Manila Standard - 2020 May 12 - Tuesday

GOVT MAY RECALL ABS-CBN FREQUENCIES, AYALA MAY BID FOR THEM (Story on A4)

‘No going back to normal’ Palace: GCQ limitations to rule daily living from hereon

By Vito Barcelo, Joel E. Zurbano and Maricel V. Cruz

W

HETHER Luzon will remain under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) or a general community quarantine (GCQ), “life will not be back to normal,” Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Monday.

“There is no way anymore for the country to go back to its normal state before the [COVID-19] pandemic. We are no longer back to normal as we know it,” Roque said.

“The general community quarantine is now the new normal.Unless there is a vaccine, we cannot go back to normal as we know it,” he added.

Under the GCQ, areas in Metro Manila with moderate to low risks of COVID-19 infection may gradually open industries after May 15, 2020 provided that the government’s minimum health standards are imposed and observed.

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COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM MAY 11)

11,086

TRANSPORT HEARING. 'Are we prepared to open public transport amid COVID-19?' Senator Grace Poe, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Services, says as she presides over a hearing on the resumption of public transport on Monday via video teleconferencing, where Senator Ralph Recto and LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra (inset above) answered via video call. Senate PRIB VOL. XXXIV • NO. 80 • 2 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

• Europe reopening as toll falls • Asia posts spike in infections • US 'mobility' may raise deaths PARIS—Swathes of Europe began the long process of reopening from coronavirus lockdowns on Monday, but the first new infections in weeks at China's ground zero offered a sobering reminder of the dangers of a second wave of cases.

Almost seven weeks after a nationwide stay-at-home order was put in place, more than 31,800 have died in Britain—a figure second only to the United States with over 80,000.

Elsewhere in Europe, however, officials have been emboldened by declining death rates, with France's toll dropping to 70 on Sunday—its lowest since early April—and Spain's daily fatalities falling below 200.

As Britain plotted a path to normality and France and Spain basked in a relaxation of restrictions, the Chinese city where the pandemic was born reported a second day of new cases after a

WORLD ROUNDUP month without sign of the virus.

Five new infections were confirmed in one district of Wuhan, as the city in central Hubei province only emerged from lockdown roughly four weeks ago, after weeks of dwindling cases.

And neighbouring South Korea announced its highest number of infections for more than a month driven by a cluster in a Seoul nightlife district.

Officials reported 35 new infections, taking the total to 10,909 in Korea, after recording only single-digit increases for eight of the preceding 12 days. Authorities later linked 86 cases to the nightclub cluster.

India saw its biggest single-day jump in coronavirus cases, even as prime minister Narendra Modi was set to meet with state leaders to discuss how to gradually exit the lockdown. The health ministry reported 4,213 new infections.

In the United States, the disease has moved into the White

NUMBER OF CASES

726 (7 new) DEATHS

1,999 (75 new) RECOVERIES

292

NEW CASES

PH cases hit 11,000 mark, Cebu City now top hot spot

By Willie Casas, Rio N. Araja, Vito Barcelo and Joel E. Zurbano CORONAVIRUS infections in the Philippines breached the 11,000 mark on Monday, as 292 new cases were recorded, according to the Department of Health.

In its case bulletin, the DOH said the country's cumulative tally of COVID-19 cases has reached 11,086 since the first case was reported on Jan. 30.

Cebu City now has the highest number of COVID-19 infections in the country, with 1,571 cases as of May 10, surpassing Quezon City, which had 1,558.

The Cebu City Health Department on Sunday recorded 97 new cases, the Cebu Daily News reported Monday. Quezon City, which used to have the highest number of infections, logged only 35 new cases Sunday, the DOH said.

Earlier this month, hundreds of inmates in Cebu jails tested positive for COVID-19.

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Village officials NTC faces House contempt rap for failure to give network permit probed for graft

By Maricel V. Cruz and Joel E. Zurbano A COMMITTEE in the House of Representatives on Monday ordered National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) officials to explain why they should not be cited for contempt for failing to make good their assurances to Congress that ABS-CBN would be able to continue operating while lawmakers deliberated its franchise renewal.

Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, chairman of the House committee on legislative franchises, issued the order to NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba in a letter dated May 5.

Alvarez's committee also asked NTC Deputy Commissioners Edgardo Cabarios and Delilah Deles, and head of the legal branch Ella Blanca Lopez to explain why they ordered ABS-CBN to cease and desist from operating its radio and TV stations after assuring the panel Next page

in aid distribution THE Interior department said Monday 183 barangay officials were now under investigation for alleged graft in the distribution of financial aid under the social amelioration program.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said following President Rodrigo Duterte’s announcement of a P30,000 reward for every confirmed incident of any barangay official involved in SAP aid distribution anomaly, complaints poured in at the DILG and Department of Social Welfare

SWAB MOBILE.

The Swab Mobile, which helps diagnose persons with the coronavirus, was turned over to Bacolod City by the Bacolod FilipinoChinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BFCCCI) on May 7.

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Bicol braces for ‘Ambo’s’ landfall Thur.

By Rio N. Araja

HOMESCHOOLED. Public school teacher Donabelle Bato (right) and her son spend

time on basic reading lessons in Barangay Panghulo, Malabon on Monday as her daughter watches – another sign of the 'new normal' in a coronavirus-afflicted world. Norman Cruz

TROPICAL Depression "Ambo" is forecast to make landfall in the Bicol region on Thursday.

Aldczar Aurelio, senior weather forecaster from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said Ambo could strengthen into a tropical storm.

The country's first storm for 2020, "Ambo" on Monday slightly intensified while moving slowly westward over the Next page Philippine Sea.

Bacolod COVID Swab Mobile PH first BACOLOD City has launched the first bio-safe Swab Mobile sampling unit in the Philippines on May 7.

