Manila Standard - 2020 May 27 - Wednesday

MMC RECOMMENDS GCQ FOR NCR BY JUNE 1, IATF TO TACKLE MATTER TODAY (Story on A2)

LGUs can’t bar returning OFWs

POINT THE WAY.

President Rodrigo Duterte gestures during a meeting with members of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases at Malacañang on Monday night. Presidential Photo

• Duterte: Accept them or face raps • Local execs may opt for new tests

By Vito Barcelo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte warned local government officials he would order the filing of criminal charges against those who would refuse to accept overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) returning to their respective provinces after being cleared of COVID-19 by the Health Department following a 14-day mandatory quarantine.

P

Duterte issued the warning on a televised public address late Monday night, after receiving reports that some local government units (LGUs) refuse to take in returning Next page OFWs for fear that they might be carrying COVID-19.

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 93 • 2 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Only virus-free areas may open face-to-face classes ZOOM IN. Defeat Covid 19 Committee Co-Chairman and House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez presides over a Zoom meeting of the Social Amelioration Cluster that tackled House Bill 6709 or the CURES Act. Romualdez is one of the Principal Authors of the Bill (see story below). Ver Noveno

Rody: ‘Overpriced’ PPEs, test kits my full responsibility, not Duque’s

By Vito Barcelo and Macon Ramos-Araneta PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte fended off mounting calls for Health Secretary Francisco Duque III to resign over his mishandling of the COVID-19 crisis, and said he took full responsibility for

the purchase of overpriced medical supplies used in the fight against the pandemic.

In a meeting with top government officials late Monday night, Duterte said he asked Duque to speed up the purchase of supplies during the early days of the Next page pandemic.

MALACAÑANG on Monday said that the opening of classes may start on Aug. 24 but schools will implement various approaches in teaching students, such as technology-mediated learning through computers and cell phones, the use of media like television and radio, and other offline methods.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made this clarification after President Rodrigo Duterte said he would not allow the opening of classes if students would crowd inside a classroom before there is a vaccine.

“It does not mean that there will be no classes when the President said he will not allow students to crowd inside a classroom,” Roque said, saying that under the “new normal, students are not necessarily to physically report to school as some classes may be held virtually.”

In a late Monday night public address, Duterte said he was not keen on reopening the classes until the safety of students is guaranteed by a vaccine.

“It is useless to talk about the opening of classes when there is no vaccine yet Next page

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM MAY 26)

14,669 886 (13 new) 3,412 (89 new) 10,371 350 NUMBER OF CASES DEATHS

RECOVERIES

ACTIVE CASES NEW CASES

3he standard the standard the standard the stan

WHO warns of ‘immediate 2nd peak‘ GENEVA―The World Health Organization is warning that countries in which coronavirus appears to be in retreat could still face an "immediate second peak" if they let up too soon on measures to halt the outbreak.

WHO emergencies head Dr. Mike Ryan told an online briefing that, while cases were declining in

many countries, they were still increasing in Central and South America, South Asia and Africa.

Ryan said there was a chance infection rates could rise again more quickly if measures to halt the first wave were lifted too soon.

"We need to be cognizant of the fact that the disease can jump up at any time," he said.

DRESS REHEARSAL. Police trainees participate in the simulation exercise of social distancing protocols at the Recto Station and inside the wagons (inset) of the Light Rail Transit Line 2 on Tuesday, ahead of the train line's resumption of operations by next week.

Norman Cruz

Next page

Critics oppose granting network franchise

By Maricel V. Cruz and Rey E. Requejo HOUSE Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta on Tuesday asked his fellow lawmakers to reject ABS-CBN’s bid for a fresh 25-year franchise, citing the many “flagrant violations” that allegedly had been committed by the

media giant.

At the joint hearing of the House committees on legislative franchises and on good governance and accountability, Marcoleta claimed that ABS-CBN “deliberately and with impunity violated the conditions of its previous legislative franchise, more so our laws and the Constitution.”

Next page

Romualdez stimulus bill gets panel nod to restart the economy and protect the people, especially medical frontliners.

House Majority Leader and Leyte THE House of Representatives' Defeat Rep. Martin Romualdez, co-chairman of COVID-19 Committee on Tuesday the DCC along with Speaker Alan Peter approved three bills—including a P1.3- Cayetano, said the various clusters of trillion economic stimulus measure Next page

By Maricel V. Cruz and Rio N. Araja OPENING SPIEL. ABS-CBN President and COO Carlo Katigbak (left) delivers his opening speech during a joint committee meeting at the plenary of the House Representatives on Tuesday, while ABS-CBN Chairman Martin Lopez listens on. Ver Noveno

STANLEY HO, MACAU CASINO TYCOON, DIES

HONG KONG―Stanley Ho, the Hong Kong-born tycoon who made billions transforming neighbouring Macau from a sleepy Portuguese outpost into the world's biggest gambling hub, died on Tuesday at the age of 98, his family said. Next page

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News

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2020

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Mayors: NCR on GCQ by June 1 T The Metro Manila Council, composed of the mayors of the metropolitan's 16 cities and one municipality, will submit the recommendation to the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF), according to MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia.

This is before the government’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) task force may decide on Wednesday whether to further ease restrictions in Metro Manila and other areas under modified enhanced community quarantine, Malacañang said Tuesday.

The IATF will meet today to discuss the fate of community quarantines after May 31. Its decision is subject to the final approval of President Rodrigo Duterte.

“We will wait for the IATF's decision because we expect them to decide tomorrow. The important thing is to look at the disease's doubling rate, our critical care capacity and of course attention to our economy,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said at a televised briefing.

At present, only the cities of Cebu and Mandaue are under the enhanced community quarantine.

Metro Manila, Laguna, Bataan,

LGUs...

returning home.

Tthe Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday issued a similar warning.

In a Laging Handa briefing, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año warned LGUs that rejecting OFWs is a violation of the Bayanihan To Heal as One Act. "I myself will make sure I will go after you. I am warning you, stop that," Año said.

