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Courts in GCQ areas to open on May 18 — SC

THE Supreme Court (SC) on Friday said that courts in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) will reopen starting May 18 and will continue acting on pending cases during this period.

According to Administrative Circular No. 40-2020 issued on Friday, “All the branches of the courts in the areas under GCQ shall be physically open from 18 to 29 May 2020, but shall function only with a skeleton-staff, by rotation, to be determined by the presiding judge.”

Operating hours will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. until May 29. Courts will be closed on Saturday, May 30.

The SC also said “All the courts in the GCQ areas shall continue to resolve and decide all the cases pending before them. The hearings, either in-court or through videoconferencing, of all the matters pending before them, in both criminal and civil cases, whether newly filed or pending, and regardless of the stage of the trial, are now herein authorized.”

Judges and prosecutors may promulgate decisions and orders within the period of the GCQ. Service of writs and other court processes can also proceed.

The filing of petitions, appeals, complaints, motions, pleadings and other court submissions that are due within the period before May 31 will be extended by another 30 days. Court actions with prescribed periods will also be extended by 30 days.

Earlier this week, the Palace announced modified quarantine levels which will start after the original enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) ends on May 15. While quarantine will be lifted in some areas, many others will be put under the less strict GCQ. Meanwhile, Laguna, Cebu City, and Metro Manila will be under a modified enhanced community quarantine, which is more lenient than the ECQ but stricter than GCQ.

Many areas across the country will be put under GCQ starting May 16. These areas are the Cordillera Autonomous Region, Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Baguio City, Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Santiago City, Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Angeles City, Olongapo City, Cavite, Quezon, Rizal, Batangas, Lucena City, Bohol, Cebu Province, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, Zamboanga Del Norte, Zamboanga Del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga City, Isabela City, Davao City, Davao De Oro, Davao Del Norte, Davao Del Sur, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, Agusan Del Norte, Agusan Del Sur, Dinagat Island, Surigao Del Norte, Surigao Del Sur, and Butuan City. — Gillian M. Cortez

Gov’t agencies told to review planned procurement for this year

THE Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) told procuring entities (PEs) to review their planned and ongoing procurement for this year to determine which will be discontinued following the orders to tighten their belts issued by the Budget department earlier.

“For those to be continued, PEs shall review the existing project requirements to ensure that the same cover only what they need and can actually implement within the year,” the GPPB’s Resolution No. 09-2020 read.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) issued Budget Circular No. 580 last month saying that 35% of the budgets of state agencies will no longer be released in order to source funds for the national government’s responses to the ongoing public health emergency.

The DBM also ordered agencies to review the programs that will have their allotted budgets cut.

Amid the restrictions imposed as part of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), the GPPB also allowed online or electronic submission and receipt of documents for procurement, and recommended that its online portal be further developed so online submission and receipt of bids can be accommodated, to expedite processes.

It also urged PEs to use communication technologies such as videoconferencing and webcasting in their meetings and other processes as a workaround given the mobility restrictions observed during the lockdown period.

“Given the exceptional circumstances brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the ECQ and the suspension of mass public transport services, both the PEs and bidders are finding it hard to continue with the conduct of procurement activities and thus, PEs are at risk of exceeding the maximum calendar days allowed for the specific procurement activities,” it said.

The GPPB, through the circular, authorized the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) to suspend procurement activities that were interrupted by the lockdown period and resume only once the situation allows. — Beatrice M. Laforga

DA partners with more companies under e-Kadiwa program

On Friday, the Department of Agriculture (DA) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with seven companies which will join as sellers under the e-Kadiwa ni Ani At Kita marketing program.

Two logistics providers have also signed up with the online marketing platform where consumers can use their mobile phones or computers to buy agricultural products which are sourced directly from farm producers.

The seven companies — Farmshare Prime, Livegreen International Inc., Farmtech Inc., Banwa Farms, Cultigen Corp., RAM, and Abalayan Trading-Benguet — will sell their produce through the DA’s online marketing platform.

Meanwhile, Grab Express and Lalamove Philippines have also partnered with the DA for the delivery of products sold under e-Kadiwa.

“The e-Kadiwa program helps farmers from the countryside because consumers directly buy from the producers,” Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar said.

The new companies will join the e-Kadiwa program’s initial partner-companies which include AgriNurture, Inc., Benjabi Ventures Corp., Zagana Inc., and Mober Inc.

