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PH virus cases near 24,000 Infections continue to rise since quarantine restrictions eased on June 1
By Jimbo Gulle, Vito Barcelo, Willie Casas and Rio N. Araja
A
S THE number of coronavirus cases in the Philippines zoomed closer to 24,000 on Wednesday, Malacañang decided to postpone a meeting of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) that would determine what quarantine level Metro Manila and several other regions would observe for the rest of June.
As of 4 p.m Wednesday, the Depart- cases, based on the daily accomplishment of Health reported the total number ment reports submitted by only 47 out of of COVID-19 cases at 23,732, with 740 54 current operational labs. Next page new cases—452 fresh cases and 288 late
VOL. XXXIV • NO. 107 • 1 SECTION 4 PAGES • P18 • THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com
COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE
(AS OF 4 PM JUNE 10)
23,732
740
1,027
10
4,895
159
TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES
DEATHS
RECOVERIES
NEW
NEW
NEW
Singapore okays remdesivir drug for COVID cure SINGAPORE—Singapore has approved the use of the anti-viral drug remdesivir to treat seriously ill coronavirus patients, authorities said Wednesday, becoming the latest country to do so. The United States authorized the emergency use of remdesivir in hospitals at the start of May, followed by Japan and South Korea, while Europe has been considering following suit. It has been granted conditional approval in Singapore for treatment of some adult virus patients, such as those who require intensive breathing support, the country’s health products regulator said. The regulator, the Health Sciences Authority, said it had “expedited the review of remdesivir given the urgent public health need during the COVID-19 pandemic”. As a condition for the approval, the authority requires US-based Gilead Sciences, which developed the drug, to collect safety data and monitor its use. Singapore initially kept the virus in check with a strict regime of testing and contact tracing, only for serious
June 12 protest crowd limited to 10 persons only BUFFING UP.
Workers clean the bust of Emilio Aguinaldo, the first Philippine President, while others wipe down the centuryold Spanish cannon adorning the balcony at the Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite (above) on Wednesday, in preparation for the observance of Independence Day on Friday, June 12. Norman Cruz, JR Josue
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Eating out, air travel ‘new normal’ experience THE Department of Tourism has reduced the seating capacity in restaurants to 50 percent under the “new normal”. In a circular released to media Wednesday, the department outlined the protocols for DOT-accred-
ited restaurants in their operations covering management, set-up, employees and customers. Restaurants are required to monitor the health of their employees and to provide personal food-safety apparel, training and annual check-ups.
The department also requires hotels and similar establishments to secure a certificate of authority to operate from it before resuming operations during the community quarantine. Next page
INTERIOR Secretary Eduardo Año on Wednesday reminded groups planning to stage Independence Day protests to comply with protocols under the general community quarantine (GCQ). “We remain strict in terms of mass gatherings, it should not exceed 10 persons and there should be physical distancing because we still have many Covid-19 cases and, under GCQ, it is not possible to do everything that we normally do in the past,” Año said in Filipino in a television interview. He encouraged groups to express their grievances in other ways that would not violate quarantine protoNext page
‘Anti-terror bill to cut Reds’ funding’ By Rio N. Araja and Willie Casas ure as they have killed civilians and THE proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 will allow the government to cut sources of financial and logistical support for communist terrorist groups, Philippine Army commander, Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay said Wednesday. In an interview on the ABS-CBN News Channel, Gapay said the proposed law would enable the government to cut the umbilical cord that enabled communist terror groups such as the New People’s Army (NPA) to continue operating. Gapay added that the New People’s Army (NPA) is well within the definition of terrorism in the proposed meas-
uniformed personnel using treachery and violence. Armed Forces of the Philippines chief-of-staff Gen. Felimon Santos Jr., meanwhile, said the measure is not targeting any specific group. “The proposed law is not targeting any specific organization, group, or individual. But if any of them commits an act or acts which are included in the definition of terrorism, then they will be prosecuted and penalized under the proposed law,” Santos said in a statement. The statements in support of the bill from the military come amid growing calls for President Rodrigo Duterte to Next page
Bello puts lost jobs to 70k, not 7m By Vito Barcelo
PLASTIC ALL AROUND. A couple eats in at a Filipino restaurant in Dasmarinas City, Cavite on Wednesday. Most food shops in the province have started to serve customers a week into the lifting of community quarantine restrictions owing to the coronavirus pandemic. JR Josue
ONLY about 70,000 workers lost their jobs in the first half of 2020 after more than 2,000 establishments closed down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said Wednesday—contrary to the 7.3 million figure reported last week by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Based on the latest Job Displacement Monitoring Report of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), a total 69,022 workers were displaced nationwide from 2,068 establishments from January 2020 to present. “The actual number of unemployed
reached only 69,000 and those who said they have closed down were 2,068 companies or employers. The 7.3 million earlier reported was just an estimate, it is not actual or factual,” the Labor chief said over a television interview. In a virtual media briefing on June 5, PSA head Claire Dennis Mapa said the 7.3 million “is a record high in the unemployment rate, reflecting the effects of COVID-19 economic shutdown to the Philippines labor market.” “In terms of the magnitude, the number of unemployed persons increased by 5 million from 2.3 million in April 2019 to 7.3 million in April Next page
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‘Call stimulus special session’ A
N OFFICIAL on Wednesday urged President Rodrigo Duterte to call a special session of Congress to approve the P1.3-trillion economic stimulus bill passed by the House of Representatives.
only through savings and the realignments of existing programs and projects under the 2019 and 2020 GAAs. Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday ordered the concerned committees in the House of Representatives to begin deliberations on the measures that will ensure better and faster delivery of services in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Rodriguez, the affected sectors must be assisted as soon as possible so they can start to recover. “Financial aid should be available as the economy begins to gain momentum with the easing of quarantine restrictions in many areas of the country,” he said. Rodriguez says the Constitution authorizes the President to call lawmakers to a special session “at any time during a recess.”
The proposed economic stimulus package is contained in the Accelerated Recovery and Investments Stimulus for the Economy Bill, which the House passed on third and final reading last week before Congress adjourned its first regular session. Rodriguez, one of the bill’s authors, says the draft law seeks to allocate P568 billion for 2020: P110 billion for wage subsidies and P30 billion cash for cash for work, both for returning migrant workers and domestic displaced workers; P50 billion to MSMEs for loans from the Small Business Corporation; P10 billion aid from the DTI for MSMEs; P130 billion for interest- free loans from Land Bank and the DBP; P10 billion for guarantees from Phil Guaranty Corp. and P25 billion in capitalization to National Development Corp. to invest in equity or provide loans to businesses.
“Time is of the essence. We should approve this stimulus package to help various sectors crippled by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said. “If we wait until August or September after we convene for our second regular session in late July, we will have wasted precious time.” Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said the proposal for a stand by authority would allow the government to spend for better health infrastructure, protect jobs, provide relief to workers who lost their jobs and credit to businesses. Senator Panfilo Lacson said “No mat-
ter what amount Congress wants to push to stimulate the economy, without an accompanying revenue measure or a certification from the national treasurer that the money actually exists, a supplemental budget cannot be passed into law.” Senator Sonny Angara said the Senate worked with the administration’s economic managers to come up with something that could be funded, and which would not be vetoed when Senate bill 1564 passed on second reading last week. Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said without a supplemental budget, the stimulus package could be funded
Eating out... From A1
Ressa braces for verdict, jail time for libel
“This is a welcome development for us to ensure that the safety and health of visitors will be given utmost priority and will not be compromised,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said. She said erring establishments faced penalties. It mirrors the “new normal” in the airline industry, with cabin crew in protective suits, health certifications for passengers, mandatory face masks, and longer check-in times. As people dream of taking to the skies once more, they face the prospect that changes to curb the spread of coronavirus will be even more challenging than those brought in after the 2001 terror attacks in the United States. In addition to the strict security measures commonplace around the world since then, passengers will now encounter a barrage of checks for COVID-19. The Transport department, meanwhile, said three more city bus routes would be launched today, Thursday, as part of the government’s gradual resumption of public transportation in Metro Manila. In a Facebook post on Wednesday, the department said the three new routes were Route 4 or North EdsaFairview, Route 6 or Quezon AvenueEdsa Taft Avenue, and Route 16 or Ayala Avenue-FTI. The Tourism department’s guidelines for restaurants also contain a list of food safety and conduct standards, disinfection and sanitation protocols for different areas, furniture, wares and surfaces within that employees are expected to follow. Restaurant owners are encouraged to install an alarm system that will remind employees to practice proper handwashing every 20 minutes, before and after meals, before wearing gloves, touching food or food-contact surfaces, and other specific actions. In the absence of soap and water, 70-percent solution alcohol or alcoholbased hand sanitizers must be provided. Customers must also wear masks, accomplish health declaration forms, undergo temperature checks, and practice proper handwashing and physical distancing when inside restaurant. They will be required to provide their names and contact details in a contract-tracing log-sheet supplied by the establishment. The guidelines include the establishment of pick-up or take-away zones for customers and improvements to the establishment’s table and seating arrangement, customer queueing, order-taking and payment systems. With AFP
June 12... From A1 cols. Año also called on critics to read the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 in its entirety. “What we really want is for them to read the whole anti-terrorism bill be-
Bello... From A1 2020,” Mapa added. But based on the DOLE report, 91 percent of the establishments reduced workforce (1,875), while 9 percent reported permanent closure (193). The 193 firms that reported permanent closure displaced a total of 5,119 workers while the 1,875 companies that retrenched workers affected 63,903 employees. According to DOLE, the month of June tallied the highest number of reporting establishments with 688 displacing 14,894 workers. This was followed by the month of February with 371 companies
Gov’t to verify COVID health workers’ list By Vito Barcelo and Rey E. Requejo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has assured China that the Philippines is committed in preserving close ties with the world’s second largest economic giant as the two nations marked 45 years of diplomatic relations. In a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping dated June 9, Duterte noted the further strengthening of the two countries’ partnership amid challenges the world is facing, including the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Duterte said the COVID-19 pandemic shows the “greater significance” of nourishing the Philippines relationship with China, while Xi responded that he is willing to work with Duterte to continuously lift the two countries’ relationship of comprehensive strategic cooperation to new levels. “I attach great importance to the development of China-Philippines ities,” Xi said when exchanging congratulatory messages with Duterte to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties. Both China and the Philippines are at a critical moment for development, Xi said in his message, noting that the two countries share broad prospects for cooperation. On the other hand, Duterte affirmed Manila’s commitment to strengthen the relationship with Beijing as the pandemic, which began in China, continues to upend the stability of the world. “As the entire world continues to face challenges to security and stability and the rule of law and with the rise of nontraditional and emerging threats such as the COVID-19 pandemic, further strengthening Philippines-China partnership takes on even greater significance. We must forge on and ensure that the potential of our special ties is fully realized,” Duterte said in his letter.
HIGH-PROFILE Philippine journalist Maria Ressa says the libel charge that could see her jailed next week is a government ploy to intimidate all critical voices, but she refuses to be silenced and still holds out hope of winning. In an exclusive video interview with AFP ahead of Monday’s verdict that could see her sentenced for up to 12 years, Ressa admitted being scared but also continued to speak defiantly. “I’ve been the cautionary tale: be quiet or you’re next... that’s part of the reason why I have been targeted,” said Ressa, 56, the co-founder of the news site Rappler and a former CNN journalist.
“It’s a chilling effect... not just to me and to Rappler, but to journalists and to anyone who asks critical questions.” Monday’s verdict will decide a case that stems from a businessman’s complaint in 2017 over a Rappler story five years earlier about his alleged ties to a then-judge on the nation’s top court. Government investigators initially dismissed the businessman’s allegation. But state prosecutors later revived the case using a controversial cybercrime statute aimed at online offences ranging from stalking to child pornography. Authorities say they have not targeted Ressa for her work and are simply en-
forcing the law. But press and media watchdogs say the case against Ressa is in retaliation for Rappler’s independent reporting on President Rodrigo Duterte and his administration. The website’s journalists have cast a harsh light on Duterte’s anti-drugs crackdown, which has killed thousands and drawn international censure despite being backed by many Filipinos. Another one of the most prominent critics of Duterte’s narco war, Senator Leila de Lima, has been in jail for three years over drug allegations that she says are trumped up. AFP
PH virus... From A1 DOH likewise announced 159 recoveries on Wednesday, bringing the total number of recoveries to 4,895. But the country’s COVID-19 cases continue to rise more than week after Metro Manila, Cebu City, and Mandaue City transitioned to general community quarantine (GCQ), where lockdown restrictions were relaxed, on June 1. These areas, where coronavirus cases were concentrated, were among locations last to see quarantine restriction eased on June 1 from a modified enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). Data gathered by the Standard showed that from June 1 to 10, the DOH has reported an additional 5,646 cases, or nearly onefourth of the current total. In ten days, the daily average new cases hit 565, with a high of 740 yesterday and 244 on June 5. About 55 percent of the total coronavirus cases in the country come from the National Capital Region (NCR), DOH statistics showed. The DOH has said the increase in cases was mainly due to the quicker validation of more cases that were days or weeks old. But in May, researchers at the University of the Philippines warned that based on a mathematical forecast, a premature easing of the ECQ in the NCR may result in an escalation of 24,000 cases and 1,700 deaths by June 15. “Based on our data, if the ECQ is lifted prematurely, we will be faced with another wave or a surge in transmissions that is certain to squander our gains forcing us to make further costly interventions and increasing the total economic cost and the number of lives lost,” the researchers said. While the UP researchers said the data would show “there had been gains due to ECQ, the goal is to sustain these gains until such time that it has scaled up and
rolled out its programs and its initiatives for mass testing, contact tracing and isolation of infective individuals.” Meanwhile, the Palace on Wednesday said President Rodrigo Duterte’s meeting with the IATF has been moved to Monday, June 15, the same day the current GCQ is supposed to expire. Palace spokesman Harry Roque said Duterte will be back in Manila on Monday and announce whether Metro Manila will transition to a modified MGCQ that would allow almost all businesses to operate, even as the COVID-19 pandemic remains a serious health threat. Duterte is expected to address the nation on Monday as well to provide fresh directives on community quarantine protocols. It was only this month that the government started to largely ease lockdowns across the country to restart the economy bruised by the pandemic. Except for Metro Manila, Pangasinan province, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Central Visayas, Davao City, and Zamboanga City, which are under a general community quarantine, all areas in the country are under the more relaxed MGCQ until June 15. Meanwhile, Roque admitted that it would be hard for the Philippines to reduce its COVID-19 cases to zero like New Zealand did, citing the difference in population. “It is a little hard for the Philippines to achieve that. Because if you compare it to New Zealand, their land area is just as big as Luzon. Its population is just 5 million,” he said. The Philippines has so far recorded nearly 23,000 COVID-19 cases with 4,736 recoveries and 1,071 deaths. In an interview with the ABS-CBN News Channel, Roque acknowledged the need to put up new laboratories to speed up the testing for COVID-19. “We’re still aggressively pursuing the establishment of more laboratories because we don’t have enough,” Roque said. The country currently has 54 labora-
tories that have been accredited by the Department of Health (DOH) to conduct independent testing for COVID-19. In his 11th weekly report to Congress, President Duterte noted that as of June 4, there are 140 laboratories being evaluated in a bid to boost the country’s testing capacity. Duterte said about 112 of the 140 laboratories are already at the the third stage of a five-step accreditation process. The commander of the Joint Task Force COVID Shield (JTF CV Shield), meanwhile, called on the public and law enforcers to stay vigilant and comply with health and safety protocols, despite experiencing “quarantine burnout” after almost three months. JTF CV Shield commander Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar made the appeal as he noted a decreased sensitivity to repeated warnings from the authorities. “The tendency is to ignore, become negligent, or revert back to their normal lives again, especially if nothing happened to them or their friends and relatives—at the expense of sacrificing the health safety protocols that must be observed to protect themselves from (coronavirus disease 2019),” Eleazar said in a text message. For instance, he said, some people tend to gather around and engage in drinking sessions while others leave their homes without wearing face masks. In related developments: * The Department of Health said the country’s population might see a surge in unintended pregnancies if the public is not able to access family planning services due to the COVID-19 lockdowns. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said 25 percent of family planning services in local and regional hospitals were hampered during the lockdown to limit the spread of COVID-19. Citing global estimates, Vergeire said the world might be seeing 7 million unintended pregnancies if the lockdowns continue in the next six months.
