Manila Standard - 2020 May 19 - Tuesday

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News

TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Senators nix COVID ’Cha-Cha’ S

By Joel E. Zurbano

Senator Nancy Binay said government agencies pushing for federalism should rather engage in an aggressive information campaign about the coronavirus disease instead of focusing their budgets on gathering signatures for charter change.

According to the senator, with the public

still clueless on what to expect and and how to prepare as the country transitions from modified enhanced community quarantine of modified general community quarantine, and towards the new normal, the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), and the Department of Interior and

Local Government (DILG) have big shoes to fill when it comes to information campaign.

"On the part of the PCOO, we expect a massive multi-platform information campaign for the public to know the 'Dos and Donts' as we transition from ECQ to the new normal. Dapat merong aggressive effort to put into infomercials and readable printed formats ang lahat ng kaliit-liitang detalye ng safety and health protocols para naman alam at handa ang publiko to live and embrace the new norm," she said.

Binay added that the PCOO and the DILG should redirect their federalism roadshow budgets and instead prioritize public health interests in the light of a possible surge of the coronavirus infections

Cavite...

of cases of COVID-19 continues to climb.

“There are only people that would be allowed to go out and work and many are still barred, just remember this—the easing up of the restrictions does not mean that COVID is gone,” he said.

The government announced the gradual lifting of a two-month-long coronavirus lockdown in selected areas of the country to open up business and spur the slowing economy, despite increasing deaths caused by the virus.

The IATF eased the quarantine measures in Metro Manila and its nearby provinces by placing these areas under the modified ECQ. For areas under the modified ECQ, authorities will allow the reopening of select manufacturing and processing plants, and there would be limited transportation.

“We are still under the community quarantine,” Roque said, adding that malls found violating quarantine rules will be closed and owners would be charged.

Roque said that President Duterte will be back from a brief visit to his hometown of Davao by Monday afternoon to meet with IATF members to discuss the country’s situation under the eased quarantine measures.

The ECQ imposed on March 15 on the

entire island of Luzon, which accounts for the most number of COVID-19 cases in the country, was extended up to May 15, chiefly because efforts to control the contagion had not flattened the curve.

“We cannot afford a second wave,” Roque said, adding that despite relaxing the quarantine, the public must strictly follow rules set by the government.

Duterte appealed to local government units and the public to follow guidelines after the government relaxed the lockdown in some parts of Luzon, and millions of workers started to report for work on Monday.

Some experts believe that easing lockdowns and restarting of businesses and travel could trigger a second wave of COVID-19 infections.

Shopping malls in Taguig City will allow only those bearing the unified quarantine pass (UQP), company IDs and certificates of employment for essential workers, the city government said Monday.

To ensure the safety of residents as the modified ECQ beings, Mayor Lino Edgardo Cayetano ordered his men to conduct inspection at shopping malls and similar establishments in the city.

The inspection of malls checked on the health and safety precautions in place of business establishments, the mayor said.

As work partially resumes in Metro Manila, the leftist Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) said workers are left to fend for themselves as the government and employers refuse to provide transportation, protection from the pandemic and safe workplaces.

“Workers are front-liners too. We are returning to work because the economy needs the essential products we produce and we need to survive every day. The government and employers have failed to recognize our essence as front-liners.

We are not sacrificial lambs,” said KMU Metro Manila spokesperson Ed Cubelo.

The group scored the lack of mass transportation provided for workers returning to work as seen on reports early Monday morning.

“Workers are forced to walk for hours in order for them to report to work. We are at risk of getting more exposed to the virus.

We don’t deserve that,” said Cubelo.

He added, “Mass testing should also be conducted on all the workers. Guidelines that only symptomatic individuals should be tested have been proven wrong because there are asymptomatic persons.

The Valenzuela and Marikina LGU’s experience on mass testing has already showed this.”

Rodriguez also questioned the speedy approval of the bill for the same reason, saying it could be challenged in view of the constitutional requirement for three separate hearings.

Lagman said the House must schedule committee hearings on several proposals calling for the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise to operate.

"I hope Cayetano and the other House leaders will also see the light of expediting the consideration of the numerous bills proposing a 25-year renewal of the network’s franchise before the proposed brief interim franchise expires," he said.

Meanwhile, ABS-CBN Corp. on Monday prodded the Supreme Court to immediately grant its plea for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction stopping the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) from implementing its cease-and-desist order requiring the media giant to cease operations after the expiry of its franchise on May 5.

In seeking he immediate issuance of a TRO, ABS-CBN argued that it will take some time even if members of the Senate have expressed willingness to act immediately on the measure of the House of Representatives to issue a provisional authority to operate until Oct. 31.

The broadcast giant expressed fears that that it might not be able to resume radio and television operations as the provisional authority is still subject to the approval of the Office of the President.

“This may take some weeks if not months,” the petitioner said.

Mass...

After the COVID-19 outbreak, private companies organized Project ARK or Antibody Rapid Test Kits, which has raised 1 million test kits for the use of barangays as well as for workers looking to return to work.