Mr. Dar said that plans to expand the e-Kadiwa platform to nearby provinces will depend on the partner-companies and will be based on the outcome of the project.

“We will see first if the program will be successful in Metro Manila. Once we are satisfied with the arrangements, the intent is to go to other provinces,” Mr. Dar said.

The DA said that the new partner-companies will be able to upload and sell their products in the e-Kadiwa by next week.

The public can access e-Kadiwa via its website http://www.ekadiwa.da.gov.ph/ – Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Warrantless arrest of teacher over tweet threatening Duterte invalid, but sedition charges recommended

THE Department of Justice (DoJ) said that the warrantless arrest of a teacher who offered a P50-million bounty for anyone who kills President Rodrigo R. Duterte was invalid. However, the Justice department recommended the filing of charges against teacher Ronnel Mas for inciting to sedition.

The DoJ’s Inquest Resolution, signed by Assistant State Prosecutor Jeanette M. Dacpano on May 13, said that the arrest of Mr. Mas earlier this week “does not fall within the ambit of warrantless arrest contemplated by law.” The resolution added that the arresting officer did not know Mr. Mas had committed a crime at the time of the arrest.

Warrantless arrests can only be valid if the offense was committed and the arresting officer has probable cause to believe and personal knowledge and facts that Mr. Mas committed the action.

But due to the nature of Mr. Mas’ social media post., which stated that he would give a P50-million reward to whoever will kill Mr. Duterte, the DoJ said that this “clearly suggests violent means to topple the Duterte administration.”

The DoJ said it recommended the filing of charges against Mr. Mas for violating Article 142 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to his violation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

The arrest of Mr. Mas sparked an outcry in social media, with many calling this an attack on his right to freedom of speech, especially since the President himself has repeatedly ordered the police to kill alleged criminals without any judicial process, particularly drug pushers and drug users. — Gillian M. Cortez

Former Senator Tessie Aquino-Oreta, 75

FORMER Senator Ma. Teresa Aquino-Oreta, sister of the late senator Benigno S. Aquino, Jr., has passed away, her son, Malabon Mayor Antolin A. Oreta lll said on Friday. She was 75.

“On behalf of my family, it is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my mom at 10:48 p.m. of May 14. Former Senator Tessie Aquino-Oreta was a public servant who devoted her life to the country and her adopted hometown of Malabon. She was a loving grandmother, mother, and wife and a friend to those whose lives she touched,” Mr. Oreta said in a Facebook post.

Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III mourned the passing of Ms. Aquino-Oreta.

“My family and I are so saddened by her demise. She was very close to me and Greg,” he said referring to Information and Communications Technology Secretary Gregorio B. Honasan II.

“Helen (A. Gamboa-Sotto, his wife), being a relative of theirs, is devastated by her passing away. She has not stopped crying since we were told the news last night,” he told reporters in a Viber message on Friday.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri said that the Senate will pass a resolution on Monday honoring the late senator and will close the session after its approval.

“Monday will be just to pass a reso Honoring The Late Senator Tessie Aquino then we close right after as tradition dictates. Then we moved up [by] a day lahat nang (all the) Committee of the Whole hearings. So yung (the) schedule on Monday will be moved to Tuesday and so on. Tuloy lang (and on) till Thursday,” he told reporters via Viber on Friday.

Ms. Aquino-Oreta was the chairperson of the Senate committee on education, arts and culture during the 11th Congress. She also represented the district of Malabon City-Navotas at the House of Representatives from 1987 to 1998. — Genshen L. Espedido

NFA open to probe into smelly rice

THE NATIONAL Food Authority (NFA) said that it is open to any investigation that may be conducted after reports surfaced about the foul odors of rice stock issued to some legislators.

NFA Administrator Judy Carol L. Dansal said that the agency will welcome any probe by the Department of Agriculture (DA) or any other government agency to check the quality of rice stocks in its warehouses.

“We assure the public that the rice we distribute are fresh from the rice mills which we contracted to mill our palay stocks,” Ms. Dansal said.

Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar recently said that he will look into allegations that the NFA rice given to some legislators for their relief distribution had a foul smell.

Local NFA officials have denied the allegations and guaranteed that all of the rice released is of good quality.

Meanwhile, to protect and preserve the quality of its rice and palay (unmilled rice) stocks, the NFA said it implements good warehouse keeping practices and stringent stock quality management which adhere to international standards for food safety.

As of May 12, NFA rice sales for relief distribution were at 3.431 million bags, with 85% or 2.918 million bags bought by LGUs.