cause first and foremost, what they are protesting is not in the bill and secondly, all safeguards in the anti-terrorism bill are in place,” Año said, adding that the rights of every Filipino would be protected once the bill becomes a law. The bill introduced provisions imposing life imprisonment without parole on those who will participate in the planning, training, preparation, and facili-
tation of a terrorist act; possess objects connected with the preparation for the commission of terrorism; or collect or make documents connected with the conduct of terrorism. Under the bill, any person who shall threaten to commit terrorism shall suffer the penalty of 12 years. The same jail term will be meted against those who will propose any terrorist acts or
incite others to commit terrorism. Any person who shall voluntarily and knowingly join any organization, association, or group of persons knowing that such is a terrorist organization, shall suffer imprisonment of 12 years. Under the bill, the number of days a suspected person can be detained without a warrant of arrest is 14 calendar days, extendible by 10 days. PNA
junk the measure, which is widely seen as a threat to civil liberties. The bill, certified by President Rodrigo Duterte as urgent, has been passed by Congressand merely awaits the Chief Executive’s signature to become a law. But in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel’s Headstart, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the growing calls for the government to junk the anti-terror measure would push the President to review provisions of the bill. “Let’s just say that the public interest on the bill will make the President review the provisions of the bill even closer,” Roque said. Roque confirmed that a copy of the bill was transmitted to Malacañang on Tuesday and that the legal department of the Office of the Executive Secretary has started reviewing its provisions. He also emphasized the role of the Department of Justice (DOJ), which was tasked by the Palace to review the bill amid allegations by some groups that it contained unconstitutional provisions. Under the anti-terrorism bill, persons who threaten to commit terrorism, and those who will propose any terroristic acts or incite others to commit terrorism will suffer imprisonment of 12 years if convicted. Suspected persons can be detained for up to 24 days without a warrant of arrest, and police or the military can put suspected terrorists under surveillance for 60 days, with a 30-day extension. The opposition and leftist groups have strongly opposed the passage of the measure over concerns that it would further erode human rights in the country. With PNA
The projection came after the Washington-based development lender said Monday the pandemic could drive between 70 and 100 million people into extreme poverty in 2020 as the global economy faces its worst recession in 80 years. Before the pandemic, extreme poverty -- defined as living on $1.90 (P95) per day -- had been decreasing. The bank expects growth to rebound by 4 percent in 2021. But the countries with the highest shares of the world’s extremely poor are not projected to grow faster than their population, meaning that extreme poverty will remain at the elevated 2020 levels through 2021. “Nigeria, India and the Democratic
Republic of Congo -- 3 countries which we project are home to more than a third of the world’s poor -- are predicted to have per-capita growth rates in real GDP of –0.8 percent, 2.1 percent and 0.3 percent, respectively,” the World Bank said in a blog. “With population growth rates of 2.6 percent, 1.0 percent and 3.1 percent, this is hardly enough for sustainable decreases in the poverty headcount.” The bank warned “South Asia may see a larger increase in the number of poor as a result of COVID-19,” particularly in India.Of the 176 million people expected to be pushed below the $3.20 per-day poverty line, two-thirds are in South Asia. AFP
affecting 30,712 workers. The DOLE said the National Capital Region (NCR) registered the most number of affected workers with 36,036; followed by CALABARZON with 14,206; Central Luzon (5,113); Cordillera Administrative Region (5,023); Ilocos Region (1,945); Central Visayas (1,929); Northern Mindanao (1,172); Eastern Visayas (874); Davao Region (745); Western Visayas (495); CARAGA (400); Cagayan Valley (345); Bicol Region (300); Soccsksargen (246); MIMAROPA (188); and Zamboanga Peninsula (5). Most displaced workers were under administrative and support service (25,634), and the manufacturing sector (8,400),according to DOLE.
Singapore... From A1 outbreaks to emerge later in dormitories housing low-paid foreign workers. The city-state now has the highest recorded number of infections in Southeast Asia with nearly 39,000 cases, mostly among foreign workers. The death toll stands at 25. This developed as the World Bank warned Tuesday global economic growth could rebound next year -- but the number of people living in extreme poverty is expected to remain unchanged after a huge surge this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
‘Anti-terror... From A1
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PH Arena to accept returning OFWs for quarantine WITH the country expecting as many as 300,000 overseas Filipino workers to come home in the coming months as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, Philippine Arena management said on Sunday that they would continue to accept and assist in the quarantine of returning Filipino workers in the We Heal as One Center located at the Iglesia ni Cristo megastructure in Bocaue, Bulacan. According to Maligaya Development Corporation Chief Operating Officer Atty. Glicerio “Ka GP” Santos IV, "we know there are still thousands of our countrymen abroad who will be forced to come home because of this pandemic. This is why we recognize the need for a safe area where they can be quarantined while waiting for the results of their tests––kaya handa pa rin kaming tanggapin ang mga OFW sa ating mga pasilidad." The We Heal As One Center-Philippine Arena recently released the largest batch of people to recover from Covid-19 in a single day, sending home a total of 78 individuals on Friday after they tested negative for the disease. The group was composed of 76 OFWs and two members of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), all of whom were grate- ARENA UPDATE. Officials of the Philippine Arena, including Maligaya Development Corporation Chief Operating Officer Atty. Glicerio “Ka GP” Santos IV (right), discuss the status ful to medical and Philippine Arena per- of those quarantined at the stadium in Bocaue, Bulacan during a press conference on Wednesday. sonnel who cared for them during their quarantine. After two months in quarantine, Joemar Alingsasaguin from Norzagaray, Bulacan said "inaasikaso naman kaming lahat ng mga frontliners; sobrang saya National ID bidder kasi makakasama ko na pamilya ko." ‘dubious’—solon PCG officer Mark Madriaga, on the other hand, said he would be going back THE proposed National Identification to the frontlines after testing negative for System, deemed to be an effective rethe virus, and thanked the INC for allowsort for the distribution of government’s ing the government to use their facilities. emergency subsidy to Filipinos during "Maraming salamat po sa Philippine this COVID-19 crisis, was seen marred with inconsistencies and anomalies Arena, sa INC––sa pamamahala nila— when the program's chief implementor, dahil pinahiram nila ang ganitong pasiliBy Rey E. Requejo Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), The lower court issued the warrants dad," said the frontliner. failed to scrutinize the bidders' contenof arrest against the Yanson siblings afAt the media briefing in the Philippine Bacolod City regional trial court has ordered the arrest tious reputations. ter it found probable cause to hold them Arena, National Action Plan Against of four Yanson siblings and their accomplices for Makabayan bloc member, Bayan Muna COVID-19 Deputy Chief Implementer liable for violation of the new Anti-CarRepresentative Carlos Zarate has quesallegedly takingcontrol and possession of several vehicles napping Act. Vince Dizon assured the public that the tioned the reputation of Joint Venture government would step up efforts to belonging to Vallacar Transit Inc. Court records show that on July 22, Idemia Identity and Security France and speed up testingso that OFWs could get 2019, the accused, “conspiring, coopFMC Research Solutions Inc., for being the results in a week or less. In separate resolutions dated June Act No. 10883 or the New Anti-Car- erating and confederating with each dubious before winning the lowest bid for "Kailangan mapaiksi pa natin yan. 4 and June 5, Bacolod City RTC, napping Act of 2016. other, did then and there, willfully, unthe procurement of supply, installation, Five days maximum ang target natin. TaBranch 53, Presiding Judge Sue Lynn In its June 5 ruling, Judge Lowie- lawfully and feloniously took possessupport and maintenance of the Automatlagang magtatrabaho tayo ng maigi, lalo ed Biometric Identification System for the Lowie-Jolingan issued warrants of Jolingan also denied the motion filed sion and control, with intent to gain” na para sa parating na OFW, in the next said project. arrest against Emily Yanson, Roy by the accused to hold in abeyance a Mitsubishi L-300 model 2012, Foton few days and weeks ay hanggang five Yanson, Ricardo Yanson Jr., Maria the issuance of warrant of arrest and wing-van model 2017 and Foton wingdays ay makakauwi sila," said Dizon, Farmers get machinery Lourdes Celina Yanson Lopez and scheduled the arraignment and pre- van model 2017 to the damage and prejwho is also the President and Chief Extheir co-conspirators Jerica Leanne trial on July 17, 2020. udice of complainant Vallacar Transit under RCEF program ecutive Officer of the Bases Conversion Ramos, Jerina Louise Ramos and Ma. No bail was recommended by the Inc., the country's largest bus operator and Development Authority. SENATOR Cynthia Villar congratulated Judy Alcala for violation of Republic court upon their arrest. led by Leo Rey Yanson. In the same briefing, Santos IV outthe first batch of farmer-beneficiaries who lined the safety precautions in place at received farm machinery and equipment the We Heal As One Center-Philippine under the law creating the P10 billion Rice Arena facility. Competitiveness Enhancement Fund. "Habang nagaantay tayo ng test, kung In a turnover ceremony held at the PhilPOST OFFICE DISINFECTION. A worker negative o positive sila, derecho sila sa ippine Center for Post Harvest Developat the Philippine Postal Office in Manila wears individual housing namin. Walang risk ment and Modernization (PhilMech) Scipersonal protective suit as he disinfects the of infection o contamination sa iba hangence City of Munoz in Nueva Ecija, 36 letters and parcels on Wednesday, in compliance gang walang test results. Pag positive, farmer-leaders representing about 6,000 with the safety protocols against COVID-19. saka namin sila ipapasok dun sa quaranmembers of farmer cooperatives and asNorman Cruz tine tent," Santos said. sociations, received various kinds of farm
4 Yanson siblings face arrest for carnapping
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machinery and equipment last June 4. In a video message played during the event, Villar, chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform, congratulated the farmerbeneficiaries who are now equipped with the needed tools to help bring down their cost of producing palay and improve their competitiveness. Macon Ramos-Araneta
CL farmers slam DA’s ‘anomalous’ bid on fertilizers CENTRAL Luzon farmers have slammed officials of the Department of Agriculture for callously approving an overpriced P1.8 billion fertilizer contract at a time when the government is scrambling for funds to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Farmers William Laureta of Tarlac and Ernesto Agustin Domingo of Nueva Ecija said the anomalous purchase was part of the DA’s stimulus program Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat Kontra Covid-19 (ALPAS sa Covid-19) that was intended to help farmers cope during this crisis. "Farmers could barely survive this crisis, and even the government is virtually scraping the bottom of the barrel now just to look for funds to help the most vulnerable sectors, including farmers, and to keep the economy afloat," Laureta said in Filipino. "These Agriculture officials should be taken to task for knowingly entering into an anomalous and overpriced contract. They have betrayed us farmers who need all the help we can get and have defrauded the government of millions of pesos of crucial funds," Domingo added. The Agriculture department recently conducted a series of bidding for the procurement of 1,811,090 bags of urea fertilizers for P1.8 billion. This translates to a price of at least P1,000 per bag. However, the prevailing average retail price in the market of urea fertilizer is pegged only at P850 per bag—which would mean that the deal was overpriced by at least P271.66 million. Rey E. Requejo
Du30, India’s Modi reaffirms partnership
Rody commits to strong ties with China PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has assured China that the Philippines is committed in preserving close ties with the world’s second largest economic giant as the two nations marked 45 years of diplomatic relations. In a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping dated June 9, Duterte noted the further strengthening of the two coun-
tries’ partnership amid challenges the world is facing, including the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Duterte said the COVID-19 pandemic shows the "greater significance" of nourishing the Philippines relationship with China, while Xi responded that he is willing to work with Duterte to continuously lift the two countries' re-
lationship of comprehensive strategic cooperation to new levels. "I attach great importance to the development of China-Philippines ities," Xi said when exchanging congratulatory messages with Duterte to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties. Vito Barcelo and Rey E. Requejo
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Roa Duterte had an engaging and productive telephone conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the Republic of India in the evening of 09 June 2020. President Duterte and Prime Minister Modi vowed—as partner countries with key roles to play in the Indo-Pacific region—to cooperate in the fight against COVID-19. The leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to harness international and bilateral cooperation to effectively address the coronavirus pandemic. President Duterte recognized India’s leading role as global producer and source of affordable and accessible medicine and commended Prime Minister Modi for allowing India’s export of pharmaceutical products.
Maynilad, QC hospital build virus lab By Rio N. Araja WEST zone Maynilad Water Services Inc. has partnered with De los Santos Medical Center to put up a P15-million coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing and laboratory center to boost the country’s testing capacity and help contain the spread of the virus. Maynilad president and chief executive officer Ramoncito Fernandez on Wednesday said the facility would be built within the hospital complex in Quezon City. The testing and laboratory center will conduct and process reverse transcrip-
tion-polymerase chain reaction tests for suspected COVID-19 patients. RT-PCR is the standard testing procedure recommended by the World Health Organization in detecting COVID-19. “We are happy with the decision we made,” Fernandez said. “From our own experience, DLSMC has been very efficient and flexible in servicing the needs of Maynilad. This laboratory will be a testament to our partnership and is also our small contribution to our country and to the Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and group in its quest for doubling the testing capacity in the country," he added.