"We cannot hide from the virus forever.

We have guidelines on how to go back to work... For asymptomatics, government will not test because they do not have the capability and they do not have enough PCR tests, so we are helping,” said the headof the Project ARK medical team Dr. Minguita Padilla. She said the private sector has also procured additional reverse transmission-polymerase chain reaction or RT-PCR kits and machines to be installed in government-run hospitals to boost capacity.

Several local government units have also begun local testing to reduce infections within their communities.

The country's 30 testing laboratories can currently process up to 14,500 samples per day, not even half of the 30,000 target.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Monday said workers are not required to undergo COVID-19 tests before they can go back to work, but advised employers to strictly observe health protocols to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said if a worker shows symptoms of the disease, the employee must undergo testing.

Some establishments were allowed to resume operations after the government

eased quarantine protocols to preserve jobs as the country slowly transitions into the new normal amid the global health pandemic.

“COVID-19 testing is not mandatory.

But if the worker is symptomatic, there is a need to conduct testing,” Bello said, adding that employers must comply with minimum health standards such as having the temperature of workers checked and implementing strict sanitation protocols.

Selected industries have been allowed to resume operations under the modified enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) as well as under general community quarantine (GCQ), provided that only 50 percent of the workforce will be physically present.

Bello said employers were advised to provide shuttle services for their workers if they want them to be physically present, since mass transport is still banned in modified ECQ areas while a scaled down mass transport is being implemented in GCQ areas.

“We cannot force the to provide shuttle service for their employees, but if they need to be physically present, they should provide shuttle service,” Bello said.

In a separate advisory, DOLE also said the cost of preventing the spread of COVID-19 in workplaces as provided for in its joint guidelines with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) should be shouldered by employers.

Labor Advisory No. 17 “highly encourages” work-from-home and telecommuting for employees in businesses and industries already allowed to resume operations under the modified enhanced community quarantine or general community quarantine.

the pandemic.

Once the worst-hit country in the world, Italy on Monday took its latest step in a cautious, gradual return to normality, allowing businesses and churches to reopen after a two-month lockdown.

In a live-streamed prayer Sunday, Pope Francis spoke of the "joy" of restarting services, calling it a "sign of hope for all society" as Saint Peter's Basilica threw its door open to visitors.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Friday the event would be "one of the most important (WHAs) since we were founded in 1948".

But the chance of reaching agreement on

global measures to address the crisis could be threatened by steadily deteriorating relations between the world's two largest economies over the pandemic.

US President Donald Trump last week threatened to cut ties with China, where the outbreak began late last year, over its role in the spread of COVID-19, and has repeatedly made unproven allegations that the virus originated in a Chinese lab.

He has also suspended funding to the WHO over allegations it initially downplayed the seriousness of the outbreak, and was kowtowing to Beijing.

Despite the tensions, countries hope to adopt by consensus a resolution urging a

joint response to the pandemic.

The resolution, tabled by the European Union, calls for an "impartial, independent and comprehensive evaluation" of the international response to the COVID crisis.

Consultations around the text concluded last week after "tough" negotiations, according to Nora Kronig, who heads the international affairs division of Switzerland's public health office.

After several days, a tentative agreement was reached to approve the resolution, which also calls for more equitable access for tests, medical equipment, potential treatments and a possible future vaccine. AFP

ENATORS on Monday expressed strong opposition to government's move to gather signatures to change the Constitution amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

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But Remulla said mall owners and operators, as well as shoppers, failed to observe health protocols to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

He said all shopping centers in Cavite would be temporarily shut for failing to practice social distancing.

"The province recorded 40 new (COVID-19) cases after the quarantine was downgraded to GCQ. As of May 13, Cavite had 239 cases and 275 cases on May 17," said Remulla.

“You think the GCQ is a freedom pass.

You think the reduction in the number of checkpoints means you can ignore the passes needed to leave your homes. You think the work ID is a pass to play hooky.

Well, this is my policy,” he said in Filipino.

Remulla said even supermarkets, groceries and drugstores inside the malls will be closed until the provincial government figures out how to implement social distancing and other quarantine protocols.

Palace spokesman Harry Roque said the government will have no choice but to reimpose the lockdown if the number

House...

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House Bill 6732 to allow several congressmen to ask questions on the issue.

"Let me make this of record that at any time, the House can approve this bill on third reading, but because of the insistence of our colleagues to interpellate further on the matter, I move that we reconsider approval on second reading of House Bill 6732," Palma said.

House Bill 6732, drafted by Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and several House leaders, was filed and referred to the committee on rules Wednesday, and was consecutively approved at the committee level and on second reading on the same day by constituting the chamber as a committee of the whole.

Bills on franchise should have been referred to the House committee on legislative franchises for deliberations.

A staunch supporter of the ABS-CBN franchise renewal bill, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, lauded the House leadership's action.