This came after reports of some LGUs that either impose unnecessary regulations or blatantly refuse to accept OFWs that already have the necessary certificates and documents proving that they are negative of COVID-19.

But the Palace also said it respects the decision of local government units to require returning workers to undergo another round of quarantine, even if they have tested negative for COVID-19.

“That’s the decision of the LGUs,” said presidential spokesman Harry Roque.

“They tested negative on PCR testing, so the quarantine might be a waste of time, but we respect your prerogatives.”

He suggested that the quarantine areas should be in barangays where the OFWs can be close to their families.

Duterte and Ano had both said that if LGUs insisted on re-testing arriving OFWs, they should ask for permission from the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases first.

Roque’s statement came after the League of Provinces of the Philippines on Tuesday insisted on having repatriated OFWs undergo quarantine and COVID-19 test upon their arrival in their home provinces.

LPP president and Marinduque Governor Presbitero Velasco appealed for understanding, saying the measure was meant to prevent the spread of the deadly virus in their communities.

Año, however, said OFWs returning to their home provinces are safe and free from COVID-19.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, Año said the national government has already advised concerned agencies regarding the matter.

On Monday, Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez lamented the supposed lack of proper coordination on the return of OFWs stranded due to the strict quarantine.

Gomez said local government officials were expecting proper notice on the return of the workers.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said the government should scale up quarantine facilities to cut the huge backlog of OFWs for repatriation.

With their robust remittances of P1.7 trillion last year, he said overseas Filipinos who are homeward bound have earned the right to be treated “as returning heroes who have sacrificed so much for their country.

“They deserve a red carpet welcome.

Those who have brought progress to this country should not be shunned as carriers of a disease. To view them as such is fake news most foul,” Recto said.

He said OFWs should be quarantined in comfortable lodgings and, after completing the two-week forced selfisolation, must be reunited with their loved ones without delay.

“They should not be stranded in their

own land,” Recto said.

For this to happen, Recto said government should scale up quarantine facilities so that more OFWs will be given the green light to return home.

The backlog of Filipinos who want to go home after being rendered jobless by the economic slowdown triggered by COVID-19 is getting bigger, in part due to the closure of Philippine airports to international flights.

“If that is the case, then let us study the option of opening more airports to chartered flights from abroad, in cities where struggling hotels can earn money for hosting OFWs who have been tested as coronavirus-free,” Recto said.

As they reintegrate, OFWs should be seen as “remitters of money and not as bearers of a disease,” Recto said.

Last year, Filipinos abroad sent home P1.7 trillion, Recto said.

“That’s P193 million every hour, P4.6 billion per day. That should be seen as the repatriation insurance they’ve been paying.”

“Twenty-five percent of the remittances came from sea-based Filipinos, which entitles those working aboard cruise ships a seamless trip home,” Recto said.

A recent DFA report to the Senate said 33,516 Filipino crew of at least eight cruise lines are awaiting repatriation. “But the figure is higher from this sector alone.”

Including land-based workers, government is bracing for the return of 300,000 Filipinos, victims of the global economic slowdown.

Recto said remittances of OFWs in one country are bigger than gross sales posted

by Filipino conglomerates.

extracurricular activities and events that would involve mass gatherings.

“There will also be the cancellation of extracurricular activities where there are large crowds like school sports, campus journalism, job fairs and others,” Roque said.

The IATF has yet to decide on the fate of the ECQ and GCQ in the country, which is set to expire on May 31.

Meanwhile, a labor group supported Duterte’s proposal to suspend classes until a vaccine is available, as it cited the case in South Korea where South Korean students were infected after the opening of classes.

Partido Manggagawa Secretary General Judy Miranda said sending their children to school is a choice which is exceedingly difficult to decide for poor families, who cannot even get free mass testing and adequate subsidies to secure their own health and economic survival at home.

“Not enrolling when schools officially open in August places unnecessary pressure on both parents and students whose dreams of getting out of the

poverty trap the soonest time possible through education remain high despite the pandemic,” Miranda said.

She said alternative learning modalities like E-learning or distance learning “is a sound idea as long as the infrastructure for it is ready and universally accessible to all students of all classes, public and private.”

Miranda said the government must study what would be the best time for school to open by not risking the safety of students.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said the President’s remarks should not stop education stakeholders from finetuning the ways students can learn amid the pandemic without making them sick.

Recto said finding alternatives to faceto-face instruction is like answering a multiple choice test. To be sick should not be one of them.

“Let us find the mix that will allow the 30 million children of this country to continue with their education without putting them in harm’s way. Let us see to it that even if schools are locked down, education is not

placed in quarantine,” he said.

The senator said this can be done by customizing the alternatives into one blend that will meet a learner’s socioeconomic profile.

“I have high confidence in the ability of the teachers of this land to adapt to the new normal, more so if they are empowered with the right tools to make a learnercentered adjustment,” said Recto.

In the meantime, he cited the need to work on the country’s IT infrastructure to close the digital divide.

He said the role of telcos—including the incoming third one—to ramp up internet speed and penetration is crucial if lessons will be coursed through the internet.

“Our failure to work around the virus will spawn a lost generation that will hurt the future of this country. It will harm children of poor families who have embraced education as a ticket out of poverty. It will widen the gap between rich and poor,” said Recto. Vito Barcelo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

WHO...

Romualdez...

From A1

Stanley...

"We cannot make assumptions that just because the disease is on the way down now it is going to keep going down and we get a number of months to get ready for a second wave. We may get a second peak in this wave."

He said countries in Europe and North America should "continue to put in place the public health and social measures, the surveillance measures, the testing measures and a comprehensive strategy to ensure that we continue on a downwards trajectory and we don't have an immediate second peak."

Meanwhile, the WHO suspended trials of the drug that Donald Trump has promoted as a coronavirus defence, fuelling concerns about the US president's handling of the pandemic that has killed nearly 100,000 Americans.

