Facebook Instagram Linkedin Twitter Youtube
Home Blog Page 8851

Malacañang considers more budget against coronavirus pandemic

THE presidential palace on Monday said it might propose a supplemental budget for the government’s anti-COVID-19 efforts.

Presidential spokesman Harry L. Roque told a news briefing Malacañang had asked the Budget department to come up with data on which funds in the national budget could be realigned.

He said he expects Budget Secretary Wendel E. Avisado would come up with the figures this week.

Lawmakers earlier passed a measure giving President Rodrigo R. Duterte special powers to fight the coronavirus pandemic, including realigning government funds.

Central Bank Governor Benjamin E. Diokno said the government would need more budget in the battle against the coronavirus disease 2019.

Mr. Duterte earlier said the government was “running low” in resources for programs to help communities affected by the virus.

He had ordered Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III to look for other fund sources as the P275 billion initially allotted by Congress for the COVID-19 response gets depleted. — Gillian M. Cortez

Universities, colleges told to open in August

PRIVATE colleges and universities should start the school year in August amid a novel coronavirus pandemic, even as they prepare for a flexible learning system months ahead, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said on Monday.

Some universities have moved their school calendar from June even before the outbreak, but those who still use the old calendar should adopt the new schedule, CHED Commissioner Prospero de Vera III told a news briefing.

“For private universities still using the old calendar, they would have to move the opening to August as we roll out flexible learning,” he added.

Mr. de Vera said the commission had ordered universities to submit their preparedness plans for the coming school year before August.

“We are giving them the month of May and June to come up with firm plans approved by their board,” he said.

The CHED chief also said the commission was assessing the preparedness of schools to start classes in August, adding that they were in discussions with private universities.

Mr. de Vera said universities should consider flexible learning programs. The commission earlier issued a memo ordering all tertiary-level schools to train their educators about this.

Under the plan, students will be given school work online apart from physical classes to ensure physical distancing measures meant to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019.

The amount of online school work will depend on the internet connectivity of students, teachers and the institutions themselves.

Mr. de Vera said the flexible learning system would not compromise the quality of education. “The flexible learning system will not change the learning outcomes and achievements that the students should meet.”

The Department of Education last week said it would move the opening of classes this year to August from June as the country battles a novel coronavirus pandemic.

Classes for school year 2020 to 2021 will start on Aug. 24 and end on April 30 next year, Education Secretary Leonor Briones said.

Not all teachers and students will physically report to schools once classes start due to lockdowns enforced in some areas of the country to contain the coronavirus disease 2019, she said.

The Education chief said various approaches will be used to teach students including technology-based learning through computers and mobile phones, media such as television and radio, and other offline methods.

Students will be made to answer a poll during enrolment about their preferred learning mode and which gadgets they own for technology-based learning.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte locked down the entire Luzon island on March 17, suspending work, classes and public transportation to contain the outbreak.

People should stay home except to buy food and other basic goods, he said. Mr. Duterte relaxed the lockdown for some areas of the island starting May 1 and extended the so-called enhanced community quarantine for Metro Manila, some cities and provinces until May 15. — Gillian M. Cortez

PHL’s 1st typhoon for 2020 to bring rains this week

TROPICAL depression Ambo is expected to brings rains in different parts of the country this week as it moves in a northwest direction. As of Monday, weather bureau PAGASA said Ambo has slightly intensified while remaining almost stationary over the Philippine sea, bringing scattered light to moderate with isolated heavy rains over the southern islands of Mindanao. The typhoon’s center was 330 kilometers (km) east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur as of 3 p.m. Monday with maximum sustained winds of 55 km per hour near the center. PAGASA’s track forecast places Ambo east of Eastern Samar on Tuesday and Wednesday, moving up to Sorsogon by Thursday, north of Quezon by Friday, and west of Dagupan City by Saturday. No typhoon signals were up as of Monday but local disaster management councils have already raised warnings in landslide-prone areas. Ambo is this year’s first typhoon in the Philippines, where about 20 sweeps through annually.

#COVID-19 Regional Updates

FPI backs modified quarantine rules with pocket lockdowns

THE Federation of Philippine Industries, Inc. (FPI) is endorsing a shift to a modified general community quarantine (GCQ) policy by May 16 wherein restrictions on businesses will be eased and lockdowns to be imposed in smaller zones under high risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmissions. A modified GCQ is one of the recommendations by the Metro Manila Council (MMC) to the national task force handling the crisis. “I am humbly endorsing the Modified GCC under option three (3) because this will practically put balance on the current serious health and economic problem caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic which is gravely affecting the country,” FPI Chairman Jesus Lim Arranza said in a letter to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) on Monday. Other options put forward by MMC, composed of mayors in the capital Metro Manila and representatives from other agencies, were a two-week extension of the strict quarantine or a GCQ. Mr. Arranza said FPI supports the option where local governments can impose lockdowns on specific barangays as needed because this would allow qualified manufacturing industries to resume operations. “This will consequently create the necessary economic activity that will allow the companies to be able to generate funds not only to pay the salaries of their employees, but, also to pay the government the needed revenues, particularly during these difficult times,” he said. The country had over 11,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 11, with about 65% located in Metro Manila. — Jenina P. Ibañez