SECOND ALARM. Firefighters respond to a second alarm fire that gutted an
abandoned house in Sto. Sepulco St., Paco, Manila on Wednesday. Norman Cruz
LGUs
Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor lgu@manilastandard.net editor.lgustandard@gmail.com
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LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS
THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2020
SIGNS OF LIFE. The Pasonanca expedition team spotted the eagle parents numerous times soaring together and displaying their talons. Meanwhile, from their tree platforms, expedition members scanned the forest canopy for signs of Philippine eagle activity (inset). Philippine Eagle Foundation and USAID
Zambo research team gives hope to PH Eagle (FIRST OF TWO PARTS)
F
OR the longest time, proof of Philippine eagles (Pithecophaga jefferyi) inhabiting Pasonanca Natural Park in Zamboanga City relied merely on brief sightings by forest guards or eagle feathers found on the forest floor. But this changed in 2019 when, for the first time, a Philippine eagle family and their nest were fully documented and observed in a series of field expeditions led by Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF), together with partners from the Zamboanga City government, Zamboanga City Water District, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Threatened by hunting and habitat loss, the Philippines’ national bird has around 400 pairs left all over the country; half of which can be found in Mindanao. While PEF has led Philippine eagle studies in various parts of the region, an eagle subpopulation in Zamboanga Peninsula, including those in Pasonanca, is yet to be studied and fully understood. “We can only save what we can understand,” said Dr. Jayson Ibañez, PEF Director for Research and Conservation. “For a critically endangered species like the Philippine eagle, finding, studying, and protecting each individual bird in the wild are the only means to save it from extinction.” This has led PEF, USAID, and partners in Zamboanga City to roll out the firstever field study to survey Philippine eagles and find an active nest inside Pasonanca Natural Park. The 17,000-hectare protected area is one of the few remaining intact forests in Zamboanga Peninsula, making it an important habitat for many bird species and other wildlife. Through a series of expeditions, the field study aims to locate nesting sites in the park, record and observe behaviors
of resident eagles, and tag and monitor live Philippine eagles. Led by experts from PEF, the expedition team is composed of personnel from the city government and local DENR, forest guards from Zamboanga City Water District who patrol Pasonanca’s forests, and representatives from universities in the city. PEF and USAID chose this multisectoral approach to involve partners in experiential learning on eagle research, and to ensure that eagle conservation efforts are sustained beyond the field study. “Eagle conservation is never the work of just one person. It requires partnerships, multiple skills, and resources toward a common goal,” said PEF Executive Director Dennis Salvador. “This collaboration paves way for building regional capacity on research and conservation to help address the unique needs of Philippine eagles in Zamboanga.” Before going on their first expedition, PEF experts trained the partner institutions on eagle research techniques, such as surveying nesting areas, observing eagle behaviors, trapping and tagging live eagles, and analyzing telemetry data. Find an eagle, find the nest In October 2019, the team embarked on their first expedition inside Pasonanca, just in time for the eagle breeding season in Mindanao. Team members set up at their observation posts—both on the ground and high above on tree platforms—on a site near the edge of the park. Using scopes and binoculars, they scanned the forest canopy every day to search for signs of eagle activity. After almost 10 days into the expe-
dition, an adult Philippine eagle was finally photographed emerging from a tree line—the first time that the national bird was officially documented inside Pasonanca. The male eagle was seen carrying a large prey and was spotted again by the team for three consecutive days. These observations mean that the eagle could be providing food for a potential mate and their eaglet, and that an active nest was not too far from the site. “Finding active eagle nests and protecting them is very important,” Dr. Ibañez said. “As centers of reproduction, protecting nesting areas ensures that eagle pairs can nest safely and that their young survive to become future breeders for their species.” The team returned for a second expedition in November to December 2019 to record more sightings of the male eagle, observe its behavior, and map out its flight patterns and home range, with the goal of locating its nest. The team also scoured the forest for clues, such as eagle droppings, prey remains, molted feathers, and large masses of ferns growing on tree branches that could be suitable nests for eagles. Finally, on the morning of December 4, 2019, as the team spotted the male eagle flying from a tree canopy after delivering food, an adult female eagle emerged into view from a thicket of ferns. From afar, the team observed the nest and its feathered dwellers, including a healthy and well-fed one-month-old eaglet. This is the first active Philippine eagle nest recorded in Pasonanca and the third in the whole Zamboanga Peninsula. “The presence of an eagle nesting pair and their young is strong proof that conservation is working in the park.” Dr. Ibañez explained. “Eagles breed and nest only in safe and healthy forest habitats. If forests are intact, that means the rest of biodiversity therein is also diverse and thriving.” (To be continued)
AID FOR BINAN. In cooperation with the Alagang Len Program, Biñan Rep. Len Alonte joins the GAD Office, PDAO, Binan City Mayor Arman Dimaguila, Vice Mayor Gel Alonte, Women Unlad Binan and the Trimex Colleges NSTP in extending financial assistance and food packs to PWD recipients and other donees, part of bringing relief to 200 Binanense in need. Benjamin Chavez
Legazpi allows food vendors to resume business LEGAZPI CITY—The city government here has allowed food vendors to resume selling, provided they observe health and safety protocols in an orderly system. Mayor Noel Rosal, in an interview on Tuesday, said that there are recommended guidelines to be observed and complied with by the vendors who were given locations at the side of Peñaranda Park in Old Albay and Happy Lane in this city. In the guidelines stipulated in the mayor’s advisory on Monday, the prescribed protocols include the wearing of face mask and face shield, hair cap and gloves at all times, regular hand washing, and regular disinfection of their stalls. Vendors or helpers who manifest coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) symptoms shall not be allowed to work. Food take-out policy shall be implemented. “There should be no tables and chairs for consumers within the vicinity. Food should be properly wrapped already, except those that need to be freshly cooked,” Rosal said. He likewise said that the vendors’ business hours shall be scheduled by the public administrators. Plastic separators shall be installed between the vendors and consumers in their respective stations. Single-use plastics shall not be allowed, while uses of biodegradable materials are encouraged. “Proper sanitation and cleanliness is needed. They have to comply with the guidelines to operate. This will be the new normal,” Rosal said. The observance and implementation of the protocols shall be enforced by the City Health Office-Sanitation Division, Public Safety department, and the Task Force Kalinigan. PNA
Bocaue mayor V’nueva-Tugna laid to rest BOCAUE, Bulacan—Mayor Eleanor “Joni” Villanueva-Tugna, known as the “toss-coin mayor”, on Tuesday was laid to rest here, her hometown where she served as municipal mayor for four years. Despite the general community quarantine (GCQ), thousands of Bulakenyos, mostly her constituents, attended the funeral through a vehicle convoy to observe the quarantine protocol. Immediate family members, friends, and sympathizers paid their final respect to Tugna in a mass before her remains were brought to Krus Sa Wawa Memorial Homes in Barangay Wakas, where she was interred in the family mausoleum. Among the mourners who came were close friends and colleagues in public service from other local government units. Tugna passed away on May 28 due to sepsis secondary to bacterial pneumonia at the age of 42. She is survived by her husband, former Cibac Party-list Representative Sherwin Tugna, children Eleana Doreen, Joaquin Eduardo, Elia Grace, and Lexi Joy, her father, Deputy House Speaker Rep. Eddie Villanueva, her brothers, former Bocaue Mayor Eduardo Villanueva, Senator Joel Villanueva and sister Pastor Edelisha Jovi. Despite her medical condition, she still managed to serve her constituents during the enhanced community quarantine as she supervised the packing of food aid and even joined the relief distribution in every barangay. PNA
Plastic-for-milk project resumes in San Pedro City THE Office of the Mayor of San Pedro City in Laguna continues to carry out its milk project “Wrapper and Plastic Residual Replacement of Milk” under the leadership of Mayor Lourdes S. Cataquiz. “The redemption periods of our Wrapper Redemption Project have evolved due to the fact that they are postpone due to the ECQ Period. So, let us keep putting together plastic residuals,” Cataquiz said. To join, residents may collect and exchange five kilograms of empty sachets, wrapper pouch or aluminum foil of any brand of powdered milk, 3-in-1 sachets, biscuits wrappers, and other plastic residuals in place of one kilo of milk. One kilogram of sachet wraps and other plastic residuals is worth 165 grams of Alaska Milk. They can exchange collected wrappers, sachets and other plastic residuals at the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) on the second floor of San Pedro City Hall on July 21, August 25, Sept. 22, and Oct. 20. “You can walk into our office from Monday to Friday, 8 AM-5PM, or call 8808-2020 local 208 to pick-up your plastic residuals. Thank you very much! Let us keep our environment clean and present for the next generation! Clean community, Healthy citizen!” said Cataquiz. Project Super BB (Bawas Basura) and ALASKAkalikasan Wrapper Redemption Program is a joint project of the City Government of San Pedro and Alaska Milk Corp. Benjamin Chavez
Clark’s top semicon firm keeps biz open CLARK FREEPORT—There may have been challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic to industries inside this Freeport, but the electronics industry giant SFA Semicon Philippines (SFA) has remained unwavering in its commitment to continue its operations, while safeguarding the safety of their employees, even before the implementation of the General Community Quarantine (GCQ). SFA Human Resource and General Affairs Deputy Team Head Daisy Malig said that the top semiconductor firm has maintained business continuity by incorporating safety protocols and standards in their processes during the strict peri-
ods of quarantine. “Our operation is normal and of course, we follow protocols (such as) social distancing and many other guidelines for COVID-19 so everything has been in place,” Malig said. SFA, a subsidiary of global consumer electronics and mobile communications giant Samsung, has about 1,300 employees and is Clark’s consistent top exporter for the past few years. For 2019, the value of its exports was pegged at US$5.51 Billion. According to Malig, the strict implementation of health and safety protocols in their operation has helped the ensure unhampered operations of the Korean affiliate company.
STILL RUNNING. SFA, a subsidiary of global consumer electronics and mobile communications giant Samsung, has about 1,300 employees and is Clark’s consistent top exporter for the past few years.
Opinion Welcome to China China and Vietnam. Against the backdrop of these conflicting claims and the Philippines’ plan to beef up infrastructure on the island, it is tempting to read more into the greetings from China and Vietnam than there is. But the messages simply reflect our poor telecommunications infrastructure in the area, rather than
T
“Welcome to China,” one message said as their phones went on roaming. “Welcome to Vietnam,” said another. The messages, picked up because of a weak local signal in the area, were particularly ironic as the group of visitors were led by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and top military officials, who were there to inaugurate a beaching ramp that will make it easier to deliver materials to make repairs on the island. Pag-asa, part of the municipality of Kalayaan under the jurisdiction of the Palawan provincial government, is within the Kalayaan Island Group, a cluster of islets claimed by the Philippines. The island group is part of the Spratlys, which are also claimed by
Behind the humor is a real sense of frustration. any overt act of aggression. We might liken them to the location tags that began appearing on social media in May that declared the Philippines as “a province of China.” While one senator felt this folderol to be worthy of her attention, most people shrugged it off as yet another humorous comment on the extent to which our giant neighbor to the north has come to dominate our affairs—much like the banners and streamers that hung over several pedestrian footbridges in Metro Manila that said “Welcome to the Philippines,
Province of China.” Behind the humor, of course, is a real sense of frustration at the extent to which this administration has bent over backward to accommodate Beijing, starting with President Duterte’s decision early in his term to set aside the 2015 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration that China’s claims in the West Philippine Sea were excessive and invalid. Then there was the government’s muted and almost apologetic response to the Chinese ramming of a Filipino fishing boat in the Reed Bank, which is well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. One year after the incident in which 22 Filipino fishermen were abandoned in the open sea after their boat was sunk by a Chinese vessel, none of the victims has yet received compensation from the Chinese. Finally, we saw how some government officials fell over themselves to defend the reopening of online gambling ventures aimed at attracting Chinese gamblers, even amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Maybe there is something, after all, about those welcome messages.
The Anti-Terrorism Bill THE 2020 Anti-Terrorism Bill has now been sent to the President and is just awaiting his signature. We can therefore say that it is good as approved. Maybe Congress should have waited a little to allow for more discussions to satisfy the critics of the bill but apparently decided against it. With the House of Representatives adapting the Senate version in its entirety, what good would a delay really do? The withdrawal of support from a number of representatives, however, shows that there are legitimate concerns. This development should have been enough reason to allow for more discussions but this did not happen. It is also good public relations. In many interviews, Senator Panfilo Lacson, who is the sponsor of the bill, has time and again assured the public that there are enough safeguards in the law to prevent abuses by law enforcement authorities and ensure that human rights and civil liberties are protected. I do not doubt his sincerity on this. When I browsed over the law, what struck me was the thoroughness of Senator Lacson in covering every conceivable aspect of terrorism. This is not surprising. After all, he was a former police officer and investigator. The penalties are also quite severe—mandating life sentences without the possibility of parole for several broadly defined offenses like “possessing objects or making documents connected to terrorism” which is a scary provision. The law does away with the concept of second chances. It is what one might call a dream law for law enforcers because it makes their jobs so much easier. Unfortunately, it is also a recipe for abuse. Remember R.A. 10591 or the Illegal Possession of Firearm Law? There is a provision in that law that punishes anyone who is in possession of just a single bullet. And as we all know, this provision (which
DUTY CALLS
FLORENCIO FIANZA the good senator labored to include in the law) has caused a lot of misery to travelers in the hands of abusive airport and other law enforcement personnel.
The fight against terrorism will be easier and more effective with a cooperative public that is on the side of government. I can see this happening to the Anti-Terrorism Law, notwithstanding the interpretation to the contrary of Senator Ping Lacson and the assurances coming from the military and police that the law will not be abused. Look at what happened to the seven demonstrators in Cebu who were arrested and detained. Yes, the police said that the detention was for quarantine violation— but who would believe that? If the police is already appearing to suppress dissent this early, it will be hard for people to believe the assurances of the police. There is no denying that terrorism has become a serious worldwide problem and we need to have the tools to fight it effectively. In crafting a law, however, we must see to it that we come up with a good law whose provisions cannot be interpreted so broadly. We need a law that would at least
not worsen the problem. We should also remember that the fight against terrorism will be a lot easier and more effective with a cooperative public that is on the side of government. *** Due to the pandemic, our transportation authorities have now the opportunity to reform the chaotic road based public transport system in the Metro area. The Department of Transportation for instance can go ahead with their jeepney modernization program. More bus routes can now also be created which will in effect lessen the number of buses along EDSA. Bus and jeepneys routes can be designated by the numbers and can stop to pick and discharge passengers only in designated numbered bus or jeepney stops. All these, however, will have to be planned thoroughly because route diversification and planning is not so simple. Fewer buses along EDSA will undoubtedly increase the load of the thoroughfare which right now has no uniform figure. What really is the road capacity of the 10-lane EDSA? The width of a standard one-lane road is 3.6 meters. If one stands beside that road and count the number of vehicles passing that spot, the maximum number of vehicles that can pass that point per hour is 1,900. This is according to the Royal Australian Road Board. Why Australian? We do not have our own DPWH standards and the region seems to follow Australian Road Board publications. In 24 hours, 32,600 vehicles can theoretically use a single lane of road. Multiply that by the 10 lanes of EDSA and we get 326,000 vehicles as the maximum load capacity of EDSA. I do not know what MMDA is using to compute for the capacity of EDSA, but it looks like it is using a different standard since their estimated load capacity of EDSA is less than 326,000.
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THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2020
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Inclusive and sustainable plans
EDITORIAL
OP officials and visitors who went to the Pagasa Island in the West Philippine Sea this week received a surprise on their mobile phones.
