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Dumb conspiracy theories aren’t the only 5G headwinds

By Alex Webb

DO YOU remember 5G? Before the coronavirus consumed all of our attention, the fifth-generation mobile networks were supposed to be the panacea for lagging economies, telecoms firms, keeping pace with China, autonomous cars, smart factories and plenty more besides.

Overhyped? Maybe. But 5G will still be an economic boon. And perhaps inevitably, COVID-19 has collided with the rollout of the new technology, which ultimately depends on four ingredients: popular acceptance and adoption; the ability to install the equipment; access to capital; and the availability of spectrum — the radio frequencies used to transmit the signal that will allow vast gobs of data to be transmitted at lightning speeds.

For now, telecoms companies insist the pandemic will only delay the rollout by several months. That may be optimistic. Problems with any one of the four factors above could throw things off course, and the current environment has elevated that likelihood. Given their role in dividing up the spectrum and auctioning it, governments have a particular responsibility to ensure they don’t hold up the process any more than is necessary.

Much has been made of the conspiracy theories falsely suggesting 5G contributed to, or even caused, the virus’ spread. They prompted the gloriously terse response from the UK’s telecommunications regulator Ofcom: “This is wrong. There is no scientific basis or credible evidence for these claims.”

The falsehoods may still permeate public opinion. Research suggests that even if people don’t believe conspiracy theories per se, they can nonetheless influence their views. So an underlying fear, however unwarranted, could persist that 5G is somehow detrimental to one’s health. That could perpetuate popular opposition to the necessary proliferation of new antennas.

The virus has already disrupted the global supply chain, making it harder to source gear from China in particular. Telecoms equipment maker Nokia Oyj said that such interruptions shaved 200 million euros ($218 million) from revenue in the first quarter, and they continue to be a risk. Lockdowns are also making it harder to install that equipment. Orange SA Chief Financial Officer Ramon Fernandez said last week that fiber deployment — whose wires connect not just homes but the antennas — will be delayed by the virus.

Telecoms operators are changing how they spend their money, too. The surge in people working from home has put huge pressure on their existing setup. That means operators are having to reallocate capital in the short term toward making sure their fixed networks are reliable, rather than working to upgrade and install everything that’s needed for the next generation of mobile services.

Even with all that, the delay is only likely to be a “couple of months,” Nokia CEO Rajeev Suri told me, echoing comments from his peer at rival Ericsson AB, Borje Ekholm. Perhaps the biggest risk to a fast rollout is therefore the availability of spectrum, which is where governments come in. They dedicate a particular tranche of frequencies to 5G and then auction it off. A slew of those sales have been put on the back burner by the pandemic. While Germany and Italy have all but finished theirs, a bevy of other countries, including France, the UK, and Spain, are unlikely to auction frequencies until later this year.

With national budgets increasingly stretched by efforts to counter the economic impact of the virus, there will be a temptation to milk those auctions for all they’re worth. That could create a pinch on companies’ finances that makes rolling out the new networks even harder. Italy managed to squeeze 6.2 billion euros out of its telecoms firms back in 2018; Germany wrung 6.6 billion euros from Deutsche Telekom AG, Vodafone Group Plc, Telefonica Deutschland AG and 1&1 Drillisch AG.

Before the crisis, France set the minimum spend for its 5G spectrum auction at 2.2 billion euros — a hefty threshold below which it will not grant access to its airwaves. The UK has set a 21 billion-pound ($1.2 billion) minimum for its second auction.

Economists generally classify networks as “productive” government investments, because they contribute positively to long-term economic output. They would be well advised to foster their new 5G networks by not overcharging for them. Otherwise they risk ceding more ground to China in the race for adoption. In return for more generous auction terms, it would be fair for governments to request an accelerated rollout pace. Operators will need cash not just for 5G, but network investment more broadly.

The virus is already reaping havoc with vast tracts of the economy. Best not to let it damage any more growth.

 

BLOOMBERG OPINION

ASEAN Para Games cancellation tough but needed — officials

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

CANCELING something much had been put into is a decision not easy to make but sometimes unavoidable circumstances and pressing concerns push such to be made, like in the case of the 10th ASEAN Para Games.

Supposed to happen in the country in October, the biennial sporting event for the differently abled athletes is set to be canceled as local sports officials moved to follow government direction in the battle against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Citing health and financial concerns, officials and organizers of the ASEAN Para Games here said it would be impossible now to stage the event as seamlessly as possible as they envisioned it to be.

