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Stocks drop as PHL virus cases exceed 50,000

LOCAL SHARES declined anew on Thursday on dampened investor sentiment as the Philippines’ coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases breached the 50,000 mark.

The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) dropped 92.92 points or 1.47% to close at 6,192.58. The broader all shares index shed 38.23 points or 1.03% to end at 3,645.52.

“The PSEi ended in the red as the Philippines had a new highest reported COVID-19 cases in a single day (on Wednesday), putting worries on investors,” Philstocks Financial, Inc. Research Associate Claire T. Alviar said in a text message.

The Department of Health reported 2,539 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, pushing the country’s total tally to 50,359, making the Philippines the second largest COVID-19 hotspot in the ASEAN region.

AAA Southeast Equities, Inc. Research Head Christopher John Mangun said this fueled investor worries that stricter quarantine measures might have to be put in place again, dashing hopes of an economic rebound.

“We may see the main index move lower and test support at 6,040 (on Friday),” Mr. Mangun said in an e-mail.

Across the world, COVID-19 infections hit 12 million cases, with the United States reporting a record 60,021 new cases in a single day. Global deaths as of Thursday have reached 549,508, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

Despite the global scope of the crisis, overseas markets were still gaining on Thursday. Most Asian stocks were in green territory when the PSE closed. US markets also closed higher on Wednesday: the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite indices picked up 0.68%, 0.78% and 1.44%, respectively.

Ms. Alviar said one of the concerns of investors is the higher gross non-performing loans of banks as an effect of the pandemic. Preliminary data from the central bank showed non-performing loans increased in the past five months, which weighed on investor sentiment on Thursday, she said, as evidenced by declines in the financials and property indices.

The property index gave up 93.65 points or 3.07% to 2,953.95, while the financials index lost 10.69 points or 0.86% to 1,226.31. Other sectoral indices that ended in red territory were industrials, which fell 135.21 points or 1.73% to 7,644.66; holding firms, which slid 58.43 points or 0.88% to 6,538.39; and services, which dipped 2.26 points or 0.15% to 1,439.68.

The sole gainer was mining and oil, which rose 71.79 points or 1.33% to 5,481.08 at the end of Thursday’s session.

Value turnover stood at P5.09 billion with 1.42 billion issues switching hands, down from the previous day’s P8.72 billion with 2.39 billion issues.

Decliners beat advancers, 104 against 87, while 39 names ended unchanged.

Net foreign selling on Thursday grew to P649.66 million from Wednesday’s P376.29 million. — Denise A. Valdez

Amendments to AMLA needed to avoid gray list, council says

LEGISLATORS should expedite the passage of amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001 (AMLA) to ensure the Philippines avoids the “gray list” of jurisdictions deemed lax on dirty money, the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) said.

Noting the signing into law of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 or Republic Act 11479 (RA 11479), “the same attention and commitment must be given to amendments to AMLA,” AMLC said in a statement on Wednesday evening.

“Failure to pass and to implement the amendments to the AMLA, as amended, before February 2021 will have similar effects, that is, the Philippines’ inclusion in the FATF (Financial Action Task Force) ICRG (International Co-operation Review Group) gray list,” it added.

Key revisions sought for AMLA are more subpoena power for the AMLC, and bringing tax evasion and terrorism financing charges withn the regulator’s purview.

Both chambers of Congress have yet to proceed beyond committee level on the AMLA amendments. RA 11479 was signed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte on July 3.

The Philippines is currently under a 12-month observation period that was extended to February 2021 from the initial deadline of the end of October. The period is intended to address the gaps in its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing rules.

“It must be remembered that it is not enough to pass (RA 11479) because the Philippines is being assessed both on technical and effectiveness compliance,” the AMLC said.

“The country must also demonstrate effective implementation of (RA 11479) before the observation period ends in February 2021,” it added.

The AMLC said among the possible consequences of gray-listing include enhanced due diligence on transactions with the European Union. This could then translate to additional paperwork and costs charged to individuals and businesses.

Correspondent banking relationships could also be put under greater scrutiny, it added.

