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Coca-Cola strengthens digital platforms to drive demand

By Denise A. Valdez, Reporter

COCA-COLA Beverages Philippines, Inc. is boosting its digital platforms to cope with changing consumer behavior due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Winn Everhart, president and general manager of the local unit of Coca-Cola, said in an e-mail to BusinessWorld the company is now focusing efforts to improve its e-commerce presence to lift consumer demand.

“With the ongoing shift in consumer behavior, we have… observed that a lot are moving into the online world rapidly and we are therefore strengthening our digital and e-commerce platforms,” he said.

The company currently operates a delivery service that sends Coca-Cola products straight to homes. Among these products are carbonated drinks, flavored juice and bottled water.

“Coca-Cola has always been a staple in Filipino households, and we will continue to build on this strength as more drinking occasions emerge at the comforts of their home,” Mr. Everhart added.

In an online forum by BusinessWorld on May 27, Mr. Everhart said Coca-Cola Philippines was being challenged by the lockdown as its beverages used to be commonly consumed in restaurants and sporting events. These venues have shut or limited operations since March to observe quarantine protocols.

“The pandemic’s impact to our business was felt more in the latter part of quarter 1 and this quarter 2 as a result of the lockdowns. However, we are seeing an improvement especially as the lockdowns are lifted and away from home channels like restaurants are also re-opening,” Mr. Everhart said in his e-mail Wednesday.

In a regulatory filing by The Coca-Cola Co., the Atlanta-based parent company of Coca-Cola Philippines, it said unit case volume in the Philippines recorded a 4% growth in the first quarter. Unit case volume is its measure of beverage products directly and indirectly sold to consumers.

The performance in the Philippines is against the drop in unit case volume observed in nearly all countries where Bottling Investments Group (BIG) operates. BIG is the subsidiary of The Coca-Cola Co. that handles bottling operations in most Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines.

“Unit case volume for Bottling Investments declined 5%. Declines in nearly all of our consolidated bottling operations as a result of COVID-19 were partially offset by 4% growth in the Philippines bottling operation,” the company said in the regulatory filing.

“[T]he outbreak and preventive measures taken to contain COVID-19 negatively impacted our unit case volume and our price, product and geographic mix in all of our operating segments, primarily due to unfavorable channel and product mix as consumer demand has shifted to more at-home consumption versus away from home,” it added.

The Philippines is Coca-Cola’s fourth-largest market in terms of unit case volume in Asia-Pacific in 2019, making up 8% of total volume for the region. The three markets above it are China (38%), India (15%) and Japan (13%).

Despite the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Everhart said Coca-Cola Philippines is positive it will start seeing an improvement in the coming months.

“In our 108 years here in the Philippines, we have always emerged stronger through every crisis and we are optimistic that by supporting our employees, customers, partners and communities, our business will thrive in this next normal,” he said.

CLLEx Tarlac-Cabanatuan partially open by December

THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Thursday said about 83% of the 30-kilometer Tarlac-Cabanatuan segment of the P14.94-billion first phase of the Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEx) is expected to open by December.

The four-lane expressway is expected to ease traffic on the Pan-Philippine Highway (Daang Maharlika) by about 48% and support the economic development of Tarlac and Cabanatuan.

In a statement on Thursday, the DPWH said the construction of the 30-kilometer expressway from the connection of Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEx) in Balingcanaway, Tarlac City to Daang Maharlika in Caalibangbangan, Cabanatuan City is “82% completed and is being fast-tracked with about 25 kilometer stretch targeted to open by December 2020.”

The DPWH serves as the implementing agency of the flagship project that is funded by both the Philippine government and the Japanese government’s official development assistance (ODA).

The CLLEx Phase 1, targeted to be fully operational by the first half of 2021, is expected to cut travel time between Tarlac City and Cabanatuan from 70 minutes to 20 minutes.