Trump has led the push for hydroxychloroquine as a potential shield or treatment for the virus, which has infected nearly 5.5 million people and killed 345,000 around the world, saying he took a course of the drug as a preventative measure.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has also heavily promoted hydroxychloroquine while the virus has exploded across nation, which this week became the second most infected in the world after the United States.

But the WHO said Monday it was halting testing of the drug for COVID-19 after studies questioned its safety, including one published Friday that found it actually increased the risk of death.AFP

the DCC had been working very hard to address the economic meltdown and to ensure that people’s rights were protected during the outbreak.

“These measures are not the panacea to all our problems. But these pieces of legislation may be considered as the next step in our calibrated response to ease the suffering of our people,” Romualdez told the DCC’s virtual hearing via Zoom.

“But we all know that these doles are not forever. We have to jumpstart our economic activities while keeping our people healthy to ensure our survival as a nation.”

Romualdez also stressed the need to enact House Bill 6709, the COVID-19 Unemployment Reduction Economic Stimulus Act that would quickly provide jobs to those displaced by the pandemic.

"When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, government efforts were focused on containing the spread of the virus and saving lives through necessary quarantine measures. The speed and magnitude of the collapse in our economic activity was unlike any other that we have experienced in our lifetime," Romualdez said during the Social Amelioration Cluster Meeting on HB 7609.

The Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development, meanwhile, has approved a P10-billion stimulus package for housing developers.

Secretary Eduardo del Rosario approved in principle an additional P8billion stimulus package proposed by the Pag-IBIG Fund's Home Development Mutual Fund to help partner-developers cope with the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Known as the "godfather" of Macau's casinos, Ho was instrumental in turning the semi-autonomous city on China's southern coastline into a gambling boomtown.

He fathered at least 17 children and speculation about how his vast fortune would be divided among his offspring has long occupied Hong Kong's tabloid media alongside public family feuds.

Family members said Ho passed away shortly after 1 p.m. local time in hospital.

"My father will live in our family members' hearts forever, and the hearts of all the people who benefited from him and were encouraged by him," daughter Pansy told reporters.

China's state-run CCTV described Ho as a "patriotic entrepreneur".

Ho monopolised the gaming industry until 2002, when the government introduced foreign investors sparking a boom which saw casino takings contribute around 80 percent of Macau's annual revenue and overtake Las Vegas.

His Sociedade de Jogos de Macao Holdings (SJM) empire remains a major player in Macau, the only place in China where casinos are allowed.

The company took a hit alongside its competitors after China's President Xi Jinping launched a high-profile corruption crackdown in 2014, triggering a dramatic decline in high-rollers to Macau.

Gaming revenues bounced back until earlier this year when the coronavirus pandemic emptied casino floors and hammered the industry. AFP

HE mayors of Metro Manila have recommended placing the National Capital Region under general community quarantine starting June 1, an official from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said Tuesday.

From A1

Duterte called on all local officials to accept OFWs returning to their homes, saying that only the national government could impose travel restrictions.

“I’m ordering you to accept them, open the gates of your territories and allow the people—and allow the Filipino to travel wherever they want,” Duterte said.

The President insisted that once they are cleared by the medical authorities and given certification, the OFWs can return home.

“It is the constitutional right of people to go home—to travel and go home. Do not impede it. Do not obstruct the movement of people because you run the risk of getting sued criminally,” he said.

He said the national government’s power to restrict travel due to a national emergency cannot be shared with the local government.

“I said nobody but nobody. And only the national government can impose restrictions on travels because it is the only agency who can declare that there is an emergency of national interest. The issue is national interest. And that power to—of declaration is not shared by anybody. It’s the national government,” he said.

He warned the LGUs refusing to accept OFWs saying, “Listen, you local executives—the national government will insist that you accept the OFWs.” While he acknowledged that local officials were only protecting their other constituents from possible infection, he said it was cruel to prevent workers from

Only...

From A1

against the COVID-19,” Duterte said.

“For this generation, no one will finish medicine, even engineering. Because there’ll be no lessons…let them play.

Unless I am sure that they are really safe,” the President added.

However, Roque said the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has agreed to resume classes on Aug. 24 based on the premise that all areas would be under general community quarantine (GCQ) by then.

During televised press briefing, Roque said schools that will conduct face-to-face or in-person classes can open not earlier than Sept. 1, while the government may issue new protocols for the resumption of classes if some areas are still under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ)

by Aug. 24.

He said that schools could tap alternative learning methods, while suspending

Critics...

From A1

During his opening statement on behalf of the network's critics in Congress, Marcoleta enumerated several alleged violations of ABS-CBN, including the constitutional 50-year limit of legislative franchises and foreign ownership restrictions, its unfair labor practices, political bias, and tax evasion.

He said the grant of legislative franchises was “merely a privilege and not a matter of right.”

The National Telecommunications Commission, meanwhile, has asked the Supreme Court to reject ABS-CBN’s petition assailing the validity of its order to shut down its operation following the expiry of its legislative franchise.

The NTC, through the Office of the Solicitor General, also urged the high court justices to deny ABS-CBN’s plea for a temporary restraining order on the ground "there is nothing more to enjoin" as the shutdown order "had already served its purpose" when ABS-CBN complied with it.

The NTC also said the P30 million to P35 million that the media giant claimed it was losing every day was damage that was not considered “irreparable," as it was subject to mathematical computation.

Early this month, ABS-CBN appealed to the high court to nullify the NTC’s order closing it down, saying it was issued without hearing and notice and to the detriment of its 11,000 employees.

From A1

Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Angeles City and Zambales will be under modified ECQ until May 31 unless earlier lifted or extended by the government, while the rest of the country is under the less strict general community quarantine.

Majority of the country’s more than 14,000 COVID-19 cases were recorded in Metro Manila.

Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte has tapped one of his presidential advisers, Ramon “RJ” Jacinto, as the new undersecretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology, Malacañang announced on Tuesday.

From A1

Pinoys among 8 sailors freed from kidnappers LAGOS, Nigeria—Eight foreign crew members kidnapped from a Singaporeowned container ship off Benin's coast in April have been freed and are undergoing medical checks, the Nigerian navy said on Monday.