“The Swab Mobile is aimed at ensuring the protection of medical

front-liners as they do swab tests and at the same time to avoid unnecessary movements of patients as we will test them wherever they are,” Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia said. Next page

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Airlines ask anew for gov‘t aid T HE physical distancing in flights, where passengers are seated one seat apart, will be unprofitable, the airlines told lawmakers on Monday as they repeated their call for government aid.

While there had been no large-scale layoffs, a wage subsidy from Congress would help sustain the jobs in aviation, said Air Carriers Association of the Philippines Vice Chairman Roberto Lim. His group includes Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines and AirAsia Philippines.

Lim said the airlines’ losses had so far amounted to $5 billion (P250 billion), that some 25,000 airline employees had been affected by the travel ban, and the uncertainty could be felt in 500,000 other tourism jobs.

Local airlines would need about P1.3 billion a month for wage subsidies, P6.8

billion for working capital and P500 million for navigational charges, landing and take-off fees and other operational payments, Lim told senators.

"The key is for us to fly again, it's a catalyzer of economic activity,” Lim said.

“It doesn't have to be all flights.

Reopening at 50 percent capacity is not economically viable for airlines, but 70 percent may be agreeable.”

But the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said social distancing must be observed by international commercial airlines and charter flights that would be bringing home Filipino residents

and diplomats after the government allowed them to land at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

The CAAP announced the lifting of the suspension imposed on inbound international flights for repatriating Filipinos starting today.

Still, CAAP spokesman Eric Apolonio said only 400 passengers a day would be allowed to enter the country because of social distancing inside the plane.

An Airbus 320 with a maximum seating capacity of 170 may take in only 60 to 70 passengers per flight.

Meanwhile, all arriving passengers at the NAIA will be tested for COVID-19 and required to go on quarantine starting Monday, when commercial flights resumed at the Philippines' main airport, officials said.

The tests will use PCR or polymerase chain reaction technology, which is considered the most conclusive in detecting COVID-19 infections

‘No...

steps to increase our testing capacity.”

Roque said the country has 28 testing centers so far, including four mega swabbing facilities. He said these would help achieve the target of conducting 30,000 tests daily.

Roque also said that while some parts of Metro Manila could shift to a GCQ after May 15, law enforcers would remain strict in implementing mandatory measures such as wearing of face masks and social distancing.

Senator Cynthia Villar on Monday said she supported the proposal to put parts of Metro Manila under GCQ after May 15.

"I agree that we should start re-opening the economy and begin the implementation of new normal measures in Metro Manila areas that have been successful in keeping their COVID-19 cases under control," Villar said.

The senator added that the prolonged ECQ is already taking its toll on the economy and employment and causing distress among workers and their families.

"We all know that the government cannot provide assistance to everybody affected by this public health emergency.

We should now start re-opening the economy with health protocols such as the use of face masks and the practice of social distancing strictly implemented," Villar said.

Earlier, Villar recommended the return of workers in labor-intensive sectors such as construction, manufacturing and agriculture.

As of May 8, 2020, Metro Manila areas with the lowest number of cases per 100,000 population are: Caloocan (14.5), Navotas (14.9), Malabon (15), Valenzuela (17.1), Marikina (28.1), Las Pinas (32.6), Muntinlupa (32.9), Taguig (33.2), and Pateros (33.8) In the House, Assistant Minority Leader France Castro said the twomonth lockdown would amount to nothing unless the government sets in place a comprehensive and intensified medical plan to be implemented when the quarantine is finally lifted.

Control Center (MIDCC). All our patients will be directed to other city district hospitals and nearby institutions,” the advisory said.

The closure would also enable the hospital to be cleaned and disinfected, the city government said.

In Quezon City, the police district headquarters at Camp Tomas Karingal was place on lockdown after 13 police officers and a soldier tested positive for COVID-19. The 14 personnel were placed under isolation.

The lockdown started Saturday and would end today.

The QCPD has already started contract tracing to identify those who had direct contact with the infected personnel.

The city government on Monday launched the community mart, an e-mart projected initiated by the Office of the Vice President Leni Robredo, where residents can buy fresh produce from the nearest public or private markets by placing their orders online.

Mona Celine Yap, the city’s Small Business and Cooperatives Development Promotions Office (SBCDPO) chief, said local markets should be ready to adapt to changes on how they conduct business under the new normal when the ECQ is lifted.

Tricycle operators and drivers' associations have been tapped to deliver the orders from the markets to households, she said.

In Pasay City, 10 20-footer container vans were converted into mobile rooms to be used as isolation facilities for COVID-19 patients and as temporary

quarters for doctors and health workers to be deployed at the Cultural Center of the Philippines complex in Pasay city, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said.

Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said these mobile rooms can be used as additional COVID-19 isolation health facilities or may also function as alternative living quarters to temporarily house doctors and staff on duty at hospitals or at mega quarantine facilities operating at PICC, World Trade Center and Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

He said the containers can accommodate a total of 40 people.

Also on Monday, Senator Imee Marcos cautioned the public against the careless disposal of hospital, laboratory and even household waste, which could trigger a resurgence of COVID-19.

"Cases of infection seem to have gone down, but COVID-19 might blindside the government if it underestimates the importance of proper waste disposal," Marcos said.

An increase in infectious waste from testing labs and hospitals is expected to follow wider mass testing and the lifting of community quarantines.

Marcos urged the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) not to overlook guidelines and compliance measures for the proper disposal of contaminated lab and hospital supplies such as used test kits, syringes, and personal protective equipment (PPE) like face masks, gloves, gowns, and shoe covers.

have scheduled the case for deliberation on May 19, saying “nobody has read the petition yet.”

In its 50-page petition filed last week, ABS-CBN urged the Court to set aside the CDO issued by NTC for violating the right of the public to information.

