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WHO official says ‘vaccine optimism’ a factor in health protocol complacency

THE World Health Organization’s (WHO) top official in the Philippines said “vaccine optimism” has contributed to complacency in following minimum health protocols, which is seen as a factor in the renewed surge of coronavirus cases in the past two weeks.  

The country’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) innoculation program was rolled out on March 1, starting with doctors, nurses, and other health workers. Vaccine hesitancy, authorities said, has been partly addressed as heads of medical institutions were among those who first received the initial dose in public ceremonies. 

“It resulted in the decrease in compliance in public health measures,” WHO Country Representative Rabrindra Abeyasinghe said in a virtual briefing Friday. 

He said the same trend has been seen in other countries, as with the emergence of more transmissible new variants that is causing a rapid increase in COVID-19 patients.

“The presence of the multiple new variants… they have been associated with increased transmissibility,” he said. 

Mr. Abeyasinghe said reviving “stringent quarantine measures” on a large-scale may be avoided if local governments effectively implement granular lockdowns.

Philippine experts studying COVID-19, meanwhile, suggest the implementation of modified quarantine levels to control the current surge of COVID-19 positive cases in the country.

Professor Ranjit S. Rye of the University of the Philippines OCTA Research team said in an online presentation on Friday that their proposed community quarantine scheme involves continuing  “the localized lockdown… but there will be other restrictions added” over a two-week period. 

The other restrictions include adjustments in work in offices through work-from-home or alternate working hours; limited social gatherings and public activities in enclosed areas; and mass transportation will be utilized only for workers.

After two weeks, if the reproduction number or the number of people that one COVID-19 positive case can infect continues to rise, Mr. Rye proposes the implementation of further restrictions such as a limited operations for essential businesses and total ban on social activities. 

OCTA research fellow and molecular biologist Nicanor R. Austriaco, Jr. said in the same briefing that a strict lockdown could still be avoided if more people will implement a “personal” strict quarantine. 

“To avoid a lockdown, we need to encourage our people to continue to decrease their mobility using a voluntary, personal ECQ,” Mr. Austriaco said, referring to the ‘enhanced community quarantine’, which is the strictest level previously set by the government. — Gillian M. Cortez and Bianca Angelica D. Añago

 

Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine gets emergency use approval; available AstraZeneca doses allocated to medical workers

PHILIPPINE authorities have approved Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, the fourth to be allowed for emergency use in the country.   

The potential benefits of the vaccine developed by the Gamaleya Institute in Moscow “outweigh” its potential risks as seen in a late-stage trial, making it qualified for urgent use in the country, Food and Drug Administration Director General Rolando Enrique D. Domingo said at a virtual press briefing on Friday.

“The known and potential benefits of the Gamaleya Sputnik V vaccine, when used to prevent COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), outweigh the known and potential risks of said vaccine as of date,” Mr. Domingo said.

The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), in a statement on Friday, said the “Philippines was among the first to show interest in the Sputnik vaccine after it was registered in Russia.”

The two-shot vaccine, which has a 91.6% efficacy, provides full protection against severe coronavirus cases as confirmed by a medical journal published by a Netherland-based publication, RDIF said.

Sputnik V, which can be stored in a conventional refrigerator, costs less than $10 per shot, it said.

“Diversification of the national vaccine portfolio through registration of Sputnik V provides people of the Philippines with access to one of the best vaccines, which is already saving lives around the world.”

With its emergency use authorization (EUA) in the country, the Russian shot might arrive in Manila as soon as April, Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, who heads the country’s COVID-19 vaccine program, told a virtual press briefing on Friday.

Mr. Galvez earlier said the Philippines is eyeing to purchase five to ten million doses of Sputnik V. 

ASTRAZENECA

Also on Friday, President Rodrigo R. Duterte approved the recommendation of the Health department to use all on-hand vaccines obtained from a global initiative for equal access as first doses for medical workers.