The first phase includes the construction of 4.1-kilometer Tarlac Section (Package 1), 6.4-kilometer Rio Chico River Bridge Section (Package 2), 9.2-kilometer Aliaga Section (Package 3), 10.3-kilometer Cabanatuan Section (Package 4), and Zaragosa Interchange (bridge type) and access road of about 4.88 l.m. (Package 5).

Meanwhile, the P12.61-billion second phase of CLLEx is a 35.7-kilometer extension of the Phase 1, connecting Nueva Ecija’s Cabanatuan City and San Jose City.

The extension aims to provide a “free-flowing alternative route and decongest traffic along the Pan Philippine Highway between said cities of Nueva Ecija and the town of Plaridel in Bulacan Province,” the DPWH said. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Pandemic prompts delay in some ATI projects

LISTED port operator Asian Terminals, Inc. (ATI) said the execution of some of its expansion programs, with a budget of about $90 million, is being delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Due to the COVID-19 situation, we have reviewed our capex (capital expenditure) plan, and we are being responsible with our proposed expansion programs. Some of our programs have been delayed for a few months. Some of our major programs are continuing,” ATI Executive Vice-President William Khoury said during the company’s annual stockholders’ meeting on Thursday.

“In terms of the total value of capex delayed, it’s about $90 million delayed until next year, 2021,” he added.

Mr. Khoury did not mention ATI’s capex guidance for 2020.

In 2019, the listed company increased its capex to around $300 million from the previous year’s approximately $152 million, as it intended to expand its ports in Manila and Batangas.

On the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the company’s financial performance this year, Mr. Khoury said: “For the first four months of 2020, ATI’s international container volume dropped by 26% compared to the previous year. In Manila, the volume went down 26%, while in Batangas it dropped by 28%.”

He also said that ATI “does not expect a significant recovery” in cargo throughput “for until at least August or September.”

ATI expects the full-year container volume to be around “20% to 30% below last year’s levels,” Mr. Khoury said, adding that the company’s financial performance this year “is not expected to be at par with last year’s.”

“We have incurred significant expenses related to addressing the COVID-19 situation in our workplace, as well as providing support to our nearby communities and our employees,” he said.

Still, the company’s cash flow “remains healthy,” he noted, adding that the company does not expect to borrow during this year.

“We expect our collection to remain strong for the remainder of the year,” he said.

ATI halved its profits in the first quarter as its ports saw lower container volumes when lockdown measures were imposed to help contain the coronavirus pandemic.

The listed company’s attributable net income slumped 68% to P472.16 million in the January to March period, as revenues dropped 29% to P2.58 billion.

Shares in ATI were unchanged at P16 each on Thursday. — Arjay L. Balinbin

New stores boost AllHome income

EARNINGS of AllHome Corp. surged 30% in the first quarter as it recorded higher sales from opening new stores last year.

The Villar-led retailer of home improvement products posted a net income of P270.22 million in the January-to-March period, higher than the P207.15 million it recorded in the same period last year.

Its topline jumped 41% to P3.37 billion despite having to close its stores in Luzon when the government imposed a lockdown in mid-March due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

In a regulatory filing, the company said it was able to keep recording higher sales because it opened 22 additional stores in 2019. Its existing 23 stores as of March 2019 posted a 24.3% sales growth in 2020.

“AllHome’s growth in the first quarter of 2020 was mainly driven by the additional contribution from the new store openings from the last quarter of 2019,” AllHome Chairman Manuel B. Villar, Jr. said in a statement.

“We are very pleased with our performance, which remained strong despite the occurrence of unforeseeable circumstances such as the eruption of Taal volcano and the [lockdown] due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” he added.

As the pandemic lingers and no vaccine has been developed to fight the virus yet, AllHome is now reconsidering its plans to expand its network.

“In the light of the recent situation, the company is constantly evaluating its expansion program. We grew our store network from 23 in 2018 to 45 by the end of 2019,” AllHome President Benjamarie Therese N. Serrano said. “We still view 2020 with optimism as the lockdown condition eases out.”