The petitioner argued that the CDO is tantamount to curtailment of freedom of speech guaranteed under the Constitution.

ABS-CBN said the NTC should have allowed the company to continue its operation pending a decision from Congress on its application to renew its license.

It noted that the NTC had previously allowed other companies to continue to operate pending renewal of their franchise, and thus violated ABSCBN’s right to equal protection of the law.

It cited the cases of Vanguard Radio Network, Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (Catholic Media Network), Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ), Innove Communications (previously Isla Communications Company, Inc.), and Smart Communications, Inc. (formerly Smart Information Technologies, Inc.).

“There is no reason why the same practice should not be applied to ABSCBN,” the petition read.

Bicol...

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These include strict physical distancing measures and proper hygiene.

Partial operations of public transportation will also be allowed.

The Department of Health recently said that there will be no return to normal life, such as eating out at restaurants, attending a concert or watching a live sporting event, until at least the end of next year because there will be no coronavirus vaccine available until then.

Meanwhile, Malacañang admitted that the government was unable to meet its goal of conducting 8,000 COVID-19 tests by the end of April.

However, Roque said the government is beefing up testing capacities by establishing more testing centers.

“First, I can’t dispute that we did not meet the goal that by the end of April 30, the DOH can conduct 8,000 tests daily.

We were delayed,” he said. “One thing that I can assure you is that we’re taking

PH...

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The Cebu City Jail recorded at least 333 COVID-19 cases, accounting for more than 20 percent of total infections in the city.

Of the new cases nationwide, 162 or 56% came from the National Capital Region, 74 or 25% are from Region 7 or Central Visayas, and 56 or 19% are from other regions.

Meanwhile, the country recorded 75 new recovered patients, bringing the total recoveries to 1,999.

Only seven new fatalities were reported, raising the total death toll to 726.

Nearly 2,000 health workers, mostly nurses and doctors, have also contracted the coronavirus disease, the DOH said Monday.

At least 1,991 health workers have COVID-19, with 57 new cases since May 7. None have died in recent days, the DOH case bulletin said.

Of the 1,991 cases, 753 are nurses, 628 are doctors, 127 are nursing assistants, 72 are medical technologists, 39 are radiologic technologists and the rest are other health workers and health facilities personnel.

In Manila, the city government ordered the closure of Ospital ng Tondo from May 11 to 24 so that medical staff there could be deployed to the city's infectious disease control center.

“Our medical and nursing staff will reinforce the frontliners of Sta. Ana Hospital, our Manila Infectious Disease

NTC...

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on March 10 that the network would be allowed to continue operating even after its franchise expired and its renewal was being considered.

At the time, the House authorized the NTC to issue a provisional authority that would enable ABS-CBN to continue operating. This, Alvarez said, was consistent with precedents and practice and the position of the Department of Justice.

Alvarez said "the act of the NTC constitutes undue interference in and disobedience to the exercise of the power of the House of Representatives, and therefore, an affront to its dignity and an inexcusable disrespect of its authority."

On Monday, the Supreme Court raffled off the petition filed by ABS-CBN seeking to invalidate the NTC cease-anddesistorder.

SC Public Information Office chief and spokesman Brian Keith Hosaka confirmed that the petition had been raffled off to a magistrate, but declined to say who got the case.

“The results of the raffle is confidential pursuant to the internal rules of the Supreme Court,” Hosaka said.

A source in the judiciary said the justices

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As of 11 a.m. Monday, the center of the tropical depression was estimated at 340 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Norte.

Packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kms per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph, it was moving west slowly.

No tropical cyclone has so far been raised over any part of the country yet, the state weather bureau said Monday.

Chris Perez, a senior weather specialist of PAGASA, said Ambo “is still far from the landmass. It is still offshore within 24 hours. With Ambo's current location, no tropical cyclone wind signal was raised, and areas across the country do not experience (much) rains."

Based on PAGASA's forecast, the trough of Ambo will bring scattered light to moderate with isolated heavy rains during thunderstorms over Mindanao in the next 24 hours.

Further, moderate to rough seas will be experienced on the eastern seaboards of Eastern Visayas, Caraga, Davao Oriental and Davao Occidental.

"Ambo is expected to be very near the Bicol Region by Thursday. Even before Thursday, areas around the Bicol Region may experience rains," Perez said.

The total daily passenger arrivals were capped to 400 from 2,000 to give way to the mandatory test and quarantine, Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Ed Monreal said.

“The PCR test is now mandatory,” he said.

He said once the enhanced community quarantine or lockdown in Metro Manila and urban areas was lifted on May 15, the airport was ready to cater to passenger and airline demand.

Social distancing, disinfection and other anti-coronavirus measures were in place, Monreal said.

But Senator Grace Poe, head of the Senate public services committee, questioned the sustainability of the mandatory testing and quarantine for arriving passengers.

“It doesn’t look like this is something we can sustain. Where will you put 400 people every day?” Poe said.

Castro added that community quarantines alone will not stop the spread of COVID-19.

They should be paired with genuine and fast mass testing, systematic contact tracing and sufficient isolation and quarantine facilities so that communities can adequately contain the virus, she added.

"If the administration continues its snailpaced testing, contact tracing, inadequate isolation and quarantine facilities, the nine weeks of ECQ would have been for nothing and prematurely lifting the ECQ without these vital measures in place, might only make things worse," Castro said.

Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda agreed that “exhaustive” testing and tracing efforts will be necessary, as the country considers a possible shift from ECQ to GCQ. “We need tools other than ECQ extensions. We need to really be exhaustive with testing and tracing. The national strategy has to shift to one where we leave no stone unturned when it comes to testing and tracing,” he added.

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and Development hotlines, thus prompting the PNP-CIDG to probe the 183 barangay officials.

“Out of the many complaints we have received, 183 are under investigation by the police because they found probable cause,” Año said.

