus, but every time we feel alone, desolate and whenever we encounter hardships in life. Like Thomas, we feel the need for a sign, to have a personal encounter with Jesus in order to believe.

Perhaps in the midst of doubt, we can find consolation to know that we are not alone. Thomas and the apostles all lived with Jesus for three years, witnessed his many miracles, and yet they doubted.

We tend to regard doubt negatively. But Jesus does seem to be more tolerant of doubters than sinners.

When Jesus saw Thomas, he did not reproach nor condemn him but instead relented to his wishes—allowing Thomas to touch the wounds on his feet and the wound on his side.

It is not only Thomas who doubted, in fact, the scripture is full of personages who doubted God; Job doubted God’s goodness, Abraham and Sarah doubted God’s promise of a child; Moses doubted God could make him an instrument to lead Israel out of Egypt, Gideon doubted God could use him to turn the tide against Israel’s oppressors, and the apostles overcame their doubt of the risen Lord to become martyrs and saints.

It is what we do with doubt that enriches our faith. There are things not quantifiable beyond the grasp of our finite mind. But doubt can co-exist with faith if despite the absence of physical evidence of the existence of God, we are still willing to take the risk and believe in the unseen. Faith is saying--I cannot prove my faith through empirical evidence, but in the face of Jesus’s claims as written in the Scriptures, and my spiritual encounters with the risen Lord, I can wager even my life to this belief.

Even in the absence of physical proof, we are willing to stake our life to what we believe in. That is real faith. Only then can Jesus say to us —“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."

It is in the crucible of suffering and doubt that one’s faith comes to perfection.

hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. When the other disciples told him about Jesus, he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe."

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you."

Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side.

Do not doubt but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me?

Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."

The Gospel tells us about the fear and doubts which the disciples harbored after the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Even when they learned from Mary Magdalene the startling news that she saw the risen Christ, the disciples made themselves scarce only to meet a week later. Thomas’ doubt is not unique; the disciples all shared and experienced his lingering doubt about Jesus.

And what of us? Who among us has not wondered in the deep recesses of our souls whether Christ has indeed risen and is truly present Facebook page: Professor Tony La amongst us? Is God really with us Vina Twitter: tonylavs

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mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Unabashed US dominance

Mail Matters

WE WRITE to address the concerns raised by Mr. Charlie V. Manalo in his column Naked Thoughts on April 16, 2020. The column raises the plight of the city’s health workers during these trying times.

For the record, Quezon City values tremendously the commitment of our health workers in addressing the COVID- 19 pandemic. Their fortitude in the face of this crisis deserves nothing less than the full and unwavering support of this administration.

Prior to this term, the city’s firstyear resident doctors had not been receiving any compensation at all.

This unfortunate state of affairs was allowed to persist by the past administration despite the fact that the number of resident doctors steadily rose, without any concomitant increase in the approved plantilla positions for the hospital.

As it takes time to create the necessary permanent positions under Civil Service rules, this administration sought to immediately remedy this lapse by compensating our resident doctors by increasing the compensation due to them, even before the onset of this pandemic.

The city raised the compensation of our contractual resident doctors from zero to levels comparable to the national average retroactive Jan. 2, 2020 (first-year residents from

SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2020

Part I CHINA together with the Philippines will come out from this pandemic much stronger. If economists predict there is a cycle in the economy, so is the case of pandemic.

It is almost unanimous that China will not only emerge from the ravage of economic recession caused by global pandemic of COVID-19, but will come out even stronger to avoid derailment to its economy. This early China already exhibited signs it has the capacity and the might of a superpower in ably contain the virus. Right now it is donating to no less than 84 countries all at the same time which means they are given for free.

For whatever one would say, China has spent more than the US Marshall Plan when it was manufacturing more than 50 percent of the world’s output.

No country has ever done that feat of exceptional economic assistance except for that period when the US tried to save Europe from being overrun by the then Soviet Union in the early ‘50s.

The financial cost China is now spending to help humanity hurdle the crisis if one will add all its expenditures since it implemented the Belt and Road Initiative and the generous loans extended through the newly created Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank that would have exceeded that of the US. China is doing all these without quid pro quo or in the lingo of the West “without strings attached." Not a single military base has been built, or an alliance created to join their cause. Rather, China is banking on traditional practice of establishing goodwill not of the Machiavellian approach which is anchored on self interest.

The sharing for mankind’s future is indicative that China is looking forward to realizing a dream that is universal for mankind. This can be asserted much that China is observing a totally different parameter in its diplomacy and dealings with other countries. It is parameter not based on ideology or alliance but a return on the basics that mankind have one and the same aspiration, and are living in a single planet.

China knows how the world was geopolitically divided. That it was built on conquest motivated by race, religion or economic interest. That man-made paradigm in turn created an uneven economic development that today has its residual effect on ignorance, hun-

ger, deprivation, poverty, scarcity and unemployment in many areas. Unfortunately, most of the major religions always stand in defense of the vested class represented by the elite and the oligarchy.

China as much as possible tries to reach out to all countries irrespective of religion, race or social system not by away of detente that characterized USSoviet relations during the Cold War but some kind of rapprochement to cultivate deeper understanding with the West. But it seems the West distances itself. There is in the West a combination of discrimination, envy, feeling of superiority and worst the fear of being economically overtaken. US President Trump accuses that country of being China-centric, a flimsy reason for him to halt funding the WHO.

Meanwhile, China is helping the world with no strings attached.

The attitude of arrogance and superiority is revitalized today by the Trump administration which is an outright rejection of the Christian faith representing the core values and moral ethics of the West. Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism and other religions that originated in the East have closer similarities to our Asian values which are anchored on peace and harmony.

Some scholars even say Christ went on sabbatical leave from the age of 18 to 33 which reason why nothing is written of him during that period. Some say he travelled to Iran, Pakistan, India and Central Asia and there discovered the oriental practice of asceticism, or the practice of severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms indulgence.

This prescribes the teachings of the New Testament which in deeper analysis is a deviation from the Old Testament which subscribe to the Jewish practice of an “eye for an eye.”

As one would put it, China may change the political orbit of its thrust to history but it is one of peaceful development. The changes taking place in China is evolving, and dynamically committed to interacting peacefully with the community of nations.

If President Xi emphasis an era of China’s national rejuvenation, this compliments to the revival of the old Chinese saying that “harmony in diversity is a law of nature in the development of all things.” He said, “We should preserve the diversity of the civilizations of different countries and nation; do more to communicate with them, learn from, and borrow from one another; and not to put up barriers, excludes or even displace one another.” rpkapunan@gmail.com

Virtual...

From A4

Salamat also put to task the Alfonso Bureau of Fire Protection for daily disinfecting the roads and public places.

With the community quarantine in place and public transportation suspended, Salamat put up the Libreng Sakay, as he managed a bus schedule for those who need to buy their groceries at the Luksuhin Public Market and pharmacies.

He also assured each of the 16,500 household in Alfonso a supply of five kilos of rice every week.

And as one of Alfonso’s source of income is farming, Sala-

Big problems...

From A4

The problems that could have been caused by this order were only averted when the hospital’s human resource management asked concerned employees to IGNORE Dr. Cortez’ memorandum. I dread to think about the COVID-19 cases that could have ensued.

These issues began surfacing when the former NCMH Chief Administrative Officer Clarita Avila was interviewed by media and she spoke about their problems. Expectedly, Avila and others who were questioning the chief’s actions came under fire. Cortez issued a gag order to Avila dated 8 April 2020 where he said, “You are hereby ordered to refrain from issuing statements about COVID-19 issues…” Insiders said that this caused a chilling effect on other employees in the NCMH who, understandably do not want to lose their jobs.

This was followed by the transfer of Avila. First, the DOH issued Department Personnel Order No. 2020-1078 Dated March 9, 2020 signed by Undersecretary Roger P. Tong-an. This ordered the transfer of Avila to the Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in Las Piñas.

The reason given for the transfer was this was requested by the NCMH Medical Center chief. While the order was dated March 9, it was only received by NCMH on April 13, 2020.

What Christianity teaches is exactly the opposite from the practice of their rulers which is determined to subjugate, enslave and dominate fellowmen.

There is no trace in human history that China has conquered or occupied other territories. It is not according to President Xi in the DNA of the China.

Slavery, oppression, colonialism, imperialism and today's most greedy ideology of neoliberalism all represent the ugly scars of Western rapacity.

The West has committed many atrocities and inhumanity to man. Murder it seems is the hallmark of western civilization. China has none of these in its more 5000 years of civilization.

Fear of an end to the American empire is fear to white supremacist thinking deeply canalized into their brain. They fear that the end of the Pax Americana would crumble alongside with the superstructure of the Western civilization. Some see it as akin to the collapse of the Roman Empire. They fear the English language as the mother tongue would come to an end and with their residual apparatus about philosophy, music, paintings and culture.

The totality of what represent the American and Anglo-Saxon culture would fade away like dust of history.

They see it as akin to the fall of the Western empire like the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks that brought to end the millennium Roman Empire.

The problem is people initially do not understand and refuse to concede that empires come and go. Whether there is war or peaceful transition, it is always accompanied by change of civilization accepted by many as qualitative change of society to a higher level.

The nearest that could be cited as a truly Asian empire was the Mongolian empire. The Mongolian empire was not in the strictest sense an empire with political connotation for right after the death of Genghis Khan no sooner did his empire disintegrate into several independent kingdoms from China, India, Central Asia to the fringes of Europe. The Mongolian empire was personality-oriented like the Greek empire that faded fast after the death of Alexander the Great. The Manchu dynasty of China never openly identified itself as rooted with the Mongol Empire.

As backdrop, Western historians fear to acknowledge that a break in the continuity of tyranny and dominance of the white men represented by the US. The US fear the rejuvenation of China will give mankind a chance to indict them for enslaving humanity that ensued in the building of their empires that brought the greatest and untold misery to mankind.

mat extended the local farmers his support by allowing them to sell their organic harvests to the people.

Since there is a limited transportation in the municipality, Salamat also mobilized the Botika and Palengke on Wheels roaming all 32 barangays of Alfoso, enabling the people to obtain their medication and food requirements without having to go out of their safety zones.

Like the neophyte solon Fidel Nograles, Salamat has been put to a test with this global pandemic. And considering he just had emerged from another disaster, the Taal eruption, he is doing quite well.

Kudos Mayor Salamat. But still, you owe me an interview on the CTBEx issue.

On the same day that it was received, Cortez also released Hospital Order No. 2020-0434 transferring Avila to DATRC quoting the DOH Department Personnel Order that said that Cortez was the one who requested the transfer.

This is very interesting because instead of addressing the problems expressed and experienced by NCMH employees, the Medical Chief, and by extension, the DOH, chose to suppress those who are speaking up. Surely, it is in the hospital’s and the DOH’s interest for problems to be resolved. However, this cannot happen with the way they are handling the issues. The situation can only worsen as employees and health workers become more disgruntled and as COVID-19 cases continue to rise.

I was intrigued by the Medical Center Chief Cortez. A quick search surprisingly revealed that he faces graft cases.

News reports of Sept. 14, 2019 said that the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division promulgated a Sept. 4, 2019 Resolution finding no merit in the joint motion for leave to file a demurrer to evidence by the then Medical Chief of the East Avenue Medical Center Rolando Cortez and two others. He was facing three counts of violation of RA 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act as amended.