“Gray-listing would have an effect on international trade, remittances, and humanitarian financial flows that support economic growth and development,” the AMLC said. — Luz Wendy T. Noble

World Bank to act on $300-M loan for Agus-Pulangi rehab next year

THE World Bank said the estimated approval date of the $300-million (around P15 billion) loan to support the Agus-Pulangi Hydropower Complex Rehabilitation Project is Sept. 29, 2021.

The rehabilitation is expected to restore Agus-Pulangi’s deteriorating generating capacity, thereby raising the share of clean energy in Mindanao.

According to a document posted on its website Wednesday, the World Bank will appraise the project in July 2021.

It said rehabilitation of the Agus-Pulangi Hydropower Complex was proposed as the seven run-of-river hydropower plants (HPPs) are nearing the end of their operational life and have become “highly inefficient,” while the deteriorating infrastructure poses “significant safety risks.”

The project will be implemented in two parts, the rehabilitation of the power units and infrastructure of the Agus-Pulangi Hydropower Complex, and extension of capacity building and implementation support to the implementing agencies: the National Power Corp. (NPC) and the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp.

“The rehabilitation will include generating and auxiliary equipment, control systems, civil structures and hydro-mechanical equipment and penstocks. Works will also be included to address key safety issues for the HPPs to meet international safety standards,” the document read.

The scope of rehabilitation will pursue three options depending on the condition of the facilities: restoring capacity and extending the operational lives of the power units; increasing the capacity and energy production on top of the first option; or additional rehabilitation in the event of potential flooding of the midstream Balo-i floodplains.

For the second component, the World Bank said the loan will also fund technical consultancy for the implementing agencies in project management and implementation.

The document also laid out the bank’s assessment on the environmental and social impact of the project. The Agus-Pulangi Hydropower Complex has six plants on the Agus River and one on the Pulangi River.

In the assessment, the bank said the project entails social risks largely due to the complex social context, including disputes on land and access to resources; armed conflict and violence; the presence of indigenous people opposing dam construction due to the impact on the Pulangi River.

“The CSO (civil society organizations) that sits on the Agus Hydropower Complex Multipartite Monitoring Board — Save Lake Lanao Movement — has disagreed with the NPC over the implementation of these conditions, particularly on reforestation and irrigation. Potential legacy issues will be assessed as part of the ESIA (environmental and social impact assessment),” it said.

The World Bank said it has no engagement with NPC so far and the implementing agency will have to strengthen its environmental unit to meet the requirements of the bank’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) standards. It said local governments and officials will also be trained to improve their awareness and capacity to comply with the ESF norms.

The World Bank gave the NPC a moderate rating on its capacity and commitment to manage the project’s risks and its familiarity with the Agus-Pulangi area.

It said external risks are also expected to be moderate for environmental concerns but are “substantial” on the social aspects due to ongoing conflicts.

“While the expected project investments are expected to be relatively minor, mainly through rehabilitation or replacement of equipment, the project site is beset with complex social issues that may affect the outcomes of the project,” it said.

“It is expected that all environmental and social (E&S) risk management plans will be prepared prior to Bank appraisal, and that the ESCP (Environmental and Social Commitment Plan) will focus on providing commitment around the implementation of these, including adequate resources and capacity building for managing E&S risks,” the bank said. — Beatrice M. Laforga

Philippine geothermal industry seen becoming world’s fourth largest

THE Philippines is expected to become the fourth-largest global producer of geothermal energy over the next decade, according to a report by Fitch Solutions Country Risk and Industry Research.

Fitch said the Philippines is one of the world’s geothermal “outperformers,” with high levels of installed geothermal capacity.

“By 2029, we expect that the Philippines will have the fourth largest installed geothermal capacity in the world, behind only Indonesia, the USA, and Turkey,” it said.

“This will come mostly from the country’s strong existing geothermal capacity and forecast limited growth in the renewables sector,” it added.

The Philippines is expected to increase its geothermal capacity to 2,098 megawatts (MW) over the next decade, adding 170 MW to present capacity.

Fitch based its growth outlook on its current 12% share of clean energy in the generation mix, not counting hydropower.

“However, a high level of existing geothermal capacity means that geothermal power will supply just over 70.0% of the total renewable electricity generation during this time,” it added.

