Manila Standard - 2020 May 18 - Monday

Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circulation@manilastandard.net

‘Lockdown if cases surge’

DOH raises alarm over huge number of people flocking to the malls

By Joel E. Zurbano and Maricel V. Cruz

T

HE government may reimpose a total lockdown if there is a resurgence of COVID-19 cases in areas where quarantine restrictions have been eased, the Department of Health said Sunday.

This warning was issued after health officials noticed the huge number of people who flocked to shopping malls in Metro Manila and nearby provinces as the government eased quarantine rules.

Various photos on social media showed a number of people, mostly in groups or families, roaming around the shopping centers following the lifting of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) Next page

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 85 • 1 SECTION 4 PAGES • P18 • MONDAY, MAY 18, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘Sans vaccine, be mindful of health’

By Willie Casas DAY-TO-DAY behavior must change until a vaccine for COVID-19 is found despite the easing of quarantine restrictions across the country, an Next page

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM MAY 17)

12,513

208

824

7

TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

NEW

DEATHS

NEW

2,635

74

RECOVERIES

NEW

NEW NORMAL-READY. Disinfectant booths at the malls. Hand sanitizers inside jeepneys. Social distancing in the church. These are among the things and practices people may have to get used to in this time of the new coronavirus as the government imposes protocols to prevent a second wave of the dreaded virus outbreak. PHOTOS (from L): AFP, Jr Josue and Norman Cruz

New infections slow at 208

By Rey E. Requejo, Vito Barcelo and Joel E. Zurbano THE Department of Health (DOH) reported 208 new cases of COVID-19 Sunday, bringing total infections nationwide to 12,513.

Seven more people died from the disease, bringing total fatalities to 824.

The department also reported 74 new

• WHO: Spraying ineffective, risky • China warned vs. virus 2nd wave SPRAYING disinfectant on the streets, “Spraying or fumigation of outdoor as practiced in some countries, does spaces, such as streets or marketplacnot eliminate the new coronavirus and es, is... not recommended to kill the even poses a health COVID-19 virus risk, the World or other pathogens Health Organizabecause disinfecttion warned. ant is inactivated In a document by dirt and debris.” on cleaning and disinfecting surfaces “Even in the absence of organic matas part of the response to the virus, the ter, chemical spraying is unlikely to Next page WHO said spraying can be ineffective.

WORLD ROUNDUP

recoveries, bringing the total number of patients who have recovered from the disease to 2,635.

Metro Manila accounted for 174 of the new cases, or 83 percent of all new infections.

The Department of Foreign Affairs, meanwhile, said the number of overseas Filipinos who tested positive for Next page

LOCAL ROUNDUP

• Workers shuttle in ‘new normal’ • Church questions Mass restrictions

By Vito Barcelo, Jess Malabanan and Rio N. Araja A LABOR group has appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte to mobilize the government fleet of service vehicles to shuttle millions of ‘no work, no pay’ workers working in small and micro businesses who are unable to provide shuttle service to their employees who will return to work and re-open today May 18.

Next page

Pump prices resume upswing

By Alena Mae S. Flores

“Expect fuel prices to go up next week (May 19 to May 25). Diesel CONSUMERS have to brace for anoth- should increase by P0.50 - P0.60 and er oil price hike this week by as much gasoline should increase by P1.30as P1.40 per liter to reflect the move- P1.40,” Unioil Philippines said in its ment of prices in the world market.

Next page

5 dead, P80m lost in Typhoon ‘Ambo’ wake

By Rio N. Araja, Ronald O. Reyes, Alena Mae S. Flores, and Willie Casas AT ARM’S LENGTH. Maison Saigon, a restaurant in Bangkok, encourages social distancing by placing stuffed pandas to keep customers company. IG of Maison Saigon

ter officials clad in personal protective equipment, were evacuated as powerful typhoon Ambo lashed the Central Philippines before last weekend, killing five MORE than 70,000 people, all wear- along its path in Eastern and Northern ing face masks and assisted by disas- Samar, the government said Sunday.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council is still consolidating information on the damage and effects due to Ambo, which has since weakened to a tropical depression as it moved Next page

A2

News

MONDAY, MAY 18, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Small firms get P16b in subsidy

By Julito G. Rada and Maricel V. Cruz

T

HE government has released P16.4 billion worth of subsidies to around 2.1 million qualified beneficiary-workers of the Small Business Wage Subsidy Program to help them ride out the impact of COVID-19 pandemic to their livelihood, the Department of Finance has said.

applications for the program as the applications ended on May 8, 2020.”

“The SSS is currently processing them, but so far, the applications for around 2.94 million employees have been approved according to program criteria. This represents around 86 percent of the program’s target of 3.4 million small business employees,” she said.

This wage subsidy shall be given for up to two months so that affected small businesses are able to retain their employees during the quarantine period.

Under the SBWS measure, the government, through the SSS, shall provide a wage subsidy of P5,000 to P8,000 per month for each qualified worker, based on the minimum wage levels in the beneficiaries’ respective regions.

Payouts for the first tranche of the SBWS subsidies began on April 30, one day ahead of the announced May 1 to 15 schedule of release. home,” he said.

A spokesman for the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 expressed alarm over the crowds that appeared in malls.

In an interview on Dobol B sa News TV, Restituto Padilla, task force spokesman, reminded the public to remain cautious against possible transmission of the virus.

Heavy traffic developed in parts of Metro Manila and Luzon on Saturday as quarantine rules were eased.

Heavy traffic built up on EDSA-Balintawak going to the North Luzon Expressway as motorists hoped to travel to the provinces. Those on non-essential travel and who had no travel pass or rapid pass were turned back, however.

public and the authorities.

Tan appealed to local government officials to be more compassionate about home quarantine and consider allowing the use of designated safe spaces for fresh air, sunlight, and exercise for the people’s immune systems and general health.