Earlier, the Sandiganbayan Resolution promulgated on Feb. 19, 2019, suspended Cortez and his co-accused from

their offices for ninety (90) days.

The plot thickens, so to speak. I will be surprised if the DOH does not know about these cases because the EAMC, like the NCMH, is also under the DOH. What gives?

Worse, as predicted by NCMH insiders, the number of COVID-19 cases there nearly doubled. In a Twitter direct message sent to me by my source, I learned that as of 15 April 2020, confirmed COVID19-positive cases rose to sixty-six (66) from 34 on April 3. Fifty six (56) of these were employees and ten (10), psychiatric patients. The number of suspected cases is 5 (3 employees and 2 psychiatric patients); number of probable cases was 451 (410 employees and 41 psychiatric patients); number of recoveries was a low four (4), three (3) were employees, and one (1) patient.

The number of deaths doubled to six, all psychiatric patients.

The breakdown of COVID19+ personnel includes: 36 nursing personnel, 10 doctors, one psychologist, three in engineering, two in administrative services, one in social services, two dietary personnel, and one ambulance driver.

There is no question that NCMH needs a lot of help. However, the problems cannot be solved by suppressing people. The DOH needs to act on this, and fast. @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

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World

SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Trump was too slow in virus response: poll

FIGHTING THE BLUES. Downtown Tampa is lit up in blue lights on April 16 in Florida. Landmarks and buildings across the United States are displaying blue lights to show support for health care workers and first responders on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. AFP

Pandemic hands China its first economic contraction in decades EIJING—China's economy contracted for the first time in decades last quarter as drastic measures to contain the coronavirus pandemic brought activity to a standstill, official data showed Friday.

B

Gross domestic product shrank 6.8 percent in the January-March quarter from the same period a year earlier, according to figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

It was the first negative growth reported by the world's second-largest economy since Beijing began logging quarterly data in the early 1990s.

The figure marks a sharp drop from China's six percent expansion in the fourth quarter of last year, but was

slightly better than the 8.2 percent contraction forecast by economists in an AFP poll.

Economists have long harboured doubts about the accuracy of the official Chinese data, however, suspecting that the numbers are massaged for political reasons.

And analysts have warned of tougher times ahead, with weaker external demand for Chinese goods to weigh on growth as key export markets are bat-

tered by COVID-19.

"We are now facing rising pressure in the prevention of imported epidemic infections, as well as new difficulties and challenges for resuming work and production," NBS spokesman Mao Shengyong told a press conference.

Grim picture

Full-year GDP growth expectations have fallen to 1.7 percent, according to AFP's poll—the worst annual performance since 1976.

The International Monetary Fund has pegged China's 2020 full-year expansion even lower at 1.2 percent but predicts a strong rebound to 9.2 percent in 2021.

It has also painted a grim picture of

the global impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, forecasting the deepest economic contraction since the Great Depression of the 1930s.

Friday's data showed a 1.1 decline in industrial output for March, reflecting lingering damage from factory shutdowns even as travel restrictions in the country were progressively eased and businesses stirred back to life.

Retail sales also plummeted 15.8 percent last month as many consumers stayed home and avoided crowds due to fears of a resurgence in virus cases.

But the urban unemployment rate dropped slightly to 5.9 percent last month, after surging to 6.2 percent in February. AFP

Pile of bodies linked to coronavirus found at US nursing home NEW YORK—US police found 17 bodies piled up in a nursing home morgue in New Jersey, media reported Thursday, highlighting how the coronavirus outbreak is overwhelming long-term care facilities.

Officers in the small locality of Andover, around 80 kilometers west of New York City, discovered the bodies following an anonymous tip-off, according to The New York Times.

The discovery came on Monday at the Andover Subacute and Rehabilitation Unit—one of the largest care homes in New Jersey, a state badly hit by coronavirus.

The cause of death of the 17 has not been confirmed but 68 people have recently died at the facility, and 26 of those tested positive for COVID-19, the Times reported.

Police did not confirm the number of bodies found.

But in a statement posted on the Andover police Facebook page, one of the home's owners, Chaim Scheinbaum, said the morgue, which normally houses four bodies, "never had more than 15 present" on Monday.

"The staff was clearly overwhelmed and probably short-staffed," Andover Police Chief Eric Danielson told CNN. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said he was "outraged" that bodies had been allowed to pile up and ordered an investigation. AFP

WINNER. An image from last year's popular uprising in Sudan wins the prestigious World Press Photo of the Year Award.

The photo, titled "Straight Voice," was taken by AFP photographer Yasuyoshi Chiba. AFP

Soyuz crew returns to Earth roiled by COVID-19 pandemic ALMATY, Kazakhstan—Two NASA astronauts and a Russian cosmonaut made a safe return from the International Space Station to a planet roiled by the coronavirus pandemic on Friday.

Andrew Morgan, Jessica Meir and Oleg Skripochka touched down in central Kazakhstan at 0516 GMT in the first returning mission since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic in March.

"TOUCHDOWN! Welcome home, Oleg Skripochka, Andrew Morgan and Jessica Meir!" Russia's Roscosmos space agency said in a tweet on Friday.

While the trio's landing site southeast of the Kazakh town of Dzhezkazgan is the same as for previous crews, the pandemic has forced a number of changes to mission-end protocol.

Roscosmos said Tuesday that the crews meeting the trio at the landing site were tested for COVID-19 and will don fullbody protective wear.

The crew will also be avoiding the usual staging post of Karaganda airport—shut down like so many other airports across the world—for their respective journeys back to Russia and the United States.

Instead, Skripochka will fly from the Baikonur cosmodrome used to launch missions to the ISS while the NASA duo will take off in a plane from the steppe city of Kyzlorda after a drive of several hours.

NASA Flight Engineers Andrew Morgan and Jessica Meir flank Expedition 62 Commander Oleg Skripochka of Roscosmos for a playful portrait in the weightless environment of the International Space Station. Nasa Photo

In a media appearance aboard the ISS prior to her departure, Meir said it would be difficult to forego embraces with family and friends as she gets to grips with a new culture of physical distancing on Earth. AFP

Singapore disinfecting robot trialed in virus fight

Handout photo from the Nanyang Technological University Singapore shows the eXtreme Disinfection roBOT (XDBOT), a semi-autonomous robot, as it disinfects a table in an eating area of the NTUsg Smart Campus. AFP

SINGAPORE—Singapore researchers have invented a disinfecting robot with an arm that mimics human movement, to help take the load off overworked cleaners during the coronavirus pandemic.

The "XDBOT" is a boxshaped creation on wheels mounted with a dexterous robotic limb, which can reach awkward locations such as under tables and beds.

The robot, built by re-

searchers at the city-state's Nanyang Technological University, has a high-powered nozzle for spraying disinfectant and can tackle large surfaces rapidly.

It can be controlled remotely with a laptop or tablet, reducing the risk to cleaners of becoming infected with the virus, which has killed over 140,000 people worldwide.

"Using our new robot from a distance, a human operator

can precisely control the disinfection process... with zero contact with surfaces," said Chen I-Ming, an NTU scientist who led the project.

The cleaning robot differs from others on the market, which are mainly intended to clean floor surfaces and cannot disinfect odd-shaped objects.

The robot could help meet growing calls in Singapore for more deep-cleaning and disinfection services, with reports

suggesting cleaners are having to work long hours as demand explodes during the pandemic.

The XDBOT has been trialed on the NTU campus, and its creators hope to test it in more public areas and hospitals.

From Thailand to Israel, robots are increasingly being used in the fight against the coronavirus, as they are seen as fast, efficient, and contagion-proof. AFP

WASHINGTON—Nearly two-thirds of Americans say President Donald Trump was too slow in taking major steps to address the threat to the United States from new coronavirus, a poll published on Thursday said.

According to the Pew Research Center, 65 percent said Trump was tardy in responding when cases of the COVID-19 illness were first reported in other countries.

He initially downplayed the virus and has been keen to end the resulting lockdowns which have crippled the world's largest economy.

The Pew survey was conducted April 7 to 12 among a sample 4,917 American adults.

It found that 52 percent said Trump's public comments on the coronavirus outbreak are making the situation seem better than it really is.

Thirty-nine percent said he is presenting the situation about as it really is, while eight percent said he is making the situation seem worse than in reality.

Trump has been speaking at length during daily press conferences alongside medical experts.

On Thursday he recommended a gradual reopening of the economy, a day after saying "the data suggests that nationwide we have passed the peak on new cases."

That declaration came on the same day tracking by Johns Hopkins University showed 2,569 US deaths over a previous 24-hour period, the heaviest daily toll of any country.

The Pew survey found that 73 percent of US adults said the worst is still to come in terms of problems the US is facing from the outbreak.

With state governors also working on plans to ease up on economic restrictions, 66 percent said their greater concern is that states will lift restrictions on public activity too quickly.

About half that number, 32 percent, said a reopening will not happen quickly enough.

The COVID-19 novel coronavirus emerged in China in late December. On January 21, US officials announced the country's first case, and other cases began emerging outside China, leading the World Health Organization on January 30 to declare a "public health emergency of international concern." AFP

Myanmar to free 25,000 prisoners amid virus fears YANGON—More than a quarter of Myanmar's prison population is to be released, the president's office announced Friday, as calls grow to ease pressure on overcrowded jails with coronavirus fears gripping the country.

The Southeast Asian nation grants an annual amnesty to thousands of prisoners to mark its April New Year holiday, but this is the largest ever recorded.

It comes as governments around the world—including the US, parts of Europe, and Colombia—grapple with overcrowded prisons as fears spiral of virus outbreaks behind bars.

So far Myanmar has officially confirmed 85 cases of COVID-19, including four deaths, but experts fear the real number is many times more due to the low numbers tested.

The country is under a nationwide lockdown and there has been growing pressure to release inmates from what Human Rights Watch calls "horribly overcrowded and unsanitary" jails.

"To mark Myanmar New Year, by respecting humanitarian ground and peace in mind of the people, the president pardons altogether 24,896 prisoners from various prisons," a statement from the president's office said.

It added that 87 foreigners included in the amnesty would be deported.

The release would start immediately, a senior officer of the prison department in Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw told AFP without giving further details.

"We're expecting the country's political prisoners to be included in the release," said Bo Kyi, co-founder of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

There are currently nearly 100,000 inmates across the country's prisons which have space for just 62,000, according to HRW. Last year's amnesty included the high-profile cases of two Reuters journalists, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, who spent more than 500 days behind bars over their reporting on the Rohingya crisis. AFP

Business

A7

SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2020 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks rally; SM Prime advances T HE stock market bounced back Friday from heavy losses in the previous day after official data in China showed the coronavirus pandemic had not hit economic growth as badly as some had feared.

The Philippine Stock Exchange jumped 264.37 points, or 4.8 percent, to 5,789.97 on a value turnover of P7.3 billion. Gainers beat losers, 142 to 63, with 27 issues unchanged.

GT Capital Holdings Inc. of the Ty Group advanced 8.9 percent to P490, while SM Prime Holdings Inc. of the Sy Group rallied 8.1 percent to P31.95.

International Container Terminal

Services Inc., the biggest port operator and owned by tycoon Enriquez Razon Jr. climbed 7 percent to P80.50, while Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. of the Aboitiz Group rose 6.8 percent to P44.05.

The rest of Asian markets posted healthy gains on Friday on encouraging economic data from China.