“Our police will not stop arresting these barangay officials who are plunderers and are considered viruses of society. the PNP are eager to do because they are also angry at corrupt local officials.”

Meanwhile, Malacañang said Monday local government units should complete the distribution of the first tranche of the emergency cash subsidies to the poor families even as the deadline had lapsed.

About 91 percent of the 18 million target beneficiaries received subsidies as of the deadline on Sunday night, the Interior department said.

"The distribution should continue until the DSWD [Department of Social Welfare and Development] recalls the excess funds," Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque told reporters.

"For the local government units that have yet to distribute 100 percent of the aid, our mandate is to continue the distribution until it is 100-percent completed.”

Año said the identities of the 183 barangay officials could not be disclosed yet as the investigations were still underway.

He said there were multiple complaints coming in and directed at the same barangay officials, leading to the piling up of the reports.

"There are a lot of complaints, but we are now sorting them out to pinpoint the cases that have basis, and for now we have 183 cases that are under investigation," Año said.

He said as early as the first week of May, the arrest of corrupt barangay officials began with the arrest of a barangay councilor from Hagonoy, Bulacan, who was personally mentioned by President Duterte in a public address.

Barangay captain Maria Luz Leal Ferrer of Barangay 8 in Isabela, Negros Occidental, was also charged by the PNP for alleged anomalies in the distribution of the government’s SAP financial aid.

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The Bacolod Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BFCCCI) turned over the Swab Mobile to the city.

“This is the first bio-safe Swab Mobile in the Philippines and this was proudly made in Bacolod City,” Loren Kara Leonardia, daughter of the mayor and project coordinator, said at the launching and turnover rites at the Bacolod City Government Center.

Kara initiated the project in partnership with Engr. Rane Joseph

No import duty yet in latest oil price hikes

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE oil distributors raised the price of gasoline by P2 per liter, diesel by P1.90 per liter and kerosene by P1.25 per liter effective at 6 a.m. today.

The latest increases do not include the impact of the additional 10-percent import duty on crude oil and refined products, which should spur an increase of more than a peso per liter.

“Petron will implement the following price increases effective 6 a.m. on May 12: P2 per liter for gasoline, P1.90 per liter for diesel and P1.25 per liter for kerosene. These reflect the movements in the international oil market,” Petron Corp. said in its advisory.

Petron aside, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum, PTT Philippines, Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Seaoil Philippines and PetroGazz announced similar price increases, while the other distributors were expected to follow.

The higher pump prices this week were driven by optimism as many countries have started to ease their COVID-19 lockdowns, thus spurring oil demand.

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries have also started implementing a production cut of 10 million barrels per day, which was followed by other oil producers such as Norway, Canada and America.

Malacañang issued Executive Order 1113 on May 2 imposing the additional 10-percent duty to boost the government’s budget for fighting COVID-19.

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House inner circle, with a spokeswoman for Vice President Mike Pence testing positive. One of Trump's valets was found to be infected last week.

Nevertheless, Trump's advisers were out in force on Sunday, appearing on talk shows to push for an end to locally imposed lockdowns.

The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluations, whose virus projections have been closely watched, this week raised its US death forecast—to 137,000 deaths by August 4—based largely on "explosive increases in mobility in a number of states," said director Christopher Murray.

That number, far above the current US total of more than 79,000 deaths, reflects both looser restrictions and "quarantine fatigue," he said on CBS, and it came despite positive trends in the hard-hit states of New York, New Jersey and Michigan.

The mixed fortunes illustrated the highwire act governments face across the globe as they try to get economies moving while keeping in check a pandemic that has now killed more than 280,000 people.

With millions out of work and economies shattered, governments are desperate to hit the accelerator, but most are choosing a gradual approach as fears about a resurgence of the virus linger.

In Britain Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it was too soon for the country to lift its lockdown but he offered hope by unveiling a "conditional plan" to ease curbs in England during the months ahead.

Johnson said the restrictions had brought "a colossal cost to our way of life" but it would be "madness" to squander the nation's progress by moving too early.

The French were able to walk outside their homes without filling in a permit for the first time in nearly eight weeks on Monday, while teachers began returning to primary schools and some shops were set to re-open.

Many Spaniards meanwhile made plans to meet friends and family at outdoor bars and restaurants, although virus hotspots such as Madrid and Barcelona remain under wraps. Belgium and Greece were among other European nations set to ease lockdowns on Monday, two months after the World Health Organization declared a pandemic.

As governments across the world chart a course to recovery, Asian nations that were among the first engulfed by the virus but have since brought it to heel are being keenly watched for signs of a second wave.

Much of China has begun to get back to a form of normality, and on Monday Shanghai Disneyland threw open its gates following a three-month shutdown. AFP Saril and his son Pierce Allesandro, who provided the technical expertise to create it. Engr. Rommel Carisma did the engineering drawings.

The BFCCCI was led by Clifford Uy, Willy Au, James Chua, Alfredo Barcelona, Alfonso Choa, and Romie Cortez.

“This Swab Mobile can be used for our joint campaign to intervene in the health status of our constituents,” Uy said.

Representing the city together with Leonardia were Rep. Greg Gasataya, Councilors Renecito Novero, Simple Distrito, Archie Baribar, and Bartolome Orola, and City Administrator Em Ang.

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‘Makatizens’ to receive cash grants

IN BRIEF Probe sought on Meralco bills, power outages CLEAN energy and consumer rights group Power for People Coalition on Monday asked the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) to explain the sudden jump in consumption reported by some consumers in their bills even as they suffering frompower interruptions during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) period.

Meralco has recorded 52 tripping events since May 6, even as some consumers discovered increases in recorded consumption by as much as three times during the ECQ as tabulated in their bills.

“We cannot help but feel that Meralco is using the ECQ as a convenient scapegoat to cover up their shortcomings.