Under the omnibus guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines recently issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force, individual outdoor exercises such as outdoor walks, jogging, running, or biking are allowed within modified enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) areas provided that the minimum health standards and precautions such as the wearing of masks and the maintenance of physical distancing protocols are observed.

Absent any cure or vaccine, COVID-19 will not be going away anytime soon. The country will have to continue many of the current measures on expanded targeted testing, isolation and treatment of patients, Tan said.

Majority of Filipinos are re-entering active work with a sense of worry that they might contract the dreaded novel coronavirus, initial results from a survey commissioned by health maintenance organization PhilCare showed.

Based on the preliminary PhilCare survey results, nearly 60 percent of respondents said they were not comfortable about going to work. In fact, 77 percent of them did not feel comfortable leaving their homes with the ongoing pandemic.

“All throughout the quarantine, all we had were assumptions about how Filipinos feel and think about COVID-19. Once complete, this survey should enable employers and even policymakers to come up with measures that will help employees cope with the situation,” PhilCare president and CEO Jaeger Tanco said.

disease 2019 threat were observed during the evacuation.

Damage to agriculture is estimated to reach almost P80 million in CALABARZON, Eastern Visayas, Bicol, and Cordillera.

Timbal said local government units (LGUs) did not use as evacuation centers the facilities utilized for the isolation of COVID-19 cases, adding the number of families allowed to stay inside a room in evacuation centers were limited to up to three only.

Eastern Samar, which bore part of the brunt of Ambo’s fury, needs food, water, and housing materials, an area where thousands were displaced, and evacuation and quarantine facilities destroyed, with 47,000 families affected,

Governor Ben Evardone said.

He said two residents died due to injuries, while two more died of shock.

In Northern Samar, one death was reported in Las Navas town, according to the Police Regional Office (PRO)Eastern Visayas. Two were also injured in Mondragon.

Meanwhile, a military C-130 cargo plane arrived on Saturday afternoon at the Catarman airport in Northern Samar to bring the needed relief to Ambo’s victims.

The aircraft carried 1,100 family food packs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development as part of the augmentation support of DSWD in Region 7 and Region 8, according to 803rd Brigade civil military officer Captain Ronald Aljas in a statement.

gion,” DoF said during the weekend.

SBWS subsidies are either credited to the beneficiaries’ bank or PayMaya accounts or sent through cash remittance via MLhuillier Financial Services.

This SBWS initiative is one of the intervention programs the Duterte administration has rolled out in support of low-income families, workers of small businesses, and other vulnerable sectors that are hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic’s economic fallout.

These programs are aligned with President Duterte’s priorities of saving

New infections...

From A1

‘Lockdown...

From A1

the coronavirus disease 2019 rose to 2,360 with 30 new infections.

Citing latest reports, the DFA said that 35 more overseas Filipinos have recovered from the virus, bringing the total to 824, while a total of 1,262 patients are still undergoing treatment.

The death toll climbed to 274 with five new fatalities.

“Europe and the Middle East remain as leaders in terms of total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases among nationals abroad, followed by the Americas, which ranks first in mortality,” the DFA said, in statement.

In the Middle East of Africa, the death toll increased to 41 while recoveries remained at 86. Patients undergoing treatment decreased to 558.

An increase in both fatalities and recoveries was also recorded in Europe at 83 and 226, respectively, while patients undergoing treatment in the region decreased to 381.

The DFA reported that the death toll in the Americas increased to 148, while recoveries in the region also climbed to 202. On the other hand, patients undergoing treatment decreased to 190.

Thr Bureau of Immigration (BI) said a total of 125 immigration personnel assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport all tested negative for COVID-19.

Immigration commissioner Jaime Morente said a second batch of rapid antibody-based testing was conducted for immigration personnel assigned at NAIA on Friday.

“We are targeting to roll out mass testing among our frontline officers who are one of the most at risk in contracting this virus, being the first that international travelers encounter during their arrival in the country,” Morente said.

during which malls and similar establishments were closed for two months.

“This is actually a shifting or transitioning so that we can gradually lower the restrictions of the community quarantine. But if we see after this a sudden surge in cases, there is a big possibility that we will need to do another total lockdown,” said Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire.

Shopping centers and malls in Metro Manila were allowed to partially open under the general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified ECQ rules beginning Saturday.

Vergerie said she is hoping that the guidelines and health protocols set for these establishments would be followed, including the physical distancing and wearing a face mask.

Vergeire reminded people that regardless of the classification an area falls into, the whole country is still under quarantine.

“What we should always remember is that we are all under a community quarantine, whether it is modified or general, all areas of the country are still under a community quarantine,” she said.

Vergeire also reminded people they must continue to act reasponsibly, despite the easing of some restrictions.

The modified ECQ policy started from May 16 to May 31 in Metro Manila, Laguna and Cebu City.

Presidential Spokesman Secretary Harry Roque, Jr. said under a modified ECQ, there are more sectors and industries that will be opened, mostly with 50 percent of employees allowed to work on-site. Previously disallowed sectors like malls and commercial centers for non-leisure services will now be allowed under the modified ECQ. In modified ECQ areas, there will still be no public transport and domestic flights, except for limited interna-

tional flights, and inbound travel will be controlled, and only overseas Filipino workers and returning Filipinos will be allowed.

Biking and non-motorized transport are encouraged, and there will still be no inter-island travel.

Schools will still be closed in modified ECQ areas. Government work will still be done by a skeleton staff onsite while most employees will work from home.

Since public transport is still disallowed, frontline workers or those who will return to work in allowed industries under the modified ECQ will have to take the public shuttle for frontline workers, or companies will have to provide shuttle service.

With the easing of some quarantine restrictions and the opening of more industries, Roque underscored the importance of following the minimum health standards in accordance with the government’s National Action Plan on COVID-19.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said malls that violate physical distancing measures and curfew will be closed.

DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said local officials and the government’s Joint Task Force COVID Shield have been instructed to inspect malls to see if they are complying with government’s quarantine protocols.

“If the malls are not able to comply with the minimum health standards, the PNP (Philippine National Police) can close the malls and charge the mall owners with violation of the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act,” Año said.

Año also advised the public to bring with them identification cards as police checkpoints will remain in all areas under community quarantine.

“The general rule continues to be ‘stay at home’ unless accessing essential services or going to work in permitted industries. Those found to be unauthorized will be fined, issued citation tickets, or detained if they refuse to go

‘Sans vaccine,...

From A1

He said sometimes, it could be just a minor incident, such as the “super spreader” who infected more than 100 people in South Korea, when he went pub crawling after the country reopened bars and nightclubs Tan expressed his confidence that the government’s measures, such as the quarantine, have made a difference while the country ramps up its testing capacity and better prepares the health care system.

He also called on government agencies to closely study urban housing programs as a long-term policy response to protect poor and other vulnerable individuals.

Tan has also been impressed by the increase in small and micro-scale entrepreneurs, such as street-side sellers who have begun selling health-related products to prevent further transmission.

“We’ve learned many things during the lockdown, when our movements were restricted. It turns out you didn’t need to go to the supermarket once a week, or go

to the mall every day. We are learning to differentiate between what we need and what we want,” he said.

From a socio-cultural perspective, there are many common Filipino habits that could be revisited in response to the pandemic. He said, for instance, that the public needs to be reminded not to touch their face masks and not to take them off.

He also reiterated the importance of proper cough etiquette to avoid droplet transmission.

Another behavior that needs is public spitting, which encourages the spread of the virus.

Recognizing that millions have been hit hard due to the disruption of livelihoods, Tan called for social solidarity and compassion by considering quarantine measures as a shelter, not a prison.

“It’s not true that we are stubborn and disobedient. Filipinos can be reasoned with,” he added in Filipino, citing recent altercations between the

Pump prices...

From A1 weekly price forecast.

World oil prices are on a rebound as China’s demand slowly picks up amid lifting of some restrictions. China is one of the world’s biggest oil consumer.

At the same time, production cut from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its applies helped boost prices.

On Feb. 12, oil firms also raised the price of gasoline by P2 liter, diesel by P1.90 per liter and kerosene by P1.25 per liter.

Meanwhile, the Energy Department does not expect oil firms to impose this week the impact of the imposition of Ex-

ecutive Order No. 113 imposing an additional 10 percent duty on all crude petroleum oil and refined petroleum products.

Data provided by the department showed the additional 10 percent tariff will result in a P0.60 per liter increase for gasoline, P0.84 per liter for diesel and P0.55 per liter for kerosene.

Energy Department director Rino Abad said this week’s oil price increase is not supposed to include the additional import duty as the department wants the oil firms to first consume their previous inventory prior to imposing the additional tariff.

“We will question if they will impose net week…There is an agreement that there will be 15 days minimum from May 6,” Abad said.

adequately cover all surfaces for the duration of the required contact time needed to inactivate pathogens.”

The WHO said that streets and pavements are not considered as “reservoirs of infection” of COVID-19, adding that spraying disinfectants, even outside, can be “dangerous for human health.”

lives and protecting communities amid this global health crisis.

The SBWS interagency task force is chaired by the DoF, represented by Assistant Secretary Antonio Joselito Lambino II, and with SSS president and chief executive Aurora Ignacio and BIR Deputy Commissioner Arnel Guballa as members.

Lambino said MLhuillier Kwarta Padala, through the Development Bank of the Philippines, is the partner-remittance center of the SSS in the disbursement of wage subsidies to unbanked beneficiaries.

The task force decided to tap the DBP because of its experience in delivering subsidies via money remittance to beneficiaries of the Department of Agriculture’s Rice Farmers Financial Assistance program, many of whom do not have bank accounts.

Meanwhile, Ignacio reported that “almost 160,000 employers submitted

The SBWS was designed to support qualified workers who were not able to receive their salaries for at least two weeks due to the enhanced community quarantine and other containment measures imposed by the national and local governments since mid-March to prevent the spread of the disease.

“A total of about P16.4 billion-worth of subsidies were credited to the accounts of SBWS beneficiaries as of May 12, equivalent to P5,000 to P8,000 per qualified worker, depending on the minimum wage level in his or her re-

expert in medical anthropology said over the weekend.

In the media forum Saturday, University of the Philippines (UP) professor Michael Tan, appealed to both the government and the public to behave with health and safety in mind while the virus continues to pose a threat.

The former UP Chancellor also called on all Filipinos to be kinder and more understanding, highlighting the importance of social solidarity in the fight against COVID-19.

“I know this many people are having a hard time, but this is something we are in together,” Tan said in a mix of Filipino and English. “The biggest fear is that if the quarantine is lifted in different areas, what we might experience what happened in other countries that saw a new spike in cases.”

World...

From A1

5Fromdead,...

A1 generally northeastward over the Bashi Channel, from different regions.

Some areas along Ambo’s path were plunged to pitch darkness following power outage.

So far, NDRRMC received information that 40,980 people were affected by Ambo in six provinces of CALABARZON and Eastern Visayas where Ambo cut a swathe of destruction before the weekend.

NDRRMC spokesperson Mark Timbal said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV, beamed nationwide, that measures in light of the coronavirus

In related developments: * A party-list lawmaker called on the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

(PhilHealth) to exclude from COVID-19 coverage patients who are found to have contracted the disease due to irresponsible or reckless behavior. Puwersa ng Bayaning Aleta party-list Rep. Jericho Nograles issued this call as he said he was shocked to see people flocking shopping malls and not observing proper social distancing as most of the country shifted from ECQ to a modified ECQ or GCQ. * President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to return to Manila on or before Tuesday to attend a scheduled meeting with members of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) in Malacañang on the COVID-19 situation. Roque said the President’s visit to his hometown, Davao City, will be a short one since he has to prioritize work. Duterte’s former aide and now Senator Christopher Go accompanied Duterte on his trip to Davao City, he added. He justified Duterte’s travel to his hometown, saying he was also there to assess the situation in Mindanao, which is now under a GCQ.