"I laud Speaker Cayetano and the House leadership for seeing the light on the need to reconsider the approval on second reading of HB 6732 granting a provisional franchise to ABS-CBN on the same day it was passed on first reading," Lagman said, noting that the Constitution requires three readings on separate days for a bill to become a law, unless it is certified urgent by the President.

Cagayan De Oro City Rep. Rufus

WHO...

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coronavirus infections in Brazil, India and South Africa showed the worst is still to come in many countries.

The relaxation of curbs in Europe comes as governments walk the tightrope of struggling to repair the vast economic damage unleashed by the pandemic while preventing new infections that would force another round of restrictions.

The WHO has warned that reopening too quickly without a vaccine could trigger a second devastating wave of infections in

Local...

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SC...

Over the weekend, Unioil Philippines forecasted a price increase of P0.50 to P0.60 per liter for diesel and P1.30 to P1.40 per liter for gasoline.

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

Meanwhile, the Energy Department does not expect the oil firms to impose this week the impact of the imposition of Executive Order 113 putting additional 10 percent duty on all crude petroleum oil and refined petroleum products.

March 17 to May 15, 2020 since the government implemented the ECQ in different cities.

Marquez, who exercises administrative supervision over lower courts judges and personnel, said those released were charged with crimes punishable under the Revised Penal Code, special penal laws and a few local ordinances.

“This was from the time our courts nationwide ‘drastically reduced its operations’ and after four days were ‘physically closed to all court users’ and may only be reached through their hotlines and email addresses,” Marquez said in a statement.

On March 16, 2020, Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta issued Administrative Circular 31-2020 mandating that “all courts

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under MECQ or GCQ. "May krisis 'di ba? Bakit cha-cha ang inuuna? Matagal na po nating sinasabi na we are at a crucial point where communication is vital in confronting a state of public health emergency. Magstep up naman sana ang PCOO at DILG in elevating the ante in risk communication.

Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Monday denied a report that it was collecting 2 million signatures in support of constitutional amendments as the country fought the COVID-19 pandemic.

A newspaper report over the weekend said the DILG has shifted its signature campaign online during the pandemic.

nationwide shall drastically reduce operations” and maintain only the necessary skeleton-staff to immediately act on urgent matters brought before them. The circular was in response by the SC to the “exponential spread of COVID-19 cases in the country.”

Due to the unabated rise of COVID-19 infection and in line with the government’s appeal for the public to stay safe, Chief Justice Peralta ordered that all courts nationwide be physically closed to all court users who may reach them only through their hotlines and email addresses, requiring practically all judges and court personnel to work from home.

“We did not stop there. We immediately gave 1,000 of our busiest courts the facility to conduct videoconferencing hearings, again focusing on the concerns of the PDLs. And in two weeks, almost 800 videoconferencing hearings of PDLs were conducted nationwide. And this is the result—more than 18,000 PDLs released,” Marquez said.

Sara: President ‘top frontliner,’ rightly at home DAVAO CITY—As the country's topmost "frontliner," President Rodrigo Duterte had every right to fly home to this city, his daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said Monday.

"He's the top frontliner as president of our country," said Duterte-Carpio in a live interview on Davao City Disaster Radio.

The President made the trip to Davao Saturday, as Metro Manila eased its lockdown measures to a modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), under which domestic flights remain barred.

It was the first time for the President to return home since the March lockdown, which halted transport and restricting movement in the capital region. He had spent his 75th birthday under quarantine in Malacañang in March.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, who also serves as vice chair of the National Task Force against COVID-19, also defended Duterte, saying the President was exempted from flight restrictions being the highest official of the land.

"I think the President’s flight is one of those exemptions being the highest official of the land. He has the authority to go anywhere he wants and being the chief executive, chief implementor of all the laws of the land he can go wherever he wants as long as health standards and protocol are observed," Año told ANC on Monday.

Mocha airs side to NBI on post hit as fake news

By Willie Casas Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Deputy Administrator Mocha Uson went to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to explain that she made an "honest mistake" in a Facebook post which was tagged as "fake news."

Uson showed up at the NBI office wearing shades and a face mask.

Uson’s explanation was in compliance with a subpoena from the NBI’s Cybercrime Division, ordering her to explain her use of a photo from a private group to accompany a Facebook post about the government's purchase of personal protective equipment.

Uson posted on Facebook last month photos of safety gear that the government supposedly purchased.

She replaced the images within minutes after social media users pointed out that these included photos from a private foundation.

Those spreading false information about the pandemic could face a 2-month jail sentence or a ₱10,000 to ₱1-million fine under the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act that grants President Rodrigo Duterte additional powers to arrest the respiratory disease's spread.

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De Leon said he was a small businessman trying to work hard for at least 10 hours a day just to make both ends meet for three years now "since I decided to quit my job abroad."

"It's really hard to cope and adjust my life here, putting up a business which (is) way out of (my) league," the 50-year old father of three said.

Like thousands of small businesses in Metro Manila, De Leon's shirt printing shop in Quezon City had to close indefinitely in March because of the enhanced community quarantine imposed by the government to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease.