While it is understandable that people at home will consume more electricity, it is incredible that consumption would increase three or four more times in just a month. And it is unbelievable that when malls, factories, offices, and other large electrical consumers are closed, Meralco’s grid is suddenly incapable of coping with the demand,” said P4P Convenor Gerry Arances. Willie Casas

Nurses’ group demands higher wages ON THE occasion of the International Nurses Day on May 12, the nurses group Filipino Nurses United has demanded for a wage increase for Filipino nurses in the Philippines.

“2020 is the year of the Nurse and May 12, 2020, is the International Nurses Day, a wage increase is a good gift nurses deserve well,” said the FNU in a statement on Monday.

“Stop calling them heroes. Better to give the just salaries and the increase they welldeserve,” FNU said.

FNU said they have been campaigning for the P30,000 entry salary for nurses.

“We had initial victory because the budget for the increase was approved and included for 2020,” said the group.

“Starting January 2020, the government Nurse 1 should have been receiving the wage increase of P10,000 plus the government employees increase,” they said. Willie Casas

‘Political prisoner dies while in prison’ THE militant human rights group Karapatan said a political prisoner died on May 4 in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, while incarcerated.

Karapatan said in a report that Adelaida “Nanay Ede” Macusang, 61, was rushed to the hospital after complaining of severe stomach pain and nausea.

Macusang was declared dead on arrival.

Karapatan said doctors’ initial findings stated that Macusang succumbed to kidney failure and cardiac arrest. Prior to her arrest, Macusang had already been diagnosed with severe hypertension and cardiomegaly, or a medical condition in which the heart is enlarged. She died without being tested for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19.)

Karapatan said Macusang, a member of the Montevista Farmers Association, was arrested on March 28, 2018. Willie Casas

Smokers ‘vulnerable’ to Covid-19—MMDA SMOKERS are more vulnerable to the coronavirus disease.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority made this reminder on Monday in support to the appeal made by the Department of Health to the people to stop smoking.

MMDA chairman Danilo Lim said the agency supports the DOH's call on the public to quit smoking, stressing that it poses detrimental effects on the smokers’ health as well as to people exposed to second-hand smoke.

"Health experts say that smoking weakens the immune system. Staying healthy is a must especially during this Covid pandemic," he said.

Lim added that the MMDA is strictly implementing its anti-smoking regulation within its premises in compliance with the Civil Service Commission’s directive ordering a smoking ban on all government offices.

"Also, we have an existing circular which refers to the MMDA as a 100% smoke-free workplace. It also includes provisions on the protection against tobacco industry interference and establishment of MMDA smoking cessation program,” he further said. Joel E. Zurbano

By Joel E. Zurbano

TENTS. Manila Mayor Isko Moreno inspects the 25 units of tents donated by the Soliman Foundation on Monday morning. The tents will be used as isolation center for COVID-19 patients in the city. Norman Cruz

Private schools allowed to open in June—DepEd T

Briones likewise assured the public HE Department of Education said on Monday that private that the government is taking steps to schools may open in June, but has discouraged ‘face-to-face make distance learning available to all, learning’ earlier than August 24, 2020. especially to students who do not have

According to DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones, this is "because we have an existing law which states the first week of June up to last day of August will allow the opening of schools."

She added that even if schools will open on August 24, “it does not mean all of these activities will be face-toface activities.”

The Education department has set set the opening of the school year 20202021 on August 24, 2020 and to end on April 30, 2021.

Briones also said that face-to-face learning “shall only be allowed when the local risk severity grading permits, and subject to compliance with mini-

mum health standards.”

Briones added that the DepEd may adopt various learning delivery options such as, but not limited to, face-to-face blended learnings, distance learnings, and homeschooling and other modes of delivery “depending on the local COVID Risk Severity Classification and compliance with the minimum health standards.”

Briones also said that the conduct of curricular and co-curricular gatherings such as science fairs, showcase of portfolios, trade fairs, school sports, campus journalism, festival of talents, and job fairs are “canceled,” except for those which are conducted online.

access to the internet or mobile services.

“By distance learning, we mean all the other traditional ways by which learning has been delivered outside of face-to-face,” she said.

“For example we have noticed a frequent observation and is that not all phases in the country have access to ICT, or to platforms. We also noticed that there are more cellphones than humans in the Philippines...so cellphones can be a medium of transmission,” she added.

“And then we also have television.

Many of us right now in the Philippines have access to television. And, finally, if there are places where there is no television, we have the classic way of transmitting knowledge and news, which is radio.”

Rescue stranded construction workers—solon

By Maricel V. Cruz A LEADER of the House of Representtatives on Monday called on the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases to draw up a rescue program for possibly hundreds of thousands of construction workers stranded in their urban job-sites, as the opening salvo of President Duterte’s fresh initiative to reverse migration and spur rural prosperity.

Deputy Speaker and Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte made the statement following the Palace's is-

suance of Executive Order (EO) 114 on the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-Asa program.

"The IATF should work out a rescue plan with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and provincial governors along with mayors of cities and municipalities where suspended construction projects are located in keeping with the intent of Balik Probinsya at this time of a global health crisis," said Villafuerte.

Villafuerte’s proposed Balik Probinsya initiative will involve providing

daily food packs to the stranded laborers until such time that they are able to go back to their provinces—which, he said, should be ASAP (as soon as possible).

Villafuerte, a former Camarines Sur governor, said the rescue plan for stranded construction laborers could be likened to the repatriation services that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) have been giving to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in distress in their respective host countries.