“As far as the decision was concerned we were anticipating it already. When we heard of the news that the Department of Budget and Management was looking at the realignment of unused programs for the year I knew that the Para Games will be affected. Then there is the overall welfare of our countrymen [in the face of COVID-19] which is very important,” said Michael Barredo, president of the Philippine Paralympic Committee (PPC), in a phone patch interview with PTV Sports on Monday.

The PPC official said the notice of cancellation was relayed to him by PSC Chairman William Ramirez following the PSC board meeting last week.

Mr. Barredo said the letter of the country’s decision had already been sent to the ASEAN Para Sports Federation (APSF) and they are now awaiting word from the APSF on the fate of the Games.

The ASEAN Para Games usually takes place after the staging of the Southeast Asian Games.

The 10th edition of the sporting meet was originally scheduled to happen in January following the SEA Games hosting of the country in December but budget problems by the PSC, the agency tasked to fund the Para Games, forced the event to be postponed to March.

Then the COVID-19 pandemic happened, moving the organizers to propose to stage the Games in October, hoping that by that time there is more clarity on the disease and its impact.

Things for the staging turned for the worse when the DBM, through National Budget Circular 580, made known that it would undertake belt-tightening measures, including rechanneling parts of the national budget to the fight against COVID-19.

Among those affected was the money allotted for the PSC, from which budget for the ASEAN Para Games was to be derived from, leaving the sports agency with no choice but to pull the plug on financially supporting the event.

And it was not only the Para Games that was affected as other events under the watch of the PSC for the rest of the year had all been canceled.

Mr. Barredo said the news was hard to accept but that he clearly understands where the PSC and the government are coming from just as he expressed hope that the APSF and other paralympic federations in the region would understand the decision as they themselves deal with COVID-19 in their own countries.

FRUSTRATION AND DISAPPOINTMENT
Given the way it went for the 10th ASEAN Para Games, Mr. Barredo said it is normal that stakeholders in the country feel frustrated and disappointed.

“We have been working on it for two and half years. Of course, there is frustration and disappointment because this is for the para athletes who have been training and looking forward to competing in front of their countrymen,” said Mr. Barredo.

“The ASEAN Para Games is the first step for them to showcase their talent and what they can do to the world. All of us were looking forward to competing but this happened. They (athletes) feel bad also because the Games was an opportunity for them to get added incentive because under the law those who win medals will be rewarded,” he added.

And such sentiment is not lost to Mr. Ramirez, who said he truly feels for the para athletes of the country.

“I can feel their frustration and anxiety on losing the chance to compete,” said the PSC chairman in a separate interview with PTV Sports.

“There is always that frustration but as the leader of the PSC I am just following the instruction of the national government. While it is true that these marginalized people need the attention and we have to help them, we cannot do anything. COVID-19 is very lethal and we have to protect the athletes, especially the para athletes, and that is more of our concern now,” he added.

NOT THE END
But despite what had happened, Messrs. Barredo and Ramirez urged para athletes and other stakeholders not to lose hope and continue forging ahead with the paralympic push.

“We must not lose hope. COVID-19 really affected everything sports here. Local leagues postponed their events, some were even cancelled. Even the Olympics was postponed for next year. But this is not the end of it. Sports will always be there. Just continue training and preparing because there are still future events to compete in. And keep safe,” said Mr. Barredo.

He went on to say that they will start to put “closure” on things, including terminating basic operations for the hosting of the Para Games.

Mr. Ramirez, for his part, reiterated their continued support for the PPC and the para athletes.

“We will honor our commitment to pay all the operational expenses of the Para Games and we are committed to procuring equipment for our athletes and other privileges, including their allowances. We will take care of them,” the PSC chairman said.

McLaren boss expects to ‘hit a glitch’ in F1 season plans

LONDON — Formula One (F1) can be expected to “hit a glitch” as the sport tries to complete a 2020 season stalled by the COVID-19 pandemic but 14-15 races look feasible, McLaren boss Zak Brown said on Monday.

The American told motorsport.com that number could be achieved at 10 circuits. Organizers have said they are aiming for 15-18 races, ending with a double-header in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi in December.

“I think we will do a couple of races in Austria, a couple of races at Silverstone,” said Mr. Brown. “If we start running into issues with travelling, then I think you could see doubling up some other races.

