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Philippine economy may shrink by 3% on lockdown — S&P

The Philippine economy could shrink by 3% this year, the price to pay for having one of the toughest lockdowns in the world, according to S&P Global Ratings.

The latest estimate is much worse than the 0.2% contraction expected by the rating company in April and the 6% growth forecast it gave in December.

“We expect the permanent costs of COVID-19 to be highest in India and the Philippines, due mainly to the severity of lockdowns, and in Thailand given its high exposure to international travel,” S&P said in a note on Friday.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte locked down the main Philippine island of Luzon in mid-March, suspending work, classes and public transportation to contain a novel coronavirus pandemic that has sickened more than 34,000 and killed about 1,200 people in the Philippines. People should stay home except to buy food and other basic goods, he said.

The President extended the so-called enhanced community quarantine twice for the island and thrice for Manila, the capital and nearby cities where infections have been mostly concentrated.

The lockdown in many parts of the country including Metro Manila has since been relaxed, but mass gatherings remained banned.

S&P’s outlook for the country was better than the expected contractions in Thailand this year at 5.1%, India, Singapore and New Zealand at 5% each and Japan at 4.9%.

But it was worse than the expected contractions in Malaysia at 2%, South Korea at 1.5%, and the projected growth in Indonesia at 0.7%, Taiwan at 0.6% and Vietnam at 1.2%. The contraction for the Asia-Pacific region was estimated at 1.3% this year.

The debt watcher noted that despite a strict lockdown, coronavirus infections in the country “remain stubbornly high.”

“Economies that flattened COVID-19 curves quickly (China, Korea, and Taiwan) and launched substantial and well-targeted stimulus (Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore) are expected to escape with less permanent damage, ranging from 0.5% to 3%,” it added.

The local service sector will bear the brunt of the lockdown because it depends on face-to-face interactions, S&P economist Vincent Conti said.

Consumption was expected to suffer because majority of Filipinos are employed in the service sector, he said in an e-mail.

“That nexus between weaker labor markets, balance sheets and consumption will mean a much more difficult return to the economy’s pre-COVID-19 trend level of output,” he added.

The country’s unemployment rate quickened to 17.7% — equivalent to 7.25 million jobless Filipinos and the fastest since 2005 — from 5.1% a year earlier, according to the local statistics agency.

More than 54,000 overseas Filipino workers have come home, which could worsen the joblessness. The country’s consumption-driven economy shrank by 0.2% in the first quarter.

S&P expects the Philippine economy to grow by 9.4% next year as economic activities resume.

“Risks to the recovery path include the persistent spread of the coronavirus and weakened balance sheets in the private sector due to the length and magnitude of the downturn,” according to the report.

Mr. Conti said the depth of this year’s recession provides such a low base that even a gradual reopening of the economy would generate very high growth rates next year. “Growth numbers will hide the fact that the economy will still be operating far below pre-COVID-19 trend levels.” — Luz Wendy T. Noble

Philippine COVID-19 infections top 34,000

The Department of Health (DoH) reported 1,006 new coronavirus infections on Friday, bringing the total to 34,037.

The death toll rose to 1,224 after 12 more patients died, while recoveries rose by 274 to 9,182, it said in a bulletin.

Of the new cases, 788 were reported in the past three days, while 218 were reported late, the agency said.

DoH Director Beverly Lorraine Ho traced the surge to increased testing capacity. Daily testing capacity has reached 16,000 this month from 8,000 in May, she told an online news briefing.

Ms. Ho said Cebu had an infection rate 32.8% compared with 7.2% in Metro Manila and 6.8% nationwide.

The cities of Cebu and Ormoc, and the provinces of Leyte and Samar were considered COVID-19 hotspots due to rising infections, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire said on Wednesday.

Ms. Ho asked the public to keep wearing masks because they cut the chances of infection by 85%, and observe physical distancing, which cuts the likelihood of an infection by 80%.

Also on Friday, the presidential palace said restaurants and cafes including those inside hotels would be allowed to increase their capacity under a relaxed lockdown in Manila and nearby cities.

They would be allowed to increase operating hours and serve more clients, presidential spokesman Harry L. Roque, Jr. said at a separate briefing.

An inter-agency task force also recommended that visits to memorial parks be allowed as long as groups don’t exceed 10 members each.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte had yet to approve the endorsement, he said.

Meanwhile, the Senate is open to holding a special session to pass another law giving President Rodrigo R. Duterte special powers in dealing with a coronavirus pandemic.

