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Sotto pushes for ID system rollout for COVID-19 aid distribution

THE GOVERNMENT should fast-track the roll out of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) to address problems in granting aid under the Emergency Subsidy Program amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a senator said on Tuesday.

Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III made the call, noting that there may be a need to provide subsidy for up to three months.

“The problems being encountered in the social amelioration and problems of the database, perhaps now is the time, and my suggestion, to execute and enforce the National ID system,” Mr. Sotto told reporters in a video message Tuesday.

“It will resolve all the other problems as far as the database is concerned,” he added.

However, the pilot testing of PhilSys has been disrupted by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon and will only resume when the restrictions are lifted, according to National Statistician Clare Dennis S. Mapa.

The pilot testing, he said, already started in March for some areas in Luzon.

“The pilot testing started already but operations were suspended due to the ECQ,” he said in a text message to BusinessWorld.

Mr. Mapa said the PhilSys team will meet Wednesday to discuss the changes in their schedule due to the pandemic.

“The target regions for the March to June pilot schedule are NCR, Region 3 (Central Luzon), and CALABARZON (Cavite-Laguna-Batangas-Rizal-Quezon). We will resume operations on these areas as soon as possible,” he said.

The ECQ in Luzon, originally set until April 12, has been extended to April 30.

Under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, the law that covers COVID-19 measures, low income households are entitled to a P5,000–8,000 monthly subsidy for two months.

The Palace, in its March 30 report to Congress, said the Department of Finance and the Department of Social Welfare and Development are working to consolidate a database of beneficiaries.

“This amelioration program rolls out for two months and might extend to three. The National ID System has been there since over a year ago. Fastbreak nila (They should hasten it) otherwise hanggang (until) next month, magulo pa rin (it will still be chaotic),” he also said.

The Philippine Statistics Authority inked an agreement last October with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) for the production of the ID cards.

The National ID project is provided under Republic Act No. 11055, the Philippine Identification System Act, enacted in August 2018.

Meanwhile, Albay Rep. Edcel C. Lagman said the government can sustain its social amelioration packages to the vulnerable population during the lockdown extension given the “P300 billion relief” by the BSP.

“The government can sustain during the extended lockdown its social amelioration packages to vulnerable families, temporary wage benefits to displaced workers, financial assistance to those in the informal sector, and other forms of assistance to affected persons because the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has recently infused P300-billion to the national treasury,” Mr. Lagman said in a statement on Tuesday.

The BSP earlier purchased government securities from the Bureau of Treasury under a repurchase agreement in the amount of P300-billion with a maximum repayment period of six months to support the COVID-19 response measures.
— Charmaine A. Tadalan, Luz Wendy T. Noble and Genshen L. Espedido

PhilHealth sets COVID-19 package rates starting April 15

THE PHILIPPINE Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has set case rate packages for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, which will take effect April 15.

PhilHealth, until the 14th, will cover all hospital expenses for those confirmed with COVID-19, persons under investigation, and those under monitoring.

In a briefing Tuesday, PhilHealth President Ricardo C. Morales said there is a need to set rates so that the agency’s funds can be allocated accordingly.

The case rate packages are the following: Mild pneumonia, P43,997; moderate pneumonia, P143,267; severe pneumonia, P333,519; and critical pneumonia, P786,384.

“Yung pondo naman ng PhilHealth although sufficient pero (The funds of PhilHealth are sufficient, but) not unlimited,” Mr. Morales said.

DOH HOTLINE

Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DoH) launched a hotline for Metro Manila residents for medical consultations for COVID-19 as well as non-COVID-19 related illnesses.

The 24/7 telemedicine hotline at 02-8424-1724 is free of charge.

“All consortium doctors are licensed and certified to provide telemedicine consultations,” the DoH said.

The project is in partnership with TeliMed Management, Inc. and Medgate.

The DoH earlier set up COVID-19 hotlines 02-894-COVID (02-894-26843) and 1555.