China warned of virus 2nd wave

China faces a potential second wave of coronavirus infections due to a lack of immunity among its population, its government’s senior medical advisor has warned.

After months of lockdowns and curbs on travel, China has largely brought the virus under control, but fears of a second wave have risen as clusters have emerged in northeast provinces and in the central city of Wuhan.

“The majority of... Chinese at the moment are still susceptible of the Covid-19 infection, because (of) a lack of immunity,” Zhong Nanshan, the public face of government’s response to the pandemic, told CNN. “We are facing (a) big challenge,” Zhong added. “It’s not better than the foreign countries I think at the moment.”

Zhong, who helped expose the scale of the 2003 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, also said authorities in ground-zero Wuhan had under-reported cases during the early days of the pandemic.

Russia: Under 10,000 new cases

Russia on Sunday recorded under 10,000 new cases for the third time this week, but fluctuating figures since the start of May suggest it is too early to detect a clear downward trend.

The country has the second highest number of infections in the world at 281,752.

On Sunday, the Russian health authorities confirmed 9,709 new cases.

Two other days this week also saw fewer than 10,000 new cases.

The country also announced 94 new deaths, slightly down from Saturday’s figure of 119 that was the highest daily toll yet. AFP

Local...

From A1 Associated Labor Unions Executive Vice President Gerard Seno said the idea of using the government-owned vehicles idle in various government agencies and offices for the use of employees returning to work was aimed at preventing a second wave transmission of the transmission of COVID-19.

Seno said: “We appeal to the chief executive to immediately mobilize all idle government-purchased service vehicles to shuttle daily-paid workers whose employers are unable to provide them with shuttle service due to economic difficulties brought by a 60day community quarantine lockdown.

“With government vehicles temporarily providing shuttle (this) will help both the economically distressed businesses and incomeless workers who lost their sources of livelihood during the lockdown to slowly recover.”

Workers worried

News Dwelling woes hamper ‘Balik’ plan—solon

By Willie Casas and Maricel V. Cruz GABRIELA Rep. Arlene Brosas said on Sunday the administration cannot possibly ensure balanced regional development with the Balik Probinsya Program, as dwelling issues continue to hound the country due to insufficient supply of affordable housing.

Brosas said the country’s current housing backlog stands at 3.9 million households.

“With the average production of housing units of only 200,000 units every year from 2012 to 2030, the backlog would still persist and hit 6.5 million households by 2030,” she said.

She added that as the government continues to combat the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, the poorest of the poor remain the hardest hit.

Brosas also said that even if the entire Metro Manila eventually transitions to general community quarantine soon, the daily struggle for the urban poor, composed mostly of informal settler families, remains the same or has become worse due to the effects of the pandemic—lack of decent and safe housing, low-paying jobs, lack of livelihood opportunities, and the constant threat of criminal elements lurking in busy streets.

Senator Christopher Lawrence Go earlier called on concerned government agencies, particularly the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to facilitate a comprehensive assessment of the population and situation of informal settler families, especially in Metro Manila, and provide better opportunities for them to start anew after the COVID-19 crisis.

Go said that if the urban poor are provided better opportunities in the countryside, they will be motivated to relocate back to their home provinces which would help solve problems in the metropolis related to congestion, such as poor quality of life, inefficiencies in the delivery of services, and environmental degradation.

Recently, PCUP has conducted its own survey with results showing that many ISFs are willing to return to the provinces. PCUP expects that as soon as the government finalizes various programs under the BP2 program, more Filipino ISFs will consider applying for the program and opt to return to the provinces.

As this developed, a party-list lawmaker, has called on the government to include the seafarers in its social amelioration program in the wake of the pandemic, as well as to prioritize the sector in the Balik Probinsya Program.

11 policemen get promoted in MM; two stand out

ELEVEN Metro Manila police officials were promoted to higher positions, the National Capital Region Police Office announced on Sunday.

The announcement came two days after NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas and other police generals were slapped with criminal charges in connection with Sinas’ birthday party gathering last May 8.

In a press release, the NCRPO said that the “exemplary performance of two outstanding members of Team NCRPO has been acknowledged by the PNP National Headquarters that resulted in their promotion to higher positions, to wit: P/Col. Arthur Velasco Bisnar as Acting Director, PNP Retirement and Benefits Administration Service (PRBS); and P/Col. Maria Leonora Chua Camarao as Director, PNP Recruitment and Selection Service (PRSS).

It added that the vacancies of the positions left by the two officials prompted the NCRPO to undergo major changes of its key offices “to give way to career development and opportunity to deserving officers among its ranks.”

Sinas “elatedly announced the designation of deserving metro cops to higher offices in the Regional Headquarters to wit:” P/Col. Randy Silvio–OIC, Regional Mobile Force Battalion; P/Col. Rodel Alcantara Pastor–Acting Chief, Regional Personnel and Records Management Division; P/Col. Hecto Grijaldo Jr.–Secretary of the Chief Regional Staff; P/Col. Rogelio Simon– Acting Chief, Regional Operations Division, and P/Col. Bernard Yang–Officer-inCharge, Makati City Police Station.

Sinas said the newly designated officers will be holding their new positions effective May 18, 2020.