KIDS PLAY. Children ignore the risk of covid-19 disease while bathing in an open canal in Barangay Santiago, Gen. Trias in Cavite on May 11,2020 as they try to cool themselves amid the warm weather. Jr Josue

DAR sets aside P300-M for farmer-beneficiaries THE Department of Agrarian Reform has allocated P300 million to help farmer-beneficiaries cope up with the negative impact on their livelihood due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Secretary John Castriciones said the P300-million budget would be sourced out from the reprogrammed and realighed budget of the agrarian reform beneficiaries development sustainability program and unobligated allotment from the different units of the agency's Support and Services Office.

DAR is now extending help and support to thousands of the farmers through "The PaSSOver: ARBOld Move to Heal as One Deliverance of our ARBs from the COVID 19 Pandemic" project.

The DAR chief said the project was created in response to the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act or Republic Act 11469.

Rio N. Araja

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THE Makati City government on Monday announced the grant of P5,000 financial aid for all eligible city residents under the expanded Makati Economic Relief Program via Facebook Live.

Mayor Abigail Binay said they will start the contactless distribution of cash aid via electronic money transfer on May 15 under the “MAKA-tulong 5K for 500K+ Makatizens” program, which will benefit around 500,000 residents, regardless of economic status.

“The MAKA-tulong 5K for 500K+ Makatizens program, which will cost P2.7 billion, is intended to provide much-needed financial assistance to residents on an individual basis, not per household, as we begin to emerge from the prolonged lockdown,” Binay said.

The city chief executive said a household where both parents are qualified will receive a total of P10,000. If the couple has a child who qualifies as a recipient, the total benefit would be P15,000. If a grandparent who lives with them is eligible, their household will receive a total of P20,000 under the MAKA-tulong program.

“As early as April 21, I had approved and signed the program. However, we decided to finish first the distribution of the Social Amelioration Program in our barangays to ensure that our residents, whether they are SAP beneficiaries or not, will still have money to spend for their essential needs,” said Binay.

The mayor also emphasized that those who have been previously granted cash aid from the city, including senior citizens, persons with disability, informal workers, and solo parents, are still qualified to receive the P5,000-financial assistance.

GSIS releases P4.1-B in loans to 60k members AS OF April 30, the Government Service Insurance System has released a total of P4.1 billion in loans to some 60,000 government workers and pensioners nationwide. This was reported on Monday by Rolando Ledesma Macasaet, President and General Manager of the state pension fund.

While most parts of the country are still in Enhanced Community Quarantine, GSIS was able to disburse Php3.48 billion in various loans (Conso-Loan, Policy Loan and Pension Loan) to a total of 25,198 GSIS members and pensioners nationwide between the period March 27 and April 30.

In addition to these regular loan programs, the state pension fund opened the COVID-19 Emergency Loan program to its 2.1 million members and pensioners last April 13.

“I am very proud to say that in just 17 days, from April 13 to April 30, GSIS has granted Php664 million in emergency loan to some 33,000 borrowers nationwide,” Macasaet stated.

Earlier this month, this loan program was enhanced to make it more responsive to the needs of GSIS members and pensioners.

“I would like to thank our Board of Trustees, headed by former Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin, for the swift approval of the COVID-19 Enhanced Emergency Loan program which relaxed the loan eligibility rules,” Macasaet added.

“Under the enhanced program, we now allow members who have indefault loan accounts (with arrears of more than six months) to renew their emergency loan. We have also reduced the paid premium requirement from six months to only three months,” he explained.

19 die as Iran warship hit by ‘friendly’ missile fire in Gulf waters AN IRANIAN warship was hit by a friendly fire missile during naval exercises, killing 19 sailors, state media and the army said Monday, amid tensions with the US in Gulf waters.

The incident involving the Konarak vessel occurred on Sunday afternoon near Bandar-e Jask, off the southern coast of the Islamic republic, state television said on its website.

"The vessel was hit after moving a practice target to its destination and not creating enough distance between itself and the target," said the channel.

The armed forces said in a statement that 19 crewmen were killed and 15 injured.

It said the Konarak had been involved in an "accident" during the exercises, without elaborating.

The vessel had been towed ashore for "technical investigations", it added, calling on people to "avoid speculation" until further information is released.

Tasnim news agency said in an English-language tweet that the Konarak was hit by the missile fired by another Iranian warship.

The vessel had been hit by "'friendly fire' after Moudge-class frigate 'Jama-

ran' accidentally shot (it) with a missile during live firing exercise in Jask area of #PersianGulf waters."

The 15 injured were hospitalised in Sistan and Baluchistan, said Mohammad-Mehran Aminifard, head of the province's medical university.

Two of the sailors were in intensive care, he told the semi-official news agency ISNA. AFP

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

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TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2020

PSE INDEX CLOSING Monday, May 11, 2020

45.99 PTS. 5,667.93

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

480,052,287 85,083 4,539,604,820.86 90 80 55

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • MONDAY, MAY 11, 2020

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.00000

50.4580

Japan

Yen

0.009375

0.4730

UK

Pound

1.241000

62.6184

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129009

6.5095

Switzerland

Franc

1.028912

51.9168

Canada

Dollar

0.717566

36.2069

Singapore

Dollar

0.708015

35.7250

Australia

Dollar

0.652100

32.9037

Bahrain

Dinar

2.645013

133.462

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266312

13.4376

Brunei

Dollar

0.705517

35.5990

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000067

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.031017

1.5651

UAE

Dirham

0.272264

13.7379

Euro

Euro

1.083400

54.6662

Korea

Won

0.000820

0.0414

China

Yuan

0.141345

7.1320

India

Rupee

0.013239

0.6680

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.230894

11.6504

New Zealand

Dollar

0.613000

30.9308

Taiwan

Dollar

0.033501

1.6904 Source: BSP

Budget deficit rose to P59.5b in March

Business

Ayala may take interest in ABS-CBN frequencies C

By Darwin G. Amojelar

ONGLOMERATE Ayala Corp. may take interest in the frequencies of ABS-CBN Corp. that might be recalled by the government after the National Telecommunications Commission ordered the shutdown of the Lopez-led broadcast network over the lack of a congressional franchise, according to sources.