“They prefer NFA rice because of its good quality, which is comparable to commercial rice in the market. Moreover, its price — at P1,250 per 50-kg bag — is way below the commercial price. Since the start of rice distribution for relief, we have not received a single report or complaint on the NFA rice quality,” Ms. Dansal said.

Republic Act No. 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Law in 2019, repealed the NFA’s rice importation and regulatory functions. The law limits the NFA’s mandate to maintaining buffer stocks for calamities or emergencies with the rice coming from local farmers. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

COVID-19 economic toll could hit $253 billion without interventions

GOVERNMENT INTERVENTIONS and policy measures by Southeast Asian countries reduced potential economic losses of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by as much as 34%, according to a research by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

In a policy brief released Friday, the ADB noted that policy measures rolled out by governments softened the impact of the virus on the global economy by around 30-40% through fiscal and monetary easing, higher health spending and direct support to cover losses in income.

In Southeast Asia, ADB data showed state interventions reduced potential economic losses by around 26-34% across the region to $119.6-$166.3 billion, which accounts for 3.4-4.7% of regional GDP.

Without policy measures, Southeast Asia’s economic losses could hit $163-$253 billion or 4.6-7.2% of GDP, according to the multilateral lender.

This means the stimulus efforts rolled out by the governments could raise output by $44-$87 billion or 1.2% to 2.5% of the region’s GDP.

The ADB projected the economic impact based on two scenarios where countries are under three- and six-month long containment with borders closed, travel restricted and lockdown measures imposed.

It said policy interventions can “significantly offset the impact” of COVID-19 by 30% under the short containment scenario and by 40% under the long term situation.

“However, with the current size of macroeconomic stimulus for some countries in the region still small relative to the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, doubling the size of macroeconomic stabilization packages could help shorten the containment period,” the policy brief read.

Based on ADB’s updated policy database on May 4, the Philippines’ economic package rolled out reached $16.68 billion or 4.53% of GDP and accounts for 6.33% of the region’s total package.

To compare, the Philippines’ package was the fifth largest among the 10 Southeast Asian countries, only behind Vietnam’s $26.18 billion. Thailand had the largest at $82.534 billion, followed by Indonesia with $57.97 billion.

The ADB’s projections also showed Southeast Asian countries could see 158 million to as much as 242 million jobs lost under the two scenarios, which account for 11.6-18.4% of total employment in the region. This translates to labor income worth $25-$39 billion.

The ADB said aviation and tourism industries were the worst-hit sectors in the early part of the pandemic due to travel bans, while recreational activities, hospitality and retail trade have also shut down as most governments limited mass gatherings.

Transportation was also heavily cut down as people were ordered to stay home, agriculture was affected due to logistics issues, construction works halted and businesses in other sectors also took a hit, while many in the informal sector also lost their sources of income.

On trade alone, ADB data showed border closures, travel bans and lockdowns slashed the region’s trade output by around $229-$344 billion, equivalent to 6.5-9.7% of GDP under the two scenarios.

“In general, the trade channel is the mechanism by which the domestic impact of the pandemic spills over and is transmitted to other countries or regions. In this analysis, the impact on total trade is roughly 30% of the impact on global GDP. It can be inferred that the spillover effects from the COVID-19 pandemic are relatively small compared with the domestic impact,” it said. — B.M. Laforga

Wholesale prices of construction materials in NCR ease in April

By Marissa Mae M. Ramos, Researcher

THE wholesale price growth of construction materials in Metro Manila rose in April, albeit at a slower pace, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said on Friday.

The construction materials wholesale price index (CMWPI) grew 1.5% year-on-year in April, against an increase of 1.6% in March.

The deceleration in the CMWPI was driven by a further decline in fuels and lubricants to minus 19.2% in April from minus 5.7% in March. Electrical works, and plumbing fixtures and accessories/waterworks also contributed to the slowdown with 0.7% (from 1.4%) and 1.2% (from 1.4%), respectively.

The year-on-year growth in other commodities remained unchanged from the previous month: tileworks (17.5%); PVC pipes (7.5%); glass and glass products (7.1%); galvanized iron sheets (2.8%); sand and gravel (1.4%); concrete products and cement (1.3%); painting works (0.9%); doors, jambs, and steel casement (0.6%); and reinforcing and structural steel (0.3%).