The Department of Energy (DoE) has said it is preparing an order to bolster geothermal development.

“Eto, proven na natin itong geothermal (We have already proven the capability of geothermal energy). Let’s go for it and regain our previous global standing as one of the top countries in geothermal development,” Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said.

According to the National Geothermal Association of the Philippines, private companies find it difficult to pursue “numerous” underdeveloped geothermal energy sources because of the “high risk and capital-intensive nature of exploring and developing these areas and the absence of a guaranteed rate under the Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) system.”

Lopez-controlled Energy Development Corp. (EDC), the leading geothermal energy developer, expressed its support for the DoE’s initiative, saying that prioritizing renewables will “help the economy attract more companies and investors who are making the pivot toward sustainable and ‘green’ practices in their business operations.”

There has been an uptick in retail electricity market customers subscribing to geothermal energy observed in the past years, said Marvin S. Bailon, EDC’s head of business development, trading, and marketing.

The total share of renewable energy in the generation mix was 21% last year from 23.38% in 2018. — Adam J. Ang

Dar lobbies for more resources allocated to agriculture

THE agriculture sector’s budget allocations were “measly” over the last 10 years, and out of all proportion to the industry’s contribution to the economy, Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar said.

“While the agriculture sector contributes about 10% to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), it gets a measly share of total national appropriations, at 3% to 5% over the last 10 years,” Mr. Dar said at a hearing before the House Committee on Agriculture and Food Wednesday.

On Wednesday, Mr. Dar asked the national government for a P284.4-billion budget in 2021, more than three times its 2020 budget.

Under the proposal, Mr Dar said P61.8 billion will fund current DA programs in 2021 and P222.6 billion will go to new projects.

“The stakes are high. If we were to ensure that agriculture contributes its full potential in the country’s economic recovery in the ‘new normal,’ we need to augment the budget of the Department of Agriculture (DA),” Mr. Dar said.

If the proposal is approved, the DA said the rice industry will receive P56 billion; fisheries P22.5 billion; high-value crops P13.7 billion; livestock and poultry P11.2 billion; and corn P6.6 billion, with the aim of boosting output.

The DA plans to allocate P130 billion to support locally-funded projects, build farm-to-market roads, implement a soil health program, and help entice young farmer P7.15 billion for foreign-assisted projects such as the Philippine Rural Development Project; P3 billion for market development services; and P960.4 million for organic agriculture.

“In all, the budget is intended to sustain, reboot, and grow Philippine agriculture and fisheries sector, amid the challenges brought by the pandemic and into the ‘new normal,’” Mr. Dar said.

Quezon Province First District Rep. Wilfrido Mark M. Enverga said at the hearing that the budget request is just a wish list at the moment, due to the large jump in funding being contemplated. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

New Clark City being evaluated as agri-industrial site

NEW CLARK City in Tarlac is being positioned as a possible center for agri-industrial companies, following a partnership to pursue such initiatives between the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).

The industrial processing sites are expected to provide facilities, capital and production know-how to small farmers, while generating more jobs, Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar said in a statement Thursday.

“New Clark City has the potential to jumpstart and sustain economic growth in the ‘new normal’ because of its vast agricultural resources and strategic location that grants access to markets in both northern and southern Luzon, including Metro Manila,” Mr. Dar said.

The lack of processing and transport are key issues in keeping farm incomes low. Surpluses cannot be tapped for use in preserved products, while middlemen step in to transport produce to markets and take a cut for this service.

Last week, Agriculture Undersecretary Cheryl Marie Natividad-Caballero and BCDA Vice-President Arrey A. Perez inspected a 30-hectare site in New Clark City for agri-industrial businesses. Some of the facilities being considered are modern multipurpose facilities and a national seed technology park.

The business corridor will complement the planned Clark Fresh Market to be constructed at the Clark Civil Aviation Complex. The market complex will feature an integrated post-harvest facility, catering to niche markets for organic produce, and halal-certified products and premium-quality food products.

BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Vivencio B. Dizon said the planned agri-business corridor and the fresh market complex will generate thousands of jobs and boost the development of Tarlac, Central Luzon and Northern Luzon.