“I’m going to assume that we’re going to hit a glitch, somewhere along the way.

“If we want to go to Asia, or America, I think it’s going to be when we get on planes and have to fly overseas where I think the risk will start to potentially get greater.”

Austria is expected to host two races from July to start a season that has so far seen 10 rounds either cancelled or postponed.

The scheduled opener in Australia on March 15 was cancelled after a McLaren team member tested positive for the new coronavirus.

Formula One’s managing director Ross Brawn outlined to Sky Sports television the measures Formula One was planning for Austria’s Red Bull-owned circuit.

“Everybody will be tested and will have a clearance before they even go into the paddock, and then every two days they’ll be tested while in the paddock and that will be with an authorized authority and consistent,” he said.

The Briton said Formula One, working closely with the governing FIA, would use the same European facility for testing.

“We’ll have restrictions on how people move around, We cannot socially distance a team, we cannot have staff socially distanced,” he said. “So we have to create an environment that, within itself is effectively a small bubble of isolation.“

“And the teams will stay within their own groups. They won’t mingle with other teams, and they’ll stay at their own hotels.”

There will be no “motorhomes,” used by teams for hospitality and providing meals for staff. The Red Bull Ring and Silverstone have their own catering facilities.

“I’m very encouraged by what I’ve seen and what I’m hearing that we’ll be able to provide a safe environment,” said Mr. Brawn. — Reuters

NFL mourns legendary Dolphins coach Don Shula

DON SHULA, the winningest coach in National Football League (NFL) history, died Monday. He was 90.

“Don Shula was the patriarch of the Miami Dolphins for 50 years,” the team said in a statement. “He brought the winning edge to our franchise and put the Dolphins and the city of Miami in the national sports scene. Our deepest thoughts and prayers go out to Mary Anne along with his children Dave, Donna, Sharon, Anne and Mike.”

Shula was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1997 after more than four decades in the NFL, first as a player and then a coach.

Shula’s Dolphins won two Super Bowls and appeared in three others, including the iconic 1972 team that went undefeated.

“Today is a sad day,” Dolphins president Tom Garfinkel said in a statement.

Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino, who played for Shula from 1983-95, expressed his condolences on Twitter.

“Coach Shula — you will truly be missed! You embody the definition of ‘greatness.’ You brought that winning attitude with you every day and made everyone around you better,” Marino wrote.

“Thank you for always believing in me. You made me a better player and person. My thoughts & prayers are with the entire Shula Family. Love you Coach!”

At age 33, Shula was named head coach of the Baltimore Colts in 1963. It was the first of 33 seasons he spent as an NFL head coach. Shula was hired by the Dolphins in 1970 and retired after the 1995 season with 328 career wins and 490 games coached.

Only Shula and George Halas have at least 300 career victories. — Reuters

The Last Dance continues to churn out impressive numbers

MIDWAY into its run, the 10-part documentary The Last Dance continues to churn out impressive audience numbers, now averaging 5.8 million viewers across its first six episode premieres, this according to numbers shared by ESPN.

Had its Episodes 5 and 6 premiere on Monday (Manila time), The Last Dance, which chronicles the final run at the NBA championship by Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s in 1998, saw an average 5.5 million viewers who tuned in for its latest drop.

The number took the average viewer numbers of the documentary to 5.8 million across the first six episodes, 62% more viewers than the next-closest documentary debut on ESPN — You Don’t Know Bo in 2012.

Episodes 5 and 6 averaged 5.5 million viewers across ESPN and ESPN2, with episode 5 averaging 5.8 million viewers and episode 6 averaging 5.2 million viewers, based on initial Nielsen reporting, ESPN said.

Moreover, The Last Dance is seeing it being consumed a lot through re-airs and on-demand viewing.

After a record-setting initial audience, including all viewing, Episodes 1 and 2 now have an average minute audience of 13 million and 13.1 million, respectively, figures which represent more than a 100% increase from initial Nielsen reporting.

In less than one week, Episodes 3 and 4 have seen their audiences increase by 84% and 94%, respectively, from initial Nielsen reporting, now coming in at 11.3 million (Episode 3) and 10.9 million (Episode 4) viewers, both of which are higher figures than Episodes 1 and 2 reported a week after their initial airings.

To reach more people, the documentary series has been made available outside of the United States as well by way of Netflix.

The Last Dance was supposed to originally set to air in June but ESPN decided to push up the airing to an earlier date (April 19 debut).

