Use funds for power plant hosts as consumer subsidy — cooperatives

April 17, 2020 | 12:01 am

Rural power cooperatives wanted to tap electrification funds under the Energy Regulation (ER) 1-94 to allow them to further subsidize electricity costs for poor customers affected by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), after the Energy department ordered the redirection of the funds to help the government in its fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Complying with the Bayanihan to Heal as One Law, the Department of Energy (DoE) ordered the use of all available and unremitted ER 1-94 funds to aid local government units (LGU) in providing relief for those affected, as well as those in the frontline in the fight against the disease pandemic.

In a statement on Thursday, the Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association Inc. (Philreca) hoped for electric cooperatives (EC) to use the electrification funds to add in their initiative to cover electricity bills of over 3 million poor consumers in the countryside.

“We hope that distribution utilities will be given access to this Electrification Fund as they have already available records, network, manpower to implement a project for the member-consumer-owners in the host communities – even if they are remitted to LGUs – and allow them to subsidize the electricity bills of marginalized groups in the EC’s franchise area,” the group said.

ER 1-94 sets aside for power plant host communities a one centavo per kilowatt-hour (kWh) take from total electricity sales.

The DoE order would allow LGUs to use the funds to buy medical equipment, providing special risk allowance to health workers and facilitate mass testing, among other COVID-19 response projects allowed by the DoE.

Philreca recently launched its Pantawid Liwanag program that seeks to provide poor households consuming 20 kWh of electricity or below with subsidies for their electricity costs. A total of 86 ECs have committed to implement this program in their franchise areas.

The group clarified that it targets to help out those customers they categorized as “lifeline consumers” or those people who live below the poverty line and use electricity not exceeding 50 kWh. It also aimed to aid those with regular income but have difficulty in paying their electricity bills.

ECs plan to waive their bills falling from the March 26 to April 25 period.

It noted that more than half of the 121 ECs across the country have already allocated over P118 million for their coverage areas.

To fund this program, ECs have realigned their budgets from canceled activities, such as annual general membership assemblies and district election of directors.

Philreca repeated its call to the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases to add electricity bills subsidies to the list of benefits under the social amelioration program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

“[W]e hope that the IATF would still consider our appeal for the government to provide financial assistance to marginalized consumers through the electric cooperatives as this would certainly augment the limited capability and funds of the coops,” it said.

Meanwhile, Philreca also appealed for their power supply agreements with generation firms to be relaxed, including those rules on minimum contracted capacity and other fixed costs, such as capital recovery fee and minimum energy off-take charges, as they cannot fully utilize the contracted capacity this time.

Power cooperatives also wished for their payments of dues and obligations to be extended up until such time they can return to normal and stable operations, not just up to 30 days from the end of the ECQ as prescribed by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

They also hoped to avail prompt payment discounts despite payments of bills are recently ordered by the ERC to be extended and paid in portions in the next four billing periods. — Adam J. Ang

How PSEi member stocks performed — April 16, 2020

April 17, 2020 | 12:00 am

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Thursday, April 16, 2020.

Philippines among the least safe countries during COVID-19 pandemic

April 17, 2020 | 12:00 am

Shares wipe out recent gains on profit taking

April 16, 2020 | 9:00 pm

By Denise A. Valdez, Reporter

PHILIPPINE STOCKS wiped out their gains on Thursday as profit takers entered the market and fear of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic prevailed.

The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) erased 420.45 points or 7.07% to close at 5,525.60 yesterday. The broader all shares index also dropped 181.60 points or 5.11% to 3,370.13.

“The steep decline… shows that the local market is not really on a stable footing yet as investors continue to grapple with the uncertainties brought by the coronavirus,” Philstocks Financial, Inc. Senior Research Analyst Japhet Louis O. Tantiangco said in a text message.

“While a dim outlook for the economy is already expected, the question here is how dim could it get? The duration of the COVID-19 spread in our country is still undetermined, and consequently, the depth of its impact on the local economy,” he added.

In the Philippines, confirmed cases have reached 5,453 as of Wednesday afternoon, where 349 have died and 353 have recovered.

Regina Capital Development Corp. Head of Sales Luis A. Limlingan said the negative sentiment of investors was driven by the decline in US economic data for the month of March, sounding the alarm on the economic impact of the pandemic.