Mr. Dizon said the improved connectivity and other planned developments in New Clark City make it the best location for the project.

“This agri-industrial business corridor will not only enhance the productivity of our farmers, but will also boost economic activity in the region,” Mr. Dizon said.

According to Mr. Dizon, construction is expected to start by 2021.

Mr. Dar said the DA is evaluating agri-industrial business corridors at 12 new economic zones identified by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Rural utilities’ loan deadlines extended

THE National Electrification Administration (NEA) has extended the deadline for loan payments of electric cooperatives participating in its lending programs by one month to the end of July.

The extension was positioned as a form of relief to rural utilities during the public health emergency.

NEA’s lending program provides electric cooperatives with regular, calamity and concessional loans, stand-by and short-term credit, loans to reduce system losses, and loans to acquire modular generator sets.

The agency allows cooperatives to borrow from financial institutions to cover collection deficiencies, provide working capital, and procure vehicles.

Between January and May, the NEA released around P293 million worth of loans to utilities. Some P135.53 million financed capital expenditure projects and working capital, while about P103.08 million was used for rehabilitation at typhoon-hit utilities. — Adam J. Ang

Duterte still likely to end troop deployment deal with America

THE GOVERNMENT of President Rodrigo R. Duterte is bent on ending a military agreement with the US on the deployment of troops for war games, the presidential palace said on Thursday.

This is despite a United States offer to fix the visa of Senator Ronald M. de la Rosa, the very reason for the President’s decision in February to end the visiting forces agreement (VFA), Presidential Spokesman Harry L. Roque told an online news briefing.

“The President has not changed his decision to defer the termination of the VFA for six months,” he said.

Mr. Duterte in February officially informed the US of his decision to end the military pact after the US visa of Mr. de la Rosa, his former police chief who enforced his deadly war on drugs, was canceled.

The US Embassy earlier said the senator could reapply for it.

Mr. Duterte last month suspended the termination of the deal “in light of political and other developments in the region,” including the coronavirus pandemic, according to its Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The suspension of the 21-year-old pact is effective for half a year and may be extended by six more months, DFA said.

The agreement provides the legal framework for the temporary presence of US troops in the Philippines.

The President suspended his decision to abandon the pact because tensions in the South China Sea were getting in the way of a united response to the COVID-19 crisis, DFA said earlier.

Mr. Roque said they were glad the US understands that it should not have treated Mr. de la Rosa that way, which he said was an insult.

Mr. Duterte pushed for the cancellation of the VFA initially because of the visa issue but later said he had always wanted the Philippines to lose its dependence on the US.

Mr. de la Rosa, a long-time friend of the President, earlier said the US Embassy had called him up and said he could reapply for his US visa. The call came after Mr. Duterte’s phone call with US President Donald Trump in April.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. earlier said the presence of three US Navy aircraft carriers in the South China Sea had nothing to do with Mr. Duterte’s decision to defer the termination of the two-decade-old military agreement.

Three American aircraft carriers were patrolling the Indo-Pacific waters for the first time in nearly three years, a massive show of naval force in a region roiled by spiking tensions between the US and China, the Associated Press reported on June 12.

The patrol of the three warships, accompanied by Navy cruisers, destroyers, fighter jets and other aircraft comes as the United States escalates criticism of China’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, its moves to impose greater control over Hong Kong and its island-building activities in the disputed waterway. — Gillian M. Cortez

COVID-19 infections nearing 52,000 — DoH

THE Department of Health reported 1,395 new coronavirus infections on Thursday, bringing the total to 51,754.

The death toll remained at 1,314, while recoveries climbed by 225 to 12,813, it said in a bulletin.

Of the new cases, 1,184 were reported in the past three days, while 211 were reported late, the agency said.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire said at an online briefing 889,066 tests have conducted covering 825,139 people.

The nation’s average daily testing capacity hit 19,459 in the first week of July. The infection rate remained at 7.5%.

“The increase has been gradual and our healthcare system has been able to cope with the increasing number of cases,” Ms. Vergeire said. It now takes 8 days for COVID-19 cases to double, she added.

The Health department said 488 cases of clustering were reported nationwide — 46 in health facilities, 24 in jails, 379 in communities, and 39 others.