ESPN said by doing so it would be providing people who are longing for their steady fix of live sporting events with a temporary reprieve from the cloud of uncertainty and concern that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Revelations

Fans past the halfway point of The Last Dance cannot be faulted for deeming it a gift that keeps on giving. Episodes Five and Six, released Monday, come with the air of inevitability that permeates all documentaries chronicling the past, and yet proves continually compelling all the same. The series’ microscopic look at the 1997-98 season all and sundry know the ending to benefits from the willing, even enthusiastic, participation of its principal protagonist. Indeed, Michael Jordan, whose voice invariably carries heft because of his status as the best of the best of all time, opens his thoughts and feelings in a manner that sheds new light on history. It’s his light, granted, but one that unveils a unique perspective on already-established facts.

That Jordan is the fulcrum of The Last Dance cannot be understated. It makes use of a forward-and-back narrative style in telling his ascent to the top of the sport through two timelines, and the methodology may well be confusing to follow were it not anchored on his present-day participation. Following both his pre-stardom life and reign at the top becomes easier with his informed takes, enabling a holistic view to those from the outside looking in. The fifth and sixth parts cover a lot of potentially overwhelming ground — from his relationship with an upstart Kobe Bryant to the Dream Team to his Association with shady characters to the end of the first three-peat to the middle of the second. Nonetheless, the by-product offers clarity and discernment.

Significantly, the Jordan in the latest episodes of The Last Dance is humanized. He’s unparalleled on the court, but frail off it — consumed by ego, admittedly selfish, domineering, and, on the flipside, helpful, committed, determined. He loves to be part of a group, but not really just one of the guys; instead, he needs to assert his status as first among equals, and, just as importantly, to make everybody around him acknowledge it. And if his abrasive, in-your-face leadership style works, it’s because he puts in the effort to hone his craft, and then produces results.

The figure Jordan cuts is alternately sympathetic, irritating, pitiful, despicable. It is also spellbinding, authoritative, candid. Which, in the final analysis, is why the fifth and sixth parts of The Last Dance manage to enthrall from start to finish. Armed with his vantage point, they reveal themselves to be insightful revisits of seminal stories. Crucially, they reveal a side of him few have seen: He craves for companionship, but demands respect to a point where lasting ties are made only on his terms. He believes he has earned the right to dictate them.

 

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994.

alcuaycong@bworldonline.com

Project ARK conducts pilot run at Mayor Isko’s Manila

Project ARK has officially started its pilot run in the City of Manila. Launched last April 24, the massive rapid testing initiative in Sampaloc successfully conducted 854 tests out of the target 1,500 sampling size, and had consequently identified 31 persons as potential cases of Covid-19. A similar activity was conducted in Tondo, while the community went under a two-day hard lockdown last Sunday, May 3. A total of 1,409 successful tests were done utilizing the antibody rapid test kits donated by Angkas. Of these, 109 tests were potential cases.

Those identified are immediately directed to the appropriate hospital facilities for confirmatory testing.

Project ARK, an initiative led by Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion bands together the country’s biggest economic and business players to ramp up mass testing in order to safely and gradually reopen the economy. The gathered data will be used so everyone can gain a better visibility of—and formulate better strategies to combat—the virus.

Barangay-level implementation

“On behalf of the people of the City of Manila, thank you very much for your efforts,” said Manila Mayor aisko Moreno. “Malaking bagay ito sa amin. It was very timely when Project ARK was introduced to us because we had to address two districts of Manila: District 4 which is Sampaloc, and District 1 which is Tondo. We are very grateful to our donor Angkas, Presidential Adviser Joey Concepcion, and all the groups who are part of this project kasi we were able to take the opportunity to do mass testing by rapid tests.”

Barangay implementation is part of the project’s bayanihan core. In addition to encouraging the regular screening of employees to ensure safety at work, Project ARK is shorter by companies that are funding the voluntary testing of barangay residents.

Rapid testing protocol

In a May 3 press briefing, Dr. Minguita Padilla, Medical Team Leader and Clinical Associate Professor at the UP College of Medicine, noted that there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to how often one should test employees and residents. Those who are tested to be positive for the IgG antibody, for instance, may have some immunity to the coronavirus already and thus do not have to be tested as frequently as those who have never had the disease (i.e., those who are negative for the IgG and IgM antibodies) and are thus more vulnerable. Those who belong to high-risk groups (such as client-facing staff and the elderly) and/or go home to barangays that have been identified as hot zones, on the other hand, may have to be tested with more regularity.

