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Nine of 10 Filipinos worried of infection as cases top 14,000

ALMOST nine of 10 Filipinos were worried about them or a family member catching the novel coronavirus, greater than in past outbreaks, according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) poll, as infections topped 14,000.

Compared with past SWS polls, worry about catching the COVID-19 virus at 87% was greater than worries about catching ebola at 82% in 2014, swine flu at 82% in 2009, bird flu at 83% in 2006 and 80% in 2004, and severe acute respiratory syndrome at 78% in 2003, it said in a statement on Sunday.

Worry about catching the COVID-19 virus was also higher among Filipinos than among Britons, Australians and Americans, based on similar polls, it added.

The Roy Morgan Research online polls in March found that 78% of Britons and 75% of Australians said they were afraid of getting infected with the coronavirus.

The ABC News/Ipsos poll this month found that 79% of Americans said they were concerned that they or someone they know would get the virus.

SWS said 94% of Filipino were aware of COVID-19 symptoms, most commonly fever and cough.

Worries about catching the virus hardly varied in areas under enhanced or general lockdown. Worries about catching the virus were higher in Metro Manila at 93% and the Visayas at 91%, compared with Mindanao at 85% and balance of Luzon at 84%, according to the poll.

SWS interviewed 4,010 people by phone on May 4 to 10 for the poll, which had an error margin of ±2 points.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health reported 258 new infections yesterday, bringing the total to 14,035.

The death toll rose to 868 after five more patients died, it said in a bulletin. Seventy-two more patients have gotten well, bringing the total recoveries to 3,249, it added.

Of the 258 new cases, 195 came from Metro Manila and 51 from the rest of the country. Twelve were returning Filipino workers from overseas. — Gillian M. Cortez and Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Filipino nurse hurt in Libya in-fighting

A 60-year-old Filipino nurse in Libya was hurt by artillery fire in the outskirts of the capital on Saturday amid the civil war, the Philippine Embassy said on Sunday.

“Filipinos in Tripoli are advised to remain vigilant and to take necessary precautions,” Charge d’Affaires Elmer G. Cato said in a social media post.

In a separate statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the Filipino nurse had sustained a shrapnel wound in the shoulder.

She is the third Filipino to have been wounded by the attacks since the in-fighting started in April last year.

“Two other Filipinos had been wounded in rocket attacks in other parts of Tripoli during the early months of the fighting,” DFA said.

The embassy also asked Filipinos living within or near conflict-stricken areas to evacuate to a safer location. There are more than 1,000 Filipinos in Tripoli and surrounding areas.

The in-fighting that had intensified in the past weeks also forced the embassy to move to a new location.

Mr. Cato on May 18 said about 40 Filipinos in Libya had sought to be brought home. But their repatriation could not proceed because of lockdowns to contain the novel coronavirus.

The civil war in Libya stemmed from attempts to overthrow the United Nations-recognized government.

Also at the weekend, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Brigido D. Dulay said the repatriation of Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia will resume once the lockdown is lifted.

“International and domestic flights are still suspended and travel between provinces of Saudi Arabia is currently prohibited,” he said in a social media post.

The Philippine Embassy in Saudi Arabia said a 24-hour curfew in all cities and regions will be implemented from May 23 to 27.

DFA last week helped 352 Filipinos who were employees of the Nasser S. Al Hajri Corp. in Dammam, Saudi Arabia to come home. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

Regulator bars sale of local antiviral drug

THE Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has asked the maker of a local antiviral drug to stop selling it as a cure for the novel coronavirus, according to the Department of Health (DoH).

Fabunan antiviral injection is an unregistered product and has not been approved by the food and drug regulator, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire said in a Viber group message.

“The DOH is open to endorse treatments that have gone through rigorous studies,” she said, adding that the government wants local scientists who have developed a vaccine to seek FDA approval.

“We do this for the protection of the public, as many unregistered products have proliferated globally which might hurt people and even cause death,” she added.

Fabunan antiviral injection has an active group on Facebook and its members have endorsed it as a cure for the coronavirus disease 2019.

Socorro Escalante, COVID-19 incident manager at the World Health Organization-Western Pacific Region, last month said vaccine development could take at least one-and-a-half years.