Authorities closed factories, halted construction work and imposed drastic lockdowns among other efforts to contain the outbreak after it emerged in the central industrial city of Wuhan late last year.

Life in China has since gradually begun returning to normal after the quarantine measures choked the world’s second-largest economy.

Official data showed a 6.8 percent contraction last quarter—the first negative growth reported since the country began logging quarterly data in the

“The production side of the economy is normalizing, and end-consumption will follow,” he said in a note.

Hong Kong was up 1.5 percent and Shanghai finished 0.7 percent higher, with all other major Asian bourses in positive territory.

Tokyo closed up 3.2 percent, with investors buoyed by overnight news that Donald Trump had laid out guidelines for a phased reopening of the US economy.

Other experts have cautioned that Chinese growth is unlikely to rebound soon, with depressed demand for exports as the rest of the world grapples with the pandemic.

Fears of a second domestic outbreak are also weighing on local sentiment, with OANDA’s Jeffrey Halley warning that Friday’s data showed that “a recovery in consumer spending remains elusive.” With AFP

early 1990s.

The result was slightly better than the fall of 8.2 percent forecast by economists in an AFP poll, though analysts in China and abroad have long harbored doubts about the accuracy of official GDP figures.

A big economic contraction had already been priced into markets and Friday’s data was “within expectations,” said Yoshihiro Okumura of Chibagin Asset Management.

Other data showed a sharp drop in domestic demand, with many shoppers staying at home and avoiding crowds due to fears of a resurgence in virus cases.

But on-year industrial production data, down just 1.1 percent last month, was a positive sign that the Chinese economy was returning to a position of strength, said AxiCorp chief market strategist Stephen Innes.

Manila Standard BuSineSS daily StockS review Friday, april 17, 2020

OPEN

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ASIA UNITED BANK PH ISLANDS BDO UNIBANK BRIGHT KINDLE CHINABANK COL FINANCIAL EAST WEST BANK FERRONOUX HLDG MEDCO HLDG METROBANK PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH PHILTRUST RCBC SECURITY BANK SUN LIFE UNION BANK

48.8 59.4 106.9 0.55 19.86 15.26 7.84 2.52 0.29 41 23.8 162.2 118 17.5 106 1,600 54

48.9 61.85 108.3 0.78 20 15.8 7.97 3.2 0.305 42.1 24.8 163 118 17.78 108 1,600 54

48.5 59.4 103.8 0.55 19.86 15.2 7.84 2.52 0.28 40.75 23.8 162.2 118 17.5 104.4 1,600 53.6

FINANCIALS 48.9 12,000 60.9 3,407,130 105 3,892,070 0.78 299,000 19.94 127,300 15.5 1,242,700 7.86 360,600 3.15 68,000 0.285 200,000 41.65 4,889,400 24.75 1,136,100 163 100 118 110 17.78 3,400 104.5 677,260 1,600 50 54 1,400

583,900 207,434,114.50 411,909,575 208,690 2,537,038 19,004,100 2,835,520 196,570 58,300 202,248,700 27,657,605 16,292 12,980 60,340 71,224,310 80,000 75,450

511,000 -113,662,576 -88,730,806 -663,506 -18,919,180 -2,347,460 -62,898,410 -14,139,050 -39,507,171 -

ABOITIZ POWER AC ENERGY AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS AXELUM BASIC ENERGY BOGO MEDELLIN CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CHEMPHIL CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION CONCRETE A CONCRETE B CROWN ASIA DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP EMPERADOR EUROMED FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG FRUITAS HLDG GINEBRA GREENERGY HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LMG CHEMICALS MABUHAY VINYL MACAY HLDG MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO PANASONIC PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL PRYCE CORP RFM CORP ROXAS AND CO SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SMC FOODANDBEV SPC POWER TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VITARICH VULCAN INDL

26.2 2.04 7.27 0.52 0.97 2.46 0.181 84 1.07 14.44 104 9.5 13.6 28.3 53 57 1.89 3.99 5.7 7.91 5.58 7.96 2.26 18 54.95 1.39 33.8 0.9 11.58 5.82 1.11 142 4.7 3.31 5.6 11.2 6.6 7.66 263 4.01 1.8 2.4 3.1 10.5 19.36 4.23 4.51 1.4 1.13 6.12 59 8 0.73 124.8 0.81 0.68

27.25 2.13 7.72 0.53 0.97 2.52 0.185 84 1.1 14.66 104 9.99 13.6 28.3 53 58 1.89 3.99 6.1 8.3 5.68 8 2.6 18.18 56 1.44 33.8 1 11.98 7.2 1.16 147 4.7 3.32 6 11.48 6.67 8.25 270.2 4.01 1.8 2.4 3.25 10.86 19.7 4.23 4.51 1.46 1.2 6.2 59.5 8.05 0.76 126.8 0.83 0.74

26.15 2.04 7.2 0.5 0.95 2.45 0.181 84 1.06 14.38 104 8.45 13.6 27.75 53 57 1.85 3.8 5.7 7.91 5.5 7.92 2.22 17.54 54.1 1.39 32.5 0.88 11.5 5.82 1.05 141.4 4.7 3.31 5.3 11.06 6.42 7.66 262 4 1.77 2.28 3.1 10.5 18.9 4.23 4.51 1.4 1.04 6 57.5 7.97 0.73 123.2 0.8 0.68

INDUSTRIAL 26.8 2,980,600 2.13 9,877,000 7.6 1,151,700 0.51 5,905,000 0.95 137,000 2.52 1,695,000 0.185 70,000 84 10 1.07 3,291,000 14.38 363,900 104 120 8.72 18,277,800 13.6 2,000 27.8 4,300 53 150 58 600 1.85 15,000 3.8 12,000 5.91 1,534,000 8 1,150,000 5.5 1,834,800 7.98 4,553,700 2.5 11,092,000 17.78 2,765,100 55.1 23,870 1.42 8,735,000 32.6 119,200 1 5,775,000 11.98 414,900 6.5 5,056,000 1.07 1,914,000 145 4,896,160 4.7 1,000 3.32 12,000 6 7,700 11.08 5,832,200 6.56 1,212,600 8 1,279,600 269 399,140 4 5,000 1.78 816,000 2.35 116,000 3.21 7,049,000 10.86 1,177,600 19.1 1,086,600 4.23 10,000 4.51 9,000 1.44 1,649,000 1.11 5,298,000 6 2,592,400 58 666,540 8 28,800 0.76 26,000 126.8 1,883,270 0.82 16,329,000 0.71 988,000

79,719,305 20,538,260 8,682,495 3,032,500 131,350 4,214,710 12,720 840 3,540,780 5,302,640 12,480 169,555,708 27,200 120,650 7,950 34,700 28,150 45,930 8,961,578 9,207,637 10,152,640 36,246,186 27,077,110 49,167,770 1,315,587 12,309,960 3,888,280 5,574,180 4,916,050 33,412,179 2,124,790 705,905,471 4,700 39,780 41,565 65,111,250 7,956,561 10,222,495 105,975,384 20,020 1,460,040 268,190 22,462,530 12,426,780 20,803,118 42,300 40,590 2,353,020 5,929,660 15,803,758 38,687,311.50 230,607 19,370 235,914,015 13,465,600 708,380

-35,229,535 -317,850 -956,808 -5,300 -1,093,300 -956,590 -3,640,632 4,598,938 -53,400 -41,940 -3,737,691 -142,518 223,900 -33,318,543 -148,300 -16,906,948.00 74,982 31,600 3,375 -28,630 -2,888,228 304,500 163,550,703 -36,208,264 -574,061 -2,282,510 -25,739,560 449,570 -7,133,860 -286,322 -5,149,948 -9,020 8,640 5,060 4,735,995 20,379,031.50 -29,876,644 8,910 -6,800

ABACORE CAPITAL ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANGLO PHIL HLDG ASIABEST GROUP ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B AYALA CORP AYALA LAND LOG COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV PRIME MEDIA SAN MIGUEL CORP SEAFRONT RES SM INVESTMENTS SOLID GROUP SYNERGY GRID TOP FRONTIER ZEUS HLDG

0.56 43 7.16 0.53 7.6 0.45 0.46 580 1.51 4.85 4.44 8.6 475 3.9 53.2 0.45 2.81 7.8 0.45 2.72 0.73 101 1.99 849 0.95 170 152 0.135

0.58 44.95 7.21 0.55 8 0.465 0.495 612 1.65 4.95 4.44 9.35 490 3.9 54.55 0.45 2.87 7.85 0.475 2.74 0.76 101 1.99 860 0.95 170 152 0.135

0.56 42 7.08 0.53 7.23 0.445 0.42 577.5 1.51 4.81 4.31 8.01 470 3.89 53.2 0.435 2.78 7.7 0.45 2.69 0.73 99 1.99 830 0.95 161.1 144.2 0.13

HOLDING FIRMS 0.57 2,679,000 44.05 2,777,300 7.1 7,270,700 0.55 81,000 7.6 9,500 0.46 1,140,000 0.495 140,000 597 688,170 1.65 5,115,000 4.95 1,986,000 4.37 6,933,000 9.35 22,300 490 228,550 3.89 11,000 53.8 3,509,380 0.45 40,000 2.79 2,729,000 7.8 2,051,900 0.475 50,000 2.7 49,596,000 0.75 98,000 100 602,390 1.99 1,000 860 380,280 0.95 2,000 161.1 1,900 144.2 60 0.135 130,000

1,527,390 122,061,810 51,671,886 42,950 73,670 521,500 64,450 408,146,525 8,290,080 9,622,200 30,503,010 191,018 109,330,804 42,870 189,307,750.50 17,850 7,646,360 15,957,319 22,750 134,323,180 72,180 60,278,858.50 1,990 322,972,815 1,900 314,753 9,032 17,350

133,750.00 -65,458,955 5,693,048 15,200 86,872,120 2,486,810 -1,658,520 -18,659,610 -30,452,882 -15,570 -105,184,541.50 -4,437,600 -3,707,323 21,057,570 -24,059,046 -60,415,535 4,560 -

11.54 0.54 8.21 1.03 0.55 31 1.38 4.01 6.04 0.355 0.7 0.71 0.122 6.97 15.98 0.94 0.8 3.99 2.74 0.14 0.33 0.75 0.235 1.72 14.9 1.4 2.62 30.3 1.92

PROPERTY 11.8 280,300 0.55 1,534,000 8.21 100 1.04 38,000 0.55 1,630,000 31.55 22,989,200 1.38 71,000 4.03 803,000 6.04 300 0.365 3,060,000 0.72 20,000 0.75 4,000 0.122 30,000 6.97 161,800 16 342,600 0.96 11,968,000 0.8 550,000 3.99 2,000 2.8 37,531,000 0.143 7,190,000 0.33 20,000 0.8 257,000 0.248 920,000 1.73 41,000 15.26 3,017,600 1.47 1,289,000 2.66 59,000 31.95 13,820,200 1.95 95,000

8990 HLDG A BROWN ANCHOR LAND ARANETA PROP ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP CEB LANDMASTERS CEBU HLDG CENTURY PROP CITY AND LAND CITYLAND DEVT CROWN EQUITIES DM WENCESLAO DOUBLEDRAGON FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE KEPPEL PROP MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PHIL INFRADEV PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND

11.98 0.55 8.21 1.03 0.56 31.45 1.39 4.04 6.04 0.355 0.7 0.71 0.125 7.02 16.1 0.95 0.81 3.99 2.81 0.141 0.33 0.75 0.27 1.72 15.24 1.5 2.63 30.65 1.92

11.98 0.57 8.21 1.04 0.56 31.85 1.4 4.2 6.04 0.365 0.72 0.75 0.125 7.02 16.26 0.97 0.81 3.99 2.85 0.143 0.33 0.82 0.27 1.73 15.26 1.54 2.66 31.95 1.96

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

NAME

NAME

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VOLUME

VALUE

SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND VISTAMALLS

1.33 3.99 3.55

1.36 4.09 3.69

1.2 3.99 3.55

1.23 4.07 3.61

4,857,000 1,423,000 87,000

6,147,710 5,738,620 314,830

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ALLHOME APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CENTRO ESCOLAR CHELSEA DFNN INC DITO CME HLDG EASYCALL FAR EASTERN U GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA HARBOR STAR INTL CONTAINER ISLAND INFO LBC EXPRESS LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA BULLETIN MANILA JOCKEY METRO RETAIL METROALLIANCE A METROALLIANCE B NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAL HLDG PH RESORTS GRP PHIL SEVEN CORP PHILWEB PLDT PREMIUM LEISURE PRMIERE HORIZON PUREGOLD ROBINSONS RTL SSI GROUP STI HLDG TRANSPACIFIC BR WATERFRONT WILCON DEPOT

6.2 16.98 5.5 0.31 0.04 15.88 2.21 5.92 0.03 53.05 6.55 2.94 3.03 1.92 5.27 830 2,150 5.05 323 0.82 78.2 0.084 12.5 1.45 0.71 5 0.365 2 1.5 1.75 1.67 1.65 1.7 7.1 3.49 134 2.34 1,130 0.325 0.215 45 59.5 1.28 0.375 0.17 0.43 14.34

6.25 17.5 5.9 0.31 0.04 16 2.37 6.02 0.033 54 6.55 2.95 3.03 2.1 5.27 830 2,230 5.05 340 0.94 81 0.084 12.5 1.45 0.71 5.2 0.4 2 1.58 1.82 1.81 1.72 1.7 7.2 3.49 135 2.55 1,149 0.33 0.215 47 62 1.32 0.395 0.175 0.48 15.06

6.09 16.98 5.48 0.305 0.039 15.88 2.21 5.8 0.029 51.45 6.5 2.85 2.81 1.92 5.02 830 2,100 4.97 323 0.82 78.2 0.083 11.9 1.41 0.68 4.9 0.36 2 1.5 1.65 1.67 1.64 1.69 7 3.3 130.1 2.34 1,118 0.315 0.204 44.35 59.5 1.27 0.37 0.17 0.425 14.34

SERVICES 6.2 17.4 5.8 0.305 0.039 15.92 2.37 5.92 0.032 51.75 6.5 2.92 3.03 2.09 5.05 830 2,230 4.97 330 0.92 80.5 0.083 12.5 1.41 0.68 4.9 0.39 2 1.52 1.77 1.77 1.7 1.69 7.19 3.3 130.1 2.38 1,138 0.315 0.21 45.75 61 1.3 0.385 0.173 0.45 14.98

84,700 162,100 2,147,400 310,000 4,500,000 4,600 7,000 4,199,500 9,400,000 251,040 1,100 947,000 62,000 64,512,000 35,300 20 51,470 115,000 320 3,217,000 3,133,730 230,000 30,000 106,000 20,000 6,257,000 750,000 201,000 3,882,000 3,098,000 24,000 1,204,000 12,000 4,100 28,000 440 1,925,000 259,310 3,390,000 2,810,000 10,069,300 546,200 2,234,000 28,290,000 920,000 1,300,000 3,044,400

522,176 2,797,906 12,298,297 94,900 179,000 73,254 16,210 24,872,816 295,400 13,229,653.50 7,155 2,753,640 176,910 130,287,990 180,645 16,600 110,447,000 573,100 106,610 2,869,180 251,585,533.50 19,300 363,440 150,740 14,050 31,090,340 284,750 402,000 5,944,540 5,422,610 42,090 2,042,270 20,290 29,043 92,590 58,693 4,648,200 292,584,705 1,083,450 586,870 461,951,805 33,286,988 2,893,890 10,831,050 159,380 574,300 45,073,736 91,100 2,004,822 535,220 364,910 890,666 1,150 907,500 169,290 57,306 2,620,560 15,620 83,200 279,700 42,600 261,000 16,382,830 4,790 21,000 64,300 34,600 117,300 1,579,610 5,758,320 22,791,130 68,200

MS 3,286,704 851,580 821 39,390 897,370 725,452,610 98,300 3,262,200 1,812 1,107,100 14,380 2,880 3,690 1,130,831 5,501,366 11,365,340 441,600 7,980 104,575,030 1,015,940 6,600 206,940 223,070 70,880 45,552,448 1,863,300 155,210 430,081,130 183,250

86,634 -5,600 -120,590,895 1,380 -991,290 -11,050 2,130 -902,714 -1,056,306 -6,903,760 -18,131,800 -1,410.00 -39,200 -12,457,892 -1,074,740 2,563,730 -

ABRA MINING ACE ENEXOR APEX MINING ATLAS MINING ATOK BENGUET A CENTURY PEAK COAL ASIA HLDG DIZON MINES FERRONICKEL GEOGRACE LEPANTO B MANILA MINING A MANILA MINING B MARCVENTURES NICKEL ASIA NIHAO OMICO CORP ORNTL PENINSULA ORNTL PETROL A PHILODRILL PX MINING PXP ENERGY SEMIRARA MINING UNITED PARAGON

0.001 6.38 0.93 1.99 10.94 1.15 2.65 0.205 7.06 0.73 0.193 0.078 0.0065 0.0071 0.59 1.75 0.95 0.35 0.48 0.0086 0.0086 2.3 4.15 12.54 0.0041

0.0011 6.4 0.94 2.01 10.94 1.15 2.75 0.207 7.1 0.74 0.199 0.086 0.0066 0.0071 0.59 1.76 0.99 0.35 0.51 0.0087 0.0086 2.3 4.24 13 0.0041

0.001 6.15 0.91 1.99 10.5 1.15 2.65 0.203 6.85 0.71 0.193 0.078 0.0065 0.0071 0.55 1.68 0.95 0.35 0.48 0.0086 0.0083 2.22 4.09 12.52 0.004

MINING & OIL 0.001 89,000,000 6.4 319,200 0.93 574,000 1.99 183,000 10.94 83,900 1.15 1,000 2.74 332,000 0.204 830,000 7.07 8,200 0.74 3,591,000 0.195 80,000 0.086 1,040,000 0.0066 43,000,000 0.0071 6,000,000 0.57 464,000 1.69 9,601,000 0.95 5,000 0.35 60,000 0.5 130,000 0.0087 4,000,000 0.0083 14,000,000 2.25 702,000 4.18 1,380,000 12.6 1,801,100 0.004 17,000,000

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B2R ALCO PREF C DD PREF FGEN PREF G GLO PREF P GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B PNX PREF 4 SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

17.88 490 99.8 97.5 105.5 500 951 977 98.7 99.5 1,010 104 995.5 75.9 74.45 74.9 75 75 75.45 74.75

17.88 490 99.8 97.5 105.5 500 951 997 98.7 99.5 1,010 104 998 76.1 74.45 74.9 75 75 75.45 74.75

15.7 490 99.8 97.2 102.3 500 950 977 98.7 99.5 1,010 104 995.5 75.55 74.45 74.9 75 75 73.8 74

PREFERRED 15.7 39,900 490 390 99.8 100 97.5 39,110 102.5 15,150 500 890 950 70 997 3,730 98.7 10 99.5 500 1,010 100 104 200 995.5 3,030 76.1 38,740 74.45 240 74.9 210 75 4,000 75 100 74 17,230 74 42,020

636,400 191,100 9,980 3,811,054 1,558,175 445,000 66,550 3,700,440 987 49,750 101,000 20,800 3,017,145 2,943,661 17,868 15,729 300,000 7,500 1,280,230.50 3,139,490

LR WARRANT

0.81

0.81

0.74

WARRANTS 0.8 153,000

118,390

ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH XURPAS

1.57 6.1 0.6

1.66 6.39 0.6

1.57 6.1 0.57

FIRST METRO ETF

87.45

88.5

87

USD DMPL A1 USD TECH B2

9.85 0.89

9.85 0.9

9.85 0.85

Trading Summary

SHARES

FINANCIAL

16,323,332

INDUSTRIAL

142,314,707

HOLDING FIRMS

89,109,601

PROPERTY

116,167,294

SERVICES

164,922,825

MINING & OIL

195,887,141

GRAND TOTAL

733,288,211

1.64 6.35 0.59

SME

5,883,000 49,700 2,602,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 87.5 25,290 9.85 0.85

DDS

160 23,500

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP -3,651,470 -91,774 2,313,173.00 27,030 -7,092,000 -2,849,648 -348,920 30,300.00 3,127,440 -11,732,330 -52,209,618.50 9,870 -14,485,810 -400,000 -1,673,170 -81,200 14,311 -71,260 -17,508,600 -260,150 114,563,335 -19,802,492.50 -1,593,710 -7,679,950 -19,250 5,411,524 618 188,700 -615,180 -11,008,730 -933,880 -187,350 -1,651,806 392,000 80,800 -

9,571,790 309,219 1,513,560

161,000 -1,220 -

2,213,127

74,378.50

1,576 20,603

-

VALUE 1,235.72 (UP) 37.19 946,184,919.22 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 7,566.82 (UP) 251.58 1,791,332,517.55 HOLDING FIRMS 5,731.72 (UP) 265.05 1,575,032,209.845 PROPERTY 2,963.69 (UP) 159.15 1,294.84 (UP) 52.21 1,416,277,331.538 SERVICES MINING & OIL 4,688.22 (UP) 16.97 1,489,206,841.655 PSEI 5,789.97 (UP) 264.37 55,162,747.79 All Shares Index 3,492.43 (UP) 122.30 7,286,808,586.47 Gainers: 142; Losers:63; Unchanged: 27; Total: 232

Globe unit acquires US companies for P200m

By Darwin G. Amojelar

GLOBE Telecom Inc., through unit GTI Business Holdings Inc., is acquiring US-based cloud consulting companies for P200 million.

The company, owned by conglomerate Ayala Corp., said its board of directors approved the acquisition of substantially all the assets of US-based Cascadeo Corp. and Cascadeo Partners and Cascadeo’s Philippine subsidiary, Cascadeo Inc., for $4 million or P200 million.

The board also approved the creation of new entities through which the acquisition will be made.

As part of the transaction, Globe, along with Cascadeo, will make follow-up investments into the entities to raise capital and fund the company’s expansion strategies. Full execution of the agreement is scheduled in the next few months following the completion of regulatory approvals.

The investment follows Globe’s trust to build a robust ICT portfolio and deliver tools and solutions that propel businesses to stay competitive towards the digital future.

Globe’s vast resource pool and extensive reach in the Philippine market, along with Cascadeo’s specialized expertise in cloud-based products and services, bring forth synergies, which will be passed on to the Philippine and US enterprise clients through an upgraded cloud-based product and service offering.