Adelle Chua, Editor
OVERSIGHT
DANILO SUAREZ WITH the gradual easing of restrictions under the previous community quarantine, the bustling life in cities and municipalities is slowly returning. A bigger portion of the population can now be seen outside as they travel to work or buy essential goods outside their cities but within the region. Health authorities have decided to ease restrictions due to the deemed control over COVID-19 transmission and the necessity to revive economic productivity for the benefit of Filipinos. However, as businesses and work resume at modified or reduced capacity, new COVID-19 cases are still reported everyday. This shows that the threat of COVID-19 lingers, despite the corresponding increase in the number of people recovered. The ultimate solution, according to the authorities, is the development of a vaccine. However, while there is no vaccine yet, what will happen if the crisis drags on longer? This possible scenario demands further planning from the government, particularly from the Executive. Despite the minimum health standards implemented, we should be prepared to face another possible wave of COVID-19 infections should these quarantine measures fail to contain disease transmission. We must have a fallback position. The government must be capable of sustaining the livelihood of Filipinos and the provision of basic commodities and services when a resurgence of COVID-19 infection occurs. Legislators propose a “new normal.” However, with this notion of new normal, we must assess whether the nation is ready to meet its demands. For instance, the physical distancing policy causes many businesses to reduce their workforce in their operations. Face-toface classes have also been recently declared suspended until the availability of a vaccine. The suspension of public transportation also adds to the difficulty in continuing daily activities. Adjustments have to be made to adapt to the current situation. Electronic/digital platforms are being utilized to continue to engage the public in such activities. Businesses, including small- and medium-scale enterprises, shift to online platforms, while schools are reconstructing their teaching methods to be able to continue classes online. However, these activities hinge on the fact that public utilities, especially power supply and telecommunications, are providing quality and reliable services. Unless we are guaranteed that the foundations for online platforms are stable, this new normal may not effectively work. Moreover, the inequity in the access to these public utilities and services must be resolved. Students, especially those from disadvantaged families,
may not have the means to get or use devices suitable for online classes. Starting entrepreneurs and those in farflung areas may find it hard to comply with cashless or online transactions because of the inability to produce requirements for bank accounts or the lack of financial institutions or facilities in their localities. This is a common scenario among members of agriculture and fishery sectors who rely on physical local markets or live in islands
If basic needs are not addressed, existing policies would be ineffective. or far from city proper. This renders them illiquid and incapable of continuing trade or business, leading to a disruption in the supply chain and food insecurity. Also, the lack of ancillary transportation hampers the distribution of their goods which leads to waste of agricultural products left unsold. If basic needs are not addressed, existing policies would be ineffective. This new normal policy must allow everyone to continue to participate in social and economic activities. In the worst case scenario, when the number of COVID-19 cases rise once more, we may have to reinstate strict community quarantine measures. If this happens without proper economic and social safety nets for the people, life would be back to a standstill. The economy may go on a prolonged slump and many will have to rely on financial assistance from the government again. Moreover, we must find a way to help our health professionals deal with the persistent burden and risks in attending to COVID-19 patients. As our testing capacity increases with more COVID-19 testing centers accredited each month, the government must ensure the continuous supply of protective personal equipment in hospitals, especially those designated as COVID-19 referral centers, and adequate compensation of our health care workers. Should we face another rise in the curve, we must be equipped with adequate quarantine centers and more health care workers to man the frontlines. We need to safeguard our health system in order to survive until a vaccine becomes available. We need to be ready for these scenarios. Therefore, I urge the administration to ensure inclusive policies and sustainable mechanisms that would cater to the needs of Filipinos. While we continue to pray for the improvement of our situation, I call on the government to plan and act ahead to protect the welfare of the people from the grassroots level, to the small businesses, up to our public health institutions. The new normal must encompass not only the preventive measures but also promotion of the welfare of the people.
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NAKED THOUGHT CHARLIE V. MANALO
School and transportation under the new normal
2020 scorecard: Good Q1, very bad Q2 establishments operated for the usual number of hours every day, goods were produced and distributed according to the usual schedules and consumers indulging their buying habits without restrictions or limitations of any kind. In short, January 1-March 15 was a normal time for the Philippine economy.
BUSINESS CLASS
RUDY ROMERO THERE are still three weeks in June, but in view of what has been happening recently, it is virtually certain that 2020’s first semester will prove to be a very bad time for the economy of this country. With the exception of the two weeks following March 15, the first quarter of 2020 was a normal, i.e., no-lockdown period. Public-health safety protocols—body temperature checks, admonitions regarding social distancing, discouragement of large social gatherings, etc.— were already being introduced, but people generally were going about their usual business and economic activity in accordance with the accustomed everyday behavior of producers, consumers, workers and investors. Business
With the lockdown, almost all economic activity in the ECQ areas ground to a halt. The 5.9-percent growth of this country’s GDP (gross domestic product) in 2019 came as a disappointment to the gung-ho economists and financial analysts who fully expected the Philippine economy to end the year closer to the NEDA (National Economic and Develop-
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ment Authority) projection of GDP growth in 6.5-7.5 percent range. They were convinced, as the year began, that the 5.9 percent figure was just a brief break in the trend and that the Philippine economy’s good macro-economic fundamentals would ensure a return, in 2020, to the above-6-percent GDP growth record of recent years. That would very probably have been the case were it not for something that most people outside the science community could neither foresee nor anticipate: the coronavirus, or COVID-19. The scientists saw an outbreak coming, but the rest of the world didn’t. COVID-19 came roaring out of central China at the start of 2020 and has since ravaged everything and everyone in its path. It has shut down completely or has disrupted severely the economies of the world’s wealthiest countries, including the US, China, Japan, Russia, the UK, France and Italy. The economic toll of the coronavirus has been grievously heavy: the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has tentatively placed the eventual loss of world
Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida
Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager Head—Ad Solutions Circulation Manager
production at around 2 percent. The human toll has been ever more grievous; nearly 500,000 people have lost their lives thus far. The world’s epidemiologists told the international community that experience with past pandemics, especially the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918-1919, show that the most effective ways of stopping the transmission of the coronavirus was to reduce to a minimum movements and physical proximity of people. That meant locking down entire areas and making people stay indoors. Heeding the advice of the scientists, and following the example of China and other COVID-19-hit countries, Malacañang placed Metro Manila and Cebu City under ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine) and a number of other localities under a less rigorous quarantine status (GCQ or General Community Quarantine), effective March 16. With the lockdown, almost all economic activity in the ECQ areas—with few exceptions, the most important being the selling and delivery of food items and medicine—ground to a halt. Thousands of business enterprises closed
their doors, rendering hundreds of thousands of workers jobless, and, with the suspension of public transport, factories were idled and the streets became lifeless. Never in its history has the Philippine economy experienced anything like what it has gone through since March 16. Lockdown has become knockdown. ECQ has been devastating for the businesses and people of a region whose production accounts for approximately 20 percent of this country’s GDP. Its effect on the economies of the immediately surrounding regions—Calabarzon and Central Luzon—has likewise been severe. With infections and deaths still rising, albeit at slower rates, a quick turnaround for the Philippine economy cannot be expected; the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force) on COVID-19 will want to proceed cautiously on the easing of the Modified ECQ and GCQ guidelines. The economic scorecard for 2020’s two quarters may be said to be: Good Q1, Very Bad Q2. The latter having more than cancelled out the former, the Philippine economy’s first-semester score is Very Bad.
Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Managing Editor Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Associate Editors Joyce Pangco Pañares News Editor Adelle Chua Opinion Editor
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Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board
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World
THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2020
CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com
Who killed Swedish PM? Suspense as probe closes
GOODBYE, GEORGE. Mourners are reflected as they watch the casket of George Floyd carried by a white horse-drawn carriage to his final resting place at the Houston Memorial Gardens cemetery in Pearland, Texas on June 9. George Floyd was laid to rest Tuesday in his Houston hometown, the culmination of a long farewell to the 46-year-old African American whose death in custody ignited global protests against police brutality and racism. AFP
STOCKHOLM ― In a highly anticipated announcement, Swedish prosecutors will reveal Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) whether they are pressing charges or closing the investigation into the unsolved 1986 murder of prime minister Olof Palme. The killing, which current Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven has described as an “open wound”, has stumped investigators for decades. The news that the probe would be wrapped up -- one way or the other -- has made headlines in Sweden and abroad. One report, in the tabloid Aftonbladet, claimed investigators now had the murder weapon, while Britain’s The Guardian reported this week that South African intelligence officials met Swedish investigators in March to hand over information on the assassination. Palme was killed on February 28, 1986, after leaving a Stockholm cinema with his wife Lisbet to walk home, hav-
ing dismissed his bodyguards for the evening. An unidentified attacker shot Palme in the back and fled, leaving the 59-yearold dying in a pool of blood on the sidewalk. More than 10,000 people have been questioned over the years, but authorities do not currently have anyone placed under formal suspicion. Chief prosecutor Krister Petersson, who took over the probe in 2017, will announce his decision at 9:30 am (0730 GMT). Experts and Swedish media have in recent months suggested that the most likely scenario would be that the case will be closed, because the main suspects speculated about in the media in recent years are all dead. Petersson said in February that if the main suspect was dead, that would justify closing the case as a dead person cannot be prosecuted. AFP
Demands for justice at Floyd funeral OUSTON―Houston said farewell to George Floyd in a rousing hometown funeral Tuesday, with poignant tributes and calls for justice for the 46-year-old African American whose death “touched the world” and ignited global protests against police brutality and racism.
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Politicians, civil rights activists and celebrities joined in sharing memories of the man they called a “gentle giant” after his golden casket was carried into the sanctuary by six pallbearers in masks, as a row of police officers stood at attention and saluted. Civil rights leader Al Sharpton delivered a fierce eulogy, punctuated by the deep chords of a church organ, in which he accused President Donald Trump of showing indifference over Floyd’s
death, and sending police a signal of impunity. “We are fighting wickedness in high places!” Sharpton thundered, uttering the phrase over and over as he accused Trump of “scheming on how you can spin the story rather than how you can achieve justice.” “You sit now trying to figure out how you’re going to stop the protest, rather than how you’re going to stop the brutality,” he said, charging: “The signals
that we’re sending is that if you are in law enforcement, that the law doesn’t apply to you.” Acknowledging the presence of the parents of previous victims of police violence—including Eric Garner, Botham Jean and Michael Brown—Sharpton said they “know better than anyone else the pain” of the Floyd family. “Until we know the price for black life is the same as the price for white life, we’re going to keep coming back to these situations over and over again,” the preacher told The Fountain of Praise Church in southern Houston. Though the occasion was solemn, the church echoed with music and words of fond remembrance for a man whose savage death galvanized a movement. “Even in a pandemic, people are walking out in the streets not even fol-
Brazil resumes publishing COVID toll RIO DE JANEIRO ― Brazil’s government resumed publishing the country’s total death toll from the coronavirus pandemic Tuesday, after facing accusations of trying to hide the magnitude of its raging health crisis. Far-right President Jair Bolsonaro’s government had stopped publishing the total number of deaths from the new coronavirus Friday, saying it was adopting a new methodology and would only report the number of deaths recorded in the past 24 hours in its daily bulletin. That drew accusations of foul play from a long list of high-profile critics, as well as a ruling from Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes on Monday that the government must return to the old format. The health ministry did so Tuesday, indicating the death toll had risen by 1,272, to a total of 38,406 people killed by the virus—the third-highest toll in the world, after the United States and Britain. The ministry said the total number of confirmed infections had risen to 739,503, the second-highest caseload in the world, after the US. Experts say under-testing means the real numbers in the country of 212 million people are probably much higher. The health ministry did not immediately respond to questions from AFP on why it returned to the old format and its plans for the future. Bolsonaro, who famously compared the virus to a “little flu,” has railed against the consensus response to the pandemic, saying stay-at-home measures are needlessly wrecking the economy. AFP
lowing social distancing because you’ve touched the world,” Sharpton said. “And as we lay you to rest today, the movement won’t rest until we get justice.” Floyd died on May 25 as a white Minneapolis officer pressed a knee into his neck for almost nine minutes, his pleas of “I can’t breathe” becoming a rallying cry for protesters. His death has come to embody fractured relations between communities of color and police in the US and beyond as tens of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets. The Fountain of Praise was the final stage in a series of ceremonies before Floyd’s coffin was conveyed by horsedrawn carriage in the early evening to his final resting place by his mother’s grave. AFP
NOT NORMAL.
Motorists drive past a mural referring to the new conditions after the partial lockdown around the capital due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak in Jakarta on June 10. AFP
US, Russia to resume nuclear talks, but China casts cloud
WASHINGTON ― Russia called Tuesday on the United States to make a “positive” proposal as the powers open talks on a major disarmament treaty, warning that US insistence on including China could scuttle efforts. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov will meet in Vienna on June 22 with US envoy Marshall Billingslea to start negotiations on New START, which expires in February. President Donald Trump has walked out on a number of international agreements but voiced a general interest in preserving New START, which obliged the United States and Russia to halve their inventories of strategic nuclear missile launchers. But the Trump administration says that a successor to New START, a Cold War legacy negotiated under Barack Obama, should bring in China -- whose
nuclear arsenal is growing but remains significantly smaller than those of Russia and the United States. Addressing the Council on Foreign Relations by videoconference, Ryabkov described the US willingness to start negotiations as “good news” but said: “The ball is on the American part of the court.” “We need to hear loudly and clearly what this administration wants, how it believes it would be possible to do something positive and not just to dismantle one arms control treaty or arrangement after another.” In Beijing, foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said China had “no intention of participating” in the talks and accused the United States of trying to “deflect responsibilities to others.” Billingslea, writing on Twitter, urged China to reconsider. “Achieving Great Power status re-
quires behaving with Great Power responsibility. No more Great Wall of Secrecy on its nuclear build-up. Seat waiting for China in Vienna.” Ryabkov indicated that Russia did not oppose the US invitation to China—an international ally of Moscow despite a complicated historical relationship— but doubted Beijing would agree. “My answer to a direct question on whether or not we think it would be possible to bring China to the table would be a flat and straightforward no,” Ryabkov said. “Now it depends on the US—if the US believes it’s worth continuing this dialogue with Russia or, for the US point of view, the Chinese participation is an absolute imperative that precludes (the) US from continuing a meaningful and forward-looking dialogue with Russia on arms control,” he said.AFP
Japan MPs pass record $300-b coronavirus budget, doubles scale of ‘pep’ measures TOKYO ― Japan’s powerful lower house of parliament approved an emergency budget worth nearly $300 billion Wednesday, doubling the scale of measures to pep up the world’s third-biggest economy after the coronavirus tipped it into recession. Consumer spending has slowed to a crawl despite Japan’s relatively low infection numbers and death toll from the pandemic, prompting the first economic downturn since 2015. In response, lawmakers approved a second exceptional budget of 31.91 tril-
lion yen ($297 billion), including subsidies for smaller businesses and cash handouts for medical workers. The budget bill will be sent to the upper house and is widely expected to be enacted as early as Friday. The cash—to be raised by issuing bonds— will also be used to help finance rescue programmes and loans for struggling businesses. The government said the size of the package, including loans and investments in addition to actual fiscal spending, is worth about 117 trillion yen,
nearly the same size as the first extra budget enacted on April 30. Combined with that initial stimulus package, Japan’s total measures amount to 230 trillion yen when loan schemes are taken into account. That is a whopping 40 percent of GDP— trumpeted by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as the world’s biggest virus programme —and pushes Japan’s debt-to-GDP ratio up to 257 percent, noted Naoya Oshikubo, senior economist at SuMi TRUST. “It will be worth it to drive the recov-
ery,” said Oshikubo. “The two supplementary budgets alone should push up real 2020 GDP by three points. In addition, the state of emergency has now ended across Japan and the economy is set to improve,” added the economist. Rescue measures include subsidies to help small companies pay rent, subsidies for companies paying leave allowances to their employees, grants to medical workers and grants to help drug and vaccine development.AFP
IN BRIEF Dictionary to fix racism definition NEW YORK―The American reference dictionary Merriam-Webster will change its definition of the word racism at the suggestion of a young black woman, who wanted it to better reflect the oppression of people of color. Kennedy Mitchum, a recent graduate of Drake University in Iowa, contacted Merriam-Webster, which has published its dictionaries since 1847, to propose updating the term. “I basically told them that they need to include that there’s a systematic oppression upon a group of people,” she told the local CBS affiliate KMOV. “It’s not just, ‘Oh, I don’t like someone.’” Merriam-Webster’s editorial manager Peter Sokolowski confirmed to AFP that the definition would be modified after Mitchum’s request. The dictionary currently offers three definitions of racism, and Sokolowski said that the second definition touches on Mitchum’s point—but that “we will make that even more clear in our next release”. In the current version of the second definition, racism is “a doctrine or political program based on the assumption of racism and designed to execute its principles,” and “a political or social system founded on racism.” AFP
Jihadists leave 59 dead in Nigeria
KANO, Nigeria―Fighters from an ISlinked jihadist group on Tuesday killed 59 people in a raid on a herding village in northeast Nigeria’s Borno state, local militia members and residents told AFP. Fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) drove into remote Felo village in Gubio district in the early afternoon, shooting fleeing residents and running them over with their vehicles. “Fifty-nine bodies were recovered from the raid on the village,” anti-jihadist militia leader Babakura Kolo said. “Some of them were shot and others were crushed under the wheels,” he added. The attack is believed to be a reprisal for the killing of jihadist fighters by local vigilantes protecting the villagers’ herd from theft by the militants, a local leader in the village said. “We have lost 59 kinsmen in such a short time,” said the local leader who asked not to be named for his personal safety. The jihadists have been stealing livestock from the village, prompting residents to form a militia force to end the theft, said another militiaman Ibrahim Liman, who gave the same toll. The vigilantes have been “hunting for the insurgents” in the bushes, killing some of them in gunfights, Liman said.AFP
Young wayward whale found dead
SOREL, Canada―A young humpback whale that swam up one of Canada’s major rivers, delighting Montrealers who packed the shores for a glimpse of the first of the species in local waters, has died. The pilot of a passing commercial ship spotted a “whale carcass” near Varennes in Quebec province, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) east of Montreal, Marie-Eve Muller of the Quebec Emergency Network for Marine Mammals (RQUMM) told AFP on Tuesday. The body was towed by the Canadian fisheries department to Sorel, 80 kilometers east of Montreal, where it was lifted onto shore with the help of a giant crane. “It is very likely that it is the same whale observed near Montreal a few days ago,” Muller said. The giant creature had been seen last week swimming in the Saint Lawrence river, diving against the backdrop of the Montreal skyline. The two- to three-year-old cetacean had appeared healthy from a distance, and scientists hoped it would head back to the estuary and the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, more than 400 kilometers away. AFP
Business PSEi June 10, 2020 TOP GAINERS
TOP LOSERS
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THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2020 || extrastory2000@gmail.com
Profit taking pulls down market; BDO, Ayala drop T HE stock market sank Wednesday on profit taking as investors appeared to run out of steam after an extended rally fueled by economic recovery hopes as coronavirus restrictions are eased around the world.