The company earlier said its plan was to have 70 stores by the end of 2020.

“I would like to highlight that if the situation improves, we have the capability to fast track construction and fit out and subsequently, open new stores as we see fit,” Ms. Serrano said.

In the meantime, the company is trying to adjust its growth strategy around a so-called “new normal,” capitalizing on the consumer mindset that works around physical restrictions and safety protocols.

“More households are taking the opportunity to recreate their personal spaces by prioritizing comfort, refurbishing and renovating their homes since they spent most of their time during the (lockdown) inside the house,” AllHome Vice-Chairman Camille A. Villar said.

Among the initiatives AllHome has launched to tap this market is allowing touch-free payments and various delivery options and enhancing e-commerce platforms. However, it is also implementing early closures in stores and limited customer traffic as precaution against the virus.

Shares in AllHome at the stock exchange ended 52 centavos or 10.10% up at P5.67 each on Thursday. — Denise A. Valdez

A casualty of COVID-19: Fun Ranch is closing the barn doors

CHILDREN’S playground and party place Fun Ranch is closing its doors due to the pandemic as its management felt it would be “too long a wait before the situation becomes ideal for children to play freely and have parties again,” the company told BusinessWorld.

“We have not been able to operate since the lockdown started in mid-March and will most likely not be allowed to operate yet for a long while (especially as a party venue),” the company told BusinessWorld in a Facebook message on June 3.

The company shared the announcement on its Facebook page on June 3 saying, “We’re sad but it’s time to go. A big thank you for trusting us over the years.”

The same announcement said that they will be returning all remaining party deposits made before lockdown to its customers.

The announcement sparked multiple comments from families who recalled celebrating their children’s birthdays in Fun Ranch. Quotes from Fun Ranch customers:

“Thank you Fun Ranch for the joy you brought our kids and the break you gave parents. We love you,” went one comment on Fun Ranch’s post announcing its closure.

“I got to experience Fun Ranch as soon it was opened. I remember having arcades, rides, as well as the [iconic] slide at front. Now, I just turned 20 and Fun Ranch definitely earned a place in my heart. It’s heartbreaking to see you guys go,” said another.

Even if Fun Ranch was allowed to open partially, the company said it would be very difficult to implement “proper social distancing in a playground setting.”

“Most importantly, we believe that parents are not likely to allow their kids to go to public play areas until they are sure that they can be completely safe from the virus. This can only happen when there is a vaccine. All these factors led us to the decision to close,” Fun Ranch said before adding that all its employees will be given retrenchment packages.

Fun Ranch has three branches — Pasig (the first, which opened in 2006), Muntinlupa, and Pampanga — and is best known for being a play space and a children’s party venue, although it has also hosted corporate events and debuts.

As this is a permanent closure, Fun Ranch will be selling all of its equipment, including rides and playground equipment, although it intends to offer its Fun Ranch food trays to interested clients.

“We were pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming support we have received from clients who expressed that Fun Ranch was a big part of their children’s growing-up years. It is heartwarming to know that we brought happiness to many people’s lives,” Fun Ranch said. — Zsarlene B. Chua

Aboitiz power unit to disconnect from Meralco

THERMA Mobile, Inc. will disconnect from the distribution system of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) and will quit trading at the wholesale electricity spot market starting mid-July, its parent firm told the stock exchange on Thursday.

“[Therma Mobile’s] bunker-C fired diesel power plants located in Navotas, Metro Manila will be on reserve shutdown in the absence of a Power Supply Agreement duly approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC),” Aboitiz Power Corp. said.

It said Meralco had been notified of the move on June 3.

Therma Mobile is a wholly owned subsidiary of AboitizPower through Therma Power Inc., its holding company for its investments in thermal energy.