“The joint venture with Cascadeo will further strengthen our ability to invent, innovate, and experiment,” said Globe president and chief executive Ernest Cu. “We will be leveraging on Cascadeo’s Cloud-Native Consulting and Managed Services capabilities to further solidify our credibility as a cloud solutions provider for enterprises and small and medium business customers who are ready to digitally transform,” he added.

The deal forms part of the strategy of Globe Business to accelerate development of its ICT capabilities and solutions and provide customers with a complete suite of cloud-native products and services.

Manila Water raises capital base to P4.4b

By Jenniffer B. Austria SHAREHOLDERS of Manila Water Co. Inc. on Friday approved an increase in the company’s capital stock to P4.4 billion from P3.5 billion, paving the way for the entry of businessman Enrique Razon Jr. into the company as a strategic investor.

Shareholders also voted to raise the carved-out shares from the increase in the company’s capital stock from 300 million to 900 million unissued common shares and allow the issuance of the carved-out shares.

Manila Water chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala said during the annual stockholders’ meeting held via livestream the higher capital stock and the increase in the carved out shares were just one of the other conditions being worked out by both parties.

Razon’s group through unit Trident Water is poised to acquire a controlling stake in Manila Water while Ayala group’s ownership in the utility firm will drop to 31.6 percent based on the share purchase agreement signed by both parties in February.

Under the agreement, Razon will acquire 820 million Manila Water shares at P13 apiece, or equivalent to a 25-percent stake.

Razon also received proxy rights

by Philwater Holdings Co. of Ayala Corp., giving him a 51-percent voting interest in the water concessionaire after the transaction.

Razon plans to make a tender offer to acquire more shares held by other investors in Manila Water.

Zobel said the completion of the revised water concession agreement with the government would bring more stability into the company.

“Bringing in a strategic investor will be helpful to the company but the completion of the negotiations with the government on our concession agreement will provide a great deal of stability and make our banks more comfortable. That (negotiations) is proceeding well and we hope to get the results very soon,” Zobel said.

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

A8

SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2020

Business

85% of PH families to get subsidies

By Julito G. Rada

INANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said Thursday night around 85 percent of Filipino families will be covered by the government’s subsidy programs amounting to P256 billion to protect them from the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

F

The state subsidies will cover 18 million poor and low-income households that survive mainly on the informal economy’s “no-work, no-pay” setup.

This very large population segment, around 75 percent of all Filipino families, will get P205 billion in cash grants.

Dominguez said another 3.4 million workers in the formal sector employed

in small businesses would receive wage subsidies amounting to P51 billion. He said these subsidy programs would cover a period of two months.

“We are about 24.6 million families all in all in the Philippines. So we are practically covering around 85 percent,” said Dominguez in response to a query on how many Filipinos are covered by

the government’s emergency subsidy programs during Thursday night’s PTV4 public affairs program hosted by Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar.

“What are not covered are families whose members are working for large businesses, in particular the top 2,745 firms, and families whose members are working for the government, both national and local. They comprise the remaining 15 percent of families,” he said.

The government launched the Small Business Wage Subsidy program on April 16 covering 3.4 million employees who are not able to work as a result of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.

The wage subsidies to be given will range from P5,000 to P8,00 per month for

a period of two months depending on the regions where the workers are employed.

“A few weeks ago, we began distributing the largest social program in the country’s history—a P205-billion social amelioration program for informal sector families,” Dominguez said.

“However, we also recognize that providing a lifeline to small businesses and their employees is critical to keeping the economy afloat,” he said.

Dominguez said that since March 2020, the government asked the private sector to help their workers but because small businesses have limited or no revenues during the quarantine, they do not have enough cash to pay for the salaries of their workers, rent, loan amortizations and other expenses.

URC’s income rose by 7% to P10.1b in 2019

By Jenniffer B. Austria UNIVERSAL Robina Corp., the biggest maker of snack foods, said Friday net income increased seven percent in 2019 to P10.1 billion from a year ago, boosted by the strong domestic sales of coffee, snack and ready-to-drink tea.

URC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange net sales rose 5 percent to P134.2 billion while operating income grew 12 percent to P15 billion.

The company said total sales from branded consumer food group reached P105.9 billion while domestic revenues climbed 8 percent. Operating income delivered a growth of 12 percent.

This was driven by the successful turn-around of Great Taste coffee, acceleration of Jack n’ Jill snacks and Noodles, recovery of C2 ready-todrink tea and contributions from joint venture businesses with Danone and Vitasoy.

International revenues declined 2 percent to P42.2 billion on weaker performance in Thailand, offsetting the growth coming from Vietnam and Oceania. This was compounded by forex devaluations particularly in New Zealand and Australia.

Sales from Vietnam recovered with a growth of 8.9 percent, driven by C2 sales with the significant contributions from new product launches, partly offset by decline in Rong Do. New Zealand sales rose 1 percent on slow domestic market while sales in Australia grew 4 percent due to strong performance across the board.

Thailand sales went down by 5.6 percent amid the decline in biscuits and wafers while exports grew on strong sales to Cambodia. Thailand’s performance remains challenged as the economy continues to affect consumer sentiment.

The agro-industrial and commodities registered sales of P28.3 billion, a 12-percent increase versus last year while operating income grew by 12 percent.

URC president and chief executive Irwin Lee said, “2019 was an important pivot year and this sets a solid base in our glidepath back to sustainable growth and profitability.”

IN BRIEF San Miguel buying more from farmers SAN Miguel Corp. plans to tap more farmers nationwide to supply raw material for its food products, help sustain incomes in the countryside and secure food supply amid the Covid-19 crisis.

“We are looking for ways to be able to tap more farmers for rice production, corn, cassava, coconut oil, pork, chicken, among others,” said SMC president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang. “Through this, we hope to be able to support the livelihood of our farmers and secure our future supply of food,” he said.

Ang said expanding San Miguel’s reach would generate economic activity across the food value chain involving not only farmers, but a web of players from suppliers of agricultural inputs, processing facilities, shipping to retailers.

The company in recent week intensified the buying of cassava from over 17,000 farmers nationwide through 130 assemblers.

San Miguel, whose food unit San Miguel Foods Inc. is among the country’s leading producers of fresh meats, poultry, processed meats, flour, dairy products, spreads,and coffee, said it would purchase the products at guaranteed prices to benefit the farmers.

SM Foundation offers help to agro planters

WITH harvest in full swing at farms during the dry season, farmer-trainees of SM Foundation Inc.’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan are now looking for innovative ways to process their raw vegetables and sell their crops amid the Luzon lockdown brought about by the enhanced community quarantine.

SMFI’s assistant vice president for outreach programs Cristie Angeles said amid the challenge, “the bayanihan spirt lives on through KSK’s project partner, Maricon Mills who immediately gathered the [farmers’] unsold products such as chili, mangoes tomatoes and cucumber. To help the local farmers, the said social enterprise processed the products of our KSK farmers such as chili, made pickled mangoes and cucumber and turned the tomatoes into candies while the leafy vegetables were sold locally.

Aside from Maricon Mills, RiceUp, a social enterprise project that aims to empower Filipino farmers and allows them to directly connect with consumers, is also working closely with the latter and KSK farmer trainees to facilitate the purchase of KSK’s produce in Pampanga.

Emirates bares more Dubai-Manila flights

EMIRATES on Friday plans to operate three more flights from Dubai to Manila next week to help more Filipinos return to the Philippines.

The Dubai-based airline will add three more flights from Dubai to Manila on April 20, 22 and 24. The increased frequency follows the successful operation of two flights to Manila this week which have already brought many Filipino residents and visitors back home.

Flights can be booked on emirates.com or via travel agents. Only citizens of the Philippines and those who meet the entry requirements of the destination will be allowed to board. Passengers will be required to comply with all requirements of the destination country.

Similar to other repatriation flights that Emirates has operated thus far, the airline for health and safety reasons, will offer a modified inflight service that reduces contact and the risk of infection. More information is available on emirates.com.

Passengers will be required to apply social distancing guidelines during their journey and wear their own masks when at the airport and on board the aircraft. Darwin G. Amojelar

The Villar Group turns over the newly-completed health facility at the Philippine International Convention Center to the Philippine National Police Medical Corps on April 15 for the use of coronavirus disease 2019 patients. The PICC Quarantine Facility has 294 patient cubicles, six nurse stations and six smart houses outside the Forum building for the health workers.

Villar Group turns over PICC quarantine facility to PNP THE Villar Group of Companies said it completed the conversion of the Philippine International Convention Center Forum Halls into a temporary health facility for patients affected by the coronavirus disease 2019.

It said in a statement the newlycompleted facility was turned over to the Philippine National Police Medical Corps on April 15.

The PICC Quarantine Facility has 294 patient cubicles, six nurse stations and six smart houses outside the Forum building for the health workers.

“We are one with the Philippines in its fight against the spread of COVID-19. Hence, we are delighted to have been able to convert PICC Fo-

rum halls to a makeshift hospital and is now ready for use ahead of schedule as this will greatly provide the optimal isolation space needed amid this pandemic,” said Villar Group chairman Manny Villar.

The Villar Group, along with the Department of Public Works and Highways and EEI Corp., finished the job three days ahead of schedule by working 24 hours a day.

The fully air-conditioned health facility at the PICC complex will house patients with mild to moderate cases of COVID-19. It will be managed by the PNP Medical Corps.

The Villar Group also installed a disinfecting apparatus at the PICC

Quarantine Facility. This is similar to the ones installed by the group at several hospitals to prevent the spread of the virus.

It recently installed disinfecting apparatus at Bataan General Hospital.

The group previously set up similar disinfecting apparatus at nine other hospitals, including RITM in Alabang, Las Piñas General Hospital and Don Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital in Caloocan, Rizal Medical Center in Pasig, Quirino Medical Center, Philippine Heart Center and Lung Center of the Philippines in Quezon City and San Lazaro Hospital and Santa Ana Hospital in Manila.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Cusi asks LGUs to grant grace period on tax payments of power companies

By Alena Mae S. Flores

HYUNDAI’S DONATION. Hyundai Asia Resources Inc., the official Philippine distributor of Hyundai passenger and commercial vehicles, reinforces ongoing containment efforts with new supply of personal protective equipment to the heroic frontliners of UP-Philippine General Hospital, one of the hospitals designated to treat coronavirus disease 2019 patients. UP-PGH frontliners receive the first batch of 300 PPEs out of 2,500 PPEs committed by HARI Foundation Inc.

ENERGY Secretary Alfonso Cusi on Friday asked local government units to grant a grace period in the collection of taxes and other fees from the power sector.

“The DOE earnestly seeks the consideration of all local government units to allow a similar grace period and other related mechanisms in the collections of applicable taxes, fees and dues from energy facilities in their respective jurisdictions,” Cusi said in an advisory dated April 16 relative to the extension of the enhanced community quarantine to April 30.

The department issued an advisory on March18, providing for, among others, the deferment of obligations and dues for 30 days after April 14 for the benefit of electricity consumers.

President Roderigo Duterte ordered the extension of the ECQ over Luzon until April 30 and directed all con-

cerned agencies to continue implementing existing guidelines relative to the ECQ during the period of extension.

The Energy Department in response issued several directives to guide the electric power industry participants.

Cusi said all electricity consumers should be provided a grace period to pay their bills falling due during the original and extended ECQ periods without interest, penalties, fees and charges.