Philstocks Financial’s Mr. Tantiangco added the drop was led by profit takers after the local market has kept its uptrend for the past month.

“(As of Wednesday), the local market was already up by 28.61% from its March 19, 2020 close of 4,623.42. A 1,322.63-point worth of gains in a little less than a month (made) it ripe for profit taking which occurred (yesterday) amid the economic worries,” he said.

All sectoral indices gave up their gains yesterday. Property led as it lost 264.74 points or 8.62% to end at 2,804.54 at the close of trading. Holding firms removed 385.90 points or 6.59% to 5,466.67; services fell 76.86 points or 5.82% to 1,242.63; industrials shaved off 413.75 points or 5.35% to 7,315.24; financials decreased 61.47 points or 4.87% to 1,198.53; and mining and oil dropped 178.90 points or 3.68% to close Thursday’s session at 4,671.25.

Value turnover inched up to P9.29 billion from Wednesday’s P9.10 billion. Some 679.82 million issues switched hands.

Decliners beat advancers, 153 against 50, while 38 names ended unchanged at the session’s close.

Foreign outflows ballooned to P2.14 billion yesterday from Wednesday’s net selling worth P1.37 billion.

“The selling had conviction today with net value turnover (net of block sales) registering P8.01 billion, higher than the year-to-date average of P5.90 billion. Meanwhile, net foreign outflows were strong posting P2.14 billion, adding fuel to the overall selling pressure,” Mr. Tantiangco said on Thursday.

Peso weakens on BSP rate cut

April 16, 2020 | 9:00 pm

THE PESO weakened against the greenback on Thursday following an off-cycle rate cut from the central bank and amid a decline on Wall Street.

The local unit ended trading at P50.80 per dollar on Thursday, down 18 centavos from its P50.62 finish on Wednesday, according to data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines.

The peso opened the session at P50.73 per dollar. Its weakest showing was its close of P50.80 while its intraday best was at P50.65 against the greenback.

Dollars traded increased to $352.1 million from $248.6 million on Wednesday.

A trader attributed the peso’s drop to market expectations of a more aggressive rate cut, which happened later on Thursday.

“The peso weakened as market participants continued to anticipate deeper BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) policy rate cuts and further reduction in the local reserve requirement ratio,” the trader said in an e-mail.

BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno told reporters in a Viber message that the central bank has “cut [the] key policy rate by 50 bps (basis points).”

Following this, the overnight reverse repurchase now stands at 2.75% while overnight lending and deposit rates were reduced to 3.25% and 2.25%, respectively.

Mr. Diokno earlier said they are looking at a “deeper cut” to support the economy, with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) being a “once-in-a-lifetime crisis.”

Another trader said the rate cut affected the peso’s close.

“If you cut interest rates, the tendency is the currency weakens,” the second trader said in a phone call.

This came as a “double whammy” as US stocks also weakened, the trader said.

“In the morning, the peso opened weaker as there was risk-off sentiment in Wall Street. There is a slight volatility that’s why the peso saw weakness,” the trader said.

This Friday, the first trader expects the peso to play around the P50.75 to P50.95 range, while the second trader gave a forecast band of P50.40 to P51. — LWTN

Gov’t threatens total lockdown as cases soar

April 16, 2020 | 8:29 pm

THE PAROLA GATE in the district of Tondo was closed in this April 14 photo after Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso lockeddown Village 20 after some residents violated the enhanced community quarantine imposed on Luzon by holding public boxing matches and Bingo games. — *PHILSTAR/EDD GUMBAN*

THE government on Thursday threatened to impose a total lockdown if people continue to violate protocols against the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

“There is no decision yet on a total lockdown but that will be considered if COVID-19 cases don’t decrease,” presidential spokesman Harry L. Roque, Jr. told at a news briefing.

The Department of Health reported 207 new infections yesterday, bringing the total to 5,660.

Thirteen more patients died, raising the death toll to 362, it said in a bulletin. Eighty-two more patients have gotten well, bringing the total recoveries to 435, it added.

DoH spokeswoman Beverly Ho told a news briefing that out of the confirmed cases, 9% or 530 did not show symptoms, 75% or 4,237 were mild cases, 1% or 65 were severe and 31 were critical.

While there was still no cure for the coronavirus disease 2019, off-label drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration could be used to treat patients, Marissa M. Alejandria of the Philippine Society for Microbiology said at the same briefing.