Four other police officials were also promoted to higher positions. They are P/Col. Juan Anonuevo—Deputy District Director for Administration, Quezon City Police District; P/Col. Enrico Vargas–Deputy District Director for Operations, Southern Police District; P/Col. Raul Tacaca–Chief District Directorial Staff, Quezon City Police District, and P/Col. Ferdinand Navarro–Deputy District Director for Operations, Quezon City Police District. Joel E. Zurbano

MONDAY, MAY 18, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

A3

Pogo vs. Nogo: Crackdown up E

LECTRONIC gaming service providers are pushing for a crackdown on illegal operators following the arrest of 265 Chinese nationals in Las Pinas City involved in unauthorized gaming, a move lauded by the Philippine Amusement ang Gaming Corporation.

Lawyer Margarita Gutierrez, spokesperson of the Accredited Service Providers of PAGCOR, said the group has created a task force to assist police in tracking down illegally operating online gaming in the country.

PAGCOR, meanwhile, said it has intensified its efforts to go after nonregistered offshore gaming operators (NOGOs) that resulted in another successful drive against illegal gambling operations just weeks after a similar facility was discovered in Makati City.

Earlier, ASPAP lauded authorities for similar arrests in Makati and Paranaque, adding that they do not “condone, abet, or tolerate any form of these

illegal operations” as they are prejudicial to the interest of legitimate Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators.

Gutierrez also emphasized that the group is duly compliant with governmental requirements and certifications while faithfully following the laws and regulations governing legitimate business operation.

“We will not sit idly by while our authorities do the work to end illegal online gaming. ASPAP is forming a task force that will actively support the government’s campaign against illegals,” Gutierrez added.

Among others, she said the task force will coordinate with law enforcers and concerned agencies to provide

information that can help bring down illegal gaming operations.

“With our extensive network, we could prove to be an effective partner to stomp out illegal online gaming activities,” she said.

The government has allowed limited operation of POGO, subject to strict protocols, amid the enhanced community quarantine to generate much-needed revenues for its COVID-19 response programs.

ASPAP expressed gratitude for such decision as they vowed to comply with the parameters set by Malacanang, PAGCOR, and the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

The group likewise welcomed moves in Congress to fine-tune regulations, including tax policies, to strengthen the interdependence of all sectors to bring change for the better.

“ASPAP remains committed to support the country’s roadmap towards economic recovery from the crippling effects of the coronavirus pandemic and

beyond,” Gutierrez said.

According to PAGCOR AVP for Offshore Gaming Licensing Department Jose Tria, Jr., it becomes easy for them to trace illegal offshore gaming operators since only several POGO sites will be given the greenlight to partially resume operations “subject to strict conditions”.

“These NOGOs are unaware that POGOs which will resume operations will undergo thorough evaluation and inspection from PAGCOR. So we know which specific sites will be allowed to resume operations. Consequently, NOGOs right now are easily identifiable since not all POGO sites will resume operations,” Tria said.

Apart from implementing rules to effectively regulate POGO operations in the country, PAGCOR has been working closely with the Philippine National Police, the National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Immigration and the Office of Cybercrime under the Department of Justice to curb illegal gambling operations.

IN BRIEF Basilan solon bats for production push A CONGRESSMAN from Basilan on Sunday said the administration should strengthen the country’s food production system “as a parallel effort to stave off the deleterious effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Deputy Speaker Mujiv Hataman said funds must be allocated to improve and enhance the agriculture and agribusiness sectors.

“All aspects of life were affected by the pandemic including food production. There are worries that we will run out of food supplies if this plague persists,” Hataman said.

“The government should therefore resume, with a new sense of urgency, the repair and construction of rural infrastructure like irrigation and support to farmers and farm producers, which are needed to boost food production,” he added.

According to Hataman, strengthening the country’s farms is also the right step to achieve food security and self-sufficiency, as many countries have already imposed export bans or some form of restrictions on some food commodities to protect domestic supply. Maricel V. Cruz

MASK FACTORY. Workers churn out face masks and other personal protective equipment in Sta. Cruz, Manila in a factory owned by businessman Jojo Soliman that has a production capacity of 280,000 face masks a day. Soliman says the face masks will be donated to hospitals, local government units and the marginalized sector. NORMAN CRUZ

Incentives for barangay execs, Senator presses virus frontline warriors sought for bill promoting

By Maricel V. Cruz A PARTY-LIST lawmaker on Sunday pushed for the passage of a bill granting bigger honorarium and Christmas bonus for barangay officials and employees whose services have proven valuable amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Now more than ever, we must give our barangay workers better compensation in recognition of their vital role as frontline service providers as we see it today when the country is facing the worst public health crisis of this generation,” Deputy Majority Leader and Bagong Henerasyon Rep. Bernadette Herrera said.

“If we cannot afford to give them fixed salary, we might as well give them higher honorarium and Christmas bonus as a token of our appreciation for their sacrifices in serving the public, especially in these trying times,” she added.

Herrera earlier filed House Bill (HB) 5846 proposing to increase the honorarium and Christmas incentives of barangay officials, including barangay tanod (watchman) and members of lupong tagapamayapa (pacification committee) by amending a provision in the 29-year-old Local Government Code (LGC).

Under the LGC—which has remained relatively unchanged since its enactment in 1991—barangay officials should only receive honorariums, and not salaries.

At present, a barangay chairman gets

an honorarium of at least P1,000 a month, while the councilor, treasurer and secretary each receive P600. However, these amounts could be adjusted according to the availability of funds.

In her bill, Herrera proposes a minimum of P10,000 in monthly honorarium for barangay chairman; P8,000 for councilors, treasurer and secretary; and P5,000 for watchmen and members of lupong tagapamayapa.

Herrera also seeks a Christmas bonus of P3,000 for each barangay worker. She also wants to provide them with greater medical benefits, insurance coverage, free tuition for their children at state universities and colleges, among others.

The bill is pending with the House Committee on Local Government.

In pushing for higher cash incentives for barangay workers, Herrera noted that they currently receive small compensation that are inadequate for the needs of their families.