The Philippine Stock Exchange Index plummeted 144.47 points, or 2.2 percent, to 6,439.37 on a value turnover of nearly P9 billion. Losers overwhelmed gainers, 147 to 55, with 41 issues unchanged. Security Bank Corp., the sixth-biggest lender in terms of assets, dropped 5.2 percent to P102.50, while GT Capital Holdings Inc. of the Ty Group, fell 5.1 percent to P503. BDO Unibank Inc., the largest bank, declined 4.5 percent to P105.50, while major property developer Ayala Land Inc. shed 4.2 percent to P36.40. Meanwhile, equities were mixed in
Asia on Wednesday. While the World Health Organization said a record number of new virus cases were recorded globally on Monday— with Latin America, India and Russia heavily affected—European nations pressed ahead with easing strict lockdowns that have likely sent the planet into recession. Among the latest moves, Cyprus welcomed its first tourist flights in almost three months, while France announced the Eiffel Tower would reopen on June 25. Investor focus is on the end of the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting later in the day, the first since the United States began to reopen and Friday’s blockbuster jobs report. The bank’s decision will be closely watched, though most observers do not expect it to further ease monetary policy, having pledged vast sums of cash as a backstop to financial markets. “The relentless rebound in equity markets continues to endure, suggesting no one is willing to call a top,” said AxiCorp’s Stephen Innes. “But the primary question remains: has the market’s recovery bought the Fed
some time not to use all its bullets, or will they keep the pedal to the metal?” He added: “The Fed orchestrated this market recovery, and (is) now set to offer its latest thoughts, estimates and, hopefully for market sentiment, an actionable go-forward plan.” Tokyo, Sydney, Mumbai, Seoul, Taipei and Bangkok were all in positive territory but Shanghai, Jakarta and Wellington were lower. Hong Kong dipped after seven days of gains, though troubled airline Cathay Pacific was up more than one percent, having soared almost 19 percent at the open a day after announcing a multibillion-dollar government-led bailout plan. The US rally stuttered with the Dow and S&P 500 dropping on Tuesday as observers begin to worry that the surge since March’s troughs across markets may have gone too far. “It would be no great surprise to see a period of market consolidation now as investors await decisive news on the coronavirus front to determine the direction of the next big market moves,” Paul O’Connor at Janus Henderson Investors said. AFP
MOST ACTIVE
China’s factory prices plummet on health crisis BEIJING, China―China’s factorygate prices remained at four-year lows in May, official data showed Wednesday, as the demand shock from the coronavirus continued to take a toll on the world’s second-largest economy. The producer price index (PPI), which measures the cost of goods at the factory gate, deepened its contraction last month, shrinking 3.7 percent on-year. Analysts said subdued demand and declining global commodity prices were key factors behind the fall. The PPI figure was worse than the 3.2-percent drop expected by analysts in a Bloomberg survey, and was deeper than April’s 3.1 percent contraction― underscoring the stress faced by manufacturers as China’s economy churns back to life after pandemic lockdowns. China’s consumer price index (CPI) rose 2.4 percent in May, said the National Bureau of Statistics, easing from 3.3 percent a month earlier on falling food prices. The country has been working to bounce back from a historic contraction in growth in the first three months as the coronavirus outbre≠ak brought activity to a near-standstill while authorities worked to curb its spread. But the march of the virus around the world, hammering the global economy, has depressed demand across many of China’s key trading partners, forcing companies to charge less for their products. Dong Lijuan, senior statistician at the statistics bureau, said Wednesday the PPI drop was influenced by a fall in prices in the oil industry and other major commodities. Another key factor behind the easing of consumer prices is China’s slowing food price inflation, added Dong, with more fresh produce entering the market and an increase in pork supply. Martin Rasmussen of Capital Economics noted the PPI change was driven by “an across-the-board decline in raw materials, manufactured goods and consumer goods price inflation.” Consumer inflation had remained close to eight-year highs in the earlier part of 2020, and pork prices have been soaring after the country’s herds were ravaged by African swine fever that saw millions of pigs culled.AFP
BACK IN BUSINESS. A health worker checks the medical documents of mask-clad travelers arriving at Cyprus’ Larnaca International Airport on June 9, 2020, before being screened for COVID-19 coronavirus symptoms on their way to passport control. Cyprus opened back up for international tourism on June 9, with airports welcoming visitors after an almost three-month shutdown due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, with a bold plan to cover health care costs for visitors. AFP
International airlines stand to incur loss of $84b in ‘20 PARIS, France―International airlines are in line to make a combined net loss of more than $84 billion this year in the wake of the coronavirus crisis which has decimated air travel, the International Air Transport Association said Tuesday. “After $84 billion net losses this year we forecast supplementary losses of $15 billion in 2021,” the IATA said at a new conference, revealing the extent to which its 290 member carriers have been affected by the virus and the ensuing global lockdown designed to limit its spread. “The losses this year will be the biggest in aviation history, over $84 billion in 2020 and nearly $16 billion in 2021,” said IATA director general Alexandre de Juniac. “By comparison, airlines lost $31 billion with the Global Financial Crisis and oil price spike in 2008 and 2009. There is no comparison for the dimension of this crisis.” De Juniac said IATA research “shows that people will return to flying as soon as borders open” and carriers had to be prepared for an orderly resumption once demand returns in line with health guidelines. “The outlook is challenging to say the least. But aviation is a resilient industry,” De Juniac added. “With a globally harmonized and mutually recognized approach to the re-start measures, we can rebuild the confidence of travelers and kick-start the recovery in aviation and more broadly. He added the sector hoped that a range of safety measures including more effective mass testing would “give governments the confidence to re-open borders without quarantine measures” as “if quarantine is introduced economies are effectively kept in lockdown for the purposes of travel.” But De Juniac warned of a growing debt burden as despite government relief measures that had grown by $120 billion to $550 billion―equivalent to some 92 percent of expected 2021 revenues. The IATA warned in April that airlines faced an “apocalypse” without state aid and forecast that revenues would fall by some 55 percent amid the sharpest falloff in passenger demand since the 9/11 attacks in the United States in 2001. AFP
World airlines improvise gradual liftoff as virus lockdowns start to ease FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany― Cabin crews on standby with destinations revealed only hours before the flight, pilots put on simulators to keep up to date― an airline restarting after the pandemic is a far cry from the clockwork precision of the pre-coronavirus world. “Flexibility” is the top priority, Lufthansa chief executive Carsten Spohr said last week, as the airline has “developed completely new procedures in flight and route planning.” As borders slammed shut to halt virus
transmission, about 90 percent of passenger connections at the German airline fell away, leaving an “emergency” timetable comparable to the 1950s. Daily passengers dwindled to 3,000 from the usual 350,000. With the peak of the crisis over in Europe, the airline is plotting its restart― and the entire operation has been forced to act more nimbly to cope. For Lufthansa crews, the inch-by-inch progress means “they have almost no fixed shifts any more, only on-call periods”, Spohr said.
“They know how quickly they have to make it to the airport and that they should be nearby, and then they get a few hours’ notice about where they’re going.” “Methods we’ve always used to patch over problems have become the standard,” he added. Some flights, like the first India-bound service, have been dropped almost at the last moment for lack of landing authorization. At the same time, “demand is far less predictable than usual,” a spokesman for Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways said.
At Lufthansa, there have been cases where “colleagues all at once had to add a second flight in parallel” to meet high demand―including on a busy May holiday weekend when “I myself and our family” were on a waiting list, Spohr said. “Historic data we’ve gathered over decades are useless for flight planning in the near future,” said chief financial officer Thorsten Dirks, explaining that Lufthansa’s “artificial intelligence has to be re-trained” to address the altered situation. AFP
Meralco bill shock; illicit cigarette trade goes on MANILA Electric Co., just like its millions of customers, is adjusting to the new normal forced by the COVID-19 pandemic. And things may take time before operations and Meralco’ relationship with consumers take a semblance of normalcy. Meralco, hampered by the enhanced community quarantine imposed over Luzon, had to resort to consumption estimates on its billing process based on the customers’ electricity usage three months prior to the quarantine, a practice allowed by the Energy Regulatory Commission in cases where meter reading is not practicable. Meralco, nonetheless, asked customers to just ignore the bill estimates used for March and April—the initial period of the quarantine on Luzon where a large section that accounts for over half of the Philippines’ gross domestic product is covered by the franchise. It told customers to wait for the actual reading that should be reflected in the May bill if operations were fully back to normal. Not everyone had their meters read in May, however. Quarantine restrictions still left some 2.8 million meters or 40 percent of customers unread. These customers will get a billing that covers four months’ consumption, instead of three. Meralco, in the meantime, agreed to the ERC’s advice to extend payments on consumption during the ECQ to up to six
months for those consuming 200 kilowatthours a month or less based on their February bill. The higher consumption of residential customers in March, April and May, according to Meralco, was normal given the hotter temperatures during these months. “What isn’t normal this year is that power usage shifted to homes from offices and shopping malls as the pandemic forced Filipinos stay and work from their residences. Imagine the time you would have spent elsewhere for leisure or work during those months if not for COVID-19 restrictions,” an official said. Meralco said the bill shock caused by pandemic underscored the need to speed up the implementation of its Smart Grid project, which unfortunately was stalled by regulatory lag over the past few years. A key feature of this project is the installation of smart meters that allow customers better control of their consumption. The Smart Grid will also tell Meralco when something is wrong within the network, preventing such things as circuit overload that in recent months caused hour-long brownouts in several residential areas. Meralco originally envisioned to have 3.3 million smart meters installed by 2023. So far, the ERC has allowed less than 200,000 smart meters deployed. For those with smart meters, which include top 1,000 customers of Meralco, the bill shock was a non-issue because their meters were read remotely. These customers account for most of Meralco’s collection during the ECQ, which in April dropped to 3 percent of the total.
The low collection rate is hurting Meralco financially. But the pain is more severe for power generators, who according to the ERC, account for up to 55 percent of the electricity bills. Meralco only collect around 20 percent of the bill as distribution charge, revenues that are spent mostly to maintain and upgrade its network that keeps the lights on. Lost revenues The government is badly in need of additional revenues to fulfill the promised financial support under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act. But funds to provide amelioration package to poor families, displaced workers and family of healthcare workers who were stricken and succumbed to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are on the verge of drying up, One possible source that the government could seriously look into is the lost revenue due to the increasing proliferation of illicit cigarettes in the market. Foregone government revenues corresponding to these fake and smuggled products must run in the hundreds of millions, enough to fund the current efforts of the government to compensate healthcare workers who succumbed to COVID-19. While the country is under the ECQ during the last three months, law enforcement agencies led by the Bureau of Customs has been busy with successive raids on different illicit operations scattered throughout the country. The raids resulted in the seizures of hundreds of millions pesos worth of fake
cigarette products, machineries and other materials necessary in the production of cigarettes including fake tax stamps. BOC agents and the local police in Valenzuela City on May 1 raided a warehouse at Cabral Industrial Park in Barangay Lawang Bato and confiscated 280 master cases (140,000 packs) of assorted counterfeit cigarettes. On May 12, law enforcement agents raided a warehouse at Global ASEANA Business Park 1, San Fernando, Pampanga. Seized in the operation were approximately 700 cases of non-duty paid cigarettes. And on May 26, three Chinese nationals and four Filipino workers were arrested at an unregistered warehouse in Sta. Maria, Bulacan. The operation led to subsequent raids and discovery of huge warehouses in the towns of Naguillan and Alicia, Isabela with the estimated BoC haul at P2.3 billion consisting of fake cigarettes, raw materials and counterfeit tax stamps. These are just a sampling of successful operations launched by government authorities in recent months. Illicit trade robs the government of potential revenues. Along with alcohol products, tobacco items are the Philippines’ biggest contributor to excise taxes and the main source of funding for the government’s Universal Health Care Program. If left unchecked, the proliferation of these illegal products in the market can seriously threaten the government’s ability to fund its health care programs. E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or extrastory2000@gmail.com
Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com
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THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2020
PSE INDEX CLOSING Wednesday, June 10, 2020
144.47 PTS. 6,439.37
TOTAL VOLUME 825,253,318 TOTAL TRADES 130,930 TOTAL VALUE 8,961,275,616.67 ADVANCES 55 DECLINES 147 UNCHANGED 41
F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2020
Currency
Unit
US Dollar
Peso
United States
Dollar
1.000000
49.9510
Japan
Yen
0.009285
0.4638
UK
Pound
1.273000
63.5876
Hong Kong
Dollar
0.129032
6.4453
Switzerland
Franc
1.052299
52.5634
Canada
Dollar
0.745323
37.2296
Singapore
Dollar
0.719942
35.9618
Australia
Dollar
0.695500
34.7409
Bahrain
Dinar
2.655549
132.647
Saudi Arabia
Rial
0.266560
13.3149
Brunei
Dollar
0.717360
35.8328
Indonesia
Rupiah
0.000072
0.0036
Thailand
Baht
0.031913
1.5941
UAE
Dirham
0.272272
13.6003
Euro
Euro
1.133800
56.6344
Korea
Won
0.000835
0.0417
China
Yuan
0.141313
7.0587
India
Rupee
0.013247
0.6617
Malaysia
Ringgit
0.233973
11.6872
New Zealand
Dollar
0.650600
32.4981
Taiwan
Dollar
0.033645
1.6806 Source: BSP
ADB approves $500-m loan for the 4Ps program THE Asian Development Bank said Wednesday it approved a $500-million loan to expand its support for the Philippine government’s conditional cash transfer program, which is helping millions of Filipino families across the country send their children to school and keep them healthy. It said the Expanded Social Assistance Project would help families maintain health and educational gains for their children achieved under the country’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program which was introduced in 2008. The 4Ps program, implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, provides cash payments every two months to about 4.3 million households—as long as the children meet school attendance targets and go for regular health checkups, women avail of pre- and postnatal care and the parents participate in family development sessions. “The Philippine government is boosting social investment in Filipinos to break the decades-old intergenerational cycle of poverty,” said ADB vice-president Ahmed Saeed. “The 4Ps program provides vulnerable households with an income supplement to help their children become educated, stay healthy, and leave poverty for good. Our evidence shows that this is working. The 4Ps program has helped 1.5 million people escape poverty since it began in 2008. Through this project loan and technical assistance support, ADB is helping the Philippines expand these gains,” Saeed said. Independent impact evaluations and ADB analyses have confirmed the 4Ps’ significant benefits to households. The average enrollment rate for children aged 16 to 17 years old in 4Ps households is 88 percent, significantly higher than the average rate of 70 percent for children in non-4Ps households. The cash grants do not discourage 4Ps parents from looking for and retaining employment. In fact, employment outcomes in 4Ps families are the same as non-4Ps families. In addition, the incidence of hunger is lower for 4Ps households.