“For this purpose, the accumulated electricity bills falling due during the ECQ shall be amortized in four equal installments, payable in the first four months following the end of the ECQ,” the energy chief said.

The department said that for all public and private corporations in the power sector, all obligations falling due during the original and extended ECQ should be given a similar grace period without interest, penalties, fees and charges.

DBP releases P39.3-b worth of infra loans STATE-RUN Development Bank of the Philippines said it released P39.33 billion under a specialized loan financing program to address funding gaps in infrastructure development.

DBP president and chief executive Emmanuel Herbosa said 332 borrowers availed of funding support under the bank’s flagship Infrastructure Contractors Support Program which was conceived in 2017 to support the government’s “Build, Build, Build” initiative.

“DBP remains committed to fulfill its mandate as the country’s premiere infrastructure bank. We would like to remain at the forefront of development financing in the country,” Herbosa said.

DBP was designated by the government as the country’s infrastructure bank. As of end-2019, DBP’s loan portfolio stood at P413.9-billion with about 46.2 percent, or P164.8 billion, allotted for the infrastructure and logistics sector.

The DBP ICONS program aims to improve the capacity of local contractors to complete their contracts and finance their own investments including the acquisition of heavy equipment for construction projects such as residential and non-residential buildings, roads and bridges, water, wastewater, sanitation, power and energy infrastructure.

Herbosa said DBP would like to take a more proactive role in providing needed financial support to complete the 100 priority projects under the “Build, Build, Build” program worth about P3.9 trillion.

He said there was a need to ramp up support to crucial public infrastructure projects to mitigate the effects of a possible slow-down in the economy caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We foresee that state financing institutions such as DBP would be pivotal in ensuring that the recent economic gains would be sustained,” Herbosa said. Julito G. Rada

Sports

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

SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2020

Gauff suffered depression before Wimby victory

NEW STADIUM. A design image is pictured on a board during the ground-breaking ceremony of Guangzhou Evergrande’s new stadium in Guangzhou in China’s southern Guangdong province. Chinese champions Guangzhou Evergrande began building a new stadium costing 12 billion yuan (1.7 billion USD) and boasting a 100,000 capacity—one of the world’s largest arenas. AFP

US Open fate decided in June, say organizers

Tamaraws aim higher with new backer Cruz THE Mindoro Tamaraws will be younger, faster, and stronger in the next Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League season.

Team owner Justin Tan gave this assurance after the Tamaraws found another major supporter in Mayor Jennifer Cruz of Pola, Oriental Mindoro.

Cruz, a former actress, print model, producer and beauty queen (Mrs. Universe Philippines 2015), has agreed to become a part owner of the Tamaraws, who wound up with a 9-win, 21-loss record and 24th among 31 teams in the stalled Chooks-to-Go MPBL Lakan Season.

According to Tan, Cruz, screen name Ina Alegre, has talked to MPBL founder and CEO Manny Pacquiao regarding her intention to be a part of the league already in the homestretch of its division finals when the enhanced community lockdown was implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cruz promised to approach companies in the province and Mimaropa (Occidental and Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) region to contribute to the cause of the Tamaraws, being backed by 7A Sports, in consonance with the growth area’s tourism programs.

Also extending support to the Tamaraws are LGU partners Oriental Mindoro Rep. Doy Leachon and Board Member Mikan Leachon, who filed an adopted resolution officially recognizing the Tamaraws as the province’s MPBL team.

Cong. Leachon, on the other hand, is spearheading the construction of the Tamaraws’ homecourt in Calapan City, the provincial capital.

The Tamaraws, with Tan also doubling as head coach, will again be led by former PBA All-Star and Smart Gilas member Mac Baracael and prized find Rodel Vaygan, an MPBL All-Star.

Tan said he’ll be conducting tryouts in Pola, which will serve as the Tamaraws’ home base, in search of more homegrown talents like Vaygan of San Teodoro town, and in Manila to complete the roster.

N

EW YORK—US Open organizers said on Thursday they are planning for the Grand Slam event to go ahead as scheduled and that an event without spectators is “highly unlikely.”

United States Tennis Association chief executive Mike Dowse said nothing “is off the table” and a final decision on the fate of the event would come in June but having fans attend the event is still their goal.

“Playing without spectators, we are not taking anything off the table. But right now that’s a highly unlikely scenario,” said Dowse.

“That’s not in the spirit of celebration of tennis.”

Dowse’s comments come as the National Tennis center’s indoor courts in New York were being used as a makeshift hospital facility to treat those affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

While the indoor tennis courts have been turned into a hospital zone, the Louis Armstrong Stadium has been transformed into a meal assembly area for patients,

volunteers and area schoolkids.

New York remains the hardest-hit area in America with over 31,000 dead, including 10,800 in New York City.

More than 640,000 Americans have been infected with Covid-19.

Dowse said they are in contact with a half dozen doctors and are going to be seeking their advice in making the

next moves.

“We’re very fortunate that we’re the fourth Grand Slam to go, so time is on our side at this point,” Dowse said. “Obviously our ambition is to run the tournament.

“Having said that, it won’t be the driving factor. The driving factor will be the health and well being of the players, the fans and our staff.”

Dowse said they have some time to seek the advice of medical experts before they make their final decision.

“We are looking at time frame of June to make that decision. We will approach it through a medical advisory group. We have five or six doctors we are consulting with. Based on that information we will make the decision if it is safe to play the tournament or not,” he said.

The US Open is now the next major tournament on the schedule from August 31-September 13, with Wimbledon having been cancelled and the French Open postponed to a September 20 start on the red clay in Paris. AFP

Ildefonso stars in ‘SRSLY’ digital series UAAP star Shaun Ildefonso brings his A game from the basketball court to the digital world in the new series “SRSLY” of ABS-CBN Sports.

In “SRSLY,” the NU Bulldogs team captain gets to speak his mind and let his personality shine as he talks about sports

Basketball scion Shaun Ildefonso is now a social media star.

culture and trending topics in the sports world with a no-holds-barred approach.

The show, shot entirely in Shaun’s home due to the enhanced community quarantine, can be viewed on ABS-CBN Sports accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube, where its first four episodes have already garnered 5.5 million views across all platforms.

As the star of the show, the 22 year-old forward brings the same intensity that he is known for inside the court, where he is used to banging bodies and roaring at the crowd, while also showing his fun and charming side as he reacts to viral social media posts.

In the first three episodes, Shaun called out haters while praising UAAP volleyball athletes, gave his two cents on how athletes are coping without sports, and provided a critique on the tribute performance of PBA players. In the latest episode, he gives his take on famous athlete-couples such as Kiefer Ravena and Alyssa Valdez and Deanna Wong and Jema Galanza.

“I think the authenticity of my reactions and genuineness of my opinion sets this series apart,” said Shaun, who’s used to sharing the spotlight with his father,

B1

basketball legend Danny Ildefonso, and brother Dave, another UAAP superstar and a Gilas Pilipinas pool member.

But while the show allows him to freely express his thoughts, Shaun said that “SRSLY” looks to remind viewers to not take everything too seriously. He hopes that his good vibes rub off to his viewers as he believes that having a good laugh from time to time is needed.

“Stay lighthearted in these times of anxiety and uncertainty, take moments to relax and get a good laugh in because everyone needs it,” he said.

While basketball remains to be his priority, Shaun dreams of following the footsteps of Philippine sports’ favorite “Tito,” veteran sports anchor Mico Halili.

“I definitely look up to sir Mico because of his sincere love for hosting...he develops great relationships with anyone he interviews and makes an effort to engage with people...I could definitely see myself hosting in the future.”

For now, Shaun is just enjoying his experience doing “SRSLY” with the ABS-CBN Sports Digital team, which is headed by Mico. Sports fans seem to be enjoying as well based on the views and engagement received by the digital series so far.

PARIS—Teenage tennis sensation Coco Gauff revealed Thursday that she suffered depression as a 14-yearold, just before her history-making Wimbledon breakthrough.

Gauff said she struggled with her mental health after being constantly touted as the sport’s next big thing and even hailed as a new Serena Williams.

“Throughout my life, I was always the youngest to do things, which added hype that I didn’t want,” Gauff told the ‘Behind the Racquet’ website.

“It added this pressure that I needed to do well fast. Right before Wimbledon, going back to around 2017/18, I was struggling to figure out if this was really what I wanted.

“I always had the results so that wasn’t the issue, I just found myself not enjoying what I loved. I realised I needed to start playing for myself and not other people. For about a year I was really depressed. That was the toughest year for me so far.”

Gauff has had to deal with a great deal more pressure in the last 12 months after becoming—at just 15 - the youngest player to qualify for Wimbledon last summer.

She went on to reach the last 16 at the All England Club, beating former champion Venus Williams on the way.

She then made the third round of the US Open and fourth round at the Australian Open in January.

In between, she won her first WTA title at Linz. At 15, she was the youngest champion on the tour since 2004.

When she entered Wimbledon last year, Gauff was ranked at 313.

She is now at 52 having squeezed to a career high 49 in February this year. AFP

Police probing death of retired MBA player

By Peter Atencio POLICE probers are investigating the death of retired cager Manuel “Maui” Huelar.

Huelar, a former player of the Metropolitan Basketball Association, was shot dead by an unidentified gunman in Bacolod City Thursday afternoon.

According to the police, Huelar was outside a gym along Barangay Villamonte when a lone gunman fired at him.

Police, who went to investigate, found the bloodied Huelar, who was seen wearing a basketball jersey.

Huelar was a former barangay captain of Barangay 35 in Bacolod City.

The former player, known for his stint with the Negros Slashers of the MBA back in 1998, was previously arrested during a buy-bust operation in Bacolod City in 2016.

Huelar teamed up with league MVP John Ferriols, Johnedel Cardel, Reynel Hugnatan and Jack Tanuan as the Slashers reached the finals in the league’s inaugural season in 1998.

Hugnatan earlier paid tribute to Huelar with an image of the Slashers on his Facebook page.

Huelar also once signed up for FedEx in the Philippine Basketball Association as a reserve. He also played for Hapee Toothpaste in the Philippine Basketball League.

IOC: Postponed Olympics ‘to kickstart’ Japan economy TOKYO—Postponing the Tokyo 2020 Olympics will provide a welcome boost to the coronavirus-hit Japanese economy next year, a senior International Olympic Committee official claimed on Thursday.

With tens of thousands dying around the world from the coronavirus, the IOC and Japan last month took the historic decision to delay the Olympics by one year, with an Opening Ceremony planned for July 23, 2021.

The pandemic has devastated the global economy as economists predict a second Great Depression, with $9 trillion wiped out and tens of millions of jobs lost.

Japan, the world’s third-largest

economy, is no exception, but IOC official John Coates told reporters holding the Games in 2021 could be a “very positive opportunity for an economic stimulus” that could “kickstart the economy again.”

“I think there will be a lot of countries and cities around the world wishing for a similar opportunity,” he said.

Economists at SMBC Nikko Securities have estimated postponing the Games would reduce Japan’s GDP this year by some $6 billion—to be recouped next year if the Olympics actually take place.

Coates claimed Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe “may well

have had in mind that your country may be in a recession then and this would be an opportunity for a great economic stimulus”.

In terms of the budget, organisers have already recognised there will be “massive” additional costs from the $12.6 billion the Games were supposed to cost—shared between the Japanese government, Tokyo 2020 and the host city.