The wholesale price of plywood also continued to decrease at the same rate at minus 0.4% in April while flat growth was noted in asphalt and machinery and equipment rental.

Meanwhile, faster increments were recorded in lumber (4.4% from 3.3%) and hardware (5.0% from 4.7%).

“The slower year-on-year increase in wholesale prices of construction materials in April… may be attributed to the sharp decline in oil/petroleum products (near two-decade lows) that, in turn, led to lower prices of construction materials based on oil/petroleum… largely due to slower demand and reduced economic activities with the ECQ (enhanced community quarantine) in Luzon for the whole month of April and the lockdown in many countries around the world,” Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said in an email.

Among the economic activities restricted during the ECQ, the economist said, were construction, real estate, and other related activities that dampened demand for construction materials.

“For the coming months, any gradual easing of the lockdown would lead to some resumption of construction, infrastructure, and other real estate activities… Thus, there may be some slight pick-up in the prices of construction materials in the coming months, but could still be limited and could remain relatively lower with the expected gradual resumption of business activities, including construction, infrastructure, and real estate activities,” he added.

NPC releases guidelines on work-from-home operations

THE NATIONAL Privacy Commission (NPC) has released guidelines for data security for work-from-home (WFH) operations, encouraging institutions to use only authorized software and organization-issued devices.

The NPC on Friday said in a statement that public and private organizations should ensure personal data protection as WFH measures will likely remain as part of the “new normal” in managing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis.

The commission said organizations should issue computers and information communications technology resources like USB flash drives, and use personal devices only if providing organization-issued resources is impractical.

“Such practice, however, must be governed by the organization’s Bring Your Own Devices (BYOD) policy.”

Organizations have been implementing WFH measures since the start of the enhanced community quarantine that limits the number of workers allowed for on-site operations, with some companies retaining these measures even after restrictions have relaxed.

The NPC also encourages the use of authorized software and video conferencing, discouraging the storing of digital files in external services and software. The commission reminded organizations that they should have security updates on devices, including antivirus scanning and operating system security patches.

Web browsers, the commission said, should be up-to-date and properly configured. The NPC encourages private browsing, disabling password autofill, preventing tracking, and checking password exposure breaches and control permissions on internet browsers.

When using home-based WiFi, the NPC said to ensure reliable internet connection and to avoid visiting malicious web pages. The commission also recommended creating private workspaces at home to avoid accidental viewing from others.

The NPC said WFH should be given the same level of data protection ensured by the Data Privacy Act for the measures to remain sustainable.

“Given the public health emergency (PHE) that the country faces, the National Privacy Commission (NPC) supports the adoption of the WFH setup as a viable strategy to balance the need to preserve the health and well-being of an organization’s workforce with the need to continuously operate and provide services to the public,” Privacy Commissioner Raymund Enriquez Liboro said. — Jenina P. Ibañez

PHL among countries with lowest video quality

THE PHILIPPINES was among the countries with the lowest video quality experience in the past quarter even as it showed a large improvement, a global mobile analytics company said.

OpenSignal said in its The State of Mobile Network Experience 2020 report that Philippine users’ video experience grew by 32%, the fourth largest increase in percentage among 100 countries. The report is based on data collected from more than 43 million devices in the first quarters of 2019 and 2020.

Video experience improved from “Poor” to “Fair,” with the country ranking 91st out of a 100 countries.

“While there is a relationship between download speeds and the quality of the Video Experience, the strength of the correlation between the two declines as speeds increase,” the report said, noting that the Czech Republic and the Netherlands tied for first place in video experience even though they have a gap in average download speeds.

The Philippines ranked 83rd in terms of download speeds, up 21.5% to 8.5 megabits per second (Mbps).

Philippine smartphone users are able to spend 81.5% of their time connected to 4G signal, up 12.6% since 2019 and one of the largest increases in the Asia Pacific.

OpenSignal said 5G adoption needs to accelerate to improve overall download experience, but they maintained that markets still need to provide users with a good mobile 4G experience.

“This older 4G technology is the foundation of mobile experience, for 4G users and also as a necessary foundation for offering 5G services.”

OpenSignal added that the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on business makes the future of mobile networks uncertain.

“But the habits formed during the crisis, and the critical role of mobile telecoms in everyone’s lives in these difficult times, will lead to many mobile initiatives in the years ahead,” the report said.