The available vaccines developed by British drugmaker AstraZeneca, Plc will be distributed among healthcare workers in areas facing a renewed surge in coronavirus infections, Presidential Spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr. said, quoting Executive Secretary Salvadaor C. Medialdea.

The Palace has yet to release a copy of the memorandum.

“Nakikita namin na may valid reason po yun na magconcentrate muna tayo sa mga (We recognize that there is a valid reason for concentrating the vaccination for now in the) affected areas,” Mr. Galvez said.

The Health department made the recommendation to use all available AstraZeneca doses as a first shot for medical frontliners to ensure that no supply would go to waste.

The Philippines on March 4 took delivery of about 487,200 AstraZeneca doses. An additional 48,300 AstraZeneca vaccines arrived in the country three days later. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

SWS poll: Majority of Filipinos find it ‘dangerous’ to publish content critical of gov’t

MORE than half of Filipinos believe that publishing anything critical of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte is dangerous, according to the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.

Based on a set of in-person interviews that involved 1,500 adults, 65% agreed that it was dangerous to “publish or broadcast anything critical of the administration, even if it is the truth,” SWS said on Friday.

Of those who were interviewed, 29% strongly agreed with the statement, while 37% said they “somewhat agreed.” Those who disagreed were at 16% while 18% were undecided.

Presidential spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr., asked to comment on the latest SWS poll, said Filipinos should not doubt administration’s respect for free speech because President Rodrigo R. Duterte, as a lawyer, upholds the 1987 Charter’s Bill of Rights.

“Si Presidente Duterte naman po, bilang isang abugado ay sumumpa na ipatutupad ang ating Saligang Batas kasama na po ‘yung ating tinatawag ng Bill of Rights,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Mr. Roque reiterated that the country’s tough-talking leader was not involved in the charges filed against social news network Rappler and the closure of media giant ABS-CBN Corp.

In the case of Rappler, it was an Aquino-appointed Securities and Exchange Commission official who said Rappler violated the Constitution, not the President, the Palace official said.

“Ang ABS-CBN naman ay talagang napaso ang kanilang prangkisa at tanging Kongreso lang ang pu-puwedeng magbigay ng ganyang prangkisa at hindi ang Presidente (As for ABS-CBN, its franchise expired and only Congress can grant that, not the President),” Mr. Roque said. 

Mr. Duterte has previously said he would ensure that the network does not get a permit to operate from the National Telecommunications Commission. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

 

UN expert urges Congress to prioritize law protecting human rights defenders

UNITED Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders Mary Lawlor called on the Philippine Congress on Thursday to prioritize the passage of a measure that will protect human rights defenders.

“Enacting legislation at the national level is an important means by which States can recognise the work of human rights defenders and create robust mechanisms for their protection, and I urge all members of the Congress to get behind this praiseworthy initiative,” Ms. Lawlor said in a statement published on the UN Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR) website.

“By prioritising legislation to protect human rights defenders, the Philippines would… send a clear message about their willingness to uphold their human rights obligations,” Ms. Lawlor added.

House Bill No. 9199 or the Human Rights Defenders Act, sponsored by Albay 1st District Representative Edcel C. Lagman, was approved by the House of Representatives in June 2019.

The Senate version, however, under Senate Bill No. 179 filed by Senator Leila M. de Lima has been pending at the committee on justice and human rights since February 2018.

Under the House bill, a human rights defender is defined as “any person who, individually or in association with others, acts or seeks to act to protect, promote or strive for the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms and welfare of the people.”

It grants human rights defenders a total of 17 rights and freedoms. These include the right to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms; right to solicit, receive, and utilize resources; right to seek, receive, and disseminate information; right to develop and advocate for human rights ideas; and right to access, communicate, and cooperate with international and regional human rights bodies and mechanisms.

The proposed law also requires the government to ensure human rights defenders are “able to undertake their activities and work in a safe and enabling environment free from restriction.” — Bianca Angelica D. Añago

DENR seeks extension of Boracay task force for another year

THE Environment department has asked President Rodrigo R. Duterte to extend the term of the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF) for one more year.