The Philippines has participated in the Solidarity Trial of the WHO to test the safety and effectiveness of four possible drugs to treat COVID-19. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Nationwide round-up

Distancing, other protocols in malls could last until next year

SCENES of crowded malls, even during peak shopping seasons, are not likely to be back for the next couple of years as the government wants establishments to maintain health safety protocols being carried out to avoid coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmissions.

“The malls are encouraged to continue these protocols… we cannot afford to be lax,” Trade Undersecretary Ruth B. Castelo said in a virtual briefing Sunday.

Ms. Castelo said such measures as limiting foot traffic, having physical distancing markers, creating one-way flow, and wearing face masks should be practiced until the next few years even when consumers become more confident in going out.

“Probably until next year the next two years, ito pa rin ‘yung kailangan na practice natin (this will still be our practices), so kung ano ‘yung (whatever the) strict protocols that they implement now, should be the same even in December, even next year, even probably the years after,” she said.

The Department of Trade and Industry early this month issued guidelines on the operations of malls and shopping centers in areas under general community quarantine, which allows shops to operate at 50% capacity.

Gino Borromeo, vice-president for strategy development and premier malls marketing of SM Supermalls, said they will focus on communicating safe malling practices and invest in technology in preparation for when a larger volume of people are allowed inside malls.

“We will continue to invest in technology, because technology right now is the best way to keep a huge amount of people safe in a very efficient yet a very good way,” he said.

SM Supermalls, a unit of SM Prime Holdings, Inc., operates 72 malls nationwide and eight in China.

Lafayette A. Lim, chief executive officer of New City Commercial Center (NCCC) Group, said they are also boosting current health safety standards by procuring disinfection chambers with scanners, where customers and employees have to pass through.

“This will actually speed up everything dahil (because it will be) one step (for) disinfection and scanning,” he said.

NCCC is a Davao-based mall and retail firm with branches across the region and in Palawan. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Senator calls for PhilHealth reorganization due to overpriced COVID-19 packages

THE Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) should be reorganized pending investigations on alleged overpriced coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing kits, a senator said on Sunday.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon said it is high-time to reconstitute PhilHealth, considering other fraudulent activities within the system.

“Hindi ito first time — may ghost dialysis (This is not the first time — there’s the ghost dialysis),” Mr. Drilon said over DzBB radio Sunday.

“Bawat may widespread problem sa health at kailangan ang PhilHealth, nakakapagtaka naririnig mo ‘yung package nila ay mahigit sa pangangailangan (Every time there’s a widespread health problem and we need PhilHealth, it’s confounding to hear that their package is always higher than what’s needed).”

Mr. Drilon was referring to accusations of former employees of a private health facility that the company continued to receive PhilHealth payments for the dialysis of patients who have stopped the treatment or already died.

PhilHealth has again been under fire over its P8,150 COVID-19 test packages, which the Philippine Red Cross offers at P3,500. PhilHealth later lowered the package to P4,120.

“Ang maliwanag lang, may grupo diyan na nag-si-set ng packages, COVID-19 man o kahit anong test. ‘Yan ang tingnan at i-reorganize (What’s clear is that there’s a group within PhilHealth tasked to set packages, whether its COVID-19 or other tests. That needs to be reorganized),” Mr. Drilon said.

Moreover, the senator said he finds PhilHealth President Ricardo C. Morales and Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III “negligent” in leading the government’s response to COVID-19.

“Sa akin sila ay may pananagutan. Hindi ko alam to what extent. At the very least, mayroong negligence (To my mind, they are liable. I don’t know up to what extent, but at the very least, there’s negligence),” he said.

He also said the Health chief has been a “burden” in the government’s COVID-19 campaign.

Senators have raised concern on inaccurate information coming from Mr. Duque, particularly his recent claim that the Philippines is already experiencing the second wave of the outbreak.

Malacañang has also said President Rodrigo R. Duterte wants an investigation on the Health department’s procurement of overpriced health equipment. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

Professionals who served in COVID-19 response to get CPD points

THE Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) will grant all professionals who rendered services or volunteered in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response their needed credit units for license renewal.

PRC Resolution No. 1239 dated May 15 says all the Professional Regulatory Boards will grant continuing professional development (CPD) credit units “as a recognition of the tasks and services provided.”

“The CPD Councils have expressed their full support to the Commission in granting CPD units to all professionals providing essential services during the State of Public Health Emergency due to the COVID-19 crisis,” PRC said.