Deonne Gauiran, a hematologist at the Philippine General Hospital, said the use of convalescent plasma from the blood of COVID-19 survivors in helping other patients was still being studied.

Mr. Roque cited the people’s lack of discipline after reports of overcrowding in some public areas covered by the enhanced community quarantine, as well as traffic congestion on some major highways.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte locked down the entire Luzon island on March 17, suspending work, classes and public transportation to contain the pandemic. He later extended the lockdown by two more weeks until April 30.

People should stay at home and should go out only to buy food and other basic goods, maintain social distancing and follow curfews imposed by local governments, he said.

Police have arrested more than 111,000 people for violating lockdown rules.

Mr. Roque blamed public disregard of quarantine rules for the rising cases of infection.

The Philippines has the highest cases in Southeast Asia, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.

The virus has sickened almost 2.1 million people and killed more than 135,000 people worldwide, according to the Worldometers website, citing various sources including data from the World Health Organization. — Gillian M. Cortez and Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Health secretary told to resign for negligence in fight versus COVID-19

April 16, 2020 | 8:28 pm

SENATORS on Thursday filed a resolution urging the country’s Health chief to quit for alleged negligence, lack of foresight and inefficiency in handling the country’s coronavirus disease crisis.

Fifteen senators led by Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III said Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III’s leadership failure had led to “poor planning, delayed response, lack of transparency, and misguided and flip-flopping policies.”

These policies have “endangered and continue to endanger the lives of our health care professionals, other frontliners and the Filipino people,” according to the resolution signed by lawmakers mostly allied with President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

Aside from Mr. Sotto, Senators Ralph G. Recto, Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, Juan Edgardo M. Angara, Ma. Lourdes Nancy S. Binay, Grace S. Poe-Llamanzares, Emmanuel Joel J. Villanueva, Francis N. Tolentino, Imee R. Marcos, Emmanuel D. Pacquiao, Sherwin T. Gatchalian, Panfilo M. Lacson, Ronald M. dela Rosa, Ramon B. Revilla, Jr. and Manuel M. Lapid also signed the resolution.

“Secretary Duque failed to put in place the necessary precautionary measures to lessen, if not at all prevent, the impact of this health crisis,” according to the senators.

Mr. Duque’s actions showed “lack of competence, efficiency and foresight bordering on negligence in handling the health crisis,” they added.

“The Senate’s call for my resignation is their opinion,” Mr. Duque told congressmen at a virtual hearing yesterday. He said he would continue to lead government efforts in “putting forward a very effective response against COVID-19.”

Mr. Duterte rejected the call for his Health chief’s resignation. The President “appreciates” the Senate but Mr. Duque will remain Health secretary, Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea said in a mobile-phone message.

“The President has made a decision for Health Secretary Duque to stay put,” he said. “Secretary Duque was made aware of the sentiments of the senators and the President expects him to work even harder to set aside any doubts on his capacity and sincerity to serve the public during these difficult times,” he added.

The senators cited Mr. Duque’s initial opposition to ban flights to and from China and the Health department’s slow contact tracing involving the first reported cases in the country, involving two Chinese tourists from China’s Wuhan City, where the coronavirus disease 2019 was first detected.

“Secretary Duque failed to alert the medical community and fundamentally, the public, that there were already patients admitted in health facilities exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms,” according to the resolution.

The senators berated Mr. Duque for reprimanding health institutions and officials who had spoken about the current state of their facilities and health workers during the health crisis.

“Secretary Duque even denounced the Cardinal Santos Medical Center for making a public disclosure that they initially admitted the first reported case of local transmission of COVID-19,” they said.

They also criticized the Health chief for issuing a gag order on the National Center for Mental Health chief after she told journalists that 34 staff members had tested positive for COVID-19 due to the lack of personal protective equipment.

The lawmakers also cited the agency’s failure to provide personal protective equipment to health workers and acquire testing kits for the general public.

They also denounced Mr. Duque’s April 9 statement saying the Philippines had relatively low infection cases compared with other countries. “In truth, however, we are lagging behind other nations in terms of testing capacity.”

Mr. Angara in a separate statement asked the government to step up efforts to contain the pandemic.

“Whether he is removed or not, the status quo cannot continue if we want to defeat the virus,” he said. “The leadership should be more active against the virus.”