German shipping firm Transeste said the vessel, the Tommi Ritscher, had been boarded by pirates on April 19 while at anchor off the port of Cotonou.

The eight included nationals from Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria and the Philippines.

"They were all freed on Saturday," "Admiral Oladele Daji, who headed the rescue operation, told AFP. "It's premature to give any details on their captivity and release. They are on medical observation and one of them is receiving medical treatment for malnutrition".

Transeste confirmed in a statement that the detained crew members had been released and would be repatriated back to their families.

Benin lies at the heart of the Gulf of Guinea, which stretches 5,700 kilometres (3,500 miles) from Senegal to Angola.

Coastal waters in the centre of the vast region have become an epicentre of pirate attacks, lootings and kidnappings for ransom. Many of the pirates come from Nigeria. AFP

Galvez calls for probe on blast in Maguindanao PRESIDENTIAL Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez Jr. on Tuesday called for an investigation of the explosion in Barangay Kitango, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao, that killed two children and wounded several others on May 24.

The incident took place during the celebration of Eid’l Fitr, which marked the conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan.

“We are saddened by what transpired on Sunday. We would like to assure our Moro brothers and sisters that we shall leave no stone unturned as we seek justice for the victims,” Galvez said.

Reports before the incident said members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters harassed military detachments and killed soldiers manning quarantine control points, which were put up to control the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following Galvez’s order, the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities and the International Monitoring Team started their probe of the incident.

And on Monday, Western Mindanao Command Chief Cirilito Sobejana met with BARMM officials over the incident.

"We will let the Bayanihan spirit work to give justice to the victims and ensure the protection of the people from harm," Sobejana said.

Rody:...

From A1

“I would listen to Secretary Duque. But I gave him the instruction and I admit it in public now… I told him, ‘Do everything you can’. And he said ‘there’s so many proposition’. ‘I do not care. If it’s not cheap, if it is expensive, go—just go ahead and do something about it,” he said.

Duterte said he had to make a decision, rather than stay “boxed in a corner.”

“I just want my fellow Filipinos to know I take full responsibility, that my order was to act quickly,” he added.

Duterte recalled how he previously said that it did not matter to him how the funds for the supplies would be sourced.

“I remember saying it. I do not care whether you go and steal, borrow or kill a person to get what—(do) what needs to be done,” he said.

Earlier, Senator Panfilo Lacson questioned the purchase of supplies including personal protective equipment (PPE) and swabbing system used in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests since they were more expensive than the ones bought by the private sector.

On Monday, Duterte ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate the overpricing of COVID-19 testing kits by a local supplier “very carefully.”

He also warned businessmen against hoarding especially during the prevailing pandemic.

He said the national government would "act accordingly" and tackle the issue in a legal manner.

Earlier, former Health Secretary now Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin called on Duterte to order an investigation of a ”very enterprising” couple for being linked to the overpricing of COVID-19 testing kits and machines.

Garin claimed that the couple has been operating to make it difficult for the private sector to access testing equipment and supplies unless they agree to purchase overpriced testing materials from them.

News

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2020

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2 more QC areas under ‘special’ lockdown

By Rio N. Araja

T

HE Quezon City government has put two more areas under special concern lockdown despite plans to extend the restrictions imposed on the 11 sites that were initially placed under SCL amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Assistant city administrator for operations Alberto Kimpo sent a letter to the Department of the Interior and Local Government-National Capital Region's director Maria Lourdes Agustin, identifying the areas as the Certeza compound in Barangay Culiat and Alley 2 Homart Road in Barangay Baesa to be placed under SCL. While Certeza compound has only

one confirmed COVID-19 case, Kimpo said the area’s dense population makes it a candidate for SCL as recommended by the city's health department and requested by officials of Barangay Culiat.

“Its 44 families cramped in a 70-square meter compound, makes Certeza in great risk of community transmission,” he said.

He said the health department would

conduct rapid testing on 200 individuals and a random rapid testing involving 450 households in the immediate vicinity of the lockdown area to check the extent of the infection in the community.

Just like Certeza compound, Alley 2 Homart Road has also been recommended by the health department to be placed under SCL because of its dense population.

Dr. Rolly Cruz, the city's epidemiologist, said there are nine confirmed cases in the area with one death, while the others are either confined in various HOPE facilities or undergoing quarantine at home.

“An estimated 156 families, comprising of 500 individuals, will undergo rapid testing to help determine the spread

IN BRIEF

of the deadly virus. of COVID-19 in the area,” he said.

Meanwhile, police arrested a 70-yearThe city government is studying to extend the 14-day lockdown in 11 loca- old woman and three other drug suspects in a joint buy-bust operation in the tions that were placed under SCL. Mayor Joy Belmonte reiterated her city. call to residents Manila of the Standard TODAY affected areas to HEAD OFFICE: PBCOM Tower, 6795 Ayala Avenue corner V.A. Rufino Street, 1226 Makati City coope rCustomer Care: (02) 8777-2266 or 1-800-10-777-2266 (Domestic Toll Free) *Email: customercare@pbcom.com.ph*Website: www.pbcom.com.ph ate with BALANCE SHEET the city (Head Office and Branches) gover nAs of March 31, 2020 AsofDecember31,2019 ment in A S S E T S its efCash and Cash Items P 2,776,503,789.68 P 1,770,935,764.88 fort to Due from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas 10,111,492,197.67 10,213,521,435.62 stop the Due from Other Banks 1,984,838,347.84 1,075,695,510.91 Financial Assets at Fair Value through Profit or Loss 255,691,898.15 1,703,734,428.48 spread Available-for-Sale Financial Assets - Net 5,055,326,674.28 8,167,456,780.82

SC INSPECTION.

Supreme Court (SC) Chief Justice Diosdado M. Peralta (in grey suit), inspects the testing sites as the SC starts rapid testing for COVID-19 of its employees today. SC-PIO

NBI asked to probe ‘secret’ health clinic JUSTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Tuesday said he will order the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct its own probe into the underground medical facility that reportedly admitted Chinese nationals suspected with coronavirus following reports that the Philippine National Police released two Chinese nationals they arrested during last week’s raid.