People can call these numbers if they suspect that they have contracted the disease or seek assistance if they have symptoms and/or been exposed to patients who tested positive for COVID-19. — Gillian M. Cortez and Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Shares end higher as inflation eases slightly

LOCAL SHARES finished higher on Tuesday as data showing slightly slower inflation in March drove up confidence among investors amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

The 30-member Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) advanced 79.20 points or 1.42% to close at 5,650.01 on Tuesday, while the broader all shares index gained 32.30 points or 0.96% to 3,393.05.

“Philippine shares climbed once more, as inflation remained benign, and as the number of new coronavirus cases in the US appeared to slow down,” Regina Capital Development Corp. Head of Sales Luis A. Limlingan said in a mobile message.

The Philippine Statistics Authority reported a slight slowdown in inflation last month to 2.5% from 2.6% in February. This also eased from the 3.3% recorded in March last year.

The softening is due to the drop in oil prices globally, the price freeze on basic necessities and nearly zero price increase in utilities, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin E. Diokno said.

Philstocks Financial, Inc. Research Associate Claire T. Alviar said the lower inflation rate gave investors hope that consumption will strengthen during this time, particularly of consumer staples, as the government also announced on Tuesday the extension of the Luzon-wide lockdown until end of April.

The Inter-Agency Task Force in charge of handling the COVID-19 crisis announced Tuesday that President Rodrigo R. Duterte approved its recommendation to extend the enhanced community quarantine over Luzon until April 30.

“Aside from that, the market joined most regional peers in the green as hopes for the slowdown of COVID-19 pandemic have increased, together with different fiscal stimulus packages to cushion the impact of the virus,” Ms. Alviar said.

Records from Johns Hopkins University’s Coronavirus Resource Center showed the number of confirmed cases continued to slow on April 6, recording a daily increase of around 72,900 that day from around 74,700 on Apr. 5 and around 101,500 on Apr. 4.

In the Philippines, the latest tally is at 3,660 confirmed cases, 163 deaths and 73 recoveries as of Monday evening.

Four sub-sectors at the PSE gained at the close of Tuesday’s trading: property added 77.80 points or 2.68% to 2,975.66; industrials picked up 183.06 points or 2.66% to 7,049.39; holding firms increased 118.14 points or 2.15% to 5,599.42; and mining and oil climbed 59.84 points or 1.39% to 4,358.07.

On the other hand, services shed 22.32 points or 1.76% to 1,239.10 and financials dipped 5.86 points or 0.48% to 1,198.45.

Some one billion issues worth P6.36 billion switched hands on Tuesday, rising from Monday’s 757 million issues valued at P4.86 billion.

Advancers stood at 125, decliners at 72, and unchanged names at 43.

Foreign investors remained sellers, but net outflows were trimmed to P357.15 million from P470.75 million on Monday. — Denise A. Valdez

Bangsamoro region positions 8 COVID-19 test centers

EIGHT medical facilities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are being positioned as testing laboratories for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), including one each in its three island provinces.

One facility, the Cotabato Regional Medical Center in Cotabato City, is at stage 2 of the of accreditation process by the Department of Health (DoH).

Under the second of five stages, the facility is up for review by a team from the DoH, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, and World Health Organization.

The rest of the facilities are at the initial stage, which consists of “self-assessment” for equipment, manpower, and management system.

These are the Mindanao State University and Amai Pakpak Medical Center in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur; Maguindanao Provincial Hospital and Cotabato Sanitarium in Maguindanao; Datu Halun Sakilan Memorial Hospital in Tawi-Tawi; Sulu Provincial Hospital; and Lamitan District Hospital in Basilan.

Bangsamoro Transition Authority Minority Leader Laisa Masuhud-Alamia, in a webinar on Tuesday hosted by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance, said increased testing, along with contact tracing, is one of the key components in mitigating the panemic.

“This is where right now are having some challenges and difficulties. We need to increase testing and contact tracing, otherwise we won’t know who among the population are actually afflicted, who among them are carriers,” she said.