“People are connecting through voice and video communications more than ever — highlighting the importance of different ways of measuring the quality of the real-world mobile experience.” — J.P. Ibañez

Face masks required as Metro Manila malls reopen today after two months

METRO MANILA malls are requiring the use of face masks as they reopen today after being shut for two months due to the strict lockdown enforced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In separate statements on Friday, Megaworld Corp. and Robinsons Malls confirmed that they are reopening their malls starting May 16. It is unclear when SM Supermalls will be restarting operations although it has issued guidelines to do so safely.

Meanwhile, Ayala Land has said that its Metro Manila malls will open on May 18, but gave no details as of press time.

After two months of the stricter enhanced community quarantine, Metro Manila has been placed under modified enhanced community quarantine, and the malls are now allowed to partially reopen. Only non-leisure stores allowed to do business, while restaurants may operate for take out and delivery only, with no in-house dining allowed.

Stores that may operate include those that sell hardware, clothing and accessories, books and office supplies, baby care supplies, pet supplies, information technology and electronic equipment, toys, flowers, jewellery, novelties, antiques, and perfume. Mall branches of government frontline services can also open

Barbershops and salons, as well as gyms, cinemas, karaoke bars, playrooms, travel agencies, and personal care services like massage parlors may not reopen.

The mall operators confirmed that free WiFi connection will be suspended, and air conditioning will be limited as per orders. These measures are meant to deter people from loitering in the malls.

Megaworld said its safety measures include social distancing, mandatory thermal checks, compulsory wearing of face masks, and cashless transactions. Only customers between the ages of 21 and 59 will be allowed to enter, and they must present their IDs at the entrance.

“Contactless purchases including the use of mobile or cashless transactions at select stores, and the establishment of designated pick-up counters and drive-through stations for online takeout orders and deliveries are also among the new additional measures to be implemented to protect and give shoppers more options,” Megaworld said.

Robinsons said that it is applying a “no face mask, no entry” policy and will be checking customers’ temperature. Customers will also be required to follow three-step gaps between other customers in escalators, while elevators will have marked areas for standing.

SM is requesting that customers limit their activities to buying essentials and accessing non-leisure services.

“Hallways and common areas will have floor directional arrows to encourage one-way customer traffic to help people avoid coming into close contact with others. Safety Protocol Officers have been deployed to reinforce Safe Malling measures,” it said in a statement.

SM has conducted antibody rapid testing for all employees, including janitors and security guards, and provided them with personal protective equipment.

The mall operators will be conducting sanitizing measures, with SM and Robinsons placing antiseptic dispensers and disinfectant foot mats at the entrances of their facilities. Megaworld has placed disinfection chambers at its mall entrances.

“We want to make sure that anyone visiting and working in our malls would feel safe and well taken care of,” Robinsons Malls Senior Vice-President and General Manager Arlene Magtibay said. — Jenina P. Ibañez

FDCP issues guidelines for film, TV production shoots

THE Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) on Friday announced its guidelines for production shoots in the entertainment industry under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ). These will include conducting casting via video and limiting production staff.

Film, TV, and music production are among the industries permitted to operate with 50% of their regular workforce during the MECQ period.

FDCP chairperson Liza Diño-Seguerra spoke at a briefing on Friday before the MECQ takes effect for Laguna, Cebu City, and Metro Manila starting March 16.

“Meron tayong guidelines bago magshoot (We have guidelines before shooting), pre-production, production and post production,” she said.

These guidelines include on-set health precautionary measures. Among these are that production companies must provide face masks for their workers; interior spaces must have adequate ventilation; and holding areas for talents and crew must be outdoors as much as possible.

A nurse must be present during filming and temperature checks of all people present in the shooting is mandatory.

Social distancing measures will also be strictly observed. Cameras and camera men must be two feet away from the talents during filming. Handwashing stations must be available for everyone, and costumes and wardrobes must be cleaned immediately after use.

A maximum of 50 people will be allowed on set, and casting can be done via videoconference or self-made tapes. As much as possible, only a skeleton workforce must be employed and a limited number of talents and crew.

The FDCP also said that the following kinds of scenes will be restricted during the MECQ: night club scenes, political demonstrations, church congregations, parades and similar festivities, sports or any public tournaments, and large concerts.

For catering on sets, only single-serve beverages and food will be allowed. When serving sit down meals, a distance of one meter between each person must be observed.

While only 50% workforce is allowed for most industries under the MECQ, the film and audiovisual industry are allowed to operate at 75% capacity in areas under a general community quarantine provided that safety protocols are complied with. — Gillian Cortez

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