Business
April exports sank 50%, the steepest in ten years E By Julito G. Rada
XPORTS tumbled 50.8 percent in April from a year ago, the biggest decline in a decade, as the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon restricted the movement of people and goods to contain the coronavirus pandemic.
The Philippine Statistics Authority said merchandise exports decreased 50.8 percent in April to $2.78 billion from $5.65 billion in the same month last year. “This contraction was the highest recorded annual decrease in export sales since January 2009. In the previous month, the annual decline was slower at 24.7 percent while in April 2019, exports grew at an annual rate of 3.1 percent,” the PSA said. It said manufactured goods posted the sharpest decline of 64 percent, followed by machinery and transport equipment with a drop of 63.6 percent and coconut oil which sank 55.5 percent. “For faster trade growth recovery, the government needs to intensify its efforts by prioritizing structural and logistics reforms that will serve as the backbone of ongoing efforts
to improve the business environment and create development opportunities,” said acting Economic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua. Meanwhile, merchandise imports plunged 65.3 percent in April to $3.28 billion, also the highest annual decline since April 2009. “In the previous month, the decline was slower at 26.2 percent while in April 2019, imports grew by 2.9 percent annually,” the PSA said. It said the sharp drop in April shipments was due to the decreases in transport equipment, with -89.8 percent; mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials, -87.4 percent; and miscellaneous manufactured articles, -75.5 percent. Total external trade in goods amounted to $6.07 billion in April, down 59.8 percent from a year ago. The drop was faster than the 29-percent decline in total shipments in March. ING Bank Manila senior economist Nicholas Mapa said both imports and exports plunged in April after the government placed Luzon under lockdown to prevent the spread of the disease. “Checkpoints and curfews were in place while businesses were closed which likely hampered the once free flow of goods and services both in and out of the country,” Mapa said. The PSA said that as imports declined faster than exports, the trade deficit shrank 86.9 percent in April to $499.2 million from $3.8-billion deficit in the same month last year.
IN BRIEF
Globe’s tax payments hit P80b in five years TAX payments of Globe Telecom Inc. and Innove Communications Inc. rose for the fifth consecutive year. Globe said that for fiscal year 2019, it paid over P20.7 billion in taxes, P3 billion or 20 percent higher than the previous year’s remittance. The company remitted to the government close to P80 billion in taxes over the last five years. “We regard the company’s increasing tax payment as a testament to our efficient operations even as we give our customers better service. This will further help the government in its efforts to manage the impact of COVID-19 to our economy and the people hardest hit by the pandemic,” said Rizza Maniego-Eala, Globe chief financial officer and chief risk officer said. Innove settled at least P4.8 billion in taxes for 2019, up by 9 percent from its payment in 2018. Globe, the telecom unit of the Ayala Group, posted a net profit of P22.28 billion last year, up from P18.62 billion in 2018. Consolidated service revenues increased 12 percent last year to P149 billion, fueled by the gains from data across mobile, broadband and corporate data services. Darwin G. Amojelar
Max’s Group swings to P169-m net loss RESTAURANT operator Max’s Group Inc. said Wednesday it swung to a net loss in the first quarter as the overall business was severely affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Max’s Group said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Wednesday it incurred a net loss of P169.28 million in the first three months, a reversal of the P138.57-net income it booked in the same period last year. It said system-wide sales, comprised of sales generated by both company-owned and franchised stores, went down by 12.9 percent to P3.99 billion in the first quarter from P4.58 billion a year ago. First-quarter consolidated revenues also declined 18.8 percent to P2.72 billion from P3.35 billion. It said sales began to drop in March, with the company posting positive systemwide sales and same stores sales in the first two months. The group was forced to cease operations in malls and operate stand-alone and in-line locations in a limited capacity at the start of the enhanced community quarantine in mid-March. Jenniffer B. Austria
Metrobank warns against scammers
BIO-MOLECULAR LABORATORY. National Action Plan Against COVID-19 deputy chief implementer and Bases Conversion Development Authority president and chief executive Vince Dizon (front row, left), along with CDC president and CEO Noel Manankil (third from right, front row), Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda (third from left), National Action Plan Against COVID-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. (fourth from left), Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (back row, left), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration head Hans Leo Cacdac (sixth from left) and other government officials hold an ocular inspection at the Philippine Red Cross bio-molecular laboratory, a testing facility at Clark Freeport Zone. The laboratory is set to open this month to accommodate more PCR tests of incoming repatriates.
Jolliville not responsible for closure of Pegasus, Heartbeat By Jenniffer B. Austria JOLLIVILLE Holdings Corp. on Wednesday denied it is the one closing down high-end entertainment establishments in Metro Manila because of the coronavirus pandemic. Jolliville said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it merely leases certain assets to various entertainment clubs and that it does not own these establishments. Jolliville chairman and chief executive Jolly Ting, and not Jolliville, is known in the industry as the owner of the clubs and that his relatives operate them on his behalf. “JOH leases and rents out certain assets… to a number of independent business entities involved in the operation and management of KTV entertainment/recreation centers in Metro Manila area,” the company said. The Manila Standard on Tuesday reported employees of several high-end entertainment clubs including Pegasus Ultimate Men’s Club and Heartbeat Mega
SUPPORT FOR COOPERATIVES.
A member of the Thanksgiving MultiPurpose Cooperative bakes bread early in the morning amid increased orders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Two multipurpose cooperatives address and overcome the economic impact of the health crisis, even boosting their earnings, thanks to training, financial, and business start-up support from the Aboitiz Foundation. The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic forced cooperatives nationwide to adjust, innovate and scale up to keep up with the changing consumer behavior.
KTV in Quezon City received separation pay from Ting, and that these clubs would no longer resume operations because of the huge impact of the health crisis. Jolliville, which is owned by Ting family, has business interests in leasing, management services, property development, land banking, local waterworks system, business process outsourcing and power generation. The company and its subsidiaries are also engaged in trading, business process outsourcing, and power generation through Calapan Ventures Inc., SBII and Ormin Power Inc. Joliville chairman Jolly Ting and his relatives, however, are the known owners of the string of popular nightclubs in select areas of Metro Manila and a nearby town, as cited in a trademark ruling against Jollibee Foods Corp. The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines on July 4, 2017 ruled in favor of Jolliville over the use of the name Jolliville.
Jolliville said its name was a trademark formed in combination of Jolly Ting’s first name and ‘ville’, resulting in a coined word suggestive of the kind of business he was into, which was real estate. “While appellee [Jollibee] was making it big in the food service business, so was Mr. Jolly L. Ting in the night entertainment business. As the owner of a string of night entertainment establishments such as Pegasus, Discovery, Mega Heartbeat, Lexus, he earned the moniker king of night entertainment,” IPOPHL said. Following the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine in mid-March, Jolliville reported that a prolonged pandemic may affect the group’s business, especially its leasing operations. “Some lessees’ businesses are affected by the COVID-19 situation and some have decided to reduce operating hours or close temporarily,” Jolliville said.
Meralco asked to explain ECQ ‘violations’ By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Energy Regulatory Commission said Wednesday it issued a show cause order to power retailer Manila Electric Co. for alleged violations of certain directives, including the guidelines on bills payment, during the enhanced community quarantine. “The commission provided enough guidance to the distribution utilities on their dealings with their consumers during the periods of the enhanced community quarantine and modified enhanced community quarantine so as not to cause additional burden at the time of a public health emergency due to COVID-19. We cannot tolerate such non-compliance and any erring party must be held accountable for their actions or misactions,” ERC chairperson Agnes Devanadera said. ERC, in an order dated May 29, directed Meralco to submit an explanation on why it should not be held liable for the alleged violations of the ERC direc-
tives within 10 days from the receipt of the subject order. ERC was referring to the alleged violations of the directives contained in the series of advisories of the commission issued during the government’s implementation of the ECQ and MECQ measures. Meralco head regulatory management Jose Ronald Valles confirmed the receipt of the letter from the ERC and said the company was preparing its reply. “We believe that we have complied with the existing regulations and directives set by the regulator, and we will explain in full to the commission the basis for our actions and compliance. We reiterate that Meralco has not violated any rule even if our operations were severely challenged by this pandemic,” Valles said. ERC informed Meralco that it allegedly violated certain directives in the advisories such as with respect to utilization of estimated billing provided that the word “ESTIMATE” be clearly written on the consumer bill.
METROPOLITAN Bank & Trust Co. advised customers to be wary about calls from an unknown number asking them to give out details related to bank account or credit card and warning them that their bank accounts may be deactivated. “The person on the other line is very persuasive and is giving you a hard time to hang up. This is a common type of fraud called voice phishing. Also known as vishing, this phone scam happens when a fraudster pretends to be a bank representative and asks for a person’s bank details,” Metrobank said. “Firstly, the fraudster gives out fake credentials to prove their identity. Once the victim is convinced, they keep the act going until they get pertinent account-related information such as PIN, card verification value and onetime password,” the bank said. Metrobank provided tips to protect customers from imposter and fight fraud. “Be cautious when taking a call from an unknown number. Never give away private or sensitive information. Banks will never ask for your personal banking details over the phone. If you feel that the caller is suspicious and is about to ask for personal information, don’t hesitate to refuse and hang up,” it said. The bank asked customers to immediately report such incidents to Metrobank Contact Center.
DOT prepares for reopening of Boracay, Bohol By Othel V. Campos THE Department of Tourism said it is preparing the reopening of Boracay and Bohol as soon as health protocols in the islands are in place and more flights are allowed. Tourism Secretary Bernadette Puyat the made the statement ahead of her scheduled visits to Boracay and Bohol this week to validate the health and safety conditions in the islands. “As you all know, Boracay is zero COVID while Bohol has had two cases of returning residents, otherwise, very, very minimal infection. What is important now is that when a tourist goes to a place, the health protocol is there. It’s safe for the domestic tourists to go to that place, since COVID is not there. And eventually, we can open it to foreign tourists,” Puyat told participants of the Kapihan sa Maynila e-forum on Wednesday. Puyat will visit Boracay on Thursday to determine if the Island is equipped with the necessary tools to keep tourists safe from the COVID-19 pandemic. Since Australia has very limited cases of COVID-19 cases, she also encouraged Australian travellers to go to Boracay directly via Kalibo Airport or straight to Bohol. Puyat said Boracay and Bohol may be initially reopened to visitors from Australia which has low virus transmission. “We were just talking to our Australian partners last week. We were telling them that there’s an option for them flying from Australia, direct to let’s say, Bohol. There’s an international airport or direct to Kalibo also,” she said. She said Clark airport is another option for travelers if they want to go to Palawan. “There are so many possibilities. We are pushing for that for now,” Puyat said.
Sports
Adidas vows 30% of new US hires will be black or Latino WASHINGTON—Adidas said Tuesday that 30 percent of all its new hires in the US would be black or Latino people, amid anti-racism protests that have rocked the country for nearly two weeks. “The events of the past two weeks have caused all of us to reflect on what we can do to confront the cultural and systemic forces that sustain racism,” said Adidas CEO Kasper Rorsted in a statement. The sportswear giant announced the new measure, among several others, the same day as the funeral of George Floyd, a black man killed in US police custody when a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck. Floyd’s death, the latest in a long line of unarmed black men being killed by white law enforcement officers, ignited ongoing protests against police brutality and antiblack racism. Adidas employees had recently criticized the company for not doing enough to combat racial discrimination. The German-based group also announced that over the next four years, it will increase to $20 million funding for its programs that support African Americans -- a basketball program for underserved communities, funding for the Adidas shoe design school and a program to support the black community through sports. Adidas also promised to fund 50 scholarships for its black employees each year for the next five years. The company’s US directors, Zion Armstrong and Matt O’Toole, were to give further details Tuesday during employee meetings in Portland, Oregon and Boston. Adidas’s promise comes alongside many other businesses committing to fight racism. “We understand that the fight against racism is one that must be fought continually and actively. We must and will do better,” Adidas said in its statement. AFP
Globe esports team Liyab donates P.52M to Heart Center AS THE country continues to grapple with the far-reaching effects of the coronavirus pandemic, the world of competitive Philippine esports has proven itself an ally to medical practitioners working at the front lines. Taking the online gaming arena to another level, Globe via its co-owned esports team, Liyab Esports, has successfully rallied professional esports athletes, streamers, and League of Legends fans to raise over half a million pesos in cash donations for the Philippine Heart Center as part of their COVID-19 relief efforts. Dubbed ‘Starforge’, the online charity streaming event was launched in April 17 to 26 by Liyab and Esports AcadArena, the largest campus esports initiative in the Philippines. During the two-week campaign, Team Liyab participated in online community team matches, held entertaining podcasts, and interacted with fans and the nationwide gaming community. This culminated in a major Starforge event which featured a best-of-three All-Stars Showdown between teams headed by Liyab’s Kang ‘Kurd’ Yeonghwan and the team of Edrian ‘DoeDoii’ Brancia, with Team Kurd ultimately dominating a win. Throughout the duration of the event, Globe donated cash when certain milestones are met. For every kill of an opposing player, dragon, or baron takedown Globe would add P1,000 to the fund. To further show their support towards the gaming community’s initiative, Globe donated P100,000 in funding upfront. Together with several partners, Globe raised a total of P523,000 for PHC through Starforge.
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Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor
NEW LAW FOR SPORTS.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signs into law the establishment of a National Academy of Sports during a ceremony at the Presidential Guest House in Panacan, Davao City on June 9, 2020. With the President is Senator Christopher “Bong” Go.