In a press release on Friday, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said the BIATF submitted a signed resolution to the President asking for the extension.

Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu, who chairs the BIATF, said the term extension will “allow the task force to complete all its projects which were stalled due to the global health emergency.”

The BIATF was created on May 8, 2018, under Executive Order (EO) No. 53 to lead the rehabilitation of the popular tourist island that Mr. Duterte described to have turned into a “cesspool.” Boracay was closed to tourists for six months.

The term of the task force was originally set to end in 2020, but Mr. Duterte issued another order extending it to May 8, 2021.

“We have accomplished much since this body was created by our President… with the mission of ensuring the rehabilitation and ecological sustainability of Boracay Island after its degeneration into a cesspool as a result of a few decades of runaway and haphazard development,” Mr. Cimatu said.

The BIATF is currently co-chaired by the Department of Tourism and the Department of Interior and Local Government, with local officials and other stakeholders as members. — Angelica Y. Yang

Dennis Uy sells entire stake in 2GO to SM

Davao-based businessman Dennis A. Uy’s Chelsea Logistics and Infrastructure Holdings Corp. on Friday announced it is selling its entire stake in 2GO Group, Inc. to SM Investments Corp. (SMIC).

In a disclosure to the stock exchange, Chelsea said it has signed agreements to sell its entire effective stake of around 31.73% in affiliate 2GO Group at P8.50 per share.

SMIC, in a separate disclosure, said its board of directors approved the acquisition of Chelsea’s stake in 2GO.

“(This will) increase SMIC’s current shareholding in 2GO from 30.49% to at least a majority of the outstanding voting capital stock of 2GO, making 2GO a subsidiary of SMIC,” the Sy-led listed company said.

The SMIC board also authorized the conduct of a mandatory tender offer to all remaining stockholders of 2GO at an offer price of P8.50 per share.

Chelsea said proceeds from the sale will be used to repay the loan that it obtained to secure the majority stake in 2GO in 2017.

The sale will be done through Chelsea’s subsidiary KGLI-NM Holdings, Inc. The company aims to complete sale conditions within the next three months.

“With the divestment, Chelsea will not be impacted by 2GO losses, which will aid the company in recovering from the current [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. With our numerous group-wide initiatives currently being undertaken, we are confident that Chelsea will be best prepared and positioned to take advantage of the recovery of the industry as we move forward,” Chelsea President and Chief Executive Officer Chryss Alfonsus V. Damuy said in a statement.

Chelsea is the shipping and logistics subsidiary of Mr. Uy’s holding company, Udenna Group.

Chelsea shares at the stock exchange went up by 4.49% or P0.16 to close at P3.72 apiece on Friday, while 2GO shares dropped 2.9% to P9.37 per share.

Shares of SMIC slumped by 2.89% or P28.50, finishing at P958.50 apiece. — Keren Concepcion G. Valmonte

Tan’s LT Group income slides 9% in 2020

LT Group, Inc. (LTG) reported a 9% drop in its attributable net income to P21 billion in 2020, with its tobacco business contributing three-fourths of the total.

In a statement, Lucio C. Tan’s listed holding company said its tobacco business accounted for 80% or P16.83 billion of the total attributable income, nearly 8% up from the previous year.

“The higher income is attributed to the higher share of premium Malboro with customers shifting from mid priced Fortune, as well as the price increases to pass on higher excise taxes,” LTG said.

The tobacco business remained strong despite the industry’s volume declining by 12% due to the additional excise taxes and the strict lockdown measures.

Banking unit Philippine National Bank (PNB) contributed P1.55 billion or 7% to LTG’s net attributable income. This is 72% lower than its 2019 contribution of P5.57 billion.

Under the pooling method, PNB’s net income for the year amounted to P2.8 billion, plunging 72% from the P9.94 billion posted in 2019.