Metro Manila had the highest number of clustering of cases in communities with 122, followed by Central Visayas with 114 and Eastern Visayas with 35.

Of the Health facilities that experienced a surge, 29 were in Metro Manila and six were in Eastern Visayas, the agency said.

People should observe minimum health standards including wearing face masks, frequent washing of hands and social distancing after the World Health Organization reported that the coronavirus could be airborne, Ms. Vergeire said.

“It’s an evolving science and new evidence continuous to roll out,” she said, adding that people should observe minimum health standards as a precaution.

The virus has sickened 12.2 million and killed about 553,000 people worldwide, according to the Worldometers website, citing various sources including data from the World Health Organization.

More than seven million people have recovered, it said. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Government eases motorcycle rules

THE government has lifted the ban on back riding for private motorcycles, according to the presidential palace.

The relaxed rules would only apply to couples, Presidential Spokesman Harry L. Roque told an online news briefing on Thursday. Motorcycle taxis are still banned, he added.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo M. Año told DZMM radio couples living in the same household may now travel together on motorcycles.

During random checks, couples may show their IDs as proof that they bear the same surname or address. He said there are so many ways to prove that couples live in the same household.

The new protocol will be effective starting Friday. Public health standards and road safety protocols must be followed such as the use of face masks and helmets, and observing the speed limit.

The motorcycle must have a shield between the driver and the back rider. This is based on the prototype proposed by Bohol Governor Arthur C. Yap that featured a motorcycle passenger barrier.

This would ensure physical distancing between the riders. Mr. Roque said motorcycles for hire are still banned.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte locked down the entire Luzon island in mid-March, suspending work, classes and public transportation to contain a coronavirus pandemic. People should stay home except to buy food and other basic goods, he said.

Mr. Duterte extended the strict lockdown for the island twice and thrice for Manila, the capital and nearby cities.

The lockdown in the capital region has since been relaxed, with more businesses allowed to operate with a skeletal workforce. Mass gatherings are still banned. — Gillian M. Cortez

Regional Updates (07/09/20)

Iloilo oil spill clean-up almost done — Coast Guard

CLEAN-UP operations on the oil spill from a power barge off Iloilo City is almost done, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Thursday. In a statement in Filipino, the PCG said they are now clearing the last 8,000 liters out of almost 259,000 liters of bunker fuel that spilt at the Iloilo Strait along the coast of Barrio Obrero in Iloilo City. The Iloilo City government, however, reported it will take another five days to clean the Mansaya Creek before displaced residents are allowed to “gradually return home.” A total of 307 families, composed of 1,120 individuals, have been affected and are currently staying in five evacuation centers. The PCG and the Marine Environmental Protection Unit of Western Visayas have been leading the recovery work and installation of spill booms following the July 3 explosion at unit 102 of the power barge owned by AC Energy, Inc. The company has contracted Harbor Star to assist in the cleaning operations. The Ayala-led company has said it is looking into the incident and will be hiring a third-party firm to investigate the cause of the explosion. The PCG is also conducting a probe. It said, “Patuloy ang imbestigasyon ng PCG hinggil sa insidente at kung kakikitaan ng kapabayaan ang may-ari ng power barge, nakahanda ang PCG na magsampa ng kaso laban dito (The investigation is ongoing, and the PCG is ready to file charges if it finds negligence on the part of the barge owner).”

Anti-trafficking team at NAIA temporarily shifts to online operations

THE OFFICES of the task force and inter-agency council against human trafficking at the country’s main gateway in Manila have been temporarily closed after four personnel tested positive for coronavirus. While the facilities undergo disinfection and all personnel are placed on 14-day quarantine, protocols to detect trafficking situations remain in effect, according to Justice Undersecretary Markk L. Perete. “Under these protocols, passengers suspected of being trafficked will still be referred to strict secondary inspection by the BI (Bureau of Immigration),” Mr. Perete told reporters via Viber. He added that the offices will continue to receive reports of trafficking situations through their hotlines and social media. All other units of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking are also operational. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Nationwide round-up

LANDBANK, GSIS offer education-related loans

STATE-RUN Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), which covers public sector workers, have launched loan programs for educational needs. Under LANDBANK’s P1.5-billion “study now, pay later” program, parents can avail of up to P300,000 to pay for tuition fees. The loans carry an annual fixed interest rate of 5%. The bank, in a statement, said the credit facility is open to incoming students qualified under the admission and retention requirements of a school accredited by the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education, or the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. Parents or guardians who will apply for the program should have an “established repayment capacity, credit history and good credit standing.”