“This is a new virus. We are learning a lot of things,” Dr. Padilla explains. “We are changing our protocol depending on what we learn everyday. It is a living protocol. So the possibility is every two weeks. If you’re high-risk or if you develop symptoms, then by all means test, even if wala pang two weeks.”

George Royeca, Chief Transport Advocate of Angkas, also points out the other ways to mitigate risks. Employers, he says, can consider work-from-home schemes or shifting schedules for those who really need to report for work at a physical office. “We really have to change this mindset na pansamantala lang po ito… This is our new normal. Cost of doing business na ito ngayon sa ating ekonomiya.”

A delicate balancing act

Concepcion emphasizes the importance of both life and livelihood and of mass testing as a prerequisite to safely reopening the economy. Moreno agrees with the sentiment: “Binabalanse talaga namin. If we are to lock it down, magugutom ang lahat. I-address ang Covid-19, i-address ang kabuhayan ng tao pero we should impose and follow regulations…” The mayor adds that his city could not afford another ECQ. “We may have different approaches but we must act in synchronicity. Flattening the curve is the minimum goal of every government unit… There is no right formula, but we have to try.”

To date, Project ARK has secured close to one million Antibody Rapid Test kits and is already prepping the cities of Makati and Antipolo for their own massive rapid testing endeavors this week. They are currently in talks with the local governments of Quezon City, Pasig City, and Region 4A in Batangas for possible collaboration.

Improve your Remote Work Experience with Dell Unified Workspace

Dell Technologies understands that ensuring business continuity is the top priority for organizations today. During these uncertain times, IT professionals face the challenge of rapidly deploying and supporting a growing number of home-based users who need consistent access to corporate applications.

Companies can rely on Dell Technologies to help them quickly enable and support a significantly expanded remote workforce through Dell Unified Workspace.

Designed with a multi-OS, multi-device world in mind, Dell Technologies’ Unified Workspace modernizes the end-user experience. It is regarded as the industry’s most comprehensive solution to deploy, secure, manage, and support devices of employees directly from the cloud.

Ready to Work Devices

Dell Technologies’ Award Winning Devices provide easier, faster and more seamless user experiences, enabling people to be more productive, faster.

Recognized as the world’s smallest 14″ commercial 2-in-1, the Latitude 7400 features the Dell ExpressSign-in, the first PC proximity sensor enabled by Intel® Context Sensing Technology.

Dell also offers a new kind of Chromebook with the Latitude 5400 Chromebook Enterprise, which puts the design, performance, and trusted features of its Latitude portfolio in a brand new package.

The OptiPlex 7070 Ultra, meanwhile, is a commercial desktop solution that has a one-of-a-kind modular design delivering the aesthetics of an all-in-one and the flexibility of a traditional desktop.

Deploy PCs fast

With Dell Unified Workspace, offices can deploy computers with greater speed and less effort.

Its ProDeploy component simplifies deployment for IT teams and provides end-users with day-one productivity.

With ProDeploy Client Suite, offices can get end-to-end deployment designed to address specific needs such as imaging, migration of user data, installation at multiple sites for remote users, and securing intellectual property and personal information.

Ensure secure collaborations

 Dell Unified Workspace also assures offices of security that does not get in the way of productivity.

Dell Technologies is highly recognized for delivering comprehensive and built-in endpoint security solutions that help protect the endpoint ecosystem, giving IT teams the confidence that information remains secure, threats stay off of devices and attacks are thwarted.

These include the built-in security in Dell devices, strong multi-factor authentication from VMware Workspace ONE, company data encryption from Dell SafeData, and malware prevention at the endpoint from Dell SafeGuard and Response

Manage smarter

Dell Unified Workspace through VMware Workspace ONE also assures simplified and flexible management. An intelligence-driven digital workspace platform that simply and securely delivers and manages any app on any device, Dell Unified Workspace integrates access control, application management, and multi-platform endpoint management.

Workspace ONE reduces the time to deliver core applications to end-users from two hours to just over 12 minutes — providing smarter, faster experiences for the workforce.

Backed-up with reliable support

Predictive and proactive support is also offered by Dell Unified Workspace. Through Dell ProSupport for PCs, IT departments can maintain control and take action with telemetry-driven insights.