“We were late for testing, contact tracing is almost nonexistent, hospitals are short of protective gear; we need to be better,” Mr. Angara said.

“Every Cabinet member serves at the pleasure of the President,” presidential spokesman Harry L. Roque, Jr. told a news briefing. “Until they are removed, the President continues to have full trust and confidence in them.” — Charmaine A. Tadalan and Genshen L. Espedido

Lawmakers to consider another round of stimulus measures

April 16, 2020 | 8:27 pm

CONGRESSMEN will discuss another set of stimulus measures to help shield the economy from the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, Speaker Alan Peter S. Cayetano said on Thursday.

A House of Representatives committee created to respond to the outbreak will hold a hearing on Tuesday to discuss the package with President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s economic managers, he told reporters in a video streamed on Facebook.

“We are inviting other economists including the central bank, of course Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin E. Diokno,” Mr. Cayetano said.

Business groups would also be invited, he said, adding that government response to the outbreak would depend on when the lockdown on Luzon is lifted.

The congressman said he expects micro, small and medium enterprises to require more financial aid.

“So you will probably see a 2021 budget that is really front-priming smaller businesses,” Mr. Cayetano said “The bigger businesses, they’ll need help but they know how to recover,” he said, noting that these companies had survived the 2008 global financial crisis. — Genshen L. Espedido

#COVID-19 Regional Updates (04/16/20)

April 16, 2020 | 8:27 pm

Market line

People wait in line to get inside the Muntinlupa City Public Market on April 16 as the local government starts the strict implementation of physical distancing and set dates for shopping on a per barangay basis. The restrictions will be in effect until April 30.

Congestion at Manila port eases

CONGESTION at the Port of Manila has started to ease after weeks of container overcrowding resulting from the quarantine measures imposed to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Customs Deputy Commissioner Vincent C. Maronilla said. In a briefing Wednesday, Mr. Maronilla said they are already seeing normalization in yard utilization at the Manila South Harbor and the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT). “Simula last week, mukhang nag-no-normalize ‘yung ating yard utilization. As of yesterday, ‘yung yard utilization of the Port of Manila ay tumaas ng konti to 70% at ganun din sa MICT pero within the normal ang percentages na ‘yun (Since last week, it looks like yard utilization has normalized. As of yesterday, yard utilization went up to 70% and it’s the same for MICT, which are within normal percentages),” he said. The Philippine Ports Authority warned late last month that it might have to close down the Port of Manila due to the huge number of overstaying cargoes. — Gillian M. Cortez

In COVID-free Bohol, governor warns of insufficient medical equipment in case of outbreak

BOHOL Governor Arthur C. Yap said the province “must hold on to its defense” as the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains “very high” while the local medical system is not equipped to handle a surge in cases. The island province has maintained a zero COVID-19 situation after recording one positive patient, a Chinese tourist who has since recovered and left in late January. In a statement following the declaration of a lockdown extension to April 30, Mr. Yap said “the highly-contagious nature” of the virus has been “well documented and a single infected individual’s capacity to start an epidemic is real,” quoting a position paper from the province’s medical technical team. He said while the province has been undertaking all preventive measures — setting up quarantine sites, imposing mandatory isolation for returning residents, among others — the reality is that existing medical facilities and equipment would be unable to handle an outbreak. “At this time, our number of personal protective equipment (PPE) is inadequate to protect all our health workers in the event of a surge of cases. Our intensive care equipment such as ventilators are not enough to handle an increase in severe cases should the influx be too sudden,” he said. Mr. Yap said they are hopeful that mass testing would be more readily available by the time the quarantine measures are lifted. “With mass testing, we hope to be able to isolate COVID-19 cases more efficiently while allowing the rest of the society to slowly go back to normal activities.” — Marifi S. Jara

More Mindanao LGUs adopt online medical consultation service

THE Sarangani Provincial Health Office has launched a 24/7 consultation program that would allow medical experts to “evaluate, diagnose and treat patients” via telephone and eventually online. In a press statement Thursday, the provincial government said the service, which is available in six health care facilities, “will allow those who are ill to call and consult with medical personnel regarding their symptoms without having to check-in at hospital.” The program is in line with the quarantine measures to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). PHO head Arvin C. Alejandro said they intend to keep the service even after the COVID-19 pandemic has been contained. “Even without a COVID-19 state of emergency, we will be sustaining this service in all our hospitals in the province… (it) is already a portion of what is being required in our Universal Health Care Act which focuses on the strengthening of the primary health care services,” he said. Sarangani still has no COVID-19 case as of April 15. In Mati City, the capital of Davao Oriental, the local government is offering “telepsychology sessions” through the Acute Psychiatric Care Unit of its City Health Office. The program is in coordination with the Southern Philippines Medical Center, the biggest government-run hospital in Mindanao. The Davao de Oro provincial government has also rolled out a mobile and online messaging platform that would allow residents seeking medical help to contact health professionals.