The Finance department should inform both houses of Congress about the specifics of the measure and save time, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri told reporters on Friday.

The Senate on June 3 approved on second reading a bill that sought to extend the law that expired on June 24. The measure allowed the President to realign the budget for anti-coronavirus measures, among other things.

Senators failed to approve the bill on third reading before it adjourned on June 5 in the absence of a notice from the presidential palace certifying it as urgent. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

Nestlé completes delivery of its products to pandemic-hit families

Nestlé Philippines, Inc. has completed the delivery of its “Kasambuhay Kits” for distribution to a million families in a hundred cities and municipalities, it said on Friday.

The kits consisting of Nestlé products will be distributed by local government units and non-government organizations, as well as the Department of Agriculture in Regions 10 and 12. They are part of the company’s P500-million Kasambuhay ng Pamilyang Pilipino program, which is its response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

The distribution of the Kasambuhay Kits is going on in the National Capital Region and other areas in the country, including locations where Nestlé has a presence. The beneficiaries include 10,000 coffee farmers’ families in Bukidnon and Sultan Kudarat under the Nescafé Plan.

Non-profit organization Caritas Manila, which is the lead social service and development ministry of the Catholic Church in the country, is participating in the distribution.

Before launching the program in April, Nestlé Philippines had started providing Nestlé products to various local governments, as well as thousands of healthcare workers and other frontliners.

“We are happy to have Nestlé as an active and responsive corporate citizen of Batangas especially during this difficult time. Nestlé is a true Kasambuhay,” said Hermilando Mandanas, the governor of Batangas where Nestlé has two factories.

Rev. Fr. Antonio Cecilio T. Pascual, executive director of Caritas Manila, said: “We welcome this opportunity to join hands with Nestlé in reaching out to needy families in severely affected communities during this pandemic.”
Nestlé Philippines Chairman and Chief Executive Kais Marzouki said the bond between the company and Filipino families “involves a heritage of trust which goes back 109 years.”

“Nestlé has become part of their daily lives through many generations. We believe it is only fitting that during this challenging period, we have mounted this initiative to share our products with those who are most affected by COVID-19,” he said.

Mr. Marzouki said Nestlé Philippines is committed to ensure that its products remain available to those who need them, “to assure the safety and welfare of our employees, and assist those of our business partners.”

“With the different sectors of our society working together, we will successfully weather the challenges brought about by this pandemic as we strive to build a better future for all Filipinos,” he said.

Duterte asks ASEAN to help ease tensions at sea

President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Friday asked Southeast Asian leaders to avoid tensions in the South China Sea while the world fights a coronavirus pandemic.

“Even as our region struggles to contain the COVID-19, alarming incidents in the South China Sea occurred,” the Philippine leader said at the 36th Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Summit, held virtually.

“We call on parties to refrain from escalating tensions and abide by responsibilities under international law,” Mr. Duterte said in a speech.

He also urged the parties to act in line with their commitment to other international instruments such as the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

Mr. Duterte cited the continuing tension between the United States and China, adding that ASEAN member economies should uphold international policies in engaging with the global rivals.

“The Great Powers will continue to draw us into their respective camps,” the President said. “We should continue to nimbly engage them in ways that most benefit us.”

“We must insist on an open and rules-based international order that gives all countries – large or small – not just one voice, but an equal standing,” Mr. Duterte said.

The Philippines this month suspended its decision to end a military pact with the US on the troop deployment for war games due to the heightened tensions in the region and the global pandemic.

Mr. Duterte said parties should think of ways to continue discussions on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. The Philippines is the country coordinator for the ASEAN-China dialogue.

“We must find innovative ways and exercise flexibility to achieve our common goals,” he said. “We remain committed to work closely with member states and China toward the early conclusion of an effective and substantive code of conduct in the South China Sea.”

China and ASEAN economies had agreed to a three-year timeline, or until 2022, to complete the code meant to ease tensions at sea. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

Thousands of sailors docked in Manila cleared

More than 16,000 FIlipino and foreign sailors from cruise ships anchored at Manila Bay have been cleared of the coronavirus, according to the Bureau of Immigration.

Of the 16,287 seafarers, 11,189 were Filipinos and 5,098 were foreigners, Seaport Operations chief Alnazib Decampong said in a report.

The sailors have left 42 vessels between April 16 and June 15 after being quarantined and tested for the virus. About 2,300 more were awaiting repatriation, Mr. Decampong said.