Former Nuggets’ coach Shaw to train, coach Kai
By Peter Atencio
S
EVEN-FOOT-TWO Filipino standout Kai Sotto said he is delighted to train and play under former Denver Nuggets head coach Brian Shaw. A five-time National Basketball Association champion with nearly 30 years of experience as a player and coach, Shaw will be coming aboard to handle NBA G League Team for Elite Prospects, where Sotto will play. “Much respect and excited to be led by Coach Shaw,” said Sotto in a twitter message. The 18-year-old Sotto is currently scrimmaging in Atlanta, Georgia with his new teammates Jalen Green, Daishen Nix and Isaiah Todd, all 2021 NBA lottery prospects expected to be picked in
the first round. NBA G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim made the announcement on Shaw in a statement shared by NBA Philippines. “Brian’s extensive experience and success as an NBA player and coach make him a natural choice to lead the new NBA G League team,” said Abdur-Rahim. The 54-year-old Shaw will Kai Sotto help guide the four players, who are looking forward to starting professional careers at a young age. Shaw’s team will be unaffiliated with any existing NBA G League franchise or NBA team. “We look forward to watching these terrific young players develop their skills and grow as professionals under Brian’s leadership,” said Abdur-Rahim. The 6’6” Shaw, a point guard, was the 24th
overall pick by the Boston Celtics in the 1988 NBA draft. He played for teams in the NBA from 1998 to 2003, and last saw action for the Los Angeles Lakers from 1999 to 2003. Then, Shaw moved on to become the assistant head coach of the LA Lakers from 2004 to 2011. “I’m excited to serve as head coach of the new NBA G League team,” said Shaw. Before he went to the G League, he was an associate to LA Lakers head coach Frank Vogel. Before that, Shaw served as head coach of the Denver Nuggets for two seasons from 2013-15. He was also associate head coach with the Indiana Pacers for two seasons (201113) before moving again to the Los Angeles Lakers for three seasons (2016-19).
Yanmar sponsors 2020 AFF Suzuki Cup SINGAPORE—Japanese diesel engine manufacturer Yanmar has renewed its sponsorship of the AFF Suzuki Cup for the 2020 edition of the tournament, making this the company’s third successive partnership with South East Asia’s most prestigious football championship. Following a successful partnership in 2016 and 2018, Yanmar will once again sponsor the tournament this year. The deal was brokered by SPORTFIVE, the exclusive commercial partner of the AFF Suzuki Cup. Held biennially, the AFF Suzuki Cup is South East Asia’s premier football tournament, where each edition breaks records for fan engagement among the millions of football fans across the region. As the Official Sponsor, Yanmar can look forward to displaying its brand prominently on various platforms, including perimeter advertising boards, event backdrops, in-stadia TV commercials and other official tournament print collaterals. Yanmar will also have the opportunity to organise fan activities and promotions around the matches, providing exclusive access to reach out and engage with football fans from across the region.
The AFF Suzuki Cup is South East Asia’s premier football tournament, where each edition breaks records for fan engagement among the millions of football fans across the region.
As part of the sponsorship, Yanmar is also looking to host event spaces at selected matches, where it will present the company’s agricultural solutions to demonstrate its ongoing commitment to South East Asia. “As a partner of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2020, we are proud to showcase our commitment to further the development of
South East Asian football through technology and a shared love of sports,” said Sota Harayama, Head of the Sports Business Promotion Office of YANMAR HOLDINGS Co., Ltd. “With football known to unite people across national borders and languages, Yanmar hopes to contribute to a society charged with the shared passion that sport provides.”
Go to PSC: Continue promoting athletes’ welfare By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go appealed to the Philippine Sports Commission to continue to promote and protect the welfare of athletes, especially the physical and mental condition of the national teams amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in the country. Go, Senate Committee on Sports chairperson, said he sympathizes with the athletes given their current situation of not being able to participate in competitions. Most athletes, especially those engaged in contact sports, are not able to train and compete given the health protocols being implemented to prevent the spread of the disease. Recently, the PSC has given its regular allowance to around 1,000 national athletes and coaches despite its “no training, no allowance” policy. The commission also provided housing and food to stranded national team members in Metro Manila. It has also been monitoring the health status of its athletes through online medical consultations and psychological sessions. However, allowances usually received by athletes have been adversely affected due to limited resources. This is because their allowances are taken from the National Sports Development Fund sourced from a percentage of the income of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation as provided by law. Since PAGCOR’s operations have also been adversely affected by the pandemic, its remittances to PSC for sports development substantially declined as well. This led to the allowances being cut in half starting July and until funds are made available. Aside from the financial support, Go also urged the government to provide other forms of assistance to support national athletes and coaches especially those who are preparing for international competitions..
How ONE Championship made Belingon a better athlete
Kevin Belingon (left) against Bibiano Fernandes
FORMER ONE Bantamweight World Champion Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon has emerged as one of the most talented mixed martial artists from the Philippines, and he credits his time in ONE Championship as the catalyst. Belingon has been in The Home Of Martial Arts since its third event back in 2012, and he has certainly come a long way since then. “When I came on board, I was really challenged to reach my goals and it really forced me to evolve as an athlete,” Belingon said. “I really wanted to become a World Champion and joining ONE only motivated me to give more than 100 percent of my effort every time I competed in the Circle.” In The Home Of Martial Arts, Belingon has
been exposed to different styles, from devastating strikers like Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen to some of the best grapplers in ONE Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes and Yusup “Maestro” Saadulaev. This only pushed the Kiangan, Ifugao Province native to transition from a powerful wushu artist to a well-rounded stud. “With ONE being the biggest organization in Asia, I knew I needed to prepare and be at my best because it’s different here. I really dedicated myself to becoming better in all aspects of my game,” Belingon said. “It’s not easy to be signed by ONE, that’s why every day I looked to prove myself, to show that I am developing as an athlete.”
Seven years since making his debut against Masakazu “Ashikan-Judan” Imanari, Belingon has already competed 18 times in the promotion and has already reached his dreams of becoming a World Champion. Still, the 32-year-old insists that he is far from satisfied with what he has achieved in the promotion. “The challenge is to always improve every day,” Belingon said. “My development as an athlete should not stall. As time goes by, the challenges will only get bigger so I have to stay on my toes.” Catch all the ONE Championship action live and for free by downloading the ONE Super App.
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THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2020
US Olympic chief backs athlete protests
NASCAR inviting military to Miami race LOS ANGELES—NASCAR is ready to welcome US fans back to their races for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic hit, beginning with 1,000 militar y personnel at a race in Miami, Florida on Sunday. The NASCAR Cup Series is also planning to allow 5,000 spectators to attend a race June 21 in Talladega, Alabama as part of its plan to bring fans back on a limited basis. The series usually averages about 65,000 fans per race. “We have tremendous respect and appreciation for the responsibility that comes with integrating guests back into our events,” said NASCAR vicepresident Daryl Wolfe. “We believe implementing this methodical process is an important step forward for the sport and the future of live sporting events. “The passion and unwavering support of our industry and fans is the reason we race each weekend and we look forward to slowly and responsibly welcoming them back at select events.” Organizers said they consulted with public health officials, medical experts and other local, state and federal authorities in determining protocols for the two races. All fans will undergo health questions and temperature checks as they enter the facility. They must also wear face masks and keep six feet apart. The Dixie Vodka 400 in Miami this weekend will be the first NASCAR event since March 8 to have fans in attendance. There was no word on when the series would fully open their races to the general public again. The United States has a world-leading 1.9 million coronavirus cases with over 111,000 deaths. Florida has seen a surge in cases over the past week as is now outpacing New York in the number of new COVID-19 cases. Florida has a total of 65,000 cases and over 2,700 deaths. AFP
Brazil pulls out of race to host ‘23 World Cup RIO DE JANEIRO—The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced it is withdrawing from the race to host the 2023 Women’s World Cup because of belt-tightening implemented in response to the coronavirus pandemic, throwing its support behind Colombia instead. The CBF said the outbreak, which has hit Brazil especially hard, made it difficult to secure the public and private funding and other commitments needed to mount a competitive bid. “Because of fiscal and economic austerity measures taken to respond to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, (the Brazilian government) indicated it would not be advisable at this time to sign the guarantees requested by FIFA,” the CBF said in a statement Monday. Its withdrawal leaves Colombia, Japan and a joint bid from Australia and New Zealand in a three-way race to host the tournament. FIFA is expected to announce the decision on June 25. South America has never hosted the tournament. The CBF said it believed a “single candidacy will increase South America’s chances.” Brazil’s economy has taken a beating as the country has emerged as the latest epicenter in the pandemic, with the World Bank forecasting a painful eight-percent recession this year. The country has recorded 37,134 COVID-19 deaths so far, the thirdhighest toll in the world, after the United States and Britain. AFP
Switzerland’s Roger Federer is shown during his men’s singles semi-final match of The Roland Garros 2019 French Open tennis tournament in Paris. Federer said he would be sidelined until 2021 after undergoing keyhole surgery on his right knee. AFP
Federer out of tennis until next year after knee surgery P
letes, a 9% dip from last year to $3.6 bilARIS—Twenty-time Grand Slam singles champion lion. Another plunge is expected next year Roger Federer said Wednesday he would be sidelined from the shutdown. until 2021 after undergoing his second knee operation in Portuguese football star Cristiano Rona matter of months. aldo was second on the list at $105 milThe 38-year-old Swiss said he needed follow-up arthroscopic surgery “a few weeks ago” after undergoing a similar procedure in February. Federer, whose last Grand Slam win was the 2018 Australian Open, said he “experienced a setback during (his) initial rehabilitation”. “I plan to take the necessary time to be 100 percent ready to play at my highest level,” the 38-year-old said in a statement on Twitter. “I will be missing my fans and the tour dearly but, I will look forward to seeing everyone back on tour at the start of the 2021 season.” The announcement is likely to renew speculation about retirement for Federer, who holds the record for men’s Grand Slam singles titles. Federer, whose first major trophy was in 2003, lies just ahead of his fierce rivals Rafael Nadal (19) and Novak Djokovic (17) in the all-time list.
Federer topped the 2020 Forbes magazine list of highest-paid global athletes announced Friday, leading the lineup for the first time with pre-tax earnings of $106.3 million (95.5 million euros). The Swiss tennis legend, a men’s record 20-time Grand Slam singles champion, becomes the first player from his sport atop the annual list since its 1990 debut, rising from fifth in 2019. Federer’s haul over the past 12 months included $100 million from appearance fees and endorsement deals plus $6.3 million in prize money. His previous best showing was second in 2013. “His brand is pristine, which is why those that can afford to align with him clamor to do so,” University of Southern California sports business professor David Carter told the magazine. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic that shut down sports worldwide caused the first decline since 2016 in the total income of the world’s 100 top-paid ath-
lion, $60 million in salary and $45 million from endorsements, with Argentine football hero Lionel Messi third on $104 million, $32 million of that from sponsorship deals. Messi and Ronaldo, who have traded the top spot three of the past four years, saw their combined incomes dip $28 million from last year due to salary cuts when European clubs halted play in March. Brazilian footballer Neymar was fourth overall on $95.5 million, $25 million from endorsements, while NBA star LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers was fifth on $88.2 million, $60 million of that from endorsements. NBA star Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors was sixth on $74.4 million with former teammate Kevin Durant next on $63.9 million. Tiger Woods, the reigning Masters champion and a 15-time major winner, was eighth on the list and tops among golfers at $62.3 million, all but $2.3 million from sponsor deals. AFP
LOS ANGELES—The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee has signalled it will challenge rules banning athletes from protesting at the Olympics after hearing from US athletes last week. In an open letter to Team USA athletes released late Monday, USOPC chief executive Sarah Hirshland said US officials had until now “failed to listen and tolerated racism and inequality.” The statement follows weeks of protests across the United States against racism and police brutality following the death of unarmed black man George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis on May 25. The USOPC had faced scrutiny for its sanctions handed out to hammer thrower Gwen Berry and fencer Race Imboden, who both protested on the podium during last year’s Pan-American Games in Lima. Berry, who raised a clenched fist on the podium, and Imboden, who knelt down, were given a year’s probation by the USOPC and warned they could face severe sanctions if they carried out similar protests again. International Olympic Committee rules bar any “demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda” at the Games. However Hirshland hinted the US would seek to review that policy after setting up an athlete-led group which would “challenge the rules and systems in our own organisation that create barriers to progress, including your right to protest.” The move came after Hirshland held “town hall” meetings with dozens of US athletes last week to hear their views. Hirshland added that the pain suffered by members of the black community was “unconscionable.” “For decades you have spoken about equality and unity and sacrificed your moment on the podium to call for change,” Hirshland wrote. “And we have failed to listen and tolerated racism and inequality. I am sorry. You deserve better. You matter. Black lives matter. “It is time to match your courage... to remove the barriers, to change the rules, and to empower black voices to be heard.” Berry, who last week had demanded an apology from the USOPC over its handling of her case, described Hirshland’s remarks as “encouraging.” AFP
Shakur goes 14-0 in Vegas boxing return LOS ANGELES—Undefeated American Shakur Stevenson stopped Felix Caraballo with a punishing body shot in the sixth round Tuesday to win the main event of boxing’s first major fight card since the start of the coronavirus outbreak. The 22-year-old Stevenson easily won the 10-round non-title fight by delivering a devastating left hand to Caraballo’s rib cage for the knockdown at 1:31 of the sixth round. Stevenson, who is the World Boxing Organization featherweight champ, completely dominated the Puerto Rican to improve to 14-0 with eight knockouts. There were no fans allowed into the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino conference center because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s a different atmosphere,” Stevenson said. “Losing the weight was different. Training in the gym was different. I couldn’t be around anybody.
“Even when fighting and there was no crowd was different. I would catch him with mean shots and there would be no ‘Ooohs’ or ‘Aaahs.’” Stevenson also forced Caraballo to take a knee in the first round. Stevenson said he injured his left hand in the fifth round but was still able to land solid blows. “I hit him with everything I could early. I wobbled him a bunch of times. He took a lot of punishment, and I started realizing that head shots weren’t going to get him out of here. So I started going to the body more,” Stevenson said. Stevenson, who is black, wore a Tshirt reading “Black Lives Matter” for his post-fight interview. “My people right now, they’re protesting and there’s a lot going on in our community, a lot of people trying to stand up for what’s right,” he said. “I couldn’t really go out there and protest with them because I had
Shakur Stevenson AFP
a fight coming up and I didn’t want to out there and protest. Mask up, gloved risk catching corona. up, I’ll go out there and help my people “Now that the fight is over, I’ll go out.” AFP
Return of PGA Golf Tour bizarre, different, says Thomas
Justin Thomas
LOS ANGELES—Justin Thomas says getting back into the swing of things on the PGA Tour after a three-month break due to the coronavirus pandemic has a different feel to it. It means daily temperature checks, filling out health questionnaires, knowing where the hand-sanitizing stations are and social distancing on the tee boxes. The Charles Schwab Challenge will be full of firsts as the PGA Tour’s restart begins Thursday in Texas with the 148-field teeing off at the Colonial Country Club. “I would say 2020 is beyond a bizarre year so far, and especially in the world of sports it’s just going to be different,” said the former world number one Thomas. “If we all want to get back and play the game that we love we’re just going to have to get over the fact that it’s going to be dif-
ferent and be a little weird.” World number one Rory McIlroy and second-ranked Jon Rahm of Spain lead a strong field that includes 15 of the world’s top 20 players. World number three Brooks Koepka, defending champion Kevin Na, Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson are also teeing up at the course in Fort Worth, Texas. Some of the sport’s top players from outside of North America decided to skip the event because travelling to the US would mean a two-week quarantine, including 10th-ranked Englishman Tommy Fleetwood. The biggest change, since the Tour was shut down in March at the Players Championship, is that organizers are not allowing any spectators this week. - Floyd respect -
The Tour is also going to leave open the 8:46 am tee time and instead have a one-minute moment of silence to mark the death of George Floyd, who has become a symbol of racial injustice in America. American Jordan Spieth said it is important for the Tour to show its support for the US black community. “I think it’s really cool. I think it’ll be something that hopefully we can kind of stick with however long we need to. But I think it’s certainly a really nice thing to do with the way things have been,” Spieth said. One player who will be notably absent is Tiger Woods who has won 15 major championships and is chasing Jack Nicklaus (18) for the most in history. Woods looked sharp in a recent exhibition match with Mickelson, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. AFP
Entertainment YUGEL LOSORATA
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THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2020 nickie.standard@gmail.com
ABS-CBN programs continue to serve, deliver news online
Master Rapper Francis M, who died on March 6, 2009, left a catalog of patriotic songs, most popular of which was ‘Mga Kababayan Ko.’