DAVAO ECQ
Meanwhile, the Davao regional task force on COVID-19 has extended the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) for a week, putting restrictions in effect until April 26. Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio, chair of the regional body, said the extension was decided upon based on the advice of health authorities. “They (experts) saw that if we would work as a region, there is a better effect in terms of numbers (flattening the curve of COVID-19 cases),” said Ms. Carpio over the city’s radio channel. The University of the Philippines-Mindanao’s Interdisciplinary Applied Modeling laboratory researchers also published a report indicating the need to extend the ECQ, with a recommendation for until end-April. — Carmelito Q. Francisco

Nationwide round-up

April 16, 2020 | 8:20 pm

DBM to take charge of COVID-19 test kit procurement

THE DEPARTMENT of Budget and Management (DBM) will be in charge of procuring coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) rapid test kits instead of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) due to transaction limitations, OCD Undersecretrary Ricardo B. Jalad said. “Ang administrator kasi ng civil defense ay limited lamang sa P50 million per transaction. Ito ay aabot ng billion (The civil defense administrator is limited to P50 million per transaction. This will cost billions),” he said over radio DZBB on Thursday. The government plans to purchase two million test kits. Mr. Jalad said the government is still considering where to procure the kits, including local producers and foreign sources. Meanwhile, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) is finalizing the guidelines for the use of the test kits. In a briefing Thursday, IATF-EID Spokesperson Karlo Alexei B. Nograles said, “(T)he Department of Health in coordination with its technical advisory group is directed to finalize guidelines for the supplementary utilization of FDA (Food and Drug Administration)-approved rapid anti-body test kits.” He said they are eyeing its use as “clearance mechanism” for COVID-19 patients who have recovered. President Rodrigo R. Duterte announced earlier this week that the government will procure two million rapid test kits alongside the immediate purchase of 900,000 Polymerase Chain Reaction or PCR test kits, which detects the actual presence of the virus. — Gillian M. Cortez and Genshen L. Espedido

DSWD directs LGUs to immediately distribute cash aid, to conduct post-validation

THE DEPARTMENT of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has given local government units (LGUs) the green light to immediately distribute the emergency cash aid from the national government, with validation to be undertaken within two weeks after the delivery to target low-income households. In a statement on Thursday, DSWD said it has amended its guidelines requiring prior validation of beneficiaries to speed up the distribution of the fund intended to help poor families most affected by disruptions arising from the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. “Thus, local government units may proceed with the distribution of the cash aid within 24- hours upon receipt of the funds from the Department,” DSWD said. Meanwhile, Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) Spokesperson Karlo Alexei B. Nograles reported on Thursday that as of April 15, a total of 1,228 LGUs have already received their allocation for the cash aid program. The total downloaded amount was P65 billion, which accounts for over 80% of the P80.9 billion program budget.

SOLICITATIONS
Meanwhile, the DSWD has also issued an advisory Thursday reminding individuals and organizations on the need to secure a permit from the agency to conduct solicitation activities. “It has come to our attention that amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, various persons and organizations are allegedly conducting unathorized public solicitation activities… The DSWD reiterates that all entities must apply for a solicitation permit with the nearest DSWD office,” it said, citing Presidential Decree No. 1564, the Solicitation Permit Law. The permit requires a processing fee that should be paid to the Bureau of Treasury. DSWD Undersecretary Camilo G. Gudmalin, in a live-streamed briefing on Thursday, said those already conducting donation drives should “secure the permit” to “make their solicitations legitimate.”–Gillian M. Cortez