"The pandemic came and you are forced to close your shop with no assurance of getting a financial aid from the government, and staying at home with a tight budget."

"I envy those who got financial assistance from the government. Very few are selected to get assistance, but what about us, the business owners and the middle class citizens as if we're not part of society?" he said.

And being the sole provider and head of the family, De Leon is struggling to figure out how his small business will rebound from the crisis when he can resume his business.

"It's been two months and some restrictions have (been) lifted. We are hoping we can go back to our work but there's some hesitation, worrying (we'll) be taking a risk, and if it's going to be normal again, I'm getting paranoid," De Leon said.

The government last Saturday lifted the ECQ and shifted to modified ECQ in Metro Manila, Cebu and Laguna until May 31.

News

TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Manila starts building own virus testing lab

IN BRIEF ‘Ambo’ delays seafarers repatriation

By Willie Casas THE Manila City government has started building its own COVID-19 testing laboratory at the Sta. Ana Hospital in a bid to strengthen its mass testing operations as a response against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Manila City Mayor Francisco "Isko" Domagoso announced on Saturday, May 16, the construction of the testing laboratory which will provide citizens a "gold standard" testing capability against COVID-19.

"Magpapatayo po tayo ng sarili nating testing laboratory. This is our long term plan for you, for the city," Domagoso said via Facebook Live.

"As we speak today, the room and the laboratory area is now being built bilang paghahanda ng inyong pamahalaang lungsod sa mga darating na buwan ng buhay natin na kabahagi natin si COVID-19," he added.

Domagoso said the testing laboratory would help in increasing the number of confirmatory tests being conducted in the nation's capital.

According to the Manila Health Department, about 1,533 confirmatory tests have already been conducted in the city.

The Mayor also announced that the city government has acquired eight mobile digital x-ray machines for its district hospitals.

This means patients no longer have to physically move to the hospital's X-Ray room to avoid exposure from COVID-19.

"Ayokong in the middle of everything, nasira yung machine, wala tayong extra. I really wanted to prepare our city with this kind of equipment, facilities, to empower our medical institution and our frontliners in the health sectors," Domagoso said.

First testing center to rise in Bulacan

By Orlan L. Mauricio MALOLOS City—After more than two months since the lockdown began last March 16, the province of Bulacan can finally breathe a sigh of relief from the arduous task of swabbing and bringing specimen to the RITM in Muntinglupa or at the Phil. Red Cross laboratory in Mandaluyong City.

Guiguinto Mayor Ambrosio ‘Boy’ Cruz, Jr, president of the League of Municipalities (LMP-Bulacan chapter) said this will soon change as the province is now hastening work on its first one-stop Covid-19 testing center in Bocaue town located just across the Philippine Arena.

“It’s all systems go. The Department of Health has already given clearance to the Korean project proponent which willrush the conversion of the dietary section at the on-going construction of the Joaquin Villanueva Medical Center, near the Bocaue Municipal Hall in Barangay Igulot,” Mayor Cruz said.

The P35-million project will have a complete laboratory and trained technical staff now undergoing training to conduct the highly-critical polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test used in detecting the novel corona virus or Covid19.

Mayor Cruz said all the 21 mayors of Bulacan have committed to chip in their share to buy some 30,000 test kits at a complete package cost of only P2,000.

“We will have a big savings for all Bulakenyos here,” he said.

Two weeks ago, the provincial government entered into a memorandum of agreement with the Philippine Red Cross to buy 1,428 at a cost of P5-Million or P3,500 per test kit.

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FOR ATHLETES’ SAKE. Co-Chairman of Defeat Covid 19 Committee and House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez (2nd left)

and House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano ( 2nd right) turn over the boxes of personal protective equipment and energy drinks intended for the personnel and athletes of the Philippine Olympic Committee led by Rep. Bambol Tolentino (right).The donations are part of the salary donated by all members of the House to fight COVID 19. Ver Noveno

QC Hall of Justice locked down after reported COVID-19 death

By Rey E. Requejo and Rio N. Araja

T

HE Quezon City Hall of Justice Building has been placed on a lockdown starting Monday (May 18) after an employee of another agency housed in the same building allegedly died due to coronavirus infection.

Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez announced that he has approved the recommendation of the Quezon City Court's Executive Judge Cecilyn Burgos-Villavert to place the building on lockdown.

"I approved the recommendation of the EJ to be on the safer side. Anyway, QC courts can do videocon hearings," Marquez said.

According to Marquez, the staff underwent COVID-19 test passed away, but the result has yet to be released.

Marquez said the executive judge is conducting a fact-finding inquiry

about the staff's illness and if the staff went to the HOJ. "Lockdown can be lifted today or tomorrow, depending on results of factfindings being conducted by the EJ," he added.

Villavert said the lockdown which covers the main building and its annex "will remain until further notice."

She, however, denied rumors that a court employee is the one who succumbed to the virus.