As of April 6, the region had eight confirmed COVID-19 cases, with seven in Lanao del Sur and one in Maguindanao.

Of the total, three have recovered, three died, one in hospital, and one under home quarantine.

The region, as of Monday, had 254 persons under investigation (PUI) for the disease and 7,785 under monitoring (PUM).

Ms. Alamia also noted that in a region where medical services are weaker than in the rest of the country, steps must simultaneously be taken to improve the sector.

“Considering that in the Philippines and in particular in the BARMM, we have a problem on our health care system capacity, so we need to look at setting up interventions, putting up facilities to raise the bar,” she said.

BARMM Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Asnin Pendatun said the region’s Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on COVID-19 is awaiting final approval of a long-term contingency plan in response to the pandemic.

“We need to be proactive… We are not expecting or hoping that the situation will worsen or be prolonged, but in the event that this happens, at least we have plans that are ready,” Mr. Pendatun, the IATF spokesperson, said in a live-streamed briefing Monday afternoon.

MAPS
Meanwhile, several local leaders in Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao are using thematic maps to track areas affected by COVID-19 alongside geophysical hazards, and threats of conflict.

The maps “show the spatial features of provincial, municipal, and barangay boundaries, road and river networks, geohazard vulnerabilities, and conflict flashpoints,” according to International Alert Philippines, which assisted in the producing the tools.

International Alert Philippines Country Manager Nikki de la Rosa, in a statement, said the maps were crafted from the outputs generated during a series of Resource Use and Management Planning (RUMP) workshops conducted in 2019.

Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Officer Najib Zacaria of Marantao, Lanao del Sur said the maps have helped them identify PUM and PUI, plan the distribution of relief goods, and allow medical workers to continuously monitor the health situation.

“The maps also ensured that we were covering all the communities in our outreach areas, thereby preventing complaints and disputes,” Mr. Zacaria is quoted in the International Alert statement.

The one-year old BARMM government marked its first anniversary last March 29 amid the COVID-19 crisis, foregoing planned celebratory events.

BARMM Chief Minister Ahod ‘Al Haj’ Murad Ebrahim, in his anniversary message, called on the region’s residents to “set aside conflicts” and unite in battling the outbreak. — Marifi S. Jara

South Korea donates rice to PHL

THE South Korean government recently donated 950 metric tons (MT) of rice to the Philippines for distribution to those affected by natural disasters and calamities last year.

Beneficiaries include flood victims in Cagayan Valley and earthquake victims in North Cotabato, Davao del Sur, and other areas in the Davao and SOCCSKSARGEN (South Cotabato-Cotabato-Sultan Kudarat-Sarangani-General Santos City) Regions.

The donation is part of South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) emergency food assistance.

National Food Authority (NFA) Administrator Judy Carol L. Dansal said the non-glutinous rice, a part of the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve Tier 3 (APTERR Tier 3) program, was shipped by the Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Corporation.

The rice donations arrived at the ports last March.

“NFA is set to turn over the South Korean rice donation to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for distribution to affected families in Regions 11 (Davao), 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN), and Cagayan Valley as identified by the DSWD in coordination with the concerned local government units,” Ms. Dansal said.

The APTERR Tier 3 is a regional cooperation involving ASEAN member countries together with South Korea, Japan, and China.

‘BUY HIGH’
Meanwhile, Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Alfredo A. Garbin, Jr. said NFA can cushion the economic impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by matching the offer of private rice traders and buying palay (unmilled rice) at a high rate.

In a statement yesterday, Mr. Garbin said with a “buy high and sell low” tactic, NFA can help farmers, consumers, and local governments who need to source affordable rice for their relief goods to poor families.

He added that the price difference can be treated as a consumer subsidy consistent with Republic Act 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, and with safety net provisions of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN Law).

“After giving good value to the rice farmers for their harvest, NFA can then sell at a loss in public markets, pricing its rice at lower than the prevailing market prices for commercial rice,” Mr. Garbin said. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Gov’t workers given until June 30 to file SALN

THE CIVIL Service Commission (CSC) on Tuesday granted public officials and employees a 60-day extension in filing their 2019 Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Networth (SALN), supposedly due April 30.