DoLE closes cash aid window for formal sector employees

THE DEPARTMENT of Labor and Employment (DoLE) has stopped accepting applications for the cash assistance program for displaced workers, citing that the allocated fund will soon run out. “The labor department has been swamped with volumes of requests that the available fund for the program amounting to P1.6 billion is very close to being depleted,” DoLE said in a statement on Thursday. The application window was closed April 15. Under the coronavirus disease 2019 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP), employers can apply for cash subsidy that will be given to workers affected by the enhanced community quarantine measures. Each worker gets a one-time P5,000 assistance. DoLE said 236,412 workers from 10,663 establishments have so far availed of the program, and another 85,563 have been lined up. DoLE said they had difficulty processing 1.6 million CAMP applications received at its headquarters and regional offices. The agency assured that an alternative assistance program is currently being planned together with Congress in order to help more workers. DoLE is also preparing a recovery plan for employers and workers in post-quarantine period, which will end April 30. — Gillian M. Cortez

Former Health chiefs say COVID-19 battle is about ‘speed’

FORMER Health Secretary Manuel M. Dayrit said the government needs take up “speed, speed, speed” to “prevent, detect, isolate, and treat” the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). “We have to implement these fundamentals nationwide. You cannot just implement it in NCR (National Capital Region) or the urban areas because once the virus enters any jurisdiction, it has the capacity to expand exponentially,” he said during the teleconference meeting of the Defeat COVID-19 committee in the House of Representatives on Thursday. Mr. Dayrit, who headed the Department of Health from 2001 to 2005 within which the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak took place, recommended modernizing disease surveillance capacity, laboratory capacity, and the facilities for quarantine, primary care and critical care. “The system that we operate with now… that’s basically the system that I was using years ago. With some improvements of course, but still not quite modernized. You don’t have surveillance facilities all the way down to the level of the provinces that can actually feed data on disease surveillance,” he said. “Given all of that we have accomplished, the critical question we have to ask ourselves honestly is, is our health system equal to the threat? Because no matter how many accomplishments we’ve made, if our system is not equal to the threat, then we’re still playing catch-up,” he added. Meanwhile, another former Health chief, Esperanza A. Icasa-Cabral, recommended four imperatives to reduce the toll of COVID-19 in the country: knowing the enemy, taking care of the ill, protecting the frontliners, and protecting the citizenry. “We need to practice all of these with speed… with scale and, very importantly, with transparency so people will be co-owners of all these strategies,” she said. — Genshen L. Espedido

US provides another $1.3-M in aid for PHL’s COVID-19 programs

THE UNITED States government has provided an additional $1.3 million (P66 million) to the Philippines for programs to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). “This US government support to the Philippine Department of Health for its COVID-19 response demonstrates our longstanding commitment to our Philippine friends, partners, and allies in times of need,” US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim said in a statement on Wednesday. The amount, which is on top of the $2.7 million initially provided by the US government in March, will allow the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to help the country improve its laboratory systems, intensify case-finding and surveillance, and prevent and control infections. Moreover, the assistance is also intended to help the Philippines expand its testing capacity and establish a more accurate COVID-19 information. The Department of Health has so far accredited 16 testing centers this week, increasing its capacity to test at least 3,000 samples per day. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

Lawyers call for JSCC meet to address jail congestion

A GROUP of lawyers has asked Chief Justice Diosdado M. Peralta to convene the Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC) to address concerns on jail decongestion, especially with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. The Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), in a letter to Mr. Peralta, said they are concerned with the overcrowding in jail facilities and this may result in “‘cruel, degrading, and inhumane treatment’” which violates the Constitution. “With all due respect, we believe that the solution may lie in coming up with an interim policy on jail decongestion that takes into account a nationwide profile of inmates, the nature of their cases, their personal health status, as well as special circumstances that may warrant either early release or humanitarian treatment,” the letter read. “(M)ay we respectfully request Your Honor to consider convening the JSCC to come up with a clear and coordinated plan and a strategic approach towards jail decongestion and humanitarian treatment during this pandemic,” it added. The council is composed of all attached offices of the judiciary, the Department of Justice, the Department of Interior and Local Government, and their attached agencies. FLAG also noted that the Justice Zones established in different cities may help assess the profile of detainees in their jurisdiction. For areas with none, the local Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Prosecutor’s Office, and Executive Judges “may work together toward this end.” The letter was signed by National Chair Jose Manuel I. Diokno and Regional Coordinator Theodore O. Te. More than 20 prisoners who are elderly, sick and pregnant have asked the Supreme Court for their release through bail on humanitarian grounds. Several groups have also asked the court for the release of those vulnerable to COVID-19, including the House of Representatives’ Makabayan bloc and the business sector-backed Judicial Reform Initiative. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Senate bill filed protecting health workers, COVID-19 patients from harassment