"However, there was a circulating and unconfirmed news that an employee of another agency holding office at

the Hall of Justice died of severe pneumonia and suspected COVID-19, and that said employee went to the Hall of Justice, Quezon City, a few days before dying," Villavert said.

She said they are now verifying the information and that if it is proven true, then contact tracing and building disinfection must be first undertaken.

"Accordingly, entrance of any person at the Hall of Justice, Quezon City shall be disallowed during the said period," she added.

Burgos-Villabert said all initiatory pleadings in civil and criminal cases, including criminal complaints, information and application for bail shall be filed electronically to the Office of the Clerk of Court of the regional trial courts and metropolitan trial courts through their official email addresses as listed in the Supreme Court website.

BACK ON THE ROAD.

Tricycles begin to operate in Valenzuela City on Monday after Metro Manila have been placed under the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine.

Andrew Rabulan

SENATOR Grace Poe on Monday asked the management of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) to stop collecting payments from consumers until it comes out with a final and correct billing based on accurate meter reading of the actual kilowatt-hour consumption.

"Still reeling from the COVID-19

‘Don’t neglect learners with special needs’ SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian on Monday urged the Department of Education to ensure the continued education of learners with disabilities or special needs in the roll-out of its Learning Continuity Plan (LCP) for school year 2020-2021. The senator said addressing the needs of these learners would prevent them from dropping out.

While DepEd is set to utilize alternative learning delivery modalities such as online learning, radio, television, and printed packets for learners without gadgets and connectivity during this time of the pandemic, Gatchalian said that these should also be available in formats that are conducive to learners with disabilities.

Printed learning packets, for example, can be made available in braille or as audiobooks for visually impaired learners, Gatchalian said. Sign language interpreters should also be tapped for television-based instruction, he added. Joel E. Zurbano

JoyRide, Antipolo City employ trike drivers A 100 percent Filipino-owned ride-hailing motorcycle company has partnered with Rizal province's Antipolo City to mobilize tricycle drivers as delivery bikers amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Noli Eala, JoyRide vice president for corporate affairs, said the onboarding of the new Kasundo delivery bikers would start on May 20. He vowed to comply with the government's health protocols to ensure the safety of their bikers and customers, such as disinfection of the bike unit, wearing of face mask and alcohol sanitation.

He said the new bikers would only deliver products, such as food, and that a no-back ride policy would be strictly prohibited.

JoyRide and Happy Move inked an initiative with Antipolo City Mayor Casimiro Ynares to initially help some 200 tricycle drivers who have lost their source of income due to the enhanced community quarantine. Rio N. Araja

Reevaluate lives in time of pandemic—priest

Poe asks Meralco to come up with ‘correct billing’

By Joel E. Zurbano

TYPHOON Ambo has delayed repatriation efforts of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) as 20 cruise ships fled Manila Bay due to the typhoon.

Some 20 cruise ships with some 8, 000 Filipino seafarers on board fled Manila Bay to prevent any mishaps on the ships due to strong winds and waves brought by the typhoon, according to PCG officials.

The 8,000 OFWs on board 20 cruise ships whose Covid Tests have been reported by the Philippine Coast Guard as negative were unable to go ashore this weekend as the threat of Typhoon Ambo forced the ships to leave Manila Bay to prevent any mishaps.

The Philippine Coast Guard was in the process of taking the seafarers to South Harbor on ship tenders last Friday but strong winds and heavy rains in Manila stopped the evacuation efforts of the Coast Guard and the ship captains of the 20 cruise ships ordered their anchors lifted and all the ships headed out to the waters off the coasts of Bataan and Cavite for safety.

backlash, the last thing our consumers need are shocking electricity bills that could throw them off-track anew," the lady senator said.

Poe said the confusing billings and unusually high charges have left many households in distress, especially those who lost their sources of income due to the enhanced community quarantine imposed by the gov-

ernment to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.

"Until such accurately updated bill indicating exact staggered due is received by customers, it is proper that they hold off payment," she said. "This should come with the assurance that our people will not be disconnected from service, while they are stuck at home during the quarantine."

MANILA—With the unabated global spread of the Corona Virus Disease-19 (COVID19) with still no vaccine available, a priest pointed the theological significance of the deadly plague during this perilous era, saying it is time “to reevaluate our lives and value system” by asking God’s mercy and compassion to stop the pestilence.

Rev. Fr. Carlos V. Reyes of the Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Mandaluyong City made the statement as panic swirled around the world on the huge number of deaths and afflicted the past six months or so.

The deadly virus has infected 196 countries and killed over 313,000, and counting. Plus more than 4.7 million afflicted.

“This time of pandemic and lockdown is forcing us to re-evaluate our lives and our value system,” Fr. Reyes said in his an e-mail to this writer on his thoughts about COVID-19 that practically brought the world on its knees affecting the economy and the health of mankind. Ben Cal

Fil-Indian group, P’que cops team up for aid MANJINDER “James” Kumar, Founder/President of the Filipino Indian Commerce and Welfare Society Inc. (FICWSI), has strengthened his food relief operations as the lockdown continues due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Kumar learned about hundreds of stranded construction workers in Parañaque. Trapped in the confines of the construction site, with insufficient food, and, above all, the constant worrying for their respective families’ situation in the province, makes the plight of these workers more distressing.