“If this is true, I will ask the NBI to step in and do its own investigation, and instruct the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to look out for them,” Guevarra said in a text message to reporters. Rey E. Requejo

Pasay councilor says sorry to health workers PASAY City Councilor Arnel Regino Arceo has apologized to health workers who he had allegedly harassed while conducting COVID-29 testing activity at city hall last week.

“My outburst on that day was because of shock and my fear of the virus and its transmission,” said Arceo as he apologized during a meeting with Mayor Imelda Rubiano and the health workers last Monday.

Arceo was referring to the incident captured on video showing him shouting outside the session hall where rapid testing for COVID-19 was being conducted. The video showed Arceo shouted at health workers for wearing masks and personal protective equipment (PPEs), prompting the worker to take them off.

Arceo claimed members of the City Council were not informed nor consulted regarding the testing activity at the session hall.

Joel E. Zurbano

14,641,815,027.62 58,823,668,856.81 59,454,074,963.48 630,406,106.67 627,226,819.40 20,052,652.34 1,461,696,969.56 519,284,490.526 5,713,641,473.83

P 103,193,426,827.38

P 104,738,730,210.79

P

78,260,381,693.84 8,523,154,709.26 59,765,500.00 8,463,389,209.26 545,426,638.57 2,280,043,194.44

P 74,964,276,414.86 13,064,823,798.71 2,100,000,000.00 1,189,531,000.00 9,775,292,798.71 926,685,239.01 2,304,215,351.95

P

89,609,006,236.11

P 91,260,000,804.53

P 14,278,374,781.56 2,948,448,327.55 -3,748,093,702.85

LIABILITIES Deposit Liabilities Bills Payable: BSP (Rediscounting and Other Advances) Interbank Loans Payable Other Deposit Substitutes Other Financial Liabilities Other Liabilities

Capital Stock Other Capital Accounts Retained Earnings

P

14,278,374,781.56 1,878,669,080.52 -2,572,623,270.81

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

P

13,584,420,591.27

P 13,478,729,406.26

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

P 103,193,426,827.38

P 104,738,730,210.79

CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS Financial Standby Letters of Credit Commercial Letters of Credit Trade Related Guarantees Commitments Spot Foreign Exchange Contracts Trust Department Accounts Trust and Other Fiduciary Accounts Agency Accounts Others

P

1,174,458,527.68 926,441,881.84 42,701,120.09 1,756,083,957.59 7,261,356,288.57 1,453,090,916.16 5,808,265,372.41 150,929,034.02

P

TOTAL CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS

P

11,311,970,809.79

P 11,867,917,222.48

1,340,631,695.97 666,667,289.43 218,882,872.08 93,200.00 2,334,629,716.08 7,144,649,697.54 1,442,256,207.90 5,702,393,489.64 162,362,751.38

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

‘Doble Plaka’ law deferred for now

By Randy Caluag THE riding community can heave a sigh of relief, at least for now.

This after Land Transportation Office (LTO) Executive Director Romeo Vera Cruz admitted that the much-maligned “Doble Plaka” law that covers millions of motorbike riders will not immediately be implemented due to lack of number plates.

In a radio interview, Cruz said unless all the plates are available, the law requiring riders to put up mumber plate at the back and front of the motorcycle.

“Hindi pa po natin ito ma-implement kasi hindi pa po available ang mga plaka,” said

Cruz, adding that no rider will be apprehended for nowbecause of the lack of a two-plate policy.

Cruz likewise clarified that for now, the riders will be required to put up sticker decals at the front of their bikes. He did not clarify however if the sticker decals will eventually be replaced by aluminum plates.

Blank plates have already arrived, according to Cruz, but their supplier would only be able to deliver about 1.7 million printed plates in July.

The LTO recently came out with the Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) of RA 11235, also known as the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Law or the “Doble Plaka” among the riders community.

Gross total loan portfolio (TLP) 62,844,400,804.89 Specific allowance for credit losses on the TLP 1,558,947,767.09 Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) a. Gross NPLs 2,442,049,529.70 b. Ratio of gross NPLs to gross TLP (%) 3.89% c. Net NPLs 1,045,830,588.69 d. Ratio of Net NPLs to gross TLP (%) 1.66% e. Ratio of total allowance for credit losses to gross NPLs (%) 94.31% f. Ratio of specific allowance for credit losses on the gross TLP to gross NPLs (%) 63.84% 7,839,371,112.14 Classified Loans & Other Risk Assets, gross of allowance for credit losses DOSRI Loans and receivables, gross allowance of credit losses 3,732,355.25 Ratio of DOSRI loans and receivables, gross of allowance for credit losses, to gross TLP (%) 0.01% Gross non-performing DOSRI loans and receivables Ratio of gross non-performing DOSRI loans and receivables to TLP (%) 0.00% Percent Compliance with Magna Carta (%) a. 8% for Micro and Small Enterprises 2.50% 6.78% b. 2% for Medium Enterprises Return on Equity (ROE) (%) 9.64% Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) on Solo Basis, as prescribed under existing regulations a. Total CAR (%) 16.81% b. Tier 1 Ratio (%) 13.87% 13.87% c. Common Equity Tier 1 Ratio (%) 1/

1/

60,882,337,262.19 1,428,262,298.71

2,324,859,588.57 3.82% 1,072,249,520.90 1.76% 88.55% 61.43% 7,543,624,438.59 3,857,262.18 0.01% 0.00%

2.82% 7.31% 9.51% 16.47% 13.69% 13.69%

Common Equity Tier 1 Ratio (%) is only applicable to all Universal and Commercial Banks and their subsidiary banks.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) City of Makati )S.S. We, Arlene M. Datu and Patricia May T. Siy, of the above-mentioned bank do solemnly swear that all matters set forth in the above balance sheet are true and correct to the best of our knowledge and belief.