CPD units are usually obtained by attending seminars or enrolling in an additional degree. The minimum requirement is 45 units.

Those who will be granted 45 CPD credit units are health frontliners; researchers and scientists who developed testing kits; professionals who designed or constructed accommodations and other facilities used for the COVID-19 crisis; and vital goods and services providers.

Volunteer health professionals will be granted 25 CPD credit units, including those who participated in online consultations, public health education, and other activities related to their profession.

Professionals who participated in social responsibility programs and projects such as collecting and giving personal protective equipment and medical supplies as well as distributing food to frontliners will also be given 25 CPD credit units.

Professionals must submit a Certification from Institution/Agency/Entity for proof of the services done. — Gillian M. Cortez

Bill promoting digital careers filed in House

A BILL seeking to promote and develop digital careers in the country has been filed in the House of Representatives.

Deputy Speaker and Camarines Sur Representative Luis Raymund F. Villafuerte filed House Bill (HB) No. 6759, which if passed will be known as the National Digital Careers Act of 2020.

“Through this Act, the government will be able to map out strategies to promote and strengthen digital careers; institutionalize employment standards for digital career workers; and enhance the competitiveness of our digital workers through access to necessary trainings, skills development and scholarship programs,” Mr. Villafuerte said in his explanatory note.

Under the bill, the different Executive departments are tasked to create programs to ensure access to training, establish standards on wages and certifications, and set tax rates, among others.

The bill also provides incentives for digital workers including scholarships, subsidy for use of facilities and services provided by the government or private institutions, and grant-in-aid for acquisition of equipment.

HB 6759 is currently lodged in the House committee of information and communications technology. Its counterpart measure, Senate Bill No. 1469, has been filed in the Senate by Senator Juan Edgardo M. Angara. — Gillian M. Cortez, Genshen L. Espedido

JBC opens application for SC justice

THE Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) opened the applications for the Supreme Court (SC) associate justice post that will be vacated by Jose C. Reyes, Jr. who will retire on September 18 upon reaching the age of 70.

In an announcement, JBC said applicants must visit the Web site and fill out required information in the online application scheduler.

The council also opened applications for the Court of Appeals (CA) presiding justice to replace Romeo F. Barza, who will retire on August 2.

The President must appoint a justice within 90 days from the vacancy.

The JBC also released revised rules for applications, which will take effect on June 8.

Under the new rules, applicants for associate justice or chief justice position must have at least 2.5 years remaining if they have served as associate justice or presiding judge of an appellate court, court administrator, chairperson of constitutional commission, solicitor general of department secretary.

If they have not served any of the positions, they shall have five remaining years prior to retirement.

Meanwhile, an online public interview for four SC associate justice aspirants will be held on May 28 for the position vacated by Justice Andres B. Reyes, Jr. who retired on May 11.

To be interviewed are CA justices Ramon M. Bato, Jr., Priscilla J. Baltazar-Padilla, Edwin D. Sorongon, and Nina G. Antonio-Valenzuela.

Candidates whose interviews are still valid are CA justices Manuel M. Barrios, Ramon A. Cruz, Japar B. Dimaampao, Jhosep Y. Lopez, Eduardo B. Peralta, Jr., Pablito A. Perez, and Ricardo R. Rosario, Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo M. Cabotaje-Tang, and Court Administrator Jose Midas P. Marquez. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Filming Last Dance Bulls a challenge on its own

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE original airings of the 10-part documentary The Last Dance came to an end last week, finishing well received and making documentary content history on ESPN. It is a result that the people behind the production take much pride and satisfaction in, considering the process of making it was not easy.

Spotlighted the final year of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls as they went for a second three-peat in the 1990s in 1998 and sixth title in eight years, The Last Dance finished its original airings run with an average of 5.6 million viewers for its 10 episodes, cementing its standing as the most-watched documentary content ever on ESPN.

The documentary featured never-before-seen footage from the 1997-98 season as the Bulls went for their sixth NBA title as well as took the audience to Jordan’s early roots as a player, how he built his legend with the Bulls, showing their struggles as a team after drafting “MJ” in the 1984 draft and eventual ascent to the NBA summit.

It also provided the inside tale of the 1998 championship run, with extensive profiles of Jordan’s key teammates including Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman and Steve Kerr, head coach Phil Jackson, and featured dozens of current-day interviews with rivals and luminaries from basketball and beyond.