After meeting with some representatives of the stranded workers, Kumar quickly established the “filindihelpline kitchen.” Everyday, all throughout the lockdown, dinner food packs are prepared in the filindihelpline kitchen and

delivered to the constructions sites benefitting o ver 200 workers. This effort is dubbed as “Helpline for the Hungry.”

“I cried when Mr. Kumar talked to us and promised to deliver dinner everyday until the end of the lockdown. I thought it wasn’t true. But the next day, dinner food packs started arriving, not missing a day.

Somebody responded to our calls for help. It is such a relief that unburdens our difficulties here. We send our many thanks to Mr. Kumar and to the Police,” narrated in Tagalog by a worker who requested not to be named.

This relief response is in collaboration with PCol. Robin King Sarmiento, COP, Parañaque City Police, in line with PNP’s “AdoptA-Family” program. FICWSI’s fil-

indihelpline carries “Together For A Cause” as slogan.

Kumar believes in collaborations among donors and other organizations for better capacity to extend help.

Two collaborative relief operations were recently conducted, as response to distress calls, with the Malasakit Movement of Asec. Celine Pialago, also the spokesperson of Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA). Last May 6, Pialago and Kumar distributed over 500 food relief packs to families in Barangay Tonsuya, Malabon City.

On May 15, 2020, filindihelpline and the Malasakit Movement toured and distributed over 1,100 food relief packs as a response to distressed calls from breadwinners who have been unable to work and earn during the lockdown.

INDIAN GIVER. Manjinder “James” Kumar, Founder/President of the Filipino Indian Commerce and Welfare Society Inc. (FICWSI), strengthens his food relief operations as the lockdown continues due to COVID-19 pandemic. This relief response is in collaboration with PCol. Robin King Sarmiento, COP, Parañaque City Police, in line with PNP’s “Adopt-A-Family” program.

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

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TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2020

PSE INDEX CLOSING Monday, May 18, 2020

62.60 PTS. 5,479.35

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

445,940,225 98,864 3,952,084,549.51 56 141 32

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • MONDAY, MAY 18, 2020

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

50.5880

Japan

Yen

0.009335

0.4722

UK

Pound

1.208500

61.1356

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129021

6.5269

Switzerland

Franc

1.029654

52.0881

Canada

Dollar

0.708767

35.8551

Singapore

Dollar

0.700918

35.4580

Australia

Dollar

0.641200

32.4370

Bahrain

Dinar

2.649217

134.018

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266276

13.4704

Brunei

Dollar

0.698470

35.3342

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000067

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.031153

1.5760

UAE

Dirham

0.272264

13.7733

Euro

Euro

1.081700

54.721

Korea

Won

0.000811

0.0410

China

Yuan

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ERC orders Meralco to explain huge monthly bills

Business

Second wave of infection to stall recovery—Diokno

By Julito G. Rada

B

ANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said avoiding a second-wave or thirdwave COVID-19 infection is key to a “U-shaped” economic recovery for the Philippines this year.

In an interview over ANC on Monday, Diokno expressed optimism the forecast of the interagency Development Budget Coordination Committee of an economic contraction of between 2 percent and 3.4 percent this year might hold, unless there was a second or third wave of infection.

“A lot of things depend on the behavior of the Filipino people.

If we can avoid a second wave or a third wave, the forecast will be steady. That means a U-shaped recovery..., “ Diokno said.

“But in case there is a second wave, that could mean a Wshaped recovery. That will be much worse than the revised forecast,” he said.

Diokno also considered as “positive” a big chunk of the country was under a modified quarantine status. “… Unless there is a deterioration in those hotspots, I think we are ready towards our move for normalization. So I am optimistic that the forecast right now of DBCC might hold,

unless there is a serious second or third wave,” he said.

DBCC earlier this month predicted the economy to contract between 2 percent and 3.4 percent this year, a sharp reversal from the 6-percent expansion in 2019, due to the debilitating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The projection was way below the earlier forecast of a 6.5-percent to 7.5-percent growth for 2020 that was made before the onset of COVID-19 in the latter part of last year.

Diokno said the 2-percent contraction was based on the effectiveness and the early deployment of both fiscal and monetary responses to the pandemic. He said the BSP had done a lot of anticipatory measures in the monetary side and that it was looking at how it was easing the liquidity in the market.

“Whether it is helping what sector. In the fiscal side, they have also deployed a lot of initiatives so let’s see how it works,” he said.

Diokno further said amid the health crisis, the banking industry remained well capitalized and their asset quality was quite high.

“So in the banking industry, we don’t see any major problem.

Except of course, there are some industries like the rice industry and the tourism industry that might be affected..., “ he said.

Estimates of the National Economic and Development Authority show the potential impact of the pandemic on the economy could reach P2 trillion in losses or about 9.4 percent of the GDP this year.