Notices have also been sent to Philippine Electricity Market Corp., Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines Inc., Department of Energy, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, and ERC as called for by the notice requirements of Republic Act 9136 of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, its implementing rules, and other relevant rules and regulations.

On Feb. 5, 2019, Therma Mobile physically disconnected from Meralco’s system and de-registered as a trading participant at the spot market. It then signed a power supply agreement (PSA) with Meralco on April 26, 2019 for a term of one year. The contract has not been renewed and currently, the power generation company has no ERC-approved PSA.

On Thursday, shares in AboitizPower slipped by 20 centavos or 0.67% to P29.80 each.

Milk tea pearls and yoga mats, fruits and meat: what people ordered from Lazada during the lockdown

Over the last two and a half months when Metro Manila and many parts of the country were under varying degrees of lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, e-commerce site Lazada noted that many people used their time to learn a new skill — including making their own milk teas at home — as their customers bought quite a few interesting things while on lockdown.

“We’ve definitely seen a significant shift in what Filipinos are searching for and adding to their cart in Lazada during the ECQ. While most Filipinos have been turning to Lazada for their essential needs, many have also been buying products to help them learn a new skill or create family bonding moments,” Neil Trinidad, Lazada Philippines’ chief marketing officers, said in a statement.

Among the products they saw their customers were buying during lockdown were tapioca pearls to satisfy milk tea cravings, baking and cooking equipment, makeup (for office video conferences), yoga mats, DJ equipment, inflatable swimming pools, and loungewear.

Lazada said they sold nearly 30,000 loungewear sets, 65,000 yoga mats, and 140,000 inflatable pools during the lockdown.

The company also noticed a “15 times increase in orders of essential goods,” such as groceries and cleaning supplies.

LOCKDOWN EQUALS MORE TRAFFIC
As people were ordered to stay at home to stem the spread of the virus, many opted to go online shopping to get their essentials. Throughout the lockdown period from mid-March to May, Lazada saw a “gradual increase of demand for products like fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, and rice, and have expanded our categories on the platform. This was considered in low demand prior to the [enhanced community quarantine],” according to an e-mail sent to BusinessWorld.

With the increased demand for fresh food, the platform introduced Lazada Fresh that features sellers who will deliver orders using their own delivery fleet to ensure product freshness.

More business owners have also decided to go digital, as Lazada reported that the number of sellers and brands joining the platform in the first half of 2020 was twice the number it had during the same period in 2019.

People also spent more time on the Lazada website and app as the duration of each visit “has almost doubled,” with users spending approximately 15 minutes on Lazada per visit compared to the period before the lockdown.

“This has also led to more than a 9% increase in transactions occurring on the Lazada app,” the company said.

Lazada also noticed more traffic during lunchtime — previous peak hours were in the evenings from 8 to 9 p.m. — likely due to people browsing the site while taking a break from working at home.

More people are also using cashless payment options including credit cards and its in-house LazWallet payment channel, as the company recorded a “two-times increase in use,” as people try to reduce physical interactions and prefer the convenience of online transactions.

The e-commerce platform’s digital bills payment service also saw a five-fold increase in use during the quarantine period.

“As we continue to observe safe physical distancing measures, Lazada foresees that this will continue to be on an upward trend as more people are looking for ways to source all their everyday essentials online,” the company said.

BOUNCE BACK SALE
This weekend, Lazada is holding its nationwide Bounce Back sale until June 6, and while the usual sale promotions apply including free shipping vouchers and great deals, this sale will also allow customers to donate and “contribute towards the country’s fight against the spread of COVID-19 by purchasing items from participating brands,” according to a press release.

Among the participating brands are Colgate-Palmolive where for every P750 minimum spend, P50 will be donated to the beneficiaries of Lazada for Good; and Unilever Skin Sciences where every P1,000 minimum spend will lead to a donation of P50 to the beneficiaries of Lazada for Good.