Meanwhile, an inter-agency task force made up of Cabinet secretaries has agreed to bring home the bodies of 301 Filipinos from Saudi Arabia, about half of whom died after getting the coronavirus, presidential spokesman Harry L. Roque said at a briefing on Friday.

Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III earlier said that of 301 victims, 145 died of the virus, while the rest died of natural causes. The Philippines would send two cargo planes to fetch the bodies, he added.

The coronavirus has sickened 6,114 overseas Filipinos as of June 25, 2,086 of whom were being treated in various hospitals overseas, according to the Foreign Affairs department. It said 3,775 patients have recovered and 253 died. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas and Charmaine A. Tadalan

Wage subsidy program nears end

The government has paid 99% of wage subsidies for small businesses amid a coronavirus pandemic, with less than 100,000 beneficiaries given until June 28 to claim their payouts, according to the Department of Finance (DoF).

About 41,000 workers for the first tranche and 57,000 under the second one have yet to claim their cash aid and the cutoff date was extended from June 10 to the end of the month, the agency said in a statement on Friday.

“We are calling on these employees who were already notified to claim their subsidies from MLhullier Kwarta Padala to pick them up on or before June 28,” DoF said.

Unclaimed wage subsidies will go back to the state and used in the fight against COVId-19, Finance Assistant Secretary Antonio G. Lambino II said in the statement.

The government has released P45.6 billion in cash aid to about 3.1 million workers of small businesses that registered for the program.

The government allotted P51 billion for the program, which gave workers affected by the lockdown as much as P8,000 pesos a month for two months.

The Social Security System and Bureau of Internal Revenue were the main enforcers of the program.

Meanwhile, SSS wants to fast-track the release of retirement and death benefits by revising the list of required documents.

Basic requirements include the application form, a photo and signature card, savings account and a valid ID.

SSS offers death benefits to members’ dependents either in the form of monthly pension or a lump sum. The amount is based on the member’s paid contributions, years of service and number of dependents. — Beatrice M. Laforga

Jailed de Lima appeals ruling on Senate sessions

A Philippine senator critical of President Rodrigo R. Duterte has asked a trial court to reconsider its decision denying her plea to let her attend Senate online sessions.

Senator Leila M. de Lima on June 1 sought permission to participate in virtual sessions while being detained in a police jail. The court rejected her request on June 17.

“The last word of the Supreme Court on the matter is that so long as the detained legislator is able to perform legislative functions within his or her place of detention, there is nothing in the law that prevents him or her from doing so,” she said in her motion for reconsideration dated June 22.

Ms. de Lima, a staunch critic of Mr. Duterte’s deadly drug war, has been in jail on drug trafficking charges since February 2017.

Revilla, who pushed rights of illegitimate kids, dies at 93

Former senator and action star Ramon Revilla, Sr., who pushed changes to the Family Code to benefit children out of wedlock, passed away on Friday due to heart failure, his son said. He was 93.

“My father is gone,” a tearful Senator Ramon B. Revilla, Jr. said in a short video streamed live on his Facebook page in Filipino.

The elder Mr. Revilla was rushed to the hospital on May 31 due to difficulty in breathing.

He later underwent an angiogram procedure on June 10 and was on his way to recovery. “Daddy is going through a rough time,” his son said in a post on Thursday.

Mr. Revilla was born Jose Acuña Bautista in Imus, Cavite on March 8, 1927. He was a multi-awarded actor known for his fantasy roles involving amulets.

In 1992, he won a seat in the Senate and held the post until 2004. He was known for the Revilla bill, which amended the Family Code for the benefit of illegitimate children.

The measure, signed in February 2004, allowed an illegitimate child to use the surname of his father, with his consent.

Mr. Revilla fathered at least 72 children with at least 16 different women, according to ABS-CBN News. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

ASPAC is now Dentsu One Manila

Challenging times give birth to expertise, agility and speed. This is why Dentsu Aegis Network made the big move to introduce Dentsu One Manila this month. Dentsu One Manila is a creative and digital-led agency designed to answer the changing needs of clients during the markets’ move toward normalcy. Formerly known as ASPAC, Dentsu One Manila offers business solutions and provides integrated marketing services that meet market needs especially during the post pandemic times.

Merlee Jayme, Global Co-President of dentsumcgarrybowen, who is also the Chairmom for the country’s Creative Line of Business will oversee the business and creative growth of the agency along with sister agency Dentsu Jayme Syfu.