(SGD.) ARLENE M. DATU Controller, SVP

(SGD.) PATRICIA MAY T. SIY President & CEO

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 20th of May 2020 at City of Makati, affiants exhibiting their SSS nos. 0356633451 and 0373099955, respectively.

(SGD.) ATTY. GERVACIO B. ORTIZ JR. NOTARY PUBLIC City of Makati until December 31, 2020 IBP no. 05729 - Lifetime Member MCLE Compliance No. VI - 0024312 Appointment no. M-183 -(2019-2020) PTR no. 8116014 Jan. 2, 2020 Makati City Roll no. 40091 101 Urban Ave., Campos Rueda Bldg. Brgy. Pio del Pilar, Makati City

Doc. No. 443 Page No. 90 Book No.XI Series of 2020 Manila

Member: Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation StandardMaximum Deposit Insurance for each Deposit P500,000.00

TODAY

INVITATION TO BID NO. 16-2020 The National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Biliran-Leyte del Norte-Leyte del Sur Irrigation Management Office, Marasbaras, Tacloban City through the General Appropriations Act (GAA) 2020 intends to apply the sum corresponding to the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC), to payment for the following contracts listed hereunder.

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) now invites bids for: Item/Description

Approved Budget

Duration

1. BNLSL-LCB-25-2020 – Construction of Diversion Works, Canal, Farm Level, Road and Drainage System of Kilim SIP, Baybay City, Leyte

28,398,077.68

360 cd

2. BNLSL-LCB-26-2020 – Construction of Diversion Works, Canal, Farm Level and Road System of Anibongon SIP, Abuyog, Leyte

23,665,030.25

360 cd

3. BNLSL-LCB-27-2020 – Construction of Diversion Works, Canal and Farm Level System of Combis SIP, Abuyog, Leyte

18,834,941.91

360 cd

Bidding will be conducted in accordance with relevant procedures for open competitive bidding as specified in the IRR of RA 9184. Bids received in excess of ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. The contract shall be awarded to the Lowest Calculated Responsive Bidder (LCRB) who was determined as such during post-qualification.

Interested bidders must submit a Letter of Intent and may submit the Class “A” documents addressed to the Chairman, Bids and Awards Committee, NIA, Biliran-Leyte del Norte-Leyte del Sur Irrigation Management Office, Marasbaras, Tacloban City.

NEW POWER LINES. A worker from the Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) replaced the old power line and transformer along Samson Road in Caloocan City. Andrew Rabulan

Interested bidders must submit bid proposals in three (3) copies, one (1) original and two (2) duplicate copies.

The schedules of BAC activities are as follows: BAC Activities

PNP to resume frontline administrative services THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday said it was preparing to resume all frontline administrative functions and regulatory services such as processing of licenses, permits, and clearances to the public.

In a statement, PNP chief, Gen. Archie Gamboa said the guidelines of theInterAgency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATFEID) will be strictly observed when they reopenfrontline administrative services of

14,534,151,183.51 60,541,203,943.93 2,600,000,000.00 58,685,453,037.80 744,249,093.87 455,015,774.66 20,111,166.52 1,385,037,049.35 539,452,214.65 5,534,602,587.14

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Valenzuela readies social pension for seniors THE Valenzuela City government on Tuesday said its senior citizens who are not pensioners under the Social Security System and Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) will be receiving their social pension (SocPen).

A total of 7,582 elderly were SocPen recipients courtesy of the Department of Social Welfare and Development that coordinated with its local counterpart, Office of Senior Citizens Affairs and City Treasurer’s Office to ensure an unhampered distribution to them, Mayor Rex Gatchalian said.

As mandated by Republic Act 9994 or the “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010” and under the government’s Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens Program, an indigent senior citizen is entitled to a monthly stipend of P500 or a total of P3,000 for the period of six months.

Rio N. Araja

TOTAL ASSETS

TOTAL LIABILITIES

Police arrest big-time drug dealer POLICE arrested a big-time drug dealer and seized more than P300,000 worth of shabu in a buy-bust operation Monday night in Las Pinas City.

The suspect was identified as Ryan Sta. Rita, 31, a resident of Barangay Interior, Elias Aldana, Las Pinas City.

Recovered from Sta. Rita were 50 grams of shabu worth P340,000 and the P500 marked money used by the police in the entrapmentoperation.

Las Pinas City police station commander P/Col. Segundo Lagundi said his men led by P/Lt. Roberto Pareno Jr. conducted the entrapment along Padre Diego Sierra Road in Elias Aldana around 9:45 p.m.

Lagundi said one of the police operatives disguised as a buyer who negotiated with the suspect resulting in his arrest. Joel E. Zurbano

Held-to-Maturity (HTM) Financial Assets - Net Loans and Receivables - Net Interbank Loans Receivable Loans and Receivables - Others General Loan Loss Provision Other Financial Assets Equity Investment in Subsidiaries, Associates and Joint Ventures - Net Bank Premises, Furniture, Fixture & Equipment - Net Real and Other Properties Acquired - Net Other Assets - Net

the Firearms and Explosives Office, Supervisory Office for Security and InvestigativeAgencies, Highway Patrol Group, and all city and municipal police stations for issuance of local police clearance.

These administrative services were temporarily suspended when most parts of the country were placed under enhanced community quarantine.

Gamboa added that the PNP is initiating consultative dialogues with leaders of reli-

gious groups to reach out and share information on health protocols, public distancing, and other regulations during religious activities.

“I am sending out instructions to all commanders in all levels to talk to the different religious groups and orient them on the restrictions of MECQ (modified enhanced community quarantine), GCQ (general community quarantine) and MGCQ (modified general community quarantine) especially on mass gatherings,” Gamboa said.

Schedule

Time

Starting May 25, 2020 to June 11, 2020

8:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m

2. Pre-Bid Conference

June 1, 2020

2:30 p.m.

3. Receipt and Opening of Bids

June 15, 2020

9:00 a.m.

1. Issuance of Bid Documents

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by the interested bidders from the address above and upon payment of a non-refundable fee of P25,000.00 to the Cashier.