Sources said Broadcast Enterprises and Affiliated Media Inc., which is owned by Betlehem Holdings Inc., the holding company of Globe Telecom’s group retirement fund, may be used by the Ayala Group to bid for the frequencies of ABSCBN Channel 2, DZMM 630 AM radio and MOR 101.9 FM radio.

BEAM is a broadcast company in the Philippines that operates free-to-air Channel 31. The company’s primary focus is on UHF broadcasting, but is upgrading its DTT for use in multimedia convergence. BEAM has transmitter facilities in

Davao, Cebu City, Zamboanga City, Baguio City, Naga City and Iloilo City.

Sources said the Ayala and Lopez groups have a history of partnership in telecom and broadcast industries, as Globe Telecom completed the acquisition of Bayan Telecommunications from the Lopez family in 2015. Globe also entered a network sharing agreement with ABS-CBN Corp. to offer ABS-CBN Mobile, but the mobile service was discontinued on Nov. 30, 2018.

Sources also said members of the Makati Business Club saw a deal between the Ayala and Lopez groups coming even before the closure of ABS-CBN. “In fact, they see this as a strategic move to save the Lopez company from its maturing P28-billion bank loans from BDO, BPI, PNB, UnionBank whose owners are all members of the MBC,” sources said.

BPI, the banking arm of the Ayala Group, has more than P10 billion in loan exposure to ABS-CBN, according to reports.

An executive of ABS-CBN denied any ongoing talks between the two parties. “It is not true,” the executive said.

Sought for comment, Yolanda Crisanto, spokesperson of Globe, also denied there were discussions between Globe and ABS-CBN. “We wish to clarify that there is no ongoing discussion between BEAM and ABS-CBN. Also Globe has no equity stake on ABS Convergence. What we had was an MVNO agreement.”

By Julito G. Rada THE government incurred a budget deficit of P59.5 billion in March, up by 1.83 percent from the P58.4billion deficit recorded in the same month last year, data from the Treasury show.

This brought the first-quarter deficit to P74 billion, lower by 18 percent or P16.2 billion from P90.2 billion a year ago. This was also 77.7 percent behind the P332.9-billion deficit program for the period.

Government revenues rose 19.58 percent in March to P273.7 billion from P228.9 billion in the same month last year on higher dividend from state-owned corporations. Firstquarter revenues increased 12.72 percent to P775.2 billion from P687.7 billion a year earlier.

“Broken down, tax revenues accounted for 80 percent of revenues for the first quarter while 20 percent came from non-tax collections which more than doubled from last year due to the early remittance of dividends from government ownedand –controlled corporations in line with the implementation of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act,” the Treasury said.

Total collections in the first quarter also exceeded the program of P660.1 billion by 17.43 percent or P115.1 billion.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue’s collection declined 10.67 percent or P15.7 billion in March to P131.7 billion from the prior year’s outcome of P147.4 billion.

“The downturn for the period was attributed to the imposition of the Luzonwide enhanced community quarantine in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

BIR’s Q1 2020 collection of P468.8 billion also narrowly improved from Q1 2019 but was still higher by 3.26 percent compared to its P454 billion target,” the Treasury said.

Collections by the Bureau of Customs also dropped 9.43 percent in March to P44.6 billion from P49.3 billion on slower economic activity caused by the pandemic and ECQ measures.

IN BRIEF

BSP governor pushes supplemental budget BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno on Monday said the government needs a supplemental budget to restart the economy in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic.

Diokno said in a Viber message to reporters that as the government moved into the next phase of the road to the “New Economy”, it should focus on quick-disbursing, employment-creating program.

He described the emergency employment as “fiscal stimulus.”

“It needs a supplemental budget, the size of which can be decided upon by the President with the recommendation of his economic managers,” Diokno said.

“I estimate that a 1-percent increase in the deficit would amount to P200 billion of ‘new spending’ [while] a 2-percent increase would amount to P400 billion,” Diokno said.

“The Executive Department needs new spending authority. It needs a supplemental budget,” he said. Julito G. Rada

Ayala Land’s profit slid 41% in first quarter PROPERTY developer Ayala Land Inc. said net income slid 41 percent in the first quarter to P4.3 billion from a year ago, reflecting the severe impact of the enhanced community quarantine across its businesses.

Ayala Land said in a disclosure to the stock exchange first-quarter consolidated revenues also declined by 28 percent to P28.4 billion as both residential and leasing businesses registered lower sales.

“The severe impact of the ECQ resulting from the COVID-19 crisis and the Taal eruption caused a major decline in our net income. Our development business was particularly hit hard during the quarter as we saw buyers opting to defer purchases during this period,” said Ayala Land president and chief executive Bernard Vincent Dy. “Our leasing assets were also significantly affected in the latter part of the quarter due to the ECQ. Given the continuing market uncertainty, we quickly made adjustments in our plans to ensure the long-term sustainability of the business,” he said. Jenniffer B. Austria

Semirara reports 43% drop in income

CONTAINER ROOMS. The Department of Public Works and Highways and the Villar Group of Companies transform shipping containers into mobile rooms at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex in Pasay City. Public Works Secretary Mark Villar says the high cube containers converted into mobile rooms can be used as additional isolation health facilities or as alternative living quarters to temporarily house medical doctors and staff on duty at hospitals or at mega quarantine facilities operating at the Philippine International Convention Center, World Trade Center and Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

SMC drops plan to acquire Holcim PH for over $2b

By Jenniffer B. Austria CONGLOMERATE San Miguel Corp. said Monday it dropped the plan to acquire the controlling stake in cement manufacturer Holcim Philippines Inc. after the agreement lapsed without obtaining government approval.