GSIS
GSIS, on the other hand, is offering an educational and computer loan to members starting August 1. In a briefing on Thursday, Palace Spokesperson Harry L. Roque said there will a P30,000 computer loan and up to P100,000 for tuition fees. Classes for the primary and secondary levels will begin August 24, with the DepEd adopting a “blended learning” system using various mediums to avoid face-to-face school sessions amid the coronavirus outbreak. — Beatrice M. Laforga and Gillian M. Cortez

Bill seeks creation of informal sector database

A MEASURE institutionalizing a national database on the informal sector to ensure they are covered by government assistance during state emergencies has been filed in the Senate. Under Senate Bill No. 1363, the Informal Economy Registration and National Database Act, Senator Juan Edgardo M. Angara proposes to establish a national registry for the informal sector. “The members of the informal economy suffered just as much or even more than their counterparts in the formal economy and yet they missed out on the assistance that was provided by the government,” Mr. Angara said in a statement Thursday. He added the measure is also intended to help government agencies draft a more inclusive policy. The bill defines “informal economy” as all activities by workers and economic units that are not covered or insufficiently covered by laws or formal arrangements. It will cover all enterprises, entrepreneurs and even households. The database will be established by the labor department and the National Economic and Development Authority, in coordination with local government units (LGUs). An informal economy one-stop shop will also be set up by LGUs to process the transactions and business permit applications. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

Getz Healthcare appeals for plasma donors among coronavirus survivors

GETZ HEALTHCARE Philippines is calling on coronavirus infection survivors to donate and participate in the convalescent plasma therapy. Ian Grist, Getz general manager, said survivors should come forward and help save lives. “We’ve seen many discouraged… and equally you see the best of humanity cope through with people stepping up to do what we can,” he told BusinessWorld in an interview. “If somebody has recovered from COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), then in many ways the least they can do is spend at least an hour of their time to save two people… or encourage people to come forward and help save a life,” he added. “If more of that happens, I think the less fearful people of the Philippines would be about coronavirus.” Getz donated last month two Scinomed Plasma Collection Machines and disposable sets worth P4.3 million to St. Luke’s Medical Center for its Convalescent Plasma Therapy Program, which cuts the time for collection of a donor’s plasma to just 40 minutes from 1.2–1.5 hours. The machines can also collect up to 1,000 milliliters (ml) of convalescent plasma instead of the current 500 ml, allowing treatment for two to three persons in one collection. Getz Healthcare Vice-President for Sales and Marketing Pete D. Miranda, Jr. said five people have already donated plasma using the new machines. He also said that since the machine is specific to plasma collection, it is “more efficient and more comfortable” to both donors and doctors due to the shortened process. Mr. Miranda said they plan to bring in more machines, the first in the country and Southeast Asia. Mr. Grist said that if other hospitals or sectors show interest in the machine, “I’m sure we can come with an arrangement.” Convalescent plasma therapy aims to give COVID-19 patients plasma of survivors that contain the antibodies that would help reduce the viral load of the virus. This treatment was also used in other diseases such as Ebola and Sars, among others. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

1st batch of OFW remains arriving Friday

THE FIRST batch of 44 deceased overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Saudi Arabia will arrive Friday, July 10, while another batch of 44 will follow on Monday. Of the first batch, 19 died from the coronavirus disease while the rest from natural causes, according to Palace Spokesperson Harry L. Roque. The government was supposed to bring home the remains of 274 deceased OFWs from Saudi Arabia last week, but faced numerous difficulties including contracting a plane and addressing documentary requirements. In a briefing on Thursday, Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III said they expect 44 more remains to be brought home next week. “We will be doing that until we will bring home all of the OFWs,” he added.— Gillian M. Cortez

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