Coates said they would use the postponement to look at ways of reducing those additional costs.

Organisers would look at “what are the must-haves and what are the nice-to-haves,” he pledged.

Moving the world’s biggest sporting event is an unprecedented challenge that touches on every

aspect of the organisation—from hotels to venues and volunteers.

Organizers have stressed they are working towards a new Opening Ceremony on July 23, 2021 but Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto has admitted uncertainty over the global impact of coronavirus.

There is “no Plan B,” Tokyo 2020 spokesman Masa Takaya told reporters at an online briefing on Tuesday.

Coates said by choosing to move the Games by a whole year—rather than hold them in the Spring—they had given themselves “as much time as possible,” stressing that athletes’ health would be the guiding principle. AFP

A man wearing a face mask walks past logos of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics along a promenade in Tokyo. Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on April 7 declared a month-long state of emergency in Tokyo and six other parts of the country over a spike in coronavirus cases. AFP

Life

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

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TOURISM AND CULTURE

SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2020

Accommodating frontline workers F

ILIPINO hospitality is alive even in times of crisis as hotel chains and other lodgings open their doors for medical workers manning the frontlines in the fight against coronavirus.

Mid-range hotel chain Zen Rooms was one of the first to reach out to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), one of the designated COVID-19 referral centers, to offer its hotel in Quiapo as lodging for medical frontliners.

The property is located 10 minutes away from the hospital, and has accommodated doctors and nurses from the PGH Emergency Department free of charge.

“Zen understands the pressure and stress these medical frontliners feel as they battle against COVID-19. We want to be of service to them by giving them comfortable and safe accommodation where they can rest and recover, or isolate from their families,” said company co-founder Nathan Boublil.

The partnership between Zen and PGH is set to last till the end of April, but, according to the hotel chain, may extend depending on the situation in the coming weeks.

Since the start of the crisis, Zen has been in touch with the government, non-profit organizations, and hospitals to help accommodate frontliners and those in need of temporary rooms across Luzon. Currently, the chain is expanding this initiative to other parts of Metro Manila.

Zen is also collaborating with the Philippine Red Cross for the Red Cross Donation Drive with Zen and GCash.

The donation process can be found on Zen’s website, and all funds collected will go directly into the Red Cross GCash e-wallet.

The funds that will be gathered from this donation drive will be allocated for conducting hygiene promotion sessions, providing water and hand washing facilities to hospitals and other areas, providing food and financial support to the less fortunate, and offering psychological aid to those who need it given the current situation.

Furthermore, Zen is also providing free accommodation for Red Cross volunteers who are working to supply food, distribute personal hygiene items, and give medical assistance to communities across Metro Manila. ”We are committed to helping out during this difficult time,” said Boublil.

More information are available on Zen Rooms’ Facebook page.

Mid-range hotel chain Zen Rooms opens some of its properties to provide medical workers free temporary lodging.

* * * Meanwhile, luxe hotel group The Oriers. We have to protect them because ental Hotels and Resorts is also hosting ties in Albay, Leyte, and Bataan.

“We have opened up all our hotels they are our first line of defense. I hope free accommodation to working medical frontliners. It has opened its proper- for free to all working medical frontlin- other hotel owners will follow suit, the sooner we get all our acts together, the earlier this will all end and the sooner we can all go back to normalcy,” said group chairman Wilbert Lee. Lee added that the hospitality group can also help train other hotels in housing working health personnel and persons needed to be isolated.

Interested parties can call The Oriental Hotels and Resorts at 0917-638-2921.

The Oriental Hotels and Resorts Group welcomes working health Airbnb now lets hosts in the Philippines accommodate frontline personnel and persons needed to be isolated to its three properties: workers such as healthcare professionals, first responders, and relief workers. (Photo from @airbnb/IG) Bataan (in photo), Albay, and Leyte.

Cebu Pacific operates all-cargo flights for COVID-19 response efforts LEADING budget airline Cebu Pacific continues to operate all-cargo flights to ensure food and other vital supplies are transported across the country during the COVID-19 pandemic So far, CEB has operated over 40 cargo flights in Manila, Cebu, General Santos, Cagayan de Oro, Tacloban, Iloilo, and Davao using its fleet of Airbus jets and ATR turbo-prop aircraft.

It is the only carrier in the Philippines with a dedicated ATR Freighter, capa-

ble of carrying as much as seven tons of cargo in one uplift.

CEB’s cargo services include airlift support for local governments, humanitarian and aid organizations, as well as other entities sending much-needed personal protective equipment and medical supplies to help health workers and frontliners in the provinces.

To date, CEB has provided airlift support for humanitarian aid sent through Vice President Leni Robredo’s An-

* * * Airbnb also joins the cause to provide housing to frontline workers beginning this month.

The global initiative, dubbed Frontline Stays, has been extended in the Philippines in a bid to house healthcare professionals, first responders, and relief workers.

According to the accommodations company, it will partner with the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, St. Luke’s Medical Global City, The Medical City, and Makati Medical Center who will help determine “prior-

ity areas” with health workers in need of temporary shelter.

“We’ve been inspired by the bayanihan spirit of Filipino hosts and nonprofits who have reached out to us seeking ways to support frontliners,” said Mike Orgill, general manager of Airbnb in Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

Airbnb’s Frontline Stays has been launched with the support of medical organizations around the world such as the National Health Service in the United Kingdom, Sutter Health in California, the Ministry of Housing in France, and Barcelona Official Doctors Association.

Prior to the Philippine launch, it was first made available in Thailand, Malaysia, and New Zealand.

Hosts can join by signing up on the Aribnb website. Hosts are required to follow a cleaning checklist to ensure their and their guests’ safety. Airbnb is temporarily waiving fees for stays.

Frontline workers signing up for the free lodging are required to provide information such as job and accommodation needed.

iPhoto

gat Buhay Program, the Department of Health, the Philippine Red Cross, the Philippine Army, and the TOWNS Foundation, among others.

For inquiries regarding Cebu Pacific Cargo, contact (02) 8802-7070 or email cargocare@cebupacificair.com. For organizations who need airlift support for PPEs, medicines, and other humanitarian aid, email SocialResponsibility@cebupacificair.com.

Boracay in isolation Cebu Pacific reserves its fleet of Airbus jets and ATR turboprop aircraft for free use of organizations sending medical support and PPEs across the country. (Inset) The Philippine Army sends medical supplies and equipment to healthcare institutions in the provinces via the airline’s cargo flights.

MALAY, Aklan-based photographer Jack Jarilla (@boracayphotographer) captures the magnificent beauty of Boracay three weeks into the local government-imposed community quarantine in the municipality.

The series of postcard-worthy photos, posted on his Facebook account on April 7, has been liked over 2,900 times and shared 5,900 times as of this writing. The powdery white sand and the turquoise water glistening under the sun stand out without the crowd.

In an interview with PEP.ph, Jarilla said the photos were taken during lockdown while he was doing a property shoot for a client.

Entertainment

SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2020

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nickie.standard@gmail.com

Encouraging help, big or small, the Kapuso way

Young actress and singer Bianca Umali

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IANCA Umali, Hannah Precillas, Crystal Paras, and Matt Lozano gathered together to record “Prayer for Generosity”—a song that sparks inspiration among viewers.

The Kapuso Network’s stable of stars has been tirelessly devoting their time, effort, and talent through a series of performances done live on social media to bring entertainment among its loyal fans and at the same time raise funds to those affected by the pandemic.

With the help of GMA Kapuso Foundation, their advocates and artists have been gaining various kinds of assistance from people, corporations and other outlets which enabled them to extend support to frontliners and affected areas of this lethal threat.

This gesture of the talent management arm of GMA urges the public to be generous and reiterates that now more than ever is the time to be united. It aims to encourage those who have the capacity to lend a helping hand and assure them that all their labor is not in vain.

Bianca shared that this experience was fulfilling for her, “Shooting this gave me such an amazing feeling. I felt good and happy. This song was just a simple gesture, but it came from the bottom of our hearts.”

She added a reminder for people to spread love, “We can overcome this trial. Magmahalan tayo. This too shall pass. Pagsubok lang ‘to, Pilipino tayo, Papa God is with us.”

Hannah, on the other hand, had a realization while recording this, “It is time for us to learn and do things without expecting anything in return. This is not just the usual prayer that we ask for everyday. It is more of asking for your own enlightenment. It benefits not only for you

GMA artists Hannah Precillas, Crystal Paras, and Matt Lozano

Exciting multi-genre Korean shows on Viu Get a view of modern Seoul and the countryside in 'When the Weather is Fine' starring Park Min-Young and Seo Kang-Joon.

SKY is giving subscribers the chance to make the most out of their homestay and immerse themselves in Korean shows across genres—from comedy, romance, fantasy, and thrillers—with a Viu Premium subscription.

Get a view of modern Seoul and the countryside in When the Weather is Fine starring Healer’s Park MinYoung and 5urprise member Seo KangJoon.

Follow Hye-won, a former cello musician with past traumas, as she goes back to her hometown after getting tired of her life in Seoul. In her quest for healing, she meets a bookshop owner and both their lives start to change as they get to know each other.

A Piece of Your Mind is also a mustwatch from Viu’s latest offerings. Its dreamy cinematography takes you on a nostalgic journey to the early stages of falling in love and to the melancholic effects of a heartbreak. Reminisce as you watch the love story between Ha Won and Seo-Woo, played by Jung HaeIn and Chae Soo-Bin.

but also the people around you that you were able to help.”

For Crystal, she wishes everyone to find refuge in prayer, “What’s most important is that it’s heartfelt and solemn. I want everyone to keep hanging on, to turn to their families and most especially to God. I hope that they find comfort in prayer and in the that company of their families. Kaunting tiis na lang po, magiging okay din po ang lahat.”

Meanwhile, Matt took this project as an opportunity to give back, “Knowing I'll be doing this song with my fellow Kapuso artists, it inspired me to play and share this with everyone. I always wanted to play music since I was a kid and this is the right moment to give hope to those who are in need during this trying time with a song and a prayer.”

GMA proves that help, big or small, counts and matters.

Another recommended drama with a more serious tone is Memorist and it’s perfect if you want your adrenaline pumping. This thrilling crime drama will have you clinging to the edge of your seat as, Dong Baek, played by former child actor Yoo Seung-ho, catches criminals with his memory reading ability.

If you want to totally get away from reality, then Meow, Secret Boy might be your cup of tea with its whimsical and light-hearted premise. Shin Ye Eun stars in this drama playing Sol Ah, an aspiring web comic artist who adopts a cat that can take on a human form. This may seem absurd, but in the K-drama world, anything is possible, and you’ll never know what to expect.

Viu has a wide variety of the latest Korean dramas and Asian content that you can easily access in as fast as eight hours after broadcast, complete with English subtitles. Subscribe to Viu premium with SKY today for only P99 for on-demand streaming, unlimited downloads, and easier bill management. To learn more, visit www.mysky.com.ph/viu now.

HOLLYWOOD A-listers Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro have rallied fellow stars in a new coronavirus fundraising campaign by offering a walk-on role in their upcoming film to one lucky donor.

The actors are set to star in Killers of the Flower Moon, one of next year's most hotly anticipated movies, which is directed

by Martin Scorsese and tells the true story of Native American killings in 1920s Oklahoma.

"If you ever wondered what it was like to be able to work with the great Martin Scorsese, this is your chance," said DiCaprio in an Instagram video Wednesday.