T
OMORROW (June 12), we will observe the country’s Independence Day to commemorate our liberation from Spanish colonization. This year though, our freedom to go out is curtailed by the pandemic with which we are all so familiar by now. Strange as it is, pieces of music that keep our patriotic hearts beating remain accessible with just a click. Here comes a point in our quarantined life when it’s best to track down songs triggering that innate love for country, no matter how challenging it is to be Filipinos. Here are ten patriotic songs that have withstood the test of time because they possess recallable melodies and heartfelt lyrics. These songs should not be politicized or given color for they’re naturally great songs, not sounding novelty or fanatical. Hearing these songs will make you love being Filipino, living life in the Philippines, and fighting for Filipinos, in no particular order. “Bayan Ko” According to history, Jose Corazon de Jesus penned the lyrics in the 1920s and Constancio de Guzman set them to music. Freddie Aguilar’s version of this song proved definitive and became an anthem against tyranny. “Ako Ay Pilipino” Kuh Ledesma’s empowering anthem gives listeners goosebumps as it reaches its climax, in particular, the line “Taas noo kahit kanino.” “Handog Ng Pilipino Sa Mundo” APO Hiking Society, led by composer Jim Paredes, initiated this anthem in 1986 and its recording served as the country’s equivalent to Britain’s Band-Aid and USA for Africa but with a freedom-fighting patriot’s theme. Believe it or not, the supergroup that tracked this classic included actress Gretchen Barretto.
LOVE for
COUNTRY MUSIC
“Manila” Hotdog’s signature song is a paean to the country’s metropolitan capital which most foreign concert acts prefer to mention when greeting Filipino audiences. Yes, instead of saying Philippines.
Kuh Ledesma is the voice behind the George Canseco-penned ‘Ako Ay Pilipino,’ a song project commissioned by then First Lady Imelda Marcos.
Freddie Aguilar’s popular version of ‘Bayan Ko’ rallied national spirit against tyranny.
“Hanggang Ngayon” Top rock figures in the ‘90s, including Ely Buendia, Rico Blanco, and the song’s composer Wency Cornejo, gathered as recording artists to commemorate the centenary of 1896 Philippine revolution. “Pinoy Ako” Record producer Jonathan Ong told me he requested for a banduria to be played on this track which became the theme song of reality-TV show Pinoy Big Brother. The program popularized a dance step and turned Sam Milby into a household name. “Noypi” This song brought back the local band scene for the first decade of the new millennium as well as rock singer Bamboo Manalac after he left Rivermaya. “Tayo’y Mga Pinoy” Heber Bartolome’s signature piece was finalist in the 1978 Metropop Song Festival that also included Freddie Aguilar’s “Anak” and eventual winner Ryan Cayabyab’s “Kay Ganda Ng Ating Musika.”
DAYS are fun and brighter as Filipinos get to bond again with the UKG barkada and other anchors of ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs, including Julius Babao, Gus Abelgas, and Anthony Taberna. Just like TV Patrol, ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs shows are delivering new content on Facebook to continue serving and guiding Filipinos and loyal viewers of the Kapamilya network. Join the fun conversations of Anthony Taberna, Amy Perez, Jorge Carino, Winnie Corder, Jeff Canoy, Ariel Ureta, Gretchen Ho, and Ariella Arida with other members of the UKG Barkada every weekday at 7:00 a.m. on the Facebook page of Umagang Kay Ganda. Enjoy the insightful talks, exciting adventures from the past, and useful tips on how to keep the entire family safe and healthy during these hard times. Netizens definitely missed Umagang Kay Ganda as the program’s first livestream recorded over 345,000 views last week. Viewers can also catch new stories from Julius Babao on the Facebook page of Mission Possible every Friday at 5:30 p.m., where he puts the spotlight on ordinary Filipinos who continue to fight amidst life’s challenges. During its first livestream, the show introduced viewers to Tatay Erning Ofredo, a construction worker who walked for six hours to get to work during the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ). Through the program, Tatay Erning was given a bicycle, while his
family received relief goods. Meanwhile, Gus Abelgas’ stories about crime such as the quest for justice for Len Mark Hermosa and the escape from danger of a family whose home was invaded by a construction worker during quarantine, are also available on the Facebook page of SOCO. The iconic show drops new episodes on Facebook every Saturday, as well as short features on Tuesday and Thursday. Anthony Taberna’s Kuha Mo is also relentless in showing videos that open the public’s eyes and hearts such as the story of a female cop who is unable to be with her child while working as a frontliner during this pandemic. The program also posted a story of a motorcycle that burst into flames and other incidents caught in camera that remind people to be safe and avoid harm. New Kuha Mo episodes are posted every Saturday at 5 pm, while shorter stories are also posted Sunday and Monday. As for news, Ted Failon, Bernadette Sembrano, and Noli de Castro continue to deliver the biggest headlines on weekdays via TV Patrol, while Alvin Elchico and Zen Hernandez team up to keep viewers updated on Saturday and Sunday via TV Patrol Weekend. Follow Umagang Kay Ganda (fb. com/ukgdos), Mission Possible (fb.com/ missionpossible.abscbn), TV Patrol (fb. com/tvpatrol.abscbn), SOCO (fb.com/ SOCOtv), and Kuha Mo (fb.com/ KuhaMosaABSCBN) on Facebook.
Saranggola Blog Awards holds online awarding ceremony
“Magkaisa” The beloved yet perennially bashed Tito Sotto wrote another 1986 classic performed by one named Virna Lisa. What’s with 1986? That year, Filipinos, many of them still alive today, actually went out and dethroned a 20-yearold regime. “Mga Kababayan” This breakthrough song turned Francis Magalona into perhaps the coolest patriot in the country.
ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs shows are delivering new content on Facebook to continue serving and guiding Filipinos and loyal viewers of the Kapamilya network via shows ‘TV Patrol,’ ‘Soco,’ and ‘Kuha Mo,’ among others.
Bamboo’s ‘Noypi,’ which heralded the triumph of Pinoy Rock in the past decade, is one of the songs that ignite Filipino pride and patriotism among millennials.
WINNERS of the 2019 Saranggola Blog Awards (SBA) in various categories will be announced in an awarding ceremony tomorrow, June 12 at 2:00 p.m.. The event also coincides with the celebration of the group's 11th anniversary. The SBA 2019 is made possible in collaboration with the Intertextual Division of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The awarding ceremony is free and open to the public, and can be viewed online through the SBA Facebook page (https://www.facebook. com/saranggolablogawards/). Saranggola Blog Awards was established by Real Estate worker Bernard Umali with the support of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, DMCI Homes and Golden Leaf Productions. A graduate from the Philippine Normal University, Bernard began the SBA to give Filipino bloggers a venue to present their blogs in Tagalog. Initially, Bernard wanted only bloggers to
compete in the SBA, but later extended it to the public where everyone could join and write their own Internet blogs. One of the SBA's objectives is to spread the use of the Filipino language on the Internet. Participants in the event include people without any background in literature or writing-related course in college, as well as Overseas Filipino Workers. The SBA management also believes that this can even inspire other people with no passion for writing to write blogs. The SBA’s categories consist of Short Story, Flash Fiction, Children’s Tales, Essay, Poetry, and Book Review. Each winner will receive a cash prize, certificate, and a trophy created by visual artist Honesto Guiruela. Everyone is invited to join and watch the awarding ceremony of SBA 2019. For more information regarding SBA, visit or send a question to the SBA Facebook page at https://www.facebook. com/saranggolablogawards/.
One of the SBA's objectives is to spread the use of the Filipino language on the Internet.
Life
Bernadette Lunas, Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @MStandardLIFE
C4
HOUSEHOLD
THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2020
LIVING IN NATURE. Horizon Terraces features Asian-contemporary residential structures facing picturesque views of Taal Lake,
Mt. Makiling, and others.
Horizon Terraces’ Glenview Condominium
P
ROPERTY seekers say the pandemic has underscored how real estate investments show potential for both appreciation and cash flow.
According to a property developer, real estate, as a tangible item, allows more control than other forms of investment—more so now when volatility in the stock market is seen by wise investors as an opportunity to reassess asset allocations and consider how real estate can fit into their portfolios. Property investments protect net
worth while the market goes up and down, thereby supporting claims that owning a second home can yield great results in the long term while ensuring a future home for legacy buyers. With community quarantine still in place in key areas, investors are now seeing the wisdom of buying properties located in lush mountainous areas.
An INVESTMENT and a HOME
These locations serve as an idyllic retreat from congested and overcrowded cities by virtue of their generous open spaces for walking, jogging, breathing in fresh air, and observing physical distancing. Exclusive mountain resort Tagaytay Highlands has been providing homeowners and members a tranquil weekend getaway and a community where families can settle down. It currently offers flexible payment terms to help investors parlay their wealth into real assets. It is located 90 minutes away from the Makati Central Business District,
One-bedroom condo unit at Garden Suites.
Sectional view of a Garden Villas unit.
Mandaluyong: The next big thing in office locations STRATEGICALLY located in the heart of Metro Manila, Mandaluyong City affords enviable access to major cities of the metropolis—bordered by Manila to the west, San Juan to the north, Pasig to the east, Quezon City to the northeast, and Makati to the south. One prominent structure that has risen in the bustling part of the so-called “New Tiger City” is Greenfield Tower, the latest high-rise office building in Greenfield District that seeks to cater to the growing demand for better office spaces. Greenfield pioneers future-ready offices that can house companies demanding accessibility and reliable IT infrastructure. Like its home city, Greenfield Tower is highly accessible to both private and public transportation owing to its proximity to major thoroughfares Edsa and Shaw Boulevard. Apart from accessibility, the tower provides technologiGreenfield Tower in Mandaluyong boasts accessibility to major thoroughfares as well as stateof-the-art fiber optic system ideal for businesses that demand reliable IT infrastructure.
cal support which is extremely important for many businesses operating in the digital age. “With Internet technology pushing itself as one of the key components in achieving success in business, a superior digital infrastructure should be a priority prerequisite when considering office spaces,” says Greenfield Development Corporation executive vice president and general manager Duane Santos. Greenfield Tower’s digital backbone with fiber-to-the-office technology meets global standards with its integrated fiber optic system. The said technology is advantageous for businesses that rely on high bandwidth, fast Internet speeds, dependable signal strength, and consistent network reliability in their dayto-day operations. GDC said the Mandaluyong-based tower can support 24/7 operations owing to its 100 percent backup power from five units of 2000-kw capacity generator sets. In addition, it stands on one of the highest points of the city at an elevation of 39 meters or roughly 10 building floors higher than Makati, making the area still highly accessible amid inclement weather. The tower boasts typical floor plate close to 2,200 square meters, with a floor-to-floor elevation of 4.5 meters, attaining a three-meter, floor-to-ceiling elevation. The structure was specifically designed to accommodate the stringent office building conditions of major industries, all planned to its best efficiency. Tenants are treated to an attractive open plan design with columns flushed to the sides of the floor area for maximum space saving, while panoramic glass windows allow a flood of natural light for better energy efficiency and a stunning view to boot. GDC added that patrons are guaranteed utmost comfort with first-rate air-conditioning systems. Its sustainable and tech-ready features are complemented by the airy, verdant landscaped parks, and open spaces for its integrated, master-planned urban community. Building tenants and guests can take an easy five-minute walk from the tower to several lifestyle centers in the area such as The Hub, The Portal, and the Pavilion. Greenfield Tower is currently home to both fledgling startups and established companies. Its present locators include money transfer company Remitly, medical equipment provider Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, government agency Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, insurance provider Sun Life Financial, and more. Go to greenfield.com.ph for more information.
and enjoys proximity to hospitals, schools, retail establishments, industrial and technological parks, churches, banks, gasoline stations, and access roads—characteristics that enhance its value as a prime property investment. Tagaytay Highlands features internationally themed residences, each with their own world-class amenities situated on expansive lot cuts as well as stunning vistas of Taal Lake, Mt. Makiling, Canlubang Valley, and Laguna de Bay. Horizon Terraces, the latest addition to the premier mountain resort’s Horizon Community, features Asian-contemporary residential structures with picturesque views of nature. Horizon Terraces houses Garden Suites that features well-appointed living spaces and the conveniences of a modern condominium lifestyle. Buildings are oriented toward views of Taal Lake, Midlands Golf Course, Mt. Makiling, and Central Garden. A five-story, low-density residential condominium, Garden Suites offers
one- and two-bedroom units of 43 to 68 square meters. Horizon Terraces also offers Garden Villas—three-bedroom townhouse units of 136 to 168 square meters. The low-density villa makes up only five to seven units per cluster for privacy and security. The townhouse boasts spacious living areas, a multi-functional den that can be converted into a separate bedroom or home office, balconies, and a terrace that leads to views of Taal Lake and Midlands Golf Course. Residents of Garden Suites and Garden Villas enjoy playing rights to The Country Club At Tagaytay Highlands and Tagaytay Midlands Golf Club, respectively. In addition, township services and support facilities are readily available for every homeowner: 24/hour security, 24/7 lifeline emergency medical facility, affiliations with nearby hospitals and clinics, firefighting services, helipad, chapels, Wi-Fi access, and a 7-Eleven convenience store.
Shoppers keeping shoppers safe FOSTERING a sense of community amid a public health crisis, Shangri-La Plaza mall enlisted the help of shoppers in designing safety distancing markers as part of the measures required in the operations of public establishments. The initiative, dubbed Art Step in the Right Direction, invited mall guests to come up with their own designs for social distancing stickers, which would be applied to floors and elevators. Since the announcement of the program in its social media pages, Shangri-La Plaza has collected several hand-drawn and digitally made designs from Shang Community members of different ages. Six of these creations—designed by Haylin, Juan Paolo Nacar, Karen Gomez, Wyna Di-
zon, Patrick Tiongson, and Karla Mae Muega—have been put in the mall. Aside from social distancing markers, Shangri-La Plaza pioneered putting together an experienced and first aid-trained Emergency Response Group as part of its safety protocols, making regular rounds in its premises. The mall continuously conducts mandatory temperature checks at all entrances; has made automatic hand sanitizer dispensers available at the entrances, restrooms, and other key areas; and performs regular rigorous sanitation. All mall guests and employees are required to wear a face mask to enter and while in store premises. Shangri-La Plaza is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Physical distancing stickers designed by mall guests remind shoppers at Shangri-La to maintain a safe distance between other shoppers.