“The deadline of filing of SALN has been extended from its original deadline of 30 April 2020, in view of the declaration of a State of Public Health Emergency in the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” the CSC said in a statement.

The new deadline is June 30, while departments, agencies, and offices have until August 31 to submit the SALN Forms to the appropriate repository agencies.

The extension is in line with the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act provision to reschedule statutory deadline amid the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine over Luzon.

The Luzon island lockdown has suspended work, classes and public transportation, among others, in an attempt to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The Palace, in the April 6 report to Congress, said the Philippine Economic Zone Authority and Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), among other agencies, have likewise adjusted deadlines. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

Jollibee slashes capex as COVID-19 disrupts operations

Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) is cutting its capital expenditure (capex) allocation for the year to P5 billion due to the operational adjustments brought by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

In a statement Tuesday, the global fast food operator said it is reducing its capex by 64% from the previously announced allocation of P14 billion. Operating costs are also being reduced “significantly” for its stores, commissaries, support services and main offices all over the world.

“In response to the disruption in the operations of the business brought by the COVID-19 epidemic, JFC is postponing about P9 billion worth of capital expenditures from 2020 to 2021 given the operational constraints to the construction of facilities and to the uncertain demand volume due to limited mobility of consumers,” it said.

JFC has 5,981 stores across the globe as of end-February: 3,317 in the Philippines and 2,664 abroad. Its overseas footprint covers China, Vietnam, Brunei, Hong Kong, Singapore, Macau, Malaysia, Indonesia, United States, Canada, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Italy, United Kingdom and Guam.

The company previously announced operational limitations both locally and abroad due to government-imposed lockdowns in select regions in light of COVID-19.

In China, JFC temporarily closed 107 of its 342 stores during the height of the outbreak. It then relied on its delivery business for growth, which now accounts for 76% of sales of its Yonghe King brand in China from 40% before. And as the situation improved, JFC was also able to reduce its closed Yonghe King stores to 22.

In North America, operations of stores were limited to delivery and take-out services.

In Singapore, activity shifted to delivery as well, which now contributes 22% of sales from 7% before the pandemic. Total same store sales has likewise grown by about 4%.

In the Philippines, the delivery business has grown 5% in the early part of 2020 from 3% in the early part of 2019. But as several stores have closed due to the Luzon lockdown, those that remained open for drive-thru and take-out orders have risen at an average of 50% same store sales growth in the early part of the year.

“While the COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented disruption to our operations in the Philippines and other parts of the world, we are already planning for the full restoration of our operations,” JFC Founder and Chairman Tony Tan Caktiong said in the statement.

“We expect growth to resume even if gradually, driven by our Delivery, Take-Out and Drive Thru business channels. We believe that our consumers will continue patronizing strongly our products and services, once constraints related to the control of the COVID-19 are lifted,” he added.

JFC controls brands such as Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal, Burger King, PHO24, Yonghe King, Hong Zhuang Yuan, Dunkin’ Donuts, Highlands Coffee, Hard Rock Cafe, Smashburger, and Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.

Earnings of JFC stood at P6.33 billion in 2019, 14.4% lower from a year ago due to a 25% contraction in operating income to P5.87 billion. Its shares at the stock exchange increased P4.50 or 4.25% to P110.50 each on Tuesday.

SEC gives P2B in gov’t fight vs COVID-19

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is giving P2 billion to the national government as aid in the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

In a statement Tuesday, the corporate regulator said it is taking money from its accounts to transfer to the Bureau of the Treasury to increase the government’s COVID-19 funds.

“The SEC has answered the call and will continue to support the fight against COVID-19,” SEC Chairperson Emilio B. Aquino said in the statement.

The decision is in line with the Republic Act No. 11469, or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, which calls to redirect allotments for agencies under the Executive Department to operations and response measures addressing the COVID-19 emergency. 