In true Lazada sale fashion, the platform will also be hosting a two-hour livestream special featuring performances by KZ Tandingan, Ben&Ben, and Regine Velasquez-Alcasid. The special, which will be held on June 6 at 6 p.m., will also be giving away more than P200,000-worth of shopping vouchers.

Telecommunications company Globe Telecom, will also be joining the sale by giving discounts for its prepaid SIM cards and select phones. Digital payment channel PayMaya is also giving a 10% discount voucher for a minimum spend of P1,200 on Lazada. — Zsarlene B. Chua

‘Unscathed’ Phoenix reports positive April, May results

Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc. has stayed relatively unscathed, the Davao City-based oil company said, as the coronavirus pandemic persists to challenge an industry that has suffered from a slump in consumer demand.

“Compared to what has been reported by the industry, we generated an operating income and a positive EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization). Further, we are encouraged by positive results in April and May enough to suggest worst is behind us,” said Henry Albert R. Fadullon, the new president of the independent oil firm in a statement on Thursday.

In the first quarter, Phoenix recorded a gross profit of P1.7 billion on the back of revenues of P21.9 billion, leading to an EBITDA of P503 million. Operating income and net loss stood at P179 million and P215 million, respectively.

The petroleum industry is experiencing challenges because of geopolitical tensions compounded by the coronavirus pandemic, Mr. Fadullon said, adding that these factors began to weigh on demand towards March.

The company claims that it has remained resilient compared with other major players.

“Definitely Phoenix has not been spared from the challenges, but we are able to navigate the downturn better due to our earlier investments in strategic, higher-margin and diversified businesses areas such as retail and liquified petroleum gas (LPG),” Mr. Fadullon said.

During the period, LPG volume climbed by 39%, with the company’s core market in the Visayas and Mindanao consistently growing by double digits. Expansion was sustained in Luzon, Phoenix said.

In fuel, retail volume was higher by 9% after the network expansion in 2019. The company opened 660 stations nationwide as of end-March.

“In response to the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis, we have identified three key strategies — keeping people safe, maintaining business-as-usual operations and preserving resources,” Mr. Fadullon said.

Phoenix adopted a work-from-home arrangement for most of its workforce, up until the end of the year. Operational staff are on a bi-weekly rotation and financial aid has been extended to employees. No COVID-positive case has been reported in the company.

Phoenix’s supply chain remains 100% online with 95% of its retail sites and LPG outlets open to serve customers. Around 60% of its FamilyMart retail convenience stores are operating. The company is pursuing e-commerce platforms for cashless transactions.

The company has also adjusted to demand changes by keeping inventory levels to 50% of terminal capacity, which reduced the burden on working capital.

Cash requirements were reduced by at least P2.3 billion this year compared with the original plan. Of this amount, P1.5 billion is from capital expenditure reduction and P800 million has been saved from marketing, advertising, and travel as resources shift from traditional to digital channels.

Phoenix has set aside P100 million for COVID-19 relief efforts. It provides free fuel for the transportation of frontliners as well as for the delivery of fresh produce from farmers in provinces as part of parent company Udenna Corp.’s Sagip Saka program.

FamilyMart continues to share free meals to healthcare workers and other frontliners, while Phoenix Super LPG supplies cooking fuel to community kitchens in various local government units and agencies.

House approves cash agent bill

THE House of Representatives on Wednesday evening approved on second reading House Bill 6924 which seeks to expand banks’ service delivery channels through cash agents.

Also known as the Bangko sa Baryo Act, the measure seeks to widen unbanked Filipinos’ access to financial services. The bill is principally authored by Deputy Speaker and Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund F. Villafuerte, Jr.

The bill defines cash agents and provides eligibility requirements. It ensures that agents, as extensions of the banking system, are able to provide professional service, keep records, handle cash and manage liquidity.

Cash agents should be able to assist in performing bank services, including forwarding account opening applications, cash-in and cash-out services and initial customer identity verification, especially for efforts on anti-money laundering and combating terrorism financing.