The randomly selected winner will also have lunch with the stars and director, and attend the premiere.

The initiative is part of the #AllInChallenge launched Tuesday, which sees celebrities including movie and sport stars auction or donate a "once-in-a-lifetime fan experience," and challenge others to do the same.

Opportunities to have Justin Bieber fly to your house for a private show, watch a Los Angeles Lakers basketball game ringside with Magic Johnson, or play golf with Rob Lowe have collectively raised $4 million so far. Organizers hope to raise $100 million.

All proceeds go to charities providing food relief to those in need during the lockdown, including Meals on Wheels, No Kid Hungry and America's Food Fund—launched this month by DiCaprio and Laurene Jobs, the widow of Steve Jobs.

In his video DiCaprio challenged Ellen DeGeneres, who within hours responded by offering a chance to co-host her chat show, and Matthew McConaughey, who invited a donor to join him in his private box to watch an American Football game in Texas.

The campaign is the latest in a series of high-profile celebrity initiatives over the deadly coronavirus pandemic, from singer Rihanna's multi-million-dollar donations to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey's new $1 billion relief fund.

Some have picked subjects closer to their heart—Seinfeld co-creator Larry David started a $150,000 GoFundMe campaign to support out-of-work golf caddies at his highly exclusive Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles. AFP

DiCaprio and De Niro seek ’co-stars’ in virus charity drive

Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro have rallied fellow Hollywood A-listers in a new coronavirus fundraising campaign by offering a walk-on role in their upcoming film to one lucky donor.

‘Eat Bulaga,’ Hanabishi, join forces for Pasig City Children’s Hospital TO HELP ease the condition of patients diagnosed with coronavirus-19 (COVID-19), Hanabishi partnered with long-running GMA noontime show Eat Bulaga (EB) in donating electric fans to Pasig City Children’s Hospital (PCCH).

The PCCH has recently been identified by the Department of Health (DOH) as a facility where moderate COVID-19 cases may be treated.

“Before the enhanced community quarantine, we have partnered with EB to show Filipinos that Hanabishi is there to make their lives comfortable. In these trying times, we have joined

them to bring comfort to those who need it most,” said Cherish Ong-Chua, Hanabishi's Vice President for Operations and Marketing.

This is not the first time that Hanabishi joined the EB family in its community projects.

The company has also previously donated appliances to schools and communities through EB’s initiatives. Last year, one of its hosts, Vic Sotto, was announced as the brand’s celebrity endorser.

Apart from donating to the PCCH, Hanabishi also donated electric fans and exhaust fans to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in Manila.

SNAPSHOT

Volunteers from Hanabishi deliver electric and exhaust fans to a hospital in Pasig City.

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

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Entertainment

SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2020

Ben&Ben holds digital concert to raise funds INDIE folk band Ben&Ben is hosting a special live event today at 7:00 p.m. on its YouTube channel to raise funds for COVID-19 response initiatives in the country.

Proceeds will go to the PPEs and nutrition support for frontline healthcare workers, COVID-19 testing kits, and relief goods for daily wage earners.

The nine-piece band will perform their newest single “Doors," released on April 16. The online concert also features tracks from the band's certified Platinum and best-selling 2019 debut album, Limasawa Street, including recently released “Fall.”

Each member of the band will connect from their respective homes to stream the performance in their unique signature 3 x 3 format. After the event, the livestream will continue to be available on YouTube.

"YouTube is proud to collaborate with Sony to enable Ben&Ben’s live streaming event which aims to create a donation

drive for COVID-19 response efforts. It is uplifting to see the power of music and Filipinos' spirit of bayanihan coming together to lend a helping hand during this increasingly challenging time. We hope that Ben&Ben’s event does not just help raise funds but inspire Filipinos to get through difficult moments through music," said Bernadette Nacario, Country Director, Google Philippines.

Ben&Ben said, “We cannot wait to play our songs for all of you this Saturday.

We'll be launching our new single ‘Doors’.

But more importantly, we'll be helping out with the COVID-19 efforts in the Philippines by raising funds for our frontline workers. We look forward to connecting with all of you at our show on YouTube, one of the platforms that helped us build the vibrant Ben&Ben community that we have right now. See ya!”

Ben&Ben consists of brothers Paolo

Benjamin and Miguel Benjamin on acoustic guitars and vocals, Poch Barretto on electric guitar, Jam Villanueva on drums, Agnes Reoma on bass, Patricia Lasaten on keyboards, Toni Munoz and Andrew de Pano on percussions, and Keifer Cabugao on violin.

Combining folk and indie music with pop sensibilities, the band has redefined the mainstream music lane with a sound that bridges the musical traditions of the past with a contemporary touch. And this is what sets them apart from their peers: Ben&Ben creates a blueprint that makes intimacy feel big and expansive.

“Doors” is mixed by Grammy Award-winning engineer Miles Walker (Beyonce, Usher, Coldplay, Rihanna)) and mastered by Leon Zervos (P!nk, Maroon 5, Beastie Boys, Willy Nelson).

Members of the nine-piece indie folk band Ben&Ben

VERY WANG NICKIE WANG

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Project Foreword’s call for entries extended

ABS-CBN Books' Project Foreword mentors (from left) Ardy Roberto, Charo SantosConcio, Ricky Lee, and Makiwander.

ABS-CBN Books’ author search and mentorship program “Project Foreword,” led by Charo Santos-Concio, Ardy Roberto, Makiwander, and Ricky Lee, has extended its deadline for entries until Monday (April 20).

During the press launch held in March, the “Project Foreword” mentors shared their advice for aspiring authors.

ABS-CBN’s chief content officer Charo Santos-Concio said you can train yourself by learning from the things that you watch or read. “We’re limited by the books we read, by our experiences, by the friends we have, the family we have,” she explained.

“But when you read a good book, you watch a good movie, you listen to good music, you are transported to a different world and you get to know other people with different influences, then we begin to appreciate and develop that sense of empathy for other characters and realize that the world doesn’t solely revolve around us.”

Meanwhile, multi-awarded screenwriter, novelist, and playwright Ricky Lee reminded aspiring writers to have confidence to tell their story. “Sometimes people say, ‘That’s ambitious.’ But you can always make a book popular, regardless of subject matter, genre—you can always find a way for your book to appeal in bigger markets, it doesn’t always have

to be niche.”

He also advised writers to focus on making a story that will move people.

“A recurrent concept in my workshops is that we’re all broken. So if a story addresses my brokenness and helps me to be whole, or if the story’s still broken until the end—if it still helped me to have a strong desire to be whole eventually, then I still think it’s a great story.”

Inspirational speaker Ardy Roberto echoed this, stressing that great narratives are the ones that bring readers aspiration. “From a broken world, or a fallen world, or a world full of disaster and chaos, a good story should give readers hope and show that it’s still possible to see things differently,” said “The Happy Entrepreneur” author.

In the end, Wattpad published author Maki Kris de Luna Ogang or better known as Makiwander pointed out the role of writers to leave readers with important learnings to hold on to.

“For me, I try to impart the moral lesson in the story. Whatever the narrative is, even if its erotic or romantic, you have to find a valuable lesson from the character. As a reader, you’re not just entertained, at the same time, you learned something as well.”

Visit noink.abs-cbn.com for more details on “Project Foreword” and submit your entries to books@abs-cbn. com.

T’S an awe-inspiring sight seeing Andrea Bocelli singing in an empty cathedral. The drone footage of deserted streets and piazzas in Milan and outside the city's Duomo, added a little pinch in the heart thinking that these areas were once lively and filled with people roaming around.

On Easter Sunday, the Italian opera singer, who’s been blind since 12, sent a message of hope singing a selection of religious songs that touched the hearts of millions around the globe.

The concert, which aims to bring together people isolated during the coronavirus lockdown and to raise money for protective equipment for medical staff, also features organist EmmanuEmmanuelle Vianelli playing by the altar while the 61-year-old tenor sings a few meters away.

Billed Music for Hope: Live From Duomo di Milano,, the livestream concert featured traditional prayer songs "Panis Angelicus," "Ave Maria," "Sancta Maria" and "Domine Deus."

Bocelli didn’t talk in between songs.

Wearing a black suit, he only spoke at the onset saying, “On the day we celebrate the trust in a life that triumphs, I'm honored and happy to answer 'si.'"

"I believe in the strength of praying together. I believe in the Christian Easter, a universal symbol of rebirth that everyone, whether they are believers or not, truly needs right now. Thanks to music, streamed live, bringing together millions of clasped hands everywhere in the world, we will hug this wounded

Andrea Bocelli’s message of hope Inspiring online concert sets YouTube record Millions in lockdown watch as Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli perform from empty Milan Cathedral on Easter Sunday.

Earth's pulsing heart,” he continued.

The performance was punctuated by a stunning finale, a rendition of “Amazing Grace” in a cappella. Singing in front of Duomo, he ended the song with the lines “Was blind, but now I see" after the cam camera shots of empty sidewalks and streets around famed landmarks such as the Ei Eiffel Tower, London's Trafalgar Square and New York's Times Square.

According to YouTube, the 25-minute livestreamed concert by the Italian tenor reached more than 2.8 million concurrent peak viewers in the largest simultaneous audience for a classical live stream in You YouTube history.

At the same time, the video received more than 28 million views from across the globe in its first 24 hours. As of this writing, the video has amassed more than 36 million views.

Ako si Patient 2828: Howie Severino's ‘I-Witness’ documentary GMA News pillar and veteran journalist Howie Severino shares his personal experience as a COVID-19 survivor in a special documentary of I-Witness airing tonight after Tadhana.

As someone who is physically active and in good health, Howie, who also serves as GMA Network’s Safety Officer, thought he would be the last person to contract the coronavirus.

He was wrong.

After a fever of seven days, Severino discovered he had pneumonia. Days later, he would test positive for COVID-19 and became Patient 2828.

In the hospital, Severino met a nurse who was interested in documentaries. Howie urged him to document his life as a frontliner. Being a patient, Severino also became a subject of this documentation.

“I taught him how to shoot and he began to document his life as a frontliner, which eventually became a documentation of his patient,” shares Severino in an article he penned after he was discharged from the hospital. “This apprenticeship was a great diversion, kept my mind active while giving me a blessed sense that even lying there in isolation I was getting something done.”

Ako si Patient 2828 is the product of this collaboration, the

'Ako si Patient 2828' is a special 'I-Witness' documentary featuring Howie Severino as host and one of the subjects.

inside story of the pandemic’s front lines inside isolation in a COVID hospital. The documentary shows the tests done on Patient 2828, describes the agony of the unknown, and then the joy of finally being able to go home.

Meanwhile, Severino talks to another COVID survivor, actress Iza Calzado. The two of them now belong to an exclusive club of survivors who must decide how best to help other patients and educate the public about this terrifying disease.

Howie is now waiting for doctor’s clearance so that he can donate his blood and help those who are still battling the virus to recover like he did.

“It will be impossible to pay back all the frontliners who helped save our lives, but this is a way to pay it forward. It is a small price for all survivors to pay to see the sun again. As a journalist of three decades, I have never been in a position to directly save lives. As a victim of this virus, I can save lives by simply lying down while doctors and nurses extract my blood,” he said in another written article on GMA News Online.

Video by Gabriel Lazaro and Howie Severino, Ako si Patient 2828 airs on GMA-7 today 4:05 p.m..