Dell Technologies’ predictive technology detects issues before they become problems, so they can be fixed before end-users lose productivity.

In addition, telemetry-driven recommendations and insights allow teams to remotely act on developing IT issues, anticipate end-user needs, and reduce resolution time.

Learn more about Dell Unified Workspace by talking to your contact person at Integrated Computer Systems, Inc., a Dell Technologies Titanium partner in the Philippines.

 

E-mail them at info@ics.com.ph, or visit the ICS website, www.ics.com.ph.

Ramadan 2020: Practicing Muslim faith in the time of COVID-19

By Michaela Tangan
Features Writer, The Philippine STAR

Muslims are now in the midst of month-long fasting, prayer and reflection.

Ramadan, one of the holiest periods in the Islamic calendar, is a social and spiritual time of the year — a holy month of fasting that reminds Muslims of the sufferings of the less fortunate and brings them closer to God through prayer and reflection.

Traditionally, Muslims would come together to prayer in mosques and hold Iftar gatherings with families and friends afterwards. However, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is now transforming how the holy month is celebrated.

To save lives, large social gatherings are restricted and prayer halls are closed. Imams are calling their brothers and sisters to stay home and keep the faith and tradition alive in their homes.

Joining the Muslim community in prayer and celebration, Department of Health (DOH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) listed down the following tips to safely maintain the sanctity of Ramadan:

Attend prayer gatherings online

Along with dawn-to-dusk fasting, Muslims would say the Taraweeh prayer along with the community inside the mosque to seek forgiveness and bring themselves closer to Allah.

Since mosques are closed, Imams are encouraging their brothers and sisters to say their prayers with immediate family members within the comforts of their homes. To deepen their faith, they may also join the rest of the community via live-streamed or broadcasted prayer gatherings or seminars.

 Send Zakat al-Fitr through online transactions

One crucial aspect of Zakat al-Fitr is showing charity to others, usually in the form of food donation drives. Here, the faithful gather to prepare and distribute meals to those in need.

As we face a global health crisis, Muslims may donate their Zakat al-Fitr to their chosen causes via online transactions. Families may also opt to prepare packed foods in their respective kitchens. Instead of going out in groups, a designated member of the family may deliver the food to a trusted institution for safe and centralized distribution.

 Use prayers and meditations to fortify mental and psychosocial health

Ramadan is a special opportunity to lift up to Allah any fears and worries.

Since we are going through a storm, lean on to prayer and meditation to ease the burdens within us. This will also help us cope with the symptoms of anxiety, depression or other mental health problems.

The community may also offer their prayers to comfort the distressed, guide the frontline workers, and heal the sick.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic suddenly changed the way we worship, people’s faith will remain intact. This will serve the community’s guiding light toward a safe, faithful and meaningful celebration of the Ramadan.

Filipino startups step up, harness the power of tech to help combat COVID-19

The impact of COVID-19 left many businesses navigating the digital space. Some are caught off guard while others utilize their expertise in technology. Take it from Filipino startups who have been stepping up to help combat COVID-19 in their own ways. To provide tips on how they’re doing it, startup founders gathered for a QLITAN, a bi-weekly networking event hosted by QBO Philippines since 2016.

But this time, QLITAN was held online. In this virtual event, founders shared how they are responding to the crisis. Headlining the session titled “Startup Survival Guide — Adapting to the New Norm” are Moritz Gastl, vice-president of Growth of First Circle, a startup which provides business financing and access to credit; Shahab Shabibi, co-founder of MyKuya, an app that allows on-demand services such as grocery deliveries; Gabby Dizon, CEO and cofounder of mobile and blockchain game studio Altitude Games; Stefano Fazzini, CEO of online grocery delivery service MetroMart; and Bonnie Factor, founder of Leading with Success.

These startups are now using this opportunity to create a lasting difference — banding together and using technology not only to ease people’s burdens but even potentially save lives.

“Startups are called to do what they do best — they are rising up to this challenge by deploying innovative solutions, moving quickly, and showing us how we can harness the power of technology for the greater good. We are seeing startups from different industries working hard at this time, from logistics to ecommerce to fintech and edutech,” said Katrina Chan, director of QBO.

Startups aiding the government on the battle against COVID-19

Now more than ever, the tech capability of startups can help the government in a number of ways. The Department of Science and Technology with Developers Connect helped launch the RapidPass system where frontliners manning checkpoints can easily inspect vehicles and individuals by scanning QR codes.