The Last Dance documented the tension and conflict that defined that final championship run, which culminated in the six-game conquest of the Utah Jazz in the finals.

For Andy Thompson, NBA Entertainment vice-president for production and executive producer of The Last Dance, for the documentary to have the kind of reception from the audience it had was very fulfilling, especially since filming it, particularly getting the footage throughout that final year, was not done in the most ideal of setups.

Speaking on the Republika Huddle podcast with hosts Nikko Ramos and Boom Gonzalez, excerpts of which were shared by NBA Philippines, Mr. Thompson, a one-time Philippine Basketball Association import, shared that being “embedded” with the 1997-98 Bulls had a lot of challenges.

“In the beginning, you have to understand that when we made the arrangement to get the permission to shoot, it was a loose arrangement with Phil [Jackson]. We had no access to shoot when we arrived the first day. And it had to be negotiated day-by-day,” said Mr. Thompson, who started doing production work for the NBA after his stint as import of the Tanduay Rhum Masters in the PBA in the late 80s.

“It was not an open door arrangement, like Phil would say ‘Okay guys you’re in and have access.’ No. It was a feeling-out process. They had to get to know us. We had to get to know them. It is fun when I show up one day and I get to interview you guys, but if I show up the next day, and the next day, and pretty soon it gets old. You have to give the players some space,” he added, likening their experience to walking on egg shells for the most part.

Mr. Thompson, brother of former NBA player Mychal and uncle of All-Star Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors, played in the PBA as a replacement import for Tanduay in the 1986 Open Conference.

He partnered with Rob Williams in helping the then Grand Slam-seeking Rhum Masters reach the semifinals.

It was an experience Mr. Thompson said that impacted him a lot — especially the kind of support he got from Filipino fans — and stuck with him up to this day, nearly four decades since.

Also that episode in his playing career was something he got to share with Mr. Jordan, the main protagonist in The Last Dance, at the time of their filming.

“That (PBA experience) was a poignant thing and I relayed that to Michael (Jordan). I said, ‘Michael I know how it is to be you.’ And he looked at me like I had two heads or something,” he shared.

“I said when I played in the Philippines the amount of fans I have down there [was like] the adulation that was coming at you… For two weeks I was bombarded with that and I loved it, and he laughed,” Mr. Thompson added.

The Last Dance, directed by Emmy-winning Jason Herir, started airing on April 19.

According to ESPN, episodes 1 and 2 averaged 6.1 million viewers, becoming the two most-viewed original content broadcasts on ESPN Networks since 2004. Subsequent weeks continued the momentum, with episodes 3 and 4 averaging 5.9 million viewers, episodes 5 and 6 averaging 5.5 million viewers, episodes 7 and 8 averaging 5.1 million viewers, and episodes 9 and 10 averaging 5.6 million viewers, all of which have become the most watched documentary content on ESPN, surpassing 2012’s You Don’t Know Bo (3.6 million).

NBA confirms talks to restart season at Disney site

NBA logo

THE National Basketball Association (NBA) confirmed Saturday that talks are under way with Disney to restart the season this summer in Orlando, Florida.

League spokesman Mike Bass said the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association are “engaged in exploratory conversations” with The Walt Disney Company about a late-July restart at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

It would be a “single site for an NBA campus for games, practices and housing,” Bass said.

“Our priority continues to be the health and safety of all involved, and we are working with public health experts and government officials on a comprehensive set of guidelines to ensure that appropriate medical protocols and protections are in place,” Bass said.

The news of where and when comes amid a report of how the league plans to reopen. The Athletic reported Saturday that the league sent a survey to every general manager asking their opinion about how to restart the season. The survey went out Friday night, according to the report.

The options, according to the report:

1. Restart with the regular season en route to playing between 72 and 76 games total before proceeding to playoffs. GMs were also asked to vote on the number of regular season games to be played. All teams had played between 63 and 67 when the league put a pause to the season March 11 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

2. Restart straight to a 16-team, best-of-seven playoff.

3. A “playoff plus” option of adding teams, either through a play-in tournament or replacing the first round with a group stage. GMs were given several options for the number of teams as well as the format.

4. How late in the year should the season go, with the range of options from Labor Day through Nov. 1.

The NBA Board of Governors is scheduled to hold a call on May 29, according to the report.