“They (barangay workers) do not enjoy much benefits from performing their mandate of addressing day-to-day issues of their communities,” Herrera said.

“This measure (HB 5846) recognizes the contribution of barangay officials and employees to the holistic and effective governance in the country. We must ensure the welfare of the public by empowering our barangay workers who are at the forefront of government service,” she added.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN. Public transport vehicles such as these tricycles have started conveying passengers in Dasmariñas, Cavite whose quarantine status has shifted from ECQ to the more liberal GCQ on May 16, 2020. JR JOSUE

‘gig’ economy

By Joel E. Zurbano

SENATOR Juan Edgardo Angara is pushing a measure aimed at preparing Filipinos for the skills needed for the gig economy, and to promote and strengthen digital careers.

The gig economy refers to the practice of companies of hiring short-term, independent contractors or freelancers.

The senator sees the work from home arrangements continuing even after the lockdown is lifted or at least until a vaccine is found for the coronavirus disease.

Angara said that in some cases, businesses have also made adjustments to their operations because of the losses they have incurred over the lockdown period and this includes downsizing.

“We are seeing the growth of the socalled gig economy in the country and with the extended period of the lockdown being implemented because of the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be even more activities on this front as businesses have to adjust to the new normal,” said Angara, who filed Senate Bill 1469 or the National Digital Careers Act. “Workers affected by the lockdown will also be exploring new ways to make a living and with many businesses shutting down because they are unable to cope with their losses, people will start looking at alternative means of livelihood,” he added.

Jobs available to these freelancers usually fall under the umbrella of digital careers and in most instances the work is done outside of the office and payment is made based on output and fulfillment of deliverables.

There are also freelance jobs that have become staples in the Philippine setting such as those in Transportation Network Vehicle Service system, food delivery and courier services, and even home sharing.

In 2019, Forbes ranked the Philippines sixth among the fastest growing markets for freelancers, with a 35 percent income growth from the previous year.

Paypal, in its 2018 Global Freelancer Insights Report, analyzed 22 countries and noted that the Philippines has one of the highest number of freelancers per capita, at around two percent or roughly 1.5 to two million Filipinos.

“Freelancers are usually paid very well. They get to work at home, at their own pace, and without their micromanaging bosses looming over them. It’s the perfect set up for people who qualify for these jobs,” Angara said.

Las Piñas donates P11m to city grads THE Las Piñas City government has announced that it will give financial assistance to 11,000 students who had graduated from public schools in the city this year.

Las Piñas City Mayor Vergel “Nene” Aguilar said he has donated P11 million to be given to all students who graduated for the school year 2019-2020.

Aguilar said each student will get P1,000 as a personal gift.

“The best gift that we can give to all our students is education. I just wanted to help the city residents, especially now that our country is facing a crisis due to the coronavirus pandemic,” he said.

Among those who will receive the financial assistance are graduate students from elementary and senior high schools and the Dr. Filemon C. Aguilar Memorial College (DFCAM).

There are 8,401 elementary school graduates, 2,173 in senior high and another 284 from DFCAM. Joel E. Zurbano

Cops, narcs nab 2 ‘valued’ targets TWO high-value targets were arrested in a buy-bust operation by elements of the Drug Enforcement Team & Special Operations Group-Cavite Provincial Intel Unit led by Police Major Dhefry Punzalan together with RSOU4A last Friday in Barangay Molino 4, Bacoor City, Cavite.

Police Col. Marlon Santos, Provincial Director of the Cavite Police Provincial Office identified the arrested drug suspects as Chito Gotgotao, 32 years old, married, jobless, a native of Quezon City and a resident of New Lower Bicutan Taguig City, and Charlie Legaspi, 48 yrs old, married, driver, a native of Antique and a resident of Central Signal Village, Taguig City.

Police Major Dennis Villanueva, Chief of the Public Information Office of Camp Pantaleon Garcia in Imus City, Cavite, said the two conspired to sell a heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing suspected shabu weighing more or less five grams to a police poseur-buyer in exchange for the buy bust money. Benjamin Chavez

ECQ violator gets mauled in Cavite THE militant labor organization Kilusang Mayo Uno has condemned the brutal beating of a factory worker by police officers as he was arrested allegedly for violating community quarantine rules in Gen. Trias, Cavite.

“Kapag mahirap tulad ng manggagawang si Ronald Campo, inaaresto agad at inaabot pa ng matinding bugbog. Walang anumang katuwiran sa pambubugbog kay Campo. Dapat managot ang mga gumawa nito!” said KMU SecretaryGeneral Jerome Adonis in a statement.

KMU slammed the double standard on the implementation of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) rules, saying that this is not the first time police exercised brutality instead of compassion amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis.

“Napakalinaw na hindi patas ang pulis sa sinasabi nitong pagpapatupad ng batas. Ang simpleng paglabag sa curfew o paglabas ng bahay ay walang batayang ligal para arbitraryong arestuhin ang sinasabi nilang lumabag sa ECQ. Samantalang si General Debold Sinas na malinaw na lumabag sa mga pamantayan ng ECQ ay mabilis na inabswelto ni PNP Chief Gamboa,” said Adonis.

Willie Casas and Benjamin Chavez

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

A4

MONDAY, MAY 18, 2020

Business

Airlines losing P150-b revenues P

By Darwin G. Amojelar

HILIPPINE airlines are expecting revenue losses of P150 billion in the second quarter of the year due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

“When we were operating and still had revenue for January, February and half of March, it [revenue loss] was already P5 billion,” said Air Carriers Association of the Philippines vice president and executive director Robert Lim. “The fixed cost to pay even if you don’t fly is P7 billion per month” Lim added.

The ACAP, which includes AirAsia Philippines, Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines and their affiliates, recently

discussed with senators the financial support requirements of the aviation sector to operate sustainably once the community quarantine period is lifted.