PNB set a P16.9-billion provision for credit losses booked in 2020, nearly six times higher than the P2.9 billion allotted for provisions in the previous year, because of the impact of the pandemic on the economy.

Tanduay Distillers, Inc. (TDI), meanwhile, accounted for P1.1 billion or 5% of LTG’s net attributable income for 2020, nearly 65% higher than its P667 million contribution seen in the previous year.

“Revenues from liquor were 33% higher with the higher volume and higher prices to pass on the additional excise taxes. Revenues from bioethanol were 24% lower with the lower volume and lower average selling price,” LTG said without providing specific figures.

TDI finished the year with a nationwide distilled spirits market share of 22.5%, higher than the 27.8% share in 2019.

Eton Properties Philippines, Inc. contributed P799 million or 4% to LTG’s net attributable income, down by 11% from the previous year. Eton’s net income slumped 11% to P802 million in 2020.

Asia Brewery, Inc. (ABI) accounted for P583 million or 3% of LTG’s net attributable income, up by 46% from the previous year.

Its net income amounted to P591 million, which the company said is “largely due to the absence of losses incurred for the joint venture with Heineken as it transitions to the engagement of ABI to brew and distribute Heineken and Tiger beers in the Philippines.”

“LTG’s balance sheet remains strong,” the company said. “Debt-to-equity ratio was at 4.30:1 with [PNB], and at 0.16:1 without [PNB].” — Keren Concepcion G. Valmonte

First Gen chooses two foreign firms for LNG carrier tender

A wholly-owned unit of First Gen Corp. on Friday said it has picked two foreign firms for the final stage of a tender for the supply of a floating storage regasification unit (FSRU) for its liquified natural gas (LNG) import terminal in Batangas.

In a disclosure to the stock exchange, First Gen said FGEN LNG Corp. is set to select BW Gas Limited or Hoegh LNG Asia Pte. Ltd. as its FSRU provider by the end of the month.

Norway-based BW Gas and Hoegh both specialize in the global market of transportation and LNG floating regasification services.

“The Project will allow FGEN LNG to accelerate its ability to introduce LNG to the Philippines as early as Q3 2022, to serve the natural gas requirements of existing and future gas-fired power plants of third parties and FGEN LNG affiliates,” the listed company said.

An FSRU, which typically has a storage capacity of between 125,000 and 170,000 cubic meters, has an onboard regasification plant which can turn LNG back into gas, and supply it directly into the gas network.

In October, FGEN LNG chose McConnell Dowell Philippines, Inc., the local unit of an Australian contractor, for the LNG terminal’s engineering, procurement and construction contract.

At present, First Gen and Japan’s Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd hold a joint cooperation agreement for the design, development, testing, commissioning, construction, ownership, and operations and maintenance of the interim offshore gas project.

Shares of First Gen slipped 4.38% or P1.35 to finish at P29.50 apiece on Friday. — Angelica Y. Yang

Alcantara’s ACR profit doubles in 2020

Alcantara-led Alsons Consolidated Resources Inc. (ACR) said on Friday that its net income attributable to the parent more than doubled to P325 million in 2020 from the previous year.

In a statement, ACR attributed the higher profits to the full operations of its power plants in Mindanao.

The listed company of the Alcantara group reported a consolidated net income of P1.87 billion last year, nearly twice the P974 million posted in 2019.

“Our power facilities have continued to dispatch power to our customers in order to ensure that the people of Mindanao have access to a reliable and steady supply of electricity in these difficult times,” ACR Executive Vice President Tirso G. Santillan said in a statement.

The firm’s consolidated revenues in 2020 surged to P9.47 billion from P6.8 billion in 2019.

“This year will see us continuing to pursue our new power projects in Sarangani Province, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte and Negros Occidental. This is our own contribution to the economic recovery of our country by helping create new jobs and stimulate the local economies in these areas,” Mr. Santillan said.

ACR is building a 14.5-megawatt (MW) run-of-river hydroelectric power plant in Maasim, Sarangani. The company said it is scheduled to begin its commercial run by early 2022. The hydro project will be ACR’s first venture into renewable energy.