Dentsu One Manila will be led by Chief Strategy Officer and acting Managing Director EzAbero. He is joined by Jerry Hizon as Chief Creative Officer. Rey Leuterio as Executive Planning and Business Development Director completes the management team. Leading the Japanese accounts are Masako Okamura as Executive Creative Director and Yuki Koga as Regional Account Director.

Dentsu One Manila also has a Content, Activations and Design division called DOJO. Offering different skill sets and capabilities, DOJO is headed by Joey Ong as Managing Director and Executive Creative Director and Rissa De Guzman as the General Manager.

Dentsu Jayme Syfu’s former Strategic Planning Director, Abero has more than 12 years of strategic planning experience across multinational and independent agencies. He played a key role in boosting the agency’s portfolio through significant pitch wins for the Coca-Cola Sparkling business, SariMonde and Nestle Cerelac’s local and regional campaigns.

In 2018, Abero moved to Ho Chi Minh City to lead Leo Burnett Vietnam’s planning team. His team successfully worked on the agency’s biggest accounts: Samsung Digital & Corporate and Friesland Campina.

Chief Creative Officer Hizon on the other hand, held the role of Dentsu Jayme Syfu ECD since 2016. His 25-year advertising career includes winning various international and local awards for clients like Belo Essentials, Uber Philippines, Jollibee, Unilever, PLDT SME Nation, BPI, Adidas and Gabriela, making him consistently among Adobo Magazine’s top-ranked ECDs of the Philippines.

His training in DDB Amsterdam as an Exchange Creative gave him a strong digital background.

Just last year, he was part of a Global Creative Workshop for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, held in Los Angeles, California.

Jayme shares how they have worked through the years. “Ez, Jerry and I have been powerful partners. Their thinking and creative work bear strong business results. Their agile work process helps solve business problems efficiently and effectively. The change in leadership from the top aligns with the global vision of providing idea-led, data-driven and tech-enabled creativity in our line of business.”

“I am thrilled for this new chapter of the agency and I am confident that Ez and Jerry will drive the innovation agenda ingrained in the Dentsu brand, fueled by their proven strategic and creative strengths.”, says JC Catibog, CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network Philippines

Overseeing the agency’s transformation, Managing Partner Alex Syfu feels that “Ez and Jerry’s work disciplines coupled with their strategic and creative capabilities will help them drive Dentsu One Manila’s business growth and creativity”.

How we work from home

The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting global lockdown has forced people to work from home (WFH) more often.

Already, experts are saying that telecommuting is here to stay. “Nobody in the future is going to take a job where they are measured by whether or not they show up at a certain time at the office and then check out again at 5:30 or 6 p.m.,” said Lars Wittig, country manager of IWG Philippines, Vietnam, and Cambodia, during the Asia Future-of-Work Forum 2020 held on June 25.

Investors, too, are basing their investment decisions “on how considerate companies are to their employees and clients during the coronavirus pandemic,” and favoring companies that allow employees to work from home.

But what does working from home look like? This photo essay is a glimpse into the increasingly necessary WFH culture. Subjects were requested to complete the statement: “The most important part of my home-office setup is _______, because _______.”

Risa Barcelona, Creative, MAD Market

The most important part of my home-office setup is my laptop because it has my whole life in it (it is literally my work’s bloodline, lol), and Eggs because he can easily de-stress me, no effort!

Frances Barsana, Business Development Manager, Kickstart Ventures

The most important part of my home-office setup is the designated space because it allows me to focus my energy during working hours and differentiate when I am needed to attend to home matters.

Pia Bernal, Community Manager, Kickstart Ventures

The most important part of my home-office setup is my second and larger screen because it helps you to multitask and work faster: the ability to open multiple tabs! You especially feel the benefit of a dual monitor setup when composing an email and you need to view other emails in your inbox as reference.

Christian San Jose, Founder and CEO, 8020

The most important part of my home-office setup is my chair (and its footrest), because that’s where I spend most of my time. The chair has to be right in the middle of comfort and sturdiness: It can’t be too comfortable as I don’t want to fall asleep while working. 😅

Sally Ponce-Enrile, Chairperson, JoJoCare

The most important part of my home setup is its location. It is up in my attic adjacent to my indoor garden/art studio. I get both the privacy I need as well as a relaxing ambience so I can focus on my work without anyone distracting me. I call it my “happy place.”