“Aside from supporting other government agencies on the frontlines, we have worked on buttressing the corporate sector, capital market and investing public, which are crucial in the resilience of our economy and, more importantly, of the Filipino people,” Mr. Aquino said.

Over the past several weeks, the SEC has rolled out initiatives to help ease the burden on corporations affected by the outbreak and the Luzon-wide lockdown. Among these are the extended deadlines for regulatory filings and the permission to do electronic submissions via e-mail or the Philippine Stock Exchange’s digital portal.

The SEC is also accommodating online applications during the lockdown period and has so far processed at least 2,500 applications for company registration. 

It likewise maintains a close watch on investing scams that try to exploit the crisis, and has issued advisories against at least 14 groups since the public health emergency started.

It also sought relief for borrowers by asking financing and lending companies to implement a 30-day grace period for all loans.

“From its position — as overseer of the corporate sector, independent guardian of the capital market and champion of investor protection — the SEC recognizes and stands prepared to play its role in cushioning the impact of the pandemic and steering the economy toward recovery,” Mr. Aquino said. — Denise A. Valdez

PAL plans to resume some flights

Philippine Airlines (PAL) plans to partly operate international routes next month, the flag carrier said ahead of the government decision to extend the quarantine period as the pandemic lingers.

As for the domestic flights, it said it was readying plans to resume at some point within the period from April 15 to May 31.

PAL issued its advisory before the government’s announcement on Tuesday extending the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon until April 30.

In response to the new directive, budget carrier AirAsia said on Tuesday that it was canceling all its domestic and international Z2 flights until April 30.

PAL said its plans were “highly subject to change, depending on a number of crucial factors related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak.”

“These factors include the duration of current Philippine community quarantines, the status of relevant travel bans and restrictions imposed by various governments and their effect on passenger demand, and above all on the public health and safety situation in each of the cities and countries that PAL serves,” it added.

The flag carrier said it would still consider operating ad hoc special flights for stranded passengers and cargo flights.

PAL said it was planning to operate from May 1 to 31 a reduced number of weekly flights on its routes to Japan, the United States, Canada, Guam, Australia, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, mainland China, Hong Kong, Taipei, Macau, Saudi Arabia, and Korea.

“However, we shall not be operating any flights to and from the following international destinations for the month of May: Auckland, New York JFK, Dubai, Doha, Perth, Melbourne, Port Moresby, and Sapporo. All flights on these routes have been cancelled for the month of May,” it added.

AirAsia said its customers with bookings made on or before March 22, 2020 with a departure date until May 31, 2020 are given a range of extended flexibility options for future travel.

Passengers can choose to change to a new travel date before Oct. 31, 2020 on the same route for an unlimited number of times without any additional charges subject to seat availability. Another option is retaining the value of their flight booking in their Big Member account for future travel, which can be redeemed within 365 calendar days from the issuance date. — Arjay L. Balinbin

More companies offer aid in fighting COVID-19

Several companies continued pouring assistance to health workers and communities that are affected by efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Eagle Cement Corp. in a statement on Tuesday said it had donated food packs to communities in Bulacan as support for residents affected by the Luzon-wide lockdown.

The cement manufacturer gave out thousands of food packs with rice and canned goods to 20 barangays in San Ildefonso and Dona Remedios Trinidad.

“Our company is committed to give assistance to families in our community who are affected by the (enhanced community quarantine), especially daily-wage earners, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities,” Eagle Cement President and Chief Executive Officer John Paul L. Ang said in the statement.

“Being able to help the communities where we operate and thrive has always been at the heart of Eagle Cement. Through this effort, we hope to help augment the food supply and slightly ease the current economic situation of the citizens in Bulacan,” he added.

Century Pacific Food, Inc. (CPFI) is also committing to give 1 million food packs to various communities across the country that are affected by the lockdown.

In a statement, the listed canned food manufacturer said it was teaming up with the national government and local government units to distribute assorted packs of viands and fortified milk nationwide.