ACAP earlier requested the government to provide a credit guarantee scheme (not cash) to cover the banking sector’s loans and credit lines, most of which are secured with collaterals, in order to remove the aversion to the poor credit risk of the airline industry under the present operating environment.

IN BRIEF

The group sought a long-term facility at attractive rates or a guaranty facility to enable airlines to restructure debt to a more manageable level and give them leverage to negotiate better terms from aircraft lessors, lenders and creditors to ensure a successful recovery plan.

The International Air Transport Association said in its latest report the pandemic could cost 548,300 jobs in the Philippine air sector this year and cut the industry’s revenues to $4.48 billion.

It could also affect travel demand by as many as 28.85 million passengers from an earlier projection of 21.87 million passengers.

Globally, according to IATA, the revenue drop amounted to $113 billion

in 2020 from an earlier estimate of $88 billion.

The estimates are based on a scenario of severe travel restrictions lasting for three months, with a gradual lifting of restrictions in domestic markets, followed by regional and intercontinental.

Conrad Clifford, IATA’s regional vice president for Asia-Pacific, said the global airline industry was in survival mode.

“There will be more casualties if governments do not step in urgently to ensure airlines have sufficient cash flow to tide them over this period,” Clifford said.

IATA is calling for a combination of direct financial support, loans, loan guarantees and support for the corporate bond market and tax relief.

LOWER RATES IN MAY. Manila Electric Co. is reducing electricity rates this month

by P0.25 per kilowatt hour. The downward adjustment this month equates to P50 in total savings for a typical household consuming 200 kWh. Meralco public information office head Joe Zaldarriaga said the overall rate reduction was primarily due to the invocation of the force majeure provision in its power supply agreements during the lockdown, which reduced fixed charges for generation capacity that would have been charged by the suppliers. Above are the billing details of a customer.

Filinvest Land reduces 2020 project launches FILINVEST Land Inc., the real estate unit of the Gotianun Group, allotted P16 billion for capital expenditures this year after revising its project line up due to the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Filinvest Land president and chief executive Josephine Gotianun-Yap said the company decided to move some of project launches scheduled in the second half of the year to 2021.

“We are satisfied with our 2019 performance as both our residential sales and recurring income businesses reflected growth. The first quarter of 2020 has been challenging for our country with notable calamities such as earthquakes in Mindanao, the Taal Volcano eruption and most specially the global health crisis that is COVID-19,” Yap said.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Grab, DA team up in delivery service GRAB, the leading every day everything app in Southeast Asia, has teamed up with the Department of Agriculture to support the livelihoods farmers through an on-demand delivery service for the agency’s eKadiwa online marketplace initiative.

Under Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita Program, a market system that facilitates the selling of major agricultural goods at reasonably low prices to the consumers in partnership with local government units and the private sector, the DA will purchase fresh produce from farmers and food growers, eliminating middlemen and enabling farmers and food growers to earn more equitably from their hard work.

The project will give consumers across Metro Manila access to the many local produce offered by DA’s partners, such as Ani Express, Zagana, and Benjabi. Darwin G. Amojelar

COVID-19 stalls PH, China oil negotiations TALKS on the framework of a joint oil and gas exploration with China over the West Philippine Sea is still ongoing, although they have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, the Energy Department said over the weekend.

“Under the disputed area, we are saying we have an MOU with China on how to go on a possible joint exploration so that we can exploit and make use of whatever resources are available in the area for the use of our country,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said.

“We are still working on that. We are still working on the way forward on how we can proceed with the joint exploration,” he said.

He said the second meeting for the framework was supposed to be held in February but did not push through due to the COVID-19.

“We continue to pursue, we continue to discuss this with China…We are just exploring legal framework, operational framework,” he said. Alena Mae S. Flores

Farmers harvest P7-b worth of rice ahead of ‘Ambo’

By Othel V. Campos FARMERS quickly harvested P7 billion worth of standing paddy rice and P2.17 billion worth of corn before Typhoon Ambo struck the Philippines, averting farm losses that may negatively impact on the country’s food supply during the lean months.

The Agriculture Department over the weekend reported that farmers reaped 416,732 metric tons of paddy rice and 208,890 MT of corn just before the typhoon entered the country.

An early advisory issued by Department to regional field offices saved 93,507 hectares of rice and 75,467 hectares planted to corn in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Regions I, II, III, IV-A, V, VI, VII and VIII.

Meanwhile, initial damage and losses were placed at P185.83 million as the typhoon destroyed some rice and corn fields, high value crops and even livestock in CALABARZON, Bicol and Eastern Visayas Regions.

The typhoon affected the livelihood of 40,872 farmers with 9,977 hectares of agricultural areas destroyed and 10,366 MT of volume loss. The data, however, is still subject to validation.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar instructed regional executive directors in affected regions to thoroughly assess the damage and losses in crops, livestock and fisheries, including farm infrastructures and buildings, and provide emergency assistance to farmers and fisherfolk.

Farmers and fisherfolk who lost in-

come to the typhoon will be provided the so-called Quick Response Fund worth P700 million for the rehabilitation of affected areas; prepositioned rice seeds of 109,586 bags, 10,116 bags of corn seeds, assorted vegetable seeds; drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry needs; and enough funds from Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. to indemnify farmers Damage assessment and field validation are being conducted by the RFOs in regions affected by the typhoon.

Despite the impact on agriculture, rain showers from Typhoon Ambo raised the level of stored water in dams in Central Luzon, especially in Angat and Pantabangan.

The typhoon will likely exit the Philippines Monday afternoon.

7-Eleven’s Q1 profit fell 7.4% to P103.8m PHILIPPINE Seven Corp., the local franchise holder of convenience store chain 7-Eleven, registered a 7.4-percent decline in first-quarter net income to P103.8 million after closing down 10 percent of its store network following the implementation of enhanced community quarantine order in Luzon.