A BILL penalizing threats, harassments, or any form of discrimination against health care workers, frontliners and patients of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), among other notifiable diseases, has been filed in the Senate. Senate Bill No. 1436, the “Mandatory Protection of Health Workers, Frontliners and Patients Act,” seeks to eliminate discrimination against COVID-19 patients and those who are at the frontline of battling the disease. “Discrimination against health workers is a crime against public health,” Senator Risa N. Hontiveros-Baraquel said in a statement on Thursday. She cited an incident in Sultan Kudarat, where a health worker on his way home was splashed with bleach on his face. Some health workers and patients have also reported being denied access to groceries, banks, and even their boarding houses. The bill proposes to impose a fine of P20,000-50,000 and jail time of up to six months. If enacted, the measure will also consider unfair treatment to frontliners and all forms of physical, emotional and psychological violence or threat against patients, suspected or confirmed of having contracted the disease. Meanwhile, Senator Juan Edgardo M. Angara, who just recently recovered form COVID-19, appealed to the government to lead efforts to reach the public for convalescent plasma donations. Mr. Angara said researchers have reported that convalescent plasma treatments have helped improve the condition of critical COVID-19 patients. “In the donation of plasma, dapat government-led ‘yan because the information is with government agencies,” he said in a separate statement. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

Ways companies cope with COVID-19 crisis

April 16, 2020 | 7:53 pm

By Adrian Paul B. Conoza
Special Features Writer, BusinessWorld

Execs from reputable brands share experiences of managing the effects of ECQ

Since the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) forced organizations to shift into a work-from-home (WFH) setting and set skeletal workforces in their offices, companies have suddenly been working their way through the crisis caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

In the third episode of The Philippine STAR Career Guide’s “CGLive!”, the panel, consists of executives from some of the country’s reputable companies, shared how their organizations are coping with the ECQ.

Lucien C. Dy Tioco, executive vice president of PhilSTAR Media Group (PMG), has observed a lot of adjustments taking place as the media is expected to deliver information that is vital to the public.

“Operationally, it’s a major disruption for us since it’s the first time it really made us think of how seamlessly we can operate and deliver news,” he said.

Meanwhile, Jocel De Guzman, head of corporate communications at HGS Philippines, has noticed that many companies are having difficulty coping with the ECQ. While firms have designed their business continuity plans usually for natural disasters from which they could bounce back quite easily, the current pandemic is a very different kind of crisis.

He added that connectivity is a challenge for companies in activating remote work settings, noting that not all areas have ‘fiber optic footprints’ and that connections with cell sites are shared with multiple mobile users.

“We have to address the Internet gap. Now is the time… for the telcos and government agencies to basically fast track this,” Mr. De Guzman said.

Mitch Hernandez-Suarez, marketing and communications head of Stores Specialists Inc., shared that working on skeletal forces has been new to the company, but she observed that the transition has been fairly smooth and it brings new learnings for the group’s diverse departments.

“It’s very disruptive, but it has also provided us with learnings and an avenue to be more efficient at work,” Ms. Hernandez-Suarez said.

Checking up and reaching out

One of these learnings, she shared, is keeping open communication between colleagues, which she deems helpful to determine what aspects of work are effective during the present working situation as well as what needs to be improved.

The marketing and communications head also shared that checking up on co-workers is vital during these trying times.

“It’s also important to check that everyone is okay… because everyone is going through this traumatic experience,” she said.

Keeping a positive spirit, Ms. Hernandez-Suarez advised that it is also important to keep companies through the crisis, aside from keeping open communication within teams.

“With the right attitude and mindset, we would be able to apply the learnings to have a more productive and more efficient organization,” she said.

Mr. De Guzman also agreed on the value of checking on employees and staying connected with them, as implied by the Filipino word “kamustahan”.

Under HGS Philippines’ communications program during the crisis, he shared, WFH employees are informed on how to maximize their benefits, and they are also engaged to let the company know about their situation by participating in a TikTok video contest.