“At this time when COVID-19 threatens our health and our lives, we will make every effort to help those greatly affected by this pandemic, to make sure our consumers have enough CPFI products to see them through this crisis, and give security to our employees who work hard to make all of these happen,” CPFI Chief Operating Officer Gregory Francis H. Banzon said in the statement.

CPFI is behind food brands such as Century Tuna, Argentina, 555, Swift, Birch Tree, Angel, Blue Bay, Wow, Fresca Tuna, Lucky 7, Shanghai Luncheon Meat, Home Pride, Hunt’s and Coco Mama.  

Hotel management startup RedDoorz is also giving free accommodation to health workers and first responders through a partnership with the Department of Tourism and the Manila City government.

The company said in a statement Tuesday that it was starting the initiative in three hotels located in Manila near the University of Santo Tomas, Quiapo Church and Quirino Station. It said these were handpicked to accommodate workers in nearby hospitals of Gat Andres Tondo, Tondo, Justice Jose Abad Santos, Sampaloc, Manila and Sta. Ana. 

“Through our partnerships with key sectors, we are positive that we will be able to overcome this challenge if we stand together,” RedDoorz Founder and Chief Executive Officer Amit Saberwal said in the statement.

San Miguel Corp. (SMC)’s infrastructure unit is also donating supplies and food to the police and armed forces stationed in checkpoints at its expressways. It said in a statement the donations include portalets, motorcycles, tents, passenger vehicles, generator sets, tower lights, traffic cones and barriers.

“Apart from our medical practitioners, our law enforcement and security forces are providing an invaluable service and are also sacrificing a lot to make sure that we are all safe. That is why since day one, we have extended all the support we can give to them,” SMC President and Chief Operating Officer Ramon S. Ang said in the statement.

The Luzon-wide quarantine has been extended until the end of April from its original schedule of lifting by April 13. COVID-19 cases in the Philippines continued to rise as of Monday’s tally: 3,660 cases, 163 deaths and 73 recoveries, based on the Department of Health’s records. — Denise A. Valdez

Maynilad repairs continue during quarantine

West zone water concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. continued its repair operations despite the enhanced community quarantine set by the government in Luzon.

In a release on Monday, Maynilad said that it has sustained its pipe repairs and other network maintenance activities to ensure stable water supply to its customers.

During the quarantine period, the water provider has repaired 244 old and leaky pipes in different places within the west zone area.

The water concessionaire added that steady water supply is important because good hygiene and sanitation are required to combat the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Maynilad employees engaged in repair activities are required to practice typical health precautionary measures such as social distancing to protect themselves from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The water company recently announced that it added 30 days to its payment deadlines for monthly bills, on top of the 60-day grace period that it usually gives its customers. It also suspended water disconnections for overdue accounts and its meter reading and billing activities.

Maynilad also declared the implementation of average monthly billing to its customers, instead of charging for the actual amount of water used.  

Since 2008, Maynilad has already repaired over 370,000 leaks under its non-revenue water (NRW) management program.

Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which has majority stake in Maynilad, is one of three Philippine units of Hong Kong-based First Pacific Co. Ltd., the others being Philex Mining Corp. and PLDT Inc. Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

P&G to manufacture face masks 

The Philippine unit of Procter & Gamble (P&G) on Tuesday announced it will be producing face masks in its Cabuyao, Laguna manufacturing plant to help medical staff in the frontline of fighting the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.  

This came following the order from the Inter-agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases which requires citizens to wear face masks when going out of their houses.

The face masks, however, will not be for sale, the consumer goods company said. It will be donating them to the Department of Health, as well as to their employees. 

“We will be investing in additional equipment for the plant to manufacture face masks for donations which will be routed through the DoH and used to help protect our employees as they work to produce critically important cleaning, health and hygiene products for the nation,” P&G Philippines President and General Manager Raffy Fajardo said in a statement.

Recently, P&G Philippines has spent P100 million-worth of product donations, employee assistance and aid to partner businesses affected by the pandemic. — Adam J. Ang

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