Dorelene Dimaunahan, founder of DMD3D Enterprises and CAD Concepts and faculty member of DLSU, ADMU, UA&P, and CCA

The most important parts of my home-office setup are my piano nook and my green screen room. My piano nook is where my creativity works best. In the middle of a long day at work, I find time to play a piece or two, just to break the ice. As for the green screen room, this is where I usually stay when I need more concentration or where I do my hosting and writing projects.

Victor Jeffery, Editor of Enrich magazine and CEO of Skittles-Brooke Media

The most important part of my home-office setup is creating the right environment to work in — that gives me the freedom of working in a relaxed atmosphere, and at the same time, allows me to adhere to my professional office style way of operating, because otherwise, I know that my normally strong focus could become too easily distracted.

Melissa Profeta, Brand Strategist, Digital Dynasty

The most important part of my home-office setup is I being able to easily get whatever I need right away. If I need a hug for a quick break, I can easily walk up to my baby’s crib before going back to work. If I need major references for work, I can just pick out my go-to book from my mini-library.

Emily Brown, Executive, Telum Media

The most important part of my home-office setup is my charger station, as I’m always on the phone and my laptop. I’ve got to be contactable at all times. Also, snacks to distract my cat whenever she bites my screen and charger!

Related story: See how people in the Philippines are working from home in BusinessWorld’s ‘WFH During ECQ’ series.

In tribute to Philippine icon Danding Cojuangco: Cocolife honors the legacy of its first president and founder

When Eduardo “Danding” Murphy Cojuangco, Jr. passed away this June a few days after his 85th birthday, he left an indelible mark in the history of the Philippines. As one of the country’s most renowned businessmen and politicians, Mr. Cojuangco has lived a life of accomplishments.

He was most known for his hand at building the largest food and beverage corporation in the Philippines and Southeast Asia, San Miguel Corporation, as its chairman and chief executive officer (CEO). In that aspect, he has created not only the most recognizable brand name in Philippine food and beer, but also diversified into interests like energy and infrastructure. As a result, San Miguel Corp. has become the country’s largest company by revenue.

Mr. Cojuangco also served as a luminary of Philippine politics, having had a role as an ambassador for the Philippines and governor and congressman of his home province of Tarlac.

His long list of accomplishments also includes being the founder and first president of Cocolife, currently the biggest Filipino-owned stock life insurance in the country.

“It is with deep sadness that we learned of Ambassador Eduardo “Danding” M. Cojuangco, Jr.’s passing. His immeasurable contributions in politics, business, sports, and our nation will forever be valued,” Cocolife Chairman Justice Bienvenido L. Reyes, on hearing of his passing, said.

“The Cocolife Board of Directors and its employees mourn the loss of a brilliant and determined man, an incredible visionary and philanthropist, a devoted father and leader whose visions and dedication touched the lives of many Filipinos. His memory and legacy will forever be an inspiration. He will always be remembered with the highest esteem and gratefulness of all his remarkable deeds. With our profoundest sympathy and respect.”

Being an agriculturist, as a proud native of the landlocked Tarlac, Mr. Cojuangco was a big advocate of expanding the coconut industry, seeing its potential for export into the world market.

“Mr. Cojuangco, being an agriculturist himself, saw the need to develop and integrate the coconut industry to have a greater presence in the world market and thereby bring about better export earnings for the country and eventual improvement in the lives of the people involved in the industry through social benefits,” Cocolife Director Carolina Diangco said.

Ms. Diangco further noted that as a CEO, leader, and mentor, Mr. Cojuangco was fair and generous to his fellows. One of the legacies he helped create at Cocolife was a culture of continuous improvement, as employees were given the opportunity to prove themselves and fulfill their potential alongside good benefits.

“He treated everyone as fairly as he could and was not selfish to train people so they could achieve their full potentials. He regarded a friend as member of the family,” Ms. Diangco recalled.

She continued, “Mr. Cojuangco was a good businessman and loyal. As big as his name in business is his sincere and compassionate heart. One story I distinctly remember is when he came to one of his offices one day and as he entered the elevator, he noticed how young the operator was. In that short ride, he told him that he was too young to be working. The young boy became one of his scholars the very next day.”

‘From a business perspective, my first impressions of the Ambassador, generated second-hand from the world of politics, were confirmed. Here was a man who could lead but who did so with a heart. The rule, as I remember it, was clear and direct: we are partners: together, we generate the profits that would make everybody, particularly, our clients and employees, happy,” discerns Cocolife Director Ret. Justice Arturo Brion.