STRAIGHT TO CAMPUS SITE
Meanwhile, at least four teams are asking the NBA to have players travel directly to the league’s proposed “campus” site to resume training rather than having them first come to the clubs’ home cities, ESPN reported Friday.

The NBA reportedly is looking at using one or a few venues to house multiple teams ahead of a resumption of play amid the coronavirus pandemic. Orlando and Las Vegas have been mentioned prominently as candidates to host teams in a bubble-like environment in which all players and staffers would receive regular COVID-19 tests.

At issue is the plan for teams whose areas have been hard hit by the pandemic.

According to ESPN, as part of a Thursday call with NBA general managers, the Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors were among the teams who stated their desire to avoid having players come back to their usual team training sites.

In theory, some players might need a quarantine period of up to 14 days before they would begin training at team facilities. They then might be subject to another quarantine stretch when the team heads to the site where it would resume games.

The NBA suspended its season March 11 when Utah Jazz All-Star center Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19. Teams have played between 63 and 67 games in the 82-game regular season. — Reuters

Dortmund eases past Wolfsburg, 2-0, to stay in title hunt

BERLIN — Borussia Dortmund scored a goal in each half through Raphael Guerreiro and Achraf Hakimi to beat host VfL Wolfsburg, 2-0, on Saturday for its sixth straight Bundesliga win to stay on the heels of leader Bayern Munich.

Portugal international Guerreiro tapped in a cutback from Thorgan Hazard after Erling Haaland had failed to connect in the 32nd minute, and Hakimi fired in from a fine Jadon Sancho assist — his 16th of the season — in the 78th to make sure of the three points.

The result lifted second-placed Dortmund to 57 points, four behind leader Bayern, which beat Eintracht Frankfurt, 5-2.

The Bundesliga resumed recently, with no fans in attendance, after being suspended for more than two months due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Dortmund central defender Mats Hummels was taken off at halftime with a knock on the leg, although he did not appear to be seriously injured. They are already missing injured Dan Axel Zagadou and captain Marco Reus.

“I briefly spoke to the doctor,” Dortmund sports director Michael Zorc said. “Mats had problems with his heel. He has had them in training for some time. We hope that he will be able to play on Tuesday.”

The Wolves only briefly got a look-in when Renato Steffen was sent through right after the restart, but with only keeper Roman Buerki to beat his shot glanced the bar and sailed high.

They have now lost five consecutive home games to Dortmund, the first team to do that at Wolfsburg, while Dortmund has not conceded a goal in ist two games since the league restart.

Wolfsburg, which suffered its first defeat in eight league games, was left with 10 men when substitute Felix Klaus was sent off with 10 minutes remaining for a rough challenge. — Reuters

ONE Esports DOTA 2 SEA League set for June kickoff

ONE Esports, the esports arm of ONE Championship, is set to hold a major tournament among top DOTA 2 teams in Southeast Asia beginning next month.

Dubbed ONE Esports DOTA 2 SEA League, the tournament, done in collaboration with IO Esports, is gathering the top 10 teams in the region for a series of battles en route to being crowned league champion.

Seven of the best DOTA 2 teams in Southeast Asia have already been confirmed to participate, including Team Adroit, Boom Esports, Fnatic, Geek Fam, Reality Rift, T1, and TNC Predator.

Said teams will be joined by the top three teams to emerge from the ONE Esports regional online qualifiers, which is open to all players and teams in the countries that are in the Southeast Asia server, which includes Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Korea.

The initial set of online qualifiers will take place from June 4 to 5 and will follow a single-elimination knockout format through to the semifinal round, which will then transition into a best-of-three format.

Both semifinalists from this end will qualify for two slots in the ONE Esports Dota 2 SEA League.

The second set of online qualifiers will take place on June 6 and will follow the same format and will determine which team secures the last remaining slot in the league.

Online registration for the qualifiers is ongoing at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSemImpj9_iigAieCsVgC8fwk3Uo_BDTzAaRvHgEr-CLcb1RrQ/viewform.

All qualifying teams will then advance to the ONE Esports DOTA 2 SEA League, which commences on June 18.

Matches will be decided in a best-of-two round-robin format over a 16-day season. The bottom two teams will be eliminated at the end of the season. The top eight teams will go on to compete in the double elimination playoffs from July 15-19.

The playoff matchups will feature a best-of-three format leading up to the Grand Final, which will be determined in a best-of-five series.