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Energy Regulatory Commission ordered Manila Electric Co. to explain the basis in calculating the kilowatthour (kWh) consumption of customers for the billing periods of March to May during the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine directive in Luzon.

Meralco, meanwhile, vowed to look for ways to ease the burden of its nearly seven million consumers.

The ERC sent the letter to Meralco, the country’s biggest electricity retailer, on May 15 after receiving numerous complaints from customers.

“We have been bombarded with complaints on Meralco’s alleged high billings covering the past three months, including this May, and we need to look into these consumers’ allegations that we required Meralco to submit to us data or information for us to validate the accuracy of their billing calculations,” said ERC chairperson Agnes Devanadera.

Meralco computed some of the March and all April billings based on the past three months’ average daily consumption, following the Distribution Services and Open Access Rules issued by the ERC. The ERC also directed Meralco and other distribution utilities to implement a four-month installment payment period on the billings to ease the burden of consumers.

Despite the move, the ERC, Meralco and the Energy Department received numerous complaints of high billings in May. “We are adhering to our mandate of ensuring that the interest of the consuming public is promoted and protected,” Devanadera said.

Meralco spokesman Joe Zaldarriaga said the utility would provide all the possible options for the convenience of the consumers amid the turmoil.

IN BRIEF

Aboitiz Group ready for employees’ return THE Aboitiz Group is implementing a strict ‘workplace re-entry program’ as it braces for the return of employees at the end of the enhanced community quarantine period in various parts of the country.

The Aboitiz Group operates businesses in several industries, such as power, banking and financial services, food, infrastructure, and land through its public holding company Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. The 12,674 Aboitiz Group frontliners include team members and subcontractors who need to be physically present in the offices or site facilities to perform their functions. Majority of employees would still be working from home.

“What has become clear is that after the ECQ, the way we work will no longer be the same as before. We will be operating in a new normal and a new business environment, a situation that we need to adapt to with resilience,” said Aboitiz Group president and chief executive officer Sabin Aboitiz. Alena Mae S. Flores

NASECORE slams NEA administrator THE National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reforms Inc. is asking the Energy Department to investigate the alleged collection of “unreasonable fees” by the administrator of the National Electrification Administration.

NASECORE, in a letter to Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, said NEA administrator Edgardo Masongson allegedly used the powers of his office to collect unreasonable fees from electric cooperatives for a series of conventions in Manila on August 5 to10, in connection with NEA’s 50th Anniversary and the Strategic Meeting on Rural Electrification.

“It is our position that NEA Administrator Masongsong has no authority to organize these events, much less require the payment of registration fees which, by our conservative estimate, amounted to a total of P42 Million... ,” NASECORE executive director Rafael Acebedo said. Alena Mae S. Flores

SEC stops CROWD1 from selling securities THE Securities and Exchange Commission issued a cease-and-desist order against CROWD1 Asia Pacific Inc., which it found to be soliciting and accepting investments from the public under a scheme disguised as a digital marketing business.

The SEC in an order directed CROWD1 to immediately stop from engaging in activities of selling or offering securities in the form of investment contracts or other similar schemes without prior registration and permit to sell.

The SEC also ordered CROWD1 to stop promoting its investment scheme in social media and other online platforms.

It also prohibited CROWD1 from transacting any business involving funds in its depository banks, and from transferring, all related assets for the benefit of the investors.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Smart reopens stores to serve customers

AYALA CONTRIBUTION. The Ayala Group takes the lead in the conversion of the World Trade Center (inset) into a 500-bed quarantine facility that features safe and controlled isolation cubicles as well as examination rooms and quarters for medical personnel. The conversion of 9, 700 square meters of space took just seven days. The facility was turned over to the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The group also donated all the testing booths for four Mega Swabbing Centers (main photo) at the Palacio de Maynila Tent along Roxas Boulevard, the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Enderun Colleges in Taguig City and the Philippine Arena in Bulacan. These centers aim to swab 55,000 individuals in the Greater Manila Area over the next three weeks.

Century Properties registered P1.48-b profit in 2019

By Jenniffer B. Austria PROPERTY developer Century Properties Group Inc. posted a net income of P1.48 billion in 2019, up 32 percent from a year ago, on the back of doubledigit growth in revenues.

Century Properties said in a disclosure to the stock exchange 2019 revenues rose 34 percent to P14.32 billion from P10.70 billion in 2018 on the back of project completions from the company’s residential condominium segment and contributions from the growing horizontal affordable housing and commercial leasing businesses.

“With CPG’s new business lines affordable housing and commercial leasing taking up 44 percent of the net income, our company’s financial results for 2019 show that we have kept on track with our strategic business expansion. This is a strong testament of

our continued commitment to deliver results and value to our shareholders,” said Century Properties chief finance officer and investor relations head Ponciano Carreon, Jr. said.

Net income contributions from residential condominium dropped 55 percent in 2019 against the previous year’s 76 percent due to increased share of the house and lot and rental businesses.