Senti, a startup specializing in artificial intelligence and machine learning, provides the knowledge-base for the chatbots that the Department of Health deploys in different channels to address COVID-19-related inquiries. Local tech company Multisys, on the other hand, developed the online and mobile platform StaySafe.ph which aims to help the government in conducting efficient contact tracing.

To enable faster response from local government units (LGUs) in the fight against COVID-19, Limitless Lab, in partnership with The Asia Foundation, developed LGU vs COVID PH. The platform is an easy-to-use, updated, and reliable dashboard of all COVID-19 related information which LGUs can use and refer to.

Startups offering convenience, on-demand services

Unknown to many, some of the essential needs met at this time are also powered by startups. MetroMart enables people who are stuck at home to have their goods delivered right at their doorstep. To further harness its capability, MetroMart launched MetroMart Cares, a special online store for grocery donations in partnership with World Vision and Gawad Kalinga. Another startup, Zagana, helps bridge the gap for local farmers and consumers in need of fresh fruits and vegetables.

MyKuya also provides convenience during the quarantine by helping run errands for those stuck at home and vulnerable to COVID-19. Some of its services include meal delivery, bills payment, and pharmacy and grocery runs. AIDE, a home healthcare platform, connects patients and medical professionals straight from their smartphones.

Even outside the Metro, startups continue to thrive. Pandalivery, an on-demand food delivery service available in Camarines Sur and Albay, expanded its service by including groceries and medicines to help amidst the quarantine. Streetby, an app that allows different merchants to continue to reach households in areas in Mindanao including Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro, Camiguin, Davao, General Santos, and Iligan.

Startups connecting the world, bringing communities together

Aside from providing essentials, startups are also mobilizing their resources and skills to aid in addressing challenges brought about by COVID-19. QBO incubatees Container Living and Kumu are harnessing the power of their community.

Container Living, a startup which converts containers to buildings in its effort to lower carbon footprint and costs, saw the opportunity to pivot their innovation to address the overcrowding of medical facilities brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. Container Living CEO Mac Evangelista spearheaded Rapid Deployment (RAD) Hospitals alongside its team of local architects, professionals and engineers to build scalable, easy-to-deploy, isolation and intensive care facilities for COVID-19 patients.

Livestreaming app Kumu launched Kumu Lives Streaming Service which conducts private live streams for free in an effort to enable Filipino communities, here and around the world, to hold events and gatherings online amid the quarantine, and Social DistanSING, a livestreaming initiative for a cause which brought together artists and celebrities online to share their talents and help raise funds for families affected by COVID-19. To date, Kumu’s cause has raised an estimate of P1.2 million pesos for charity.

“At a time when most of us are relying on technology to stay connected and keep working, these startups are showing us how it can be done. They are, in a way, frontliners in their own rights, taking initiative to tackle this crisis by leveraging their strengths in technology to help our country move forward despite the challenges brought by this pandemic,” added Ms. Chan.

“Our mantra at QBO is ‘Filipino Startups Changing the World’. We have always believed that our homegrown ventures and innovators can make a meaningful contribution to solving critical challenges and create impact. Now, our startups are showing what they’re capable of, and we hope that everyone will take notice, and recognize the crucial role that Filipino startups can play in bringing fresh ideas into action and will continue to support them in future,” she added.

For its part, QBO also harnesses the power of tech by continuously providing support and learning opportunities to Filipino startups, making sure they are equipped with the knowledge and tools they need to push forward despite the threat of COVID-19. For more information, visit facebook.com/QBOphilippines/ and qbo.com.ph/.

5 tips to help startups and SMEs navigate the COVID-19 pandemic

While the current pandemic has been a major challenge for businesses at large, it’s been especially tough for startups and SMEs. Keeping up with shrinking revenues and rapidly changing operational restrictions, these small firms need all the help they can get.

Speakers from “Unlocking the Lockdown: Startup and SME Challenges and Opportunities Amid the Pandemic”, a webinar held last April 17 organized by regtech startup UNAWA, share some tips on navigating through these difficulties—and hopefully also unearthing new opportunities in the process.

1. It’s time to face the music—or rather, the numbers.

With revenues of many startups and SMEs greatly affected since the lockdown, it may not be so palatable to look at one’s books. But for Reese Fernandez-Ruiz, president and co-founder of fashion social enterprise Rags2Riches (R2R), it must be done or it could make things worse in the long term.