Winner of the tournament will take home $40,000, the runner-up will get $20,000 and third place will receive $15,000. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Coach Sloan

“Like” wasn’t a word many normally associated with Jerry Sloan. Armed with a singular experience growing up in Hamilton County, Illinois, that informed his small-town ethic, he played hard and worked hard. He earned a reputation as a rugged, no-nonsense defender who gave as much as he took. Chosen fourth overall in the 1965 draft, he spent a year as a reserve for the Bullets, and then the rest of his 11-year career epitomizing the Bulls’ leave-everything-on-the-floor style under Red Kerr and Dick Motta. He then applied what he learned from the aforesaid bench tacticians, and more, to carve a path as one of the most demanding to ever pace the National Basketball Association sidelines.

That said, Sloan delivered results, and how. He wasn’t out to win popularity contests; he was out to win, period. And though he was far from cozy with his charges, he earned their respect; they understood that his demanding disposition underpinned their exertions for continuous improvement. He was abrasive, frequently butting heads with the opposition, with referees, and even with those around him — and yet they understood that, with him, nothing went personal. He was businesslike in nature and brooked no transgressions, exactly the way the Jazz brass wanted him to be. Little wonder, then, that he lasted 23 seasons spanning a whopping 1,809 regular-season and 196 playoff games with the franchise.

Sloan loved basketball, and especially Jazz basketball — and the Jazz loved him. It’s why they hated to see him go after a dispute in 2011 with All-Star point guard Deron Williams, and why they welcomed him back as consultant one and a half years later. Significantly, he wasn’t just a paid face; he remained a fixture in practice, and would have continued to be had complications with Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia not compelled him to leave the sport, and then life, for good. And it’s a testament to his gravitas that all and sundry mourned his death.

These days, Sloan’s type would not be a welcome sight in the NBA. Players now have too much power to be lorded over by pencil pushers who earn far less than they do. To be sure, he was unique even in his time. Ask those who became subjects of his ire and, at the same time, beneficiaries of his knowledge; they understand that they are all the better for having shared time with him. He never got to win a championship, but his validation lay in keeping at his craft. Again. And again. And again. As he himself noted, “I’ve always said that the most important thing in sports is to keep trying.” He has been, and will continue to be, missed.

 

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, oprerations and Human Resources management, corporate communications, and business development.

Keeping our children safe online during the COVID-19 crisis

As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to keep families at home, parents and children get to spend more time with each other. This creates both challenges and opportunities and many have to do with how to manage children’s screen time.

TV host and author Daphne Oseña-Paez has been more hands-on with her three daughters since the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) was implemented. Her children were busy with their studies online until summer break began. Now, they stay productive by working on creative projects, doing household chores, keeping in touch with friends through video chats, and even exercising together as a family.

But as the lockdown lengthened, Oseña-Paez has observed that these times can be trying for children as well. Her daughters, who are 10, 13 and 17 years old, miss being with their friends and worry about their youth passing them by.

“While the gravity of the global pandemic is scary, I try to reassure them that there are still a lot of things to look forward to while the world is in transition,” says Oseña-Paez who is an ambassador of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Aside from making sure her daughters stay productive, Oseña-Paez also guides her children in terms of their screen time and digital habits. “I don’t let them out alone in the streets of the city, so they can’t be alone online too,” she points out.

Oseña-Paez is torn between two tendencies. Screen time has always been limited for her kids, but during the ECQ, she has grown more lenient with it. But she also wants to keep monitor closely their online time.

“It is a slippery slope that, if not managed by parents early on, will make it harder for them to put limits later. It is tempting to just let them stay glued on screen all day just so we can have peace and quiet, but that can lead to so much danger and it isn’t exactly healthy. I can only practice what I preach, so I limit my own screen time too,” she explains.

Understanding Internet risks

It turns out that Oseña-Paez’s caution about screen time is well founded, according to UNICEF. The UN agency warns that during this pandemic, children are at an increased risk of online violence, such as maltreatment, gender-based violence, and sexual exploitation.

“While online communities have become central to maintain many children’s learning, support and play, it is also increasing their exposure to cyberbullying, risky online behavior and sexual exploitation,” UNICEF says in a statement.

This risk is likely to stay  even after COVID-19, as social distancing will continue to part of the ‘new normal’, forcing both children and adults to spend more time on the internet to connect, engage, work, play, study, and be entertained.