The measure also requires the contracting bank to ensure the cash agent follows standard bank protocols and exercise due diligence when dealing with customers.

Cash agents who establish business in a “remote area” will be entitled to the following incentives: free training of cash agent personnel on various bank processes; expedited processing of permits and certificates that are requisites to business registration; and exemption from income tax for one year.

To make sure the government can make “seamless” online cash transfers to beneficiaries via banks, remittance centers, payment platforms or cash agents, Mr. Villafuerte said in a statement on May 31 that the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) needs to expedite its National Broadband Program.

The program aims to deploy fiber optic cables and wireless technologies to ensure regional connectivity and improve internet speed nationwide.

Citing reports from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Mr. Villafuerte said only 28% of Filipino adults own a bank account, while only 10% borrow money from formal institutions over a 12-month period.

“This bill endeavors to attain financial inclusion for the Filipino people and to establish robust financial consumer protection frameworks. (It also aims to) increase citizen’s financial literacy and capability so they understand different financial services. Soon, an average barrio folk will be able to make sound financial decisions and put his hard-earned money to beneficial use,” he said.

At the same time, the House also approved on second reading two measures, including House Bill 6926 or the National Digital Careers Act which seeks to support the development and define employment standards for digital careers in the country.

Also approved was House Bill 6927 or the E-Government Act, which will require electronic government services and processes in all agencies and government corporations.

All these three bills will have to go through third and final reading before passing the House. — Genshen L. Espedido

Rustan’s doors reopen as safety protocols are put in place

Rustan’s department store will open its doors again on June 5 after having been shut down along with the rest of the metropolis during the strict COVID-19 quarantine which has run since mid-March. With the relaxation of the protocols, the store has been allowed to open, albeit under stringent health and safety protocols.

“Our goal for the past 70 years has always been to serve the community with great service and to provide a safe environment that feels like home. In this new chapter, we are committed to the idea of ‘One Home, One Hope’ to strengthen our solidarity with our countrymen as we help uplift the society’s mindset to look forward to brighter days. As an establishment that has been a second home for many shoppers, we will stay dedicated in implementing thorough safety protocols to ensure that our employees and shoppers are protected and can visit us with ease of mind,” Zenaida R. Tantoco, Rustans’ Chairman and CEO, was quoted as saying in a release.

Following the protocols under the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) guidelines, all Rustan’s employees will go through rapid testing before returning to work and only those with a negative result shall be permitted to enter the store premises; employees will be required to change into a clean set of clothes and shoes before entering store premises; store premises will undergo daily intensive cleaning and disinfection at the start and end of each day, and air condition ducts will be cleaned regularly; janitors will clean and wipe the moving rails of escalators on a regular basis, along with high-touch areas like door knobs and elevator buttons; and the interior of elevators will be cleaned by the staff assigned inside.

When it comes to customers, the following specific protocols will be followed: customers’ temperature will be checked before entry and those whose temperature is above 37.7C will be politely advised to go home or see a physician, and customers will have to step on disinfectant floor mats before entry. There will be automatic hand sanitizers and complimentary face masks at the security/entrance areas of the store. One mask per customer will be provided for those not wearing any. Electric fans will be installed at all mall entrances as added protection against the virus. There will be continuous reminders to employees and customers of all health and safety habits through in-store signages and animation screens. Bathroom doors will be kept open to avoid the touching of doorknobs.

Employees and customers should observe proper queuing and physical distancing of at least one meter and stand on distancing marks. Customers and employees must remain five steps apart when using the escalator — escalators will be marked accordingly. Only four people can ride the elevator, and they must stand on the marks provided and face opposite directions.