San Miguel said in a disclosure to the stock exchange subsidiary First Stronghold Cement Industries Inc. would no longer proceed with the planned acquisition of 5.531 billion common shares, equivalent to 85.73-percent stake in Holcim Philippines, for more than $2 billion after the agreement signed in May 2019 had lapsed.

San Miguel said the completion of the deal required the approval of the government anti-trust body Philippine Competition Commission which both parties were not able to obtain.

“In view of the above, the proposed acquisition by FSCII of the 85.73 percent of HPI shall no longer proceed,” San Miguel said.

“Accordingly, FSCII withdraws the launch of the tender offer of the HPI shares held by its minority shareholders which was made by the Company on September 23, 2019,” it said.

PCC in January expressed concern that the San Miguel-Holcim Philippines deal could result in monopoly and potential collusion arising from the merger.

Based on the review conducted by PCC’s Mergers and Acquisitions Office, the buyout would result in higher cement prices and the lessening of competition in four areas in Luzon.

Holcim Philippines manufactures, sells and distributes cement and related aggregates with eight cement facilities in the Philippines and is a subsidiary of

global cement giant LafargeHolcim Ltd. San Miguel through parent firm Top Frontier Investment Holdings Inc. owns two cement plants that are slated to begin commercial operations within the next two years.

The family of businessman Ramon Ang, who is the president and chief operating office of San Miguel, also owns Eagle Cement Corp. which operates a cement plant in Bulacan and is in the process of completing a new plant in Cebu.

San Miguel agreed to acquire the majority stake in Holcim Philippines last year to expand the group’s cement business as the Philippine government undertakes a massive infrastructure program.

The share price of San Miguel rose by P0.50 to close at P97 while the stock of Holcim Philippines fell P2.55 to settle at P8.75.

PH to receive 400,000 tons of Vietnam rice

By Othel V. Campos

PPE DONATION. Standard Chartered Bank, through its global COVID-19 fund aid, donates protective personal equipment to help augment the limited medical supplies in the country. SCB corporate affairs, brand and marketing head Mai Sangalang (4th from left) leads the delivery and distribution to Victor R. Potenciano Medical Center in Mandaluyong City. She is joined by VRPMC Nursing Division head Mabel Oamil (second from left) and other bank officers.

THE Philippines expects to receive 400,000 metric tons of rice from Vietnam which reaffirmed its commitment to resume rice exports to Southeast Asian countries.

The Department of Agriculture said Vietnam, the biggest net rice exporter in the world, offered to help maintain adequate food supply in the region in coping with the coronavirus pandemic.

“We welcome the decision by Vietnam to resume its rice export policy and taking into account the difficulties faced by various stakeholders during this crisis,” said Agriculture Secretary William Dar. According to a letter furnished by the Finance Department, Vietnam Industry and Trade Minister Tran Tuan Anh gave assurance for the delivery of contracted volume.

Tran said that on April 28, Vietnam

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc approved the resumption of rice exports to the Philippines and other ASEAN countries starting May 1, 2020.

“I hope the new decision by our Prime Minister will contribute to the joint efforts by ASEAN member states in maintaining adequate food supply to ASEAN Community to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthen ASEAN’s internal unity,” Tran said in the letter to the DOF. “We need to keep the regional market open for trade and ensure the sustainability of the supply chain among ASEAN member-states, especially for food and other essential goods,” Dar said.

Data from the Bureau of Plant Industry showed that from Jan. 1 to May 1, the Philippines imported 666,480 MT of rice from Vietnam, of which 218,300 MT had been delivered, leaving a balance of 448,180 MT.

SEMIRARA Mining and Power Corp. said Monday it posted a 43-percent decline in consolidated net income after tax to P1.2 billion in the first quarter from P2.3 billion in the same period last year.

SMPC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the lower income was due to lower coal and electricity prices and plant outages during the period.

It said net of eliminations, the coal segment contributed P1.2 billion while SEMCalaca Power Corp. added P100 million.

Southwest Luzon Power Generation Corp. recorded a net loss of P200 million in the first three months.

Coal production went down by 22 percent in the first quarter to 3.2 million metric tons from 4.1 million MT in the same period last year. Export sales fell 20 percent to 1.6 million tons from 2 million tons a year ago, while domestic sales stood at 1.6 million tons.

SMPC said the drop in global coal prices translated into a 16-percent decrease in coal average selling price to P1,900 per ton in the first quarter from P2,272 a year ago. Alena Mae S. Flores

Group asks Taiwan to accept tobacco harm reduction as a human right AN ASIA-PACIFIC consumer advocacy group has supported the petition asking the Taiwanese government to recognize tobacco harm reduction as a human right in line with the goal for Smoke-Free Taiwan 2040.

The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates said it is supporting the initiative of Taiwan Tobacco Harm Reduction Association which filed a petition calling upon the government of Taiwan to allow tobacco harm reduction products as part of the key strategy for tobacco control.

CAPHRA is an alliance of consumer organizations from Australia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand that aims to educate, advocate and represent the right of adult alternative nicotine consumers to access and use of products that reduce harm from tobacco use.

Tobacco harm reduction is a public health strategy that aims to provide alternatives to reduce risks caused by smoking cigarettes. Such alternatives include innovative technology-aided electronic nicotine delivery systems or e-cigarettes, Swedish snus and heatnot-burn tobacco products.

Numerous scientific studies have shown that the harms of these products represent less than 5 percent or just a fraction of the health risks of combustible tobacco. Unlike combustible cigarettes which are being linked to 20,000 deaths a day globally, THR products do not produce smoke because they deliver nicotine by heating, and not burning, tobacco.

Nancy Loucas, the executive coordinator of CAPHRA, said that no less than the World Health Organisation Western Pacific Region Office recommended that countries regulate vaping/ENDS in order to protect public health.