More screen time  boosts the risks for children of exposure  to inappropriate or harmful online content from pornography, violence, and cyberbullying as well as online offenders.

Increased online interaction with peers, likewise, can drive teens  into romantic relationships that open them to the risk of exploitation. Since the present situation pushes peers to interact online, there is a heightened risk of exchanging intimate and non-consensual images, which can lead to scandals.

In addition, children and young people lack access to people who can help them like teachers and school guidance counselors. This underscores the need for children to be better protected against offenders, abusers, and exploiters – something that every parent, and guardian should initiate while at home during this crisis.

To help address all these, UNICEF is pushing its SaferKidsPH programme which seeks a multi-sectoral approach in raising public awareness on online child safety and reducing online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC).

Fostering age-appropriate guidance on digital habits 

Ysrael C. Diloy, senior training advocacy officer of child care organization Stairway Foundation, shares guidelines for keeping children of various ages safe in their online interactions.

While parents and guardians are often tempted to keep toddlers (1-2 years old) and preschoolers (3-5 years old) preoccupied with devices during the community quarantine, these kids should not have more than an hour of daily screen time.

The applications and content for these age groups must be appropriate, such as those which encourage reading, storytelling, or body movements. Parents should also still accompany them when using phones, tablets, or computers, considering that age-inappropriate content might still exist in such platforms.

While children develop more technology-based skills as they grow older, they should not neglect other development domains. Adults are advised to consistently place screen time limits. It is also recommended to discuss with them what age-appropriate apps they may install in the devices they use.

For early school children ages 6-10 years old, parents and guardians can introduce basic cyber safety concepts regarding safe or unsafe online experiences, such as in viewing videos or having in-game conversations. Middle school children 11-12 years old can be taught more complex concepts related to unsafe online interactions, content, and behaviors – from protecting personal information, recognizing bullying, and violent or sexual interactions.

While some parents commonly open social media accounts for their kids, these platforms are not designed for children under 13 years old. Those who are introduced to instant messaging (IM) apps should also not have their own accounts yet, but should instead use that of their parents or guardians, while still being monitored as they chat.

Guiding teenagers

Teens usually encounter more challenging situations as their brains are hardwired for exploration and risk-taking behavior, the guidelines stressed. They also begin to have more online autonomy during this period, and their online and offline lives are more likely merged into one.

Therefore, parents and guardians need to advise their teenage children to practice moderation in device usage. Setting mutual agreements on acceptable daily screen time is a good way of doing this. Presenting them with real-life hobbies that they can get into – from arts, to sports, to homemaking – can also help.

It is important for teens to be guided when they make their social media account for the first time. They must be oriented on privacy features and reporting functions of the platform, which should be reviewed on a regular basis. Adults should also consistently reinforce the concept of recognizing unsafe online content, online interactions, and online behaviors, reminding their teenage children to report these things to the social media platform.

As the teen dating scene has drastically changed throughout the years, teenagers are likely to communicate with their partners through online chats. Therefore, parents and guardians should reiterate to their teens the importance of body integrity, the consequences of sharing images of their private body parts to their partners, and the concept of permanence in an online setting.

Aside from constantly providing safety reminders, it is critical for parents or guardians to be unconditionally available – to make teenagers feel that they have someone to turn to in case they need advice or encounter any problems online.

Advocating safe online spaces for children of all ages

As it steps up its efforts to protect children, particularly during this time of COVID-19, digital services provider PLDT, Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) encourage parents to keep online activities safe for their children.

“As parents, we must realize that this pandemic will be a significant and life-changing experience that our children will bring with them as they grow up. We must use this time with them at home, to be more attentive to their needs as they adjust to the new normal and develop more digital habits, especially in terms of learning, gaming, and connecting with peers through technology,” says Chaye Cabal-Revilla, PLDT Senior Vice President & Group Controller and Smart Chief Financial Officer.

As the concurrent Chief Sustainability Officer for PLDT Group, Cabal-Revilla adds, “We are committed to promoting awareness and accountability in upholding children’s rights in terms of their growth and development, to help safeguard them from harmful influences and abuse.”

With children as part of the company’s stakeholder management plan in its latest Sustainability Report, PLDT has sought guidance from UNICEF in crafting child-safeguarding policies that cover various processes and programs for the workplace, marketing activities, product and service offerings, and trade community engagements. “We have begun implementing these policies to ensure that we remain a child-friendly organization.” Cabal-Revilla says.