The firm is planning to focus on renewables with at least seven other run-of-river hydro plants in various stages of development.

ACR also has two hydro facilities in the pipeline – the 22-MW Siayan (Sindangan) hydro plant in Zamboanga del Norte and the 42-MW Bago hydro plant in Negros Occidental.

Earlier this year, ACR announced that it has allotted around P6.54 billion as capital expenditures (capex) for four projects under development, including three hydro projects and one baseload thermal plant.

ACR shares in the local bourse improved 0.78% or 0.01 centavo to close at P1.29 apiece on Friday. — Angelica Y. Yang

3G usage drops as Globe customers shift to 4G LTE

Globe Telecom Inc. said that 3G (third generation) technology use for internet connection has dropped by almost half since May last year as more of its customers shifted to faster network technology.

The company in a press release on Friday said that the number of its customers using 3G dropped by 47.4% from May 2020 to January this year.

In that same period, the number of customers using LTE (Long Term Evolution) technology increased by 34%.

Globe Senior Vice President for Program Delivery, Network Technical Group Joel Agustin said that more of the company’s customers turned to 4G LTE to connect their devices for work and school during the lockdown.

“We have been anticipating the decline in 3G users as more customers are realizing the benefits of using 4G LTE for better data experience and faster internet speed,” he said.

The company expects 4G LTE use to increase further as it expands its network.

Globe Telecom shares closed at P1,870 apiece on Friday, down P70 or 3.61%. — Jenina P. Ibañez

Average spot market price up in March due to demand and generator outages — IEMOP

THE AVERAGE spot market price hit P4.23 per kilowatt hour (kWh) this month, nearly twice the February level, due to an increase in power demand and generator outages, the Independent Market Operator of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (IEMOP) said on Friday.

The IEMOP said in a press release that the rise was largely attributed to the “gradual surge in demand as the economy continues to recover from the restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and as changes in the weather ensue due to the approaching dry season.”

It added that generator outages also contributed to this month’s increase in the spot market price. Based on IEMOP data, the operations of 13 generators were halted as of March 10.

In a media briefing on Friday, IEMOP Manager for Market Simulation and Analysis Division Trading Operations Department John Paul S. Grayda said that spot market prices were particularly high during the first week of March.

“Prices are projected to increase during the summer months relative to the WESM (wholesale electricity spot market rate) rate of P2 per kilowatt hour for the past five months,” Mr. Grayda said, noting that the P2 level might increase in the coming months.

The projected increase for the next few months will reach P 2.22 per kWh for April and P2.69 per kWh for May, subject emergency outages, government response to the pandemic, and occurrences of other force majeure, the IEMOP said, referring to its estimates based on the “base case supply and base week demand from April to June 2021.”

The market operator also announced that the commercial operations of its five-minute WESM is targeted to go live by June 26. — Angelica Y. Yang

PCC approves joint venture for Manila Waterfront City reclamation project

THE Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) has approved the joint venture between Waterfront Manila Premier Development, Inc. and the City Government of Manila that will build the Manila Waterfront City reclamation project.

The commission said in a decision signed on March 15 that the transaction does not substantially lessen competition, noting that it creates a new market.

“The transaction is a new area of investment formed for the creation of a residential and commercial real estate development project,” the decision said.

“This will expand the existing market and likely create an opportunity for the emergence of new markets for commercial and residential real estate within the City of Manila.”

The Manila Waterfront City reclamation project is a 318-hectare mixed-use development south of the Manila South Harbor.

Real estate developer Waterfront Manila will contribute capital and expertise, while the Manila government hands over rights over the municipal waters on which the project will be developed.

“The resulting unincorporated joint venture shall be governed by a sharing arrangement with 51% for Manila City Government and 49% for Waterfront Manila,” PCC said.

Noting that customers or commercial activity in the relevant geographic market will not be affected, the commission said it will take no further action. — Jenina P. Ibañez

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