Acting as the first president, Mr. Cojuangco was instrumental in turning Cocolife into one of the top industry players from a small, unknown insurance company. “We call him the man with the “Midas touch”, Ms. Diangco added.

Today, Cocolife boasts of over four decades of experience and expertise and a steadily expanding network of fully-computerized area and branch offices nationwide. It has carved a strong niche in Group Insurance and has become one of the leading Healthcare program providers nationwide. The company offers a full suite of insurance and investment products through its various business units and subsidiaries.

Cocolife President and CEO Atty. Jose Martin Loon left this as a message to Mr. Cojuangco’s legacy, “Mr. Cojuangco will be remembered for his immense contribution to Philippine business, sports, and politics. He will be remembered well by the generations to come. Cocolife will continue to honor the legacy of its first president and founder by serving the country and Cocolife with integrity, competence and compassion.”

For more info, visit Cocolife‘s website https://www.cocolife.com/

Regional Updates (06/25/20)

Traditional jeepneys to be checked for ‘road worthiness’ before allowed back on the road

JEEPNEYS WILL first be checked for road worthiness before being granted a permit to resume services, according to Palace Spokesperson Harry L. Roque. In a briefing Thursday, he said the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board is looking at allowing traditional public utility jeepneys to return on the road soon “if there is really a shortage of transportation service.” Buses and modern electric jeepneys have been deployed since last week after the strict lockdown rules, which included a ban on all public transport were lifted. Meanwhile, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo M. Año said it is too early to tell if quarantine restrictions in Metro Manila will be further eased by July 1. “It is too early to say or to conclude kasi kailangan aralin lahat ng mga data (because we need to study all the data),” he said. — Gillian M. Cortez

Police to deploy 150 special force commandos in Cebu City for quarantine enforcement

AT LEAST 150 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos, the elite unit of the police, will be deployed in Cebu City to help enforce strict quarantine rules to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in what is now considered the new epicenter of the outbreak. The city, as of June 24, had the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the country at 5,088, with 1,344 admitted in hospital and 1,342 in isolation facilities, based on Department of Health data. Lt. Gen. Guillermo T. Eleazar, the police deputy chief for operations, said the SAF troopers are tasked to help implement health safety protocols such as restricted movement of residents, wearing of face mask, and physical distancing. “Mobility assets of SAF will also be deployed in Cebu City that include multi-purpose armored vehicles similar to what we used in the implementation of ECQ (enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila,” Mr. Eleazar said in a statement. He noted that the deployment of SAF commandos was effective in Metro Manila, especially in areas with a high number of COVID-19 cases and placed on total lockdown. “SAF commanders are known to be strict in enforcing the quarantine rules which subsequently compelled hardheaded resident to stay in their houses,” he said. Earlier this week, around 100 police officers from neighboring regions were temporarily assigned to Cebu City. — Emmanuel Tupas/PHILSTAR

Parañaque launches online appointment, applications

THE PARAÑAQUE City Government has launched several online services under its business permits and licensing office (BPLO) to improve the ease of doing business as well as minimize physical interactions amid the coronavirus threat. “The primary purpose of this on-line government services is to reduce the waiting hours in any request or transaction as a precautionary health measure to limit face-to-face interactions,” Mayor Edwin L. Olivarez said in a statement.

The services include an online appointment system and application process for business-related transactions.

Valenzuela, Makati courts temporarily closed due to probable COVID-19 cases

COURTS in the cities of Valenzuela and Makati have been temporarily closed starting Thursday pending test results of employees who are suspected to have been infected with coronavirus. Court hearings and raffling of cases through videoconferencing, and all other online transactions will continue in both cities. In a memorandum, Valenzuela City Executive Judge Maria Nena J. Santos ordered the closure of the Bulwagang Pangkatarungan while judges and court personnel are required to quarantine for 14 days starting June 25. In-court proceedings and other transactions will resume immediately if the test result of the person who had contact with a coronavirus-positive patient comes out negative. “However, if the result will turn out to be positive, the court will continue to stay in self-quarantine to complete required fourteen day period or until July 9, 2020,” the memo read. In Makati, all judges and personnel in all trial courts will also undergo a 14-day quarantine, or until July 8, after a court employee tested positive for the disease through rapid test while another employee is also a probable patient. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

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