One measure is to conduct daily cash flow planning and management. “Every time something goes in and out, check it. I created this Google Sheet that I track every single day and have a list of all the payables and receivables.”

It’s also important to check how far your runway is. “What I do is stretch it out up to two months, so that I have a two-month [window] at any given point in time. It’s stressful because you can see, ‘At this time, if nothing comes in, I’m in a bad place.’ But you have to know it so that you can find ways to stop it.”

2. Listen to your customers.

Unusual times create unusual situations, and therefore, unusual consumer needs. As a startup or SME, this is your chance to help address them.

Rommel Ng, president and co-founder of Buffalo Wings N’ Things, cited an example from the restaurant industry. “Aside from disposing of the inventory, the reason the big [restaurant] players are starting to sell ready-to-cook [products] is because people are confined in their homes, and it’s cheaper if they cook it.

“What drives our businesses now is what the customers need…We’re so blessed now because… [consumer] behaviors are being broadcasted by people. You’ll get a clue, and you have to adjust.”

3. Think of the future.

With the current situation making the present already so difficult as it is, it may be easy to raise one’s eyebrows on this piece of advice. But the actions of now determine the results in the future.

“You can’t pivot anymore ‘after this’, ‘when things go back to normal’, ‘when this is all over’. All of those sentences don’t apply because you have to think about the things that you can do now,” said Fernandez-Ruiz.

“If you do have cash, go on the offense also… investing in a little bit of R&D, designing things for use in the future. And by ‘future’, I mean the next two weeks, because that’s what the future is during these times.”

4. Always put your people first.

The pandemic and consequent lockdown have inflicted different kinds of stress on employees. Now more than ever, it’s vital to be there for them. “We prioritize people: taking care of their physical health, financial needs, and also their mental health, with the latter often being overlooked,”

This, of course, should also reflect on your cash allocations—even if it may mean making sacrifices. “Our team knows that I’d be the first not to get paid my salary before everybody else,” said Fernandez-Ruiz. “When your people understand that, the trust is being built. You don’t build trust during the good times; you build the trust during these times.”

5. Go beyond your business.

It’s also just as important to make your presence felt outside in the community. If you don’t have a lot to contribute materially as a small enterprise, there are other ways to help.

“We don’t have a lot of money. But I can contribute experience, knowledge, and insight,” said Ng. “It’s an opportunity to get intimate with people, the community, and all the stakeholders: the customers, your employees, and your investors.”

For Fernandez-Ruiz, it’s also about making a stand. “It’s very important to show your values right now… It’s easy to live our values when times are easy. But living your values during the crisis, it’s actually when values are most critical and most needed.”

Inflation decelerates in April

Inflation continued to slow down in April as the decline in transport and the deceleration in other non-food commodities offset the faster price adjustments in the heavily-weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) published earlier this morning showed. 
Preliminary results from the PSA showed April inflation at 2.2%, slower than 2.5% annual rate in March, and three percent in April 2019.
The April result was slower than the 2.1% median estimate in a BusinessWorld poll of 13 economists conducted last week. It was, however, within the 1.9%-2.7% forecast range given by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Department of Economic Research for the month.
Year to date, inflation settled at 2.6%, still within the BSP’s 2%-4% target band and above the revised two-percent forecast for the entire 2020.

Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, likewise slowed to 2.8% from three percent in March. So far, it averaged 3.1% for the year.

“Contributing to the downtrend in the headline inflation in April 2020 was the further decrease in the annual rate of transport index at 6.1% [from the decline of 1.8% in March]. This was the lowest inflation recorded in this group’s index since October 2015,” the PSA said in a statement. 

The PSA also noted slower annual increases in alcoholic beverages and tobacco (17.9% from 18% in March); clothing and footwear (2.6% from 2.7%); housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels (0.3% from 1.1%); health (2.8% from 2.9%); communication (0.3% from 0.5%); and restaurant and miscellaneous goods and services (2.4% from 2.6%).

On the other hand, the food and non-alcoholic beverages index accelerated to 3.4% in April from 2.6% in March. The food alone index also increased by 3.4% from 2.6% previously.

Price adjustments during the month were steady for furnishing, household equipment and routine maintenance of the house (4.2%); recreation and culture (1.6%); and education (4.7%). – Jobo E. Hernandez

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