Contactless payment shall be encouraged for customers using Scan-to-Pay and Tap-and-Go card payments. For payments made by cash or credit card, the cashiers will provide a money tray and request the customer place the cash, credit or gift cards on the tray. After each transaction, all FSP, Beauty Addict, loyalty cards, credit cards, and Rustan’s EGC will be sprayed with alcohol, dried on a cloth and returned to the customer. Packages of merchandise will be sprayed by the cashier or sales personnel with disinfectant in clear view of the customer before handing over the purchased items. Sneeze guards will be installed at the cashier areas.

In addition to all of this, the fitting rooms will be disinfected after each use, and the packaging of merchandise will be disinfected by receiving personnel upon receipt in store and before issuing to the customer. Store personnel will remind customers who will fit clothes to place the items in a designated “For Sanitation” box. After 24 hours, the clothes will be steamed and returned to the display or stored in the stockroom. Customers will be requested to wear ankle socks before fitting shoes (socks will be provided accordingly). Trial and sampling of beauty products will not be allowed.

Rustan’s Makati and Shangri-La will be open daily starting June 5 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and the Alabang branch will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Rustan’s Gateway and Cebu will open on June 12 with daily operating hours of 11 a.m. to 7 p.m..

Payouts for COVID-19-infected medics approved following Palace push

AFTER PRODDING from the Palace, an order approving cash benefits of up to P1 million for health care workers who died or became seriously ill on the job due to coronavirus was signed Thursday, the Department of Health (DoH) said.

Undersecretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire said Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III signed a join administrative order and later confirmed that the order was also signed by the Secretaries of the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) and Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

“We just need to have the funds ready,” Ms. Vergeire said in a virtual briefing.

The Bayanihan To Heal As One provides for P1 million in cash benefits to health care workers who died due to COVID-19 and P100,000 to those who were classified as critically or severely ill due to the virus starting Feb. 1.

The P1 million cash grant is expected to go to survivors of 32 health care workers who died. Seventy-nine other health care workers — 60 of them severe and 19 critical — are expected to receive the P100,000 grants.

Ms. Vergeire said the grants will be sourced from DoH money realigned from other medical assistance funds.

The grants were delayed by a cash search from sources like the Government Service Insurance System and Social Security System.

“In-explore ‘yung mga iba’t ibang posibilidad para magawa natin itong sinasabing provision na ito sa batas kaya medyo tayo ay natagalan (We were exploring other possibilities to meet the requirements of the law, which is why it took time),” she said.

The President’s spokesman Herminio L. Roque said President Rodrigo R. Duterte set a deadline for government agencies to pay out benefits to health workers who became seriously ill or died because of COVID-19.

“Hanggang Martes lang po ang binigay ng Presidente para sa lahat ng kinauukulan na ibigay ang mga compensation benefits sa mga health workers na nagkasakit ng COVID-19 in the line of duty at sa mga pamilyang naiwan ng mga namatay na health workers simula Biyernes (The President gave all agencies until Tuesday to pay out benefits for those who became sick in the line of duty and until Friday to release the benefits to the families of those who died),” Mr. Roque said in a briefing.

He added that Mr. Duterte is “mad” and “frustrated” because the law which provides the benefits to infected health care workers was passed on March 24. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Aboitiz backs rapid testing in Batangas

THE Aboitiz Group is supporting the government’s mass testing efforts with the donation of 4,400 rapid test kits in Batangas to help fight the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the province.

“It is our earnest commitment to contribute to our nation’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite challenges in mobilizing teams during this critical time, we have been successful in delivering our donations, knowing that these will greatly help the nation in virus detection, contact tracing, and early treatment,” Sabin M. Aboitiz, the group’s president and chief executive officer, said in a statement.

Through Aboitiz Foundation, the group’s donation of test kits are delivered by Go Negosyo’s Project ARK (Antibody Rapid Test Kits). They will enable the Batangas provincial government to conduct COVID-19 rapid tests in more areas, including Lipa City, Malvar, Sto. Tomas, and San Juan.

Project ARK is a mass screening project using RT-PCR (reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction) and antibody rapid testing aligned with the Department of Health guidelines.

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