NIA reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to: CATHERINE G. MACANIP National Irrigation Administration Marasbaras, Tacloban City (053) 888-1514 Noted: Sgd. CONRADO M. SAMSON Division Manager A

Sgd. CATHERINE G. MACANIP BAC Chairperson

(MS-MAY 27, 2020)

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

A4

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2020

Business

ADB extends $400-m loan for PH IN BRIEF T Singapore company buying into First Gen

FIRST Gen Corp. asked the Philippine Stock Exchange to suspend the trading of its shares on Tuesday after receiving an offer from Valorous Asia Holdings Pte. Ltd. of Singapore to acquire stakes in the Lopez-led energy firm.

First Gen said in a disclosure to the stock exchange that it requested for a one-day trading suspension after the company received from Valorous Asia its intention to conduct a public and voluntary tender offer, subject to certain conditions, for the company’s common shares representing approximately 6 percent to 9 percent of the total issued and outstanding shares.

“The request is also being made to allow equal dissemination of such information, and protect the stock price,” the company said.

First Gen said it was informed that Valorous Asia would file the tender offer report with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 26 and that the tender offer would commence on May 27.

The company did not disclose further details of the transaction. Alena Mae S. Flores

HE Asian Development Bank said Tuesday it approved a $400-million policy-based loan to support the Philippine government’s efforts to strengthen domestic capital markets and reach its development goals of high, sustained economic growth and poverty reduction.

The Support to Capital Market-Generated Infrastructure Financing Program, subprogram 1, aims to address key constraints that have limited the growth of domestic capital markets, especially government and corporate bond markets, it said.

It also focuses on building a vibrant domestic institutional investor base that will become a sustainable source of long-tenor infrastructure finance.

By boosting infrastructure finance, the

capital market development program will support higher public infrastructure spending for years to come.

The government’s flagship “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure development program targets an increase in public spending on infrastructure towards 7 percent of gross domestic product by 2022, up from 5.5 percent in 2018 and an average of 2.8 percent in the last three decades.

“Resilient and vibrant capital mar-

kets are key to achieving economic development, growth and poverty reduction as set out in the government’s long term strategy AmBisyon Natin 2040,” said ADB vice-president Ahmed Saeed.

“By developing domestic capital markets, funds are generated to support higher levels of long-term investments and sustainable quality job creation. The program approved today will support the Philippine government’s development goals, including its response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Saeed said.

The capital markets development program has supported various reforms in recent years, including the launch and implementation of the first governmentled, comprehensive domestic bond market development plan.

Holcim reopens cement plants HOLCIM Philippines Inc., one of the leading cement producers in the country, said it resumed the operations of its facilities in La Union, Bulacan, Manila, Batangas and Davao following the easing of quarantine restrictions.

Holcim said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it restarted manufacturing and logistics operations with stronger health and safety controls in all its sites nationwide after pausing cement production in compliance with government quarantine measures against COVID-19.

The cement firm’s plant in Lugait, Misamis Oriental remained operational during the ECQ to support customers and construction activity in North Mindanao.

Holcim Philippines president and chief executive John Stull said the company completed health and safety controls against COVID-19 to protect its people and partners at its sites. “We are ready to continue supporting our partners nationwide as they build important structures and contribute to reinvigorating the economy,” Stull said.

Jenniffer B. Austria

SMC to implement new Skyway traffic scheme SAN Miguel Corp. said Tuesday it will implement a new traffic scheme to remain on track with the construction of the P10billion Skyway Extension project.

The company said the construction was moving at a steady pace with safety protocols in place after the government allowed the resumption of construction works on May 15.

San Miguel president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang said that as part of the company’s efforts to get back on track with construction of the project following a 60day delay due to the enhanced community quarantine, the Skyway Alabang Toll Plaza Southbound Entry would be closed from May 31 to June 15.

A new traffic scheme will be implemented with the help of the Muntinlupa Traffic Management Bureau. Private cars are advised to take Filinvest Entry and/or National Road to Susana Heights Entry, while trucks and buses are instructed to take National Road to Susana Heights Entry.

Darwin G. Amojelar

THE Trade Department is pushing for the immediate passage of the proposed Philippine Economic Stimulus Act of 2020 to provide immediate assistance to workers and businesses and help the economy recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

“We affirm the need to help sustain the income of workers and businesses adversely impacted by the pandemic as we gradually reopen our economy,” said Trade secretary Ramon Lopez.

“By providing working capital assistance, technical and entrepreneurial education, and financial management, among others, we will be able to protect Filipinos by ensuring businesses will continue operating post-lockdown and help turn the tide for businesses and workers affected by the health crisis,” he said.

Under the PESA bill, the government will earmark P1.3 trillion as a post-pandemic stimulus package which includes a budget of P650 billion for an expanded infrastructure program on health care, education and food security.

The proposed measure also aims

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

42.36 PTS. 5,496.83

TOTAL VOLUME 1,363,205,468 TOTAL TRADES 108,797 TOTAL VALUE 5,168,894,635.52 ADVANCES 37 DECLINES 156 UNCHANGED 35

F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2020

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

50.7400

Japan

Yen

0.009283

0.4710

UK

Pound

1.219900

61.8977

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128962

6.5435

Switzerland

Franc

1.029442

52.2339

Canada

Dollar

0.715410

36.2999

Singapore

Dollar

0.702346

35.6370

Australia

Dollar

0.653900

33.1789

Bahrain

Dinar

2.651113

134.517

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266241

13.5091

Brunei

Dollar

0.699888

35.5123

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000068

0.0035

Thailand

Baht

0.031289

1.5876

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.8151

Euro

Euro

1.089600

55.2863

Korea

Won

0.000806

0.0409

China

Yuan

0.140133

7.1103

India

Rupee

0.013178

0.6687

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.229305

11.6349

New Zealand

Dollar

0.609900

30.9463

Taiwan

Dollar

0.033316

1.6905 Source: BSP

Petron booked P4.9-b net loss in first quarter

By Alena Mae S. Flores PETRON Corp., the country’s biggest oil company, on Tuesday reported a net loss of P4.9 billion in the first quarter, compared to the P1.3-billion net income in the same period last year because of lower oil prices amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“The entire industry is going through a rough phase because of COVID-19’s impact on oil demand and prices. As expected, domestic consumption has gone down particularly in retail and aviation which is understandable because of travel bans and restrictions,” said Petron president and chief executive officer Ramon Ang in a statement.