PSC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange system-wide sales, which represent sales of all corporate and franchise-operated stores, rose 12.7 percent to P14.1 billion during the quarter.

Revenue from merchandise sales, which pertain to retail sales of corporate stores and merchandise sold to franchised stores, increased 11.7 percent on year.

But the move to contain the spread of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic adversely affected the movement of goods and essential workers due to the establishment of checkpoint system and the shutdown of public transport. Jenniffer B. Austria

EDC ROTATING TEAMS. Glicerio Candido Jr., one of the shift leads of geothermal leader Energy Development Corp., is part of EDC’s frontliners who are working and living onsite to protect themselves and their families from COVID-19 as they continue to help the company generate power, especially for critical industries like the hospitals and food manufacturing in this time of crisis.

Candido Jr. has been working on night duty at the Tongonan Geothermal Power Plant in Leyte. He is part of a rotating set of teams that work and live onsite in the company’s temporary housing facility for two weeks, after which another team will replace them for another two weeks.

RCBC economist sees possible contraction of workers’ remittances this year

By Julito G. Rada REMITTANCES from overseas Filipino workers could possibly post close to a flat growth or even contract this year due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, a bank economist said over the weekend.

Michael Ricafort, chief economist of the Economics and Industry Research Division of the Yuchengco-led Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said remittances could slow down further especially starting March and April, following a 2.5-percent year-on-year growth in Feb-

ruary, the lowest in eight months since June 2019.

Ricafort said the slowdown could be triggered by the lockdowns in many host countries around the world that could have caused some OFWs to stay home, except those that were allowed to continue working in essential industries, especially the frontliners or medical professionals.

Some OFWs in hard-hit industries (especially tourism-related industries including cruise ship industries) were also displaced and repatriated back to the Philippines.

“Thus, OFW remittances could potentially post close to zero year-on-year growth, or could even contract (negative growth) by at least low single-digit levels for full year 2020 (after +4.1% growth in 2019, +3.1% in 2018 and +4.3% in 2017) and any contraction could start by March 2020 or April 2020,” Ricafort said.

However, he said this could be offset by some OFWs who could still send money to the Philippines by tapping their savings for the meantime to tide them over during the lockdowns until the re-start of the economies in various host countries.

“Another offsetting factor is that some OFWs in many host countries worldwide belong to essential industries especially medical professionals who could still continue to work and send remittances during the lockdown periods,” he said.

He said the sharp decline in global oil prices to the lowest levels in nearly two decades amid reduced demand could also adversely affect demand for OFWs and reduce the remittances sent back home, especially in the major oil-producing countries in the Middle East that host large numbers of OFWs.

Vista Land reopens 20 malls with strict rules

By Jenniffer B. Austria VISTA Land & Lifescapes Inc. of the Villar Group reopened 20 malls on Saturday with stronger safety and security protocols following the new community quarantine guidelines from the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Vista Malls said in a statement it would shorten mall hours, limit services and shops and implement more rigorous security and safety protocols.

Vista Cinemas and play and rest areas will remain closed to the public according to the community quarantine rules set by IATF and local government units.

Air-conditioning is regulated to 26 centigrade until further notice, while free mall Wi-Fi is disabled for the time being.

All restaurants and dining establishments can only serve orders for take-out and delivery, while workers, customers and couriers will be monitored for strict compliance to the physical distancing rules.

Cashless payment methods are highly encouraged to help limit contact.

“Vista Mall reopening its doors is as a step towards facing the new normal. With new paths being forged in navigating this new reality, Vista Mall remains committed to continue providing unparalleled service to its customers, business partners, and tenants,” the company said.

To protect everyone from the potential spread of the virus, Vista Malls mall goers will be required to undergo temperature scanning (those who register a temperature of 37.5 centigrade or higher will be denied entry), validation of ID (only those who are 21-59 years old are allowed entry), and hand and foot sanitation (through alcohol application and foot bath).

It will also require the wearing of face mask at all times and physical distancing of at least two meters.

Vista Mall said it would observe sanitation and security procedures by regularly disinfecting common areas like escalator handrails, elevator buttons, ATM machines and other high-contact areas every 30 minutes.

It will provide alcohol and hand sanitizer dispensers in mall entrances and common areas, and implement hourly sanitation of comfort rooms, mall clinic, and breastfeeding and pumping stations.

Cirtek eyes China, Taiwan expansion amid higher orders SEMICONDUCTOR manufacturer Cirtek Holdings Philippines Corp. is looking at China and Taiwan as part of an expansion and business continuity plans amid current disruptions in production caused by the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Cirtek vice president Tony Callueng said the company was in talks with an additional contract manufacturing partner in China and identifying a new Taiwan facility in response to supply chain diversification and business resiliency plans.

“Cirtek’s manufacturing capacity is currently running at 60% amidst the pandemic. It is expected to run up to 70% capacity by the time the Philippine lockdown is lifted to comply with COVID-19 preventive measures until such time a vaccine is available or herd immunity is achieved,’ Callueng said.

To respond to increasing orders while maintaining social distancing within the facility, Cirtek currently subcontracts jobs to manufacturers in China that have fully emerged from the lockdown in March.

Cirtek through wholly-owned semiconductor unit Cirtek Electronics Corp. reported increased product orders for chips supplied to medical equipment end customers globally.

Cirtek vice chairman Jorge Aguilar earlier said the company was being tapped by several of its customers for chips used in medical equipment desperately needed all over the world.

Cirtek’s medical chips are used in applications such as ventilators, CT scanners, defibrillators, ultrasounds, blood glucose, thermal scanners and oxygen level monitors.

Cirtek will produce one million chips per week for the devices that are in urgent demand. Medical practitioners cannot function without key parts manufactured by Cirtek in its Laguna Technopark facility.

Jenniffer B. Austria