From this, he pointed out important factors in communicating with employees during this crisis. “You have to be transparent, honest, and empathic. After being emphatic, your content should be engaging to them,” he said.

He also advised companies to take care of their employees first before helping communities through corporate social responsibility efforts.

Mr. Dy Tioco, meanwhile, shared how PMG is heeding the call for companies to share their resources during the crisis, as many companies have done.

Tala Para sa Kapwa, the PMG EVP shared, is the group’s CSR initiative designed to help underserved communities, particularly in those areas where achieving social distancing and proper hygiene is difficult.

“It makes you shudder to think about how can you possibly achieve social distancing in such communities, and how can you keep them inside their homes. And the most possible way is to answer their needs,” he said.

The program also launched the COVID-19 WATCH page and microsite (www.bworldonline.com/covid19watch) on PMG’s diverse publications in an effort “to pacify the anxiety of the general public on what to know about the pandemic.”

Preparing for a ‘new normal’

The current crisis is perceived to alter the way work is done once the quarantine is lifted and the crisis ends.

Mr. De Guzman finds remote work to be further adapted and maximized in the future, hence it is essential to have a digital mindset.

“Companies should start doing or fast-tracking their digital transformation,” he said.

He also called for the government to take this mindset, and initiate further infrastructure that will enhance the country’s connectivity.

“I think this is a hard lesson for us to prioritize infrastructure, but I think this is the right time,” he said, telling those who oppose the construction of such infrastructure that they are depriving people of livelihood if they deprive them of Internet access in their areas.

Mr. Dy Tioco pointed out that employees should be further clarified on what WFH is, while HR departments should determine what kind of outputs should be expected from WFH employees.

Families should also be oriented about WFH, Ms. Hernandez-Suarez added, since it is not only employees that will be adjusting, but also their families.

Furthermore, Mr. Dy Tioco highlighted that an opportunity lies for companies to think about the learnings they can pick up from this health crisis.

“It’s putting everyone on a reset button, and that reset button is actually making us think how can we make this world a better place,” he said.

Airlines, shippers warn of trade delays if seamen can’t travel

April 16, 2020 | 7:26 pm

THE International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) said governments should facilitate the movement of international transport personnel who have been affected by travel restrictions due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

“Each month, about 100,000 merchant seafarers need to be changed over from the ships on which they operate to ensure compliance with international maritime regulations protecting safety, health and welfare,” IATA and ICS said in a joint statement on April 14.

“As a result of government-imposed travel restrictions due to COVID-19, flights to repatriate or position marine personnel are unavailable. Immigration and health screening protocols are also hampering the ability of merchant ships to conduct vitally necessary crew changes,” they added.

IATA represents some 290 airlines, accounting for 82% of global air traffic, while ICS, an international trade association of merchant shipowners and operators, represents over 80% of the global merchant fleet.

IATA and ICS said that regulations intended for passengers and non-essential personnel unnecessarily jeopardize the ability of airlines and shipping companies to keep global supply chains operating when such restrictions are applied to transport personnel who do not engage with local communities.

They said governments should identify airports that seafarers can use for crew changes and make appropriate adjustments to current health and immigration protocols.

“Priority airports should include those close to major shipping lanes which also have direct air connections to principal seafarer countries of residence, such as China, India and the Philippines as well as destinations in western and eastern Europe,” they explained.

They said that such measures will help keep global supply chains open, noting that shipping companies deliver about 90% of global trade while airlines, apart from their passenger flights, carry some 35% of global trade by value.

ICS Secretary-General Guy Platten was quoted as saying: “Seafarers are unsung heroes who everyday throughout this COVID-19 crisis are going above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that countries are kept supplied with the goods they need. We are working with the airlines to come forward with solutions. We now need governments to support our seafarers and facilitate safe passage for them to get home to loved ones and be replaced by crew members ready to keep supply chains open.”

Artemio U. Tuazon, Jr., Transportation undersecretary for administration and a department representative on the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, was asked to comment but had yet to reply at deadline time.

Philippine Airlines, Cebu Air, Inc., Philippines AirAsia, Inc., Air Philippines Corp., and Cebgo, Inc. have grounded their passenger operations due to the government-imposed enhanced community quarantine.

Over 30,000 flights were canceled, affecting nearly five million passengers, the Air Carriers Association of the Philippines said. — Arjay L. Balinbin

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