Donations coursed through UNICEF will help send timely aid amid the global COVID-19 pandemic and ensure the safety of more children around the world – both in real life and online. For more information, visit donate.unicef.ph and www.saferkidsph.org.  

 

 

 

Central bank may still ease policy amid coronavirus — Diokno

By Luz Wendy T. Noble, Reporter

THE Philippine central bank can still use monetary tools including further policy easing to boost liquidity amid a coronavirus pandemic, its governor said on Friday.

“The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has yet to exhaust the conventional monetary instruments in its toolkit to support the liquidity requirements of the economy, should conditions warrant it,” BSP chief Benjamin E. Diokno said in a speech.

The central bank did pause but would provide further stimulus if needed, he added.

“The current policy rate right now is 2.75%,” the central bank governor said. “We still have much leeway especially with inflation going down, so that’s one area — policy rates,” he added.

Benchmark interest rates fell to a record in April, with the central bank cutting rates by a total of 125 basis points (bps) this year to shield the economy from a lockdown that has been extended thrice in the capital and nearby cities.

The policy-setting Monetary Board will meet next on June 25.

Mr. Diokno said BSP could also ease the reserve requirements for banks, although “right now there’s ample liquidity in the system, there’s no pressure yet to cut the reserve requirement.”

The reserve requirement for big banks have fallen by 200 bps this year to 12% to boost liquidity during the lockdown. The reserve requirements for thrift and rural banks were kept 4% and 3% respectively.

The Monetary Board has allowed Mr. Diokno to cut the reserve requirement by a total of 400 bps this year.

Michael L. Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. said the central bank had done quite a lot of policy easing and a pause was prudent.

“Determining the sufficiency and appropriateness of monetary easing measures would also provide extra ammunition on the part of the BSP especially when these are needed the most in the coming months,” he said in a mobile-phone message.

Robert Dan J. Roces, chief economist at Security Bank Corp. said the central bank appeared to have eased policy in anticipation of recovery after the health crisis is over.

Ruben Carlo O. Asuncion , chief economist at UnionBank of the Philippines, Inc. said the central could use “warlike” monetary responses to shield the economy, which the virus has brought to a near standstill.

“Just print money and prop up liquidity,” he said. “This has been used in war times so if monetary authorities think that the situation calls for warlike monetary responses, this should be in the arsenal,” he said.

Q1 metal output drops amid mine closures

THE country’s metal production value fell 10.69% to P24.86 billion in the first quarter from a year earlier as some mining operations were halted amid a coronavirus pandemic, according to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).

In a statement on Friday, the bureau traced the lackluster start mainly to zero production at the Didipio gold project of OceanaGold Phils. Inc. in Nueva Vizcaya, one of the country’s major mines.

Gold led the total metal mineral production value with a 43% share at P10.66 billion, followed by direct-shipping nickel ore and mixed nickel cobalt sulfide at 41% or P10.29 billion, copper at 15% or P3.69 billion, and combined silver and chromite output with 0.9% or P221.31 million.

The price of gold rose 21.5% year on year to $1,584.17 per troy ounce, while nickel price went up by 2.9% to $12,739.72 a ton.

Gold output fell by 27.5% year on year to 4,098 kilos, while silver went down by a quarter to 6,335 kilos.

“The Masbate Gold Project of Filminera Mining Corp. and the Philippine Gold Processing and Refining Corp. in Masbate was at the forefront with 1,396 kilograms valued at P3.61 billion, accounting for 34% of the country’s total gold mine output,” MGB said.

The production of nickel content of ore fell 27% from a year earlier to 28,006 metric tons, it said.

Palawan-based Coral Bay Nickel Corp. and Taganito HPAL Nickel Corp. in Surigao del Norte, the only hydrometallurgical nickel processing plants in the country, both reported a combined total value of P7.75 billion.

Meanwhile, copper metal equivalent output in the first quarter fell by 17.1% to 16,035 metric tons, the bureau said.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte locked down the entire Luzon island in mid-March, suspending work, classes and public transportation to contain the pandemic. Metro Manila remains under an altered lockdown, although some businesses have been allowed to reopen with minimal workforce.

On May 13, MGB released guidelines letting mining companies resume their operations at full capacity as long as they follow safety measures. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

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