Horizontal affordable housing posted a 25-percent contribution against 17 percent in 2018, while leasing shared 19 percent compared with five percent in the previous year.

The balance of the contribution comes from the company’s property management business.

The property company in 2014 ventured into the commercial, office and horizontal development sector to serve unmet market demand and diversify revenue streams.

Century Properties over the medium term period plans to expand the horizontal affordable housing and commercial leasing businesses in the medium term to achieve a healthy balance of revenue mix with the vertical development segement.

Carreon said the company’s balance sheet remained strong with total assets expanding eight percent to P53.4 billion in December 2019 from P49.4 billion a year ago. Total stockholder’s equity also increased 12 percent to P19.6 billion from P17.5 billion.

“With the success of our company’s diversification strategy, CPG is now in a much better position to sustain growth and take on emerging market opportunities and challenges, and continue improving its operational efficiencies while exercising business prudence and maintaining a healthy balance sheet,” Carreon said.

GT Capital’s income declines 26% to P2.5b

STARTUPS’ CONFERENCE. Over 100 startup and technology leaders from 20 cities across the Philippines, other parts of Southeast Asia and the United States gather in a five-day virtual training conference organized by QBO Innovation Hub and the Department of Science and Technology. The conference aims to elevate the capacities of technology business incubators in the country. TBIs are facilities that house startups and equip their business development. They ensure the sustainability of the startup’s operation, the advancement of entrepreneurs, and partnership of the startups with public sectors.

CONGLOMERATE GT Capital Holdings Inc. said net income in the first quarter of the year declined 26 percent to P2.5 billion from P3.4 billion year-on-year on lower contributions from operating units affected by the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine order.

GT Capital said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Monday net income dropped 15 percent to P2.8 billion from P3.3 billion a year ago.

First-quarter consolidated revenues also declined 13 percent to P39.0 billion from P44.9 billion in 2019.

The bulk of the conglomerate’s first quarter net income came from banking unit Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., whose net income amounted to P6.1 billion, and automotive subsidiary Toyota Motor Philippines, which booked a profit of P1.5 billion.

Real estate sales from Federal Land Inc. as well as higher contributions from associate Sumisho Motor Finance Corp.

(Sumisho) also contributed to the group’s performance in the first quarter of 2020.

“Amidst the global disturbance caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the GT Capital Group of Companies remains steadfast in our commitment of first, to the safety and well-being of all our employees and staff, and second, to the undisrupted delivery of our products and services to all our customers during these challenging times,” GT Capital president Carmelo Maria Luza Bautista said.

“Given the diversity of our investment portfolio, the strong position we hold in the sectors we are in, our solid financial position, and our strategic partnerships, we believe that our group will be more resilient in coping with today‟s difficult environment.

We are confident that we can bounce back from the current worldwide disruptions and adapt our strategies to the ‘new normal’ conditions of the marketplace,” he added.

Metrobank posted a net income of P6.1 billion in the three-month period, driven by a six-percent growth in loans, eightpercent increase in deposits and non-interest income reaching P6.2 billion.

Jenniffer B. Austria

SMART Communications Inc. on Monday announced the reopening of its stores to serve customers in select areas under general community quarantine.

“We are continuously looking for innovative ways to adapt to the new normal in order to serve our customers better,” said Jane Basas, senior vice president and head of consumer wireless business at Smart.

“By opening our stores, we hope not only to address customer concerns but also to help stir economic activity to help our country recover from the effects of COVID-19,” she added.

To ensure the safety of customers and employees, everyone in the store will be required to wear masks and have their temperatures checked prior to entry. Darwin G. Amojelar

Gaisano Group reopens six stores in Luzon, Visayas

By Othel V. Campos METRO Retail Stores Group Inc., a retail company based in Cebu and owned by the Gaisano Group, restarted its retailing activities in six of its biggest stores in Luzon and Visayas on May 16.

The company cited the need to provide for the increasing consumer’s demand for basic needs and essential goods amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

The retail chain assured shoppers of strict implementation of safety measures within the stores to protect both staff and customers.

“We are taking necessary steps to ensure the safety and protection of everyone in the branches that will reopen. Among these health measures are installation of thermal scanning stations and antibacterial mats at store entrances, provision of face masks/ face shields for Metro Retail staff and alcohol dispensers at counters, consistent practice of social distancing, and reinforcement of scheduled disinfection of stores,” said store chief marketing officer Pilut Montes.

Metro Retail is the largest operator of department stores and hypermarkets in the Visayas.

Stores that started operating include Metro Ayala Malls Feliz that will open from 10 a.m. to 7p.m.

The District Imus Metro Department Store will operate from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Meanwhile, Metro Ayala Malls Capitol Central Bacolod will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Some branches at Central and South Luzon will also be open everyday starting May 18, while Metro Department Store, Marquee Mall in Pampanga will run from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Metro Supermarket Pacific Mall Lucena and Pacific Mall Legazpi will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., while Metro Department Stores in the same malls will operate from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.