Petron has undertaken maintenance activities on its 180,000-barrel-perday refinery since May 5 and the temporary shutdown will mitigate the impact of low fuel demand and poor refining margins. The company did not say when the refinery would be shutdown.

The company incurred significant inventory losses as prices collapsed over demand contraction in both the local and international markets.

Local and international demand plummeted as businesses were forced to close shop and people were required to stay indoors to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 The benchmark Dubai crude plummeted by about 66 percent to $23 per barrel by end-March from $67 per barrel as of end-December last year.

Petron’s consolidated revenues fell 16 percent to P104.6 billion for the first three months from the previous year’s P124.6 billion.

Combined sales volume for the Philippines and Malaysia went down to 24.7 million barrels from the 26.3 million barrels recorded in the previous year.

“This is due to the sudden and significant drop in fuel demand as both countries imposed strict lockdowns towards the end of the quarter, limiting movement and economic activity, to contain the spread of the virus,” Petron said.

It said that since the enhanced community quarantine was implemented in the country, some stations temporarily closed or shortened their operating hours given the less number of vehicles on the road.

2 1600 BARBERSHOP PROTOCOLS. A barber demonstrates how safety protocols are observed once barbershops and salons are allowed to reopen under the general community quarantine. The Inter-Agency Task Force against COVID-19 estimates that salons and barbershops employ over 400,000 people. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez and National Task Force against COVID-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez recently led an inspection of health and safety protocols demonstrations of three salons and barbershops and how a dine-in operation can implement the health protocols.

Manila Water unit borrows P3b from two banks

By Jenniffer B. Austria

MANILA Water Philippine Ventures Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Manila Water Co Inc., said Tuesday it obtained a P3-billion loan from two banks.

Manila Water said in a disclosure to the stock exchange MWPVI signed an additional P3-billion term loan facility with Security Bank Corp. and Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company Inc. This is on top of the P4 -billion term loan facility it signed in 2016 with the same banks.

“The loan will be used to partially finance MWPVI’s capital expenditure programs and expansion projects,” Manila Water said.

MWPV was designated as the vehicle for expansion of Manila Water within

the Philippines. With focus on geographic expansion, its specific mandate is to look for new acquisitions and partnerships across the country.

Operations currently under MWPV are LagunaAAA Water Corp., Boracay Island Water Company, Clark Water Corp., Manila Water Consortium Inc. and Estate Water, an operating division under MWPV which operates and manages the water systems of townships developed by Ayala Land Inc. The group has other new projects in its portfolio including the Zamboanga City performance-based non-revenue water reduction project under Zamboanga Water Company Inc. and the Tagum City bulk water supply project under Tagum Water Company Inc.

MWPV incurred a loss of P151 million in the first quarter on lower income contribution from Estate Water with the decrease in supervision fees.

The decline was primarily the result of the change in accounting treatment for said fees, but also in part by the stoppage of projects due to the enhanced community quarantine.

Even as the improved performance of other core subsidiaries like Laguna Water and Clark Water partially offset the decline, additional expenses recognized for MWPV’s various exposures during the period contributed to the net loss.

Excluding one-off items, MWPV posted a net income of P38 million for the period, down 78 percent from a year ago.

Lopez pushes for immediate passage of economic stimulus bill to help firms

By Othel V. Campos

PSE INDEX CLOSING

to allot P300 billion for the National Emergency and Investment Corp. to “minimize the damage” wrought by COVID-19 to the economy; P200 billion for wage subsidies and the grant of interest-free loans to assist micro, small and medium enterprises including businesses labeled “non-essential” during the lockdown; and P128 billion for the Credit Mediation and Restructuring Guarantee Fund, an expanded loan program that will cover all “critically-impacted businesses” nationwide.

The bill aims to restore business confidence and operations and prevent business closure prior to the imposition of the enhanced community quarantine.

Lopez said businesses already lost significant income amid the challenges in logistics brought about by the ECQ. “As we work towards the gradual lifting of the quarantine, more businesses will be able to operate, but at lower capacities due to limited capital resources that dwindled during the quarantine period. There are also strict health measures that are being imposed and the firms would need working capital loans,” he said.

UPS ASSISTANCE. A worker of logistics firm UPS prepares to load boxes of face masks to be shipped to areas in need. UPS supported the Philippines’ battle against the coronavirus pandemic as it facilitated the shipment of personal protective equipment including hospital gowns and facemasks to frontline workers. In partnership with the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, the country’s major private sector vehicle and coordinator for disaster management, UPS also supported the Department of Trade and Industry and the Confederation of Wearable Exporters of the Philippines’ shipments of medicalgrade fabric from Shenzhen, China.

Job placements decline 30% under community quarantine JOB placements in the Philippines dropped 30 percent since the start of the community quarantine on March 15, according to a report by online job site JobStreet.com.

It said in the same report that the number of those actively seeking work represented only 22 percent of the potential labor pool of 3 million fresh graduates.

“Despite the ECQ [enhanced community quarantine], we were actually finding jobs in our website. There are so

much more associated with one job that it can actually refer to more than one opening,” JobStreet country manager Philip Gioca.

Gioca said among the available jobs for fresh graduates are call center agent, teacher, customer representative, administrative assistant, nurse, among others.

He said that amid the pandemic, the business process outsourcing sector particularly call centers remained the top

sector in search of talents for key positions, followed by the government and the education sectors.

The banking and financial sector ranked fourth, while the computer/information technology industry followed at fifth.

Others in the top ten list are health and medical sector; property/real estate; retail/merchandise; manufacturing/production; and transportation and logistics. Othel V. Campos