Eastern Visayas COVID-19 test lab starts operations; Northern Mindanao facilities on trial run this week

THE Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC), based in Tacloban City, started coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing on Monday, boosting local health authorities’ ability to confirm and respond to cases. The Eastern Visayas — composed of the provinces of Biliran, Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar, and Southern Leyte plus the independent cities of Ormoc and Tacloban — so far has 19 confirmed COVID-19 cases. Of the total, five have recovered while 14 are still under hospital care. With majority of the cases in Samar, Department of Health (DoH) Regional Director Minerva P. Molon said they are closely working with provincial officials on response and containment measures. As of May 10, the region was still awaiting the results of 231 samples sent to the laboratory in Cebu City before the opening of its own facility. Majority of results that were released last week were negative, Ms. Molon reported. “More test results are turning negative, however, this does not mean that we have already flattened the curve for COVID-19 and it is still too early to determine such indicator,” she said. With the EVRMC laboratory now in operation, the region will be able to gather more data with a faster turnaround of results from collected samples. The lab, which has a full capacity for 700 samples a day, will start with processing under 100 samples.

CDO
In Cagayan de Oro City, the DoH Northern Mindanao regional office will undergo proficiency testing for its facility in Barangay Carmen which has a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machine donated by the city government. The Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) will undertake a similar dry run with its own PCR equipment. This week’s tests for the two facilities comprise the last stage before full accreditation for full-scale testings. The DoH lab will initially be able to handle 100 tests a day, but DoH Assistant Regional Director David Mendoza, in a statement, said the facility space and staff can handle two more similar machines. The private hospital Polymedic Medical Plaza, also located in the city, is likewise preparing to be an accredited COVID-19 laboratory.

Nationwide round-up

Over 14,000 OFWs tested for COVID-19

MORE than 14,000 repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have been tested for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) while in isolation, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported Monday. In a statement, PCG said 14,418 land- and sea-based OFWs underwent reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction technique test for COVID-19 as of May 10. On Monday, 1,674 were tested by the Sub-Task Group for the Repatriation of OFWs — 1,118 in quarantine facilities in Metro Manila and nearby provinces and 556 at Palacio de Manila. All returning OFWs are required to undergo a 14-day quarantine. “Rest assured that once necessary clearances are issued, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) will coordinate their transport so they may finally go home to their families,” it said. Among the quarantine facilities being used for OFWs are the Eva Macapagal Super Terminal in Pier 15 and two 2GO vessels that have been temporarily reconfigured. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

PEZA asks gov’t to cover COVID-19 testing of ecozone employees

THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has requested government to cover the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing of ecozone employees as a form of assistance to locators that continue to operate during the lockdown. PEZA Director General Charito B. Plaza, in a phone interview on Monday, said she had written the Department of Finance requesting for free testing for employees. “(Industry workers) are the backbone of the economy… it’s important that the people working (be tested) so they can be healthy. This is also help for the investors who are badly hit. Instead of them spending for the testing, this is our assistance for them,” she said in English and Filipino. In the meantime, PEZA is assessing testing service providers as it will be requiring all registered companies to have their employees undergo either the rapid test, which checks the presence of antibodies, or the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, which determines the presence of the virus. She said implementing the tests, starting with the current skeleton force then the work-from-home employees, will pave the way for allowing 100% operations. Ms. Plaza is also discussing with private ecozones the possibility of setting up dormitories for workers that can be used during crises. — Jenina P. Ibañez

Peso climbs vs dollar

THE PESO appreciated against the greenback on Monday on positive market sentiment about the possible gradual easing of lockdown measures and amid market expectations of another rate cut from the US Federal Reserve.

The local unit finished trading at P50.30 per dollar on Monday, stronger by 12 centavos from its P50.42 close on Friday, according to data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines.

The peso started the session at P50.45 per dollar, which was also its weakest showing for the day. Meanwhile, its intraday best was its close of P50.30.

Dollars traded rose to $474.22 million on Monday from the $433.2 million seen on Friday.

Improved risk appetite on the possible easing of lockdowns boosted the local unit, according to Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort.

“The peso was also stronger amid some optimism in the global financial markets about preparations for re-opening many economies from lockdowns, including the Philippines, in the coming days,” Mr. Ricafort said in a text message.

The government is expected to announce this Monday a decision on the enhanced community quarantine in some areas of Luzon including the National Capital Region after May 15.

Mayors of Metro Manila cities have recommended three scenarios, including the full extension of the ECQ until the end of May, a general community quarantine and a combination of ECQ and GCQ depending on the containment of the virus’ spread in their respective areas.

Meanwhile, a trader attributed the peso’s strength to market expectations of easing from the US Federal Reserve.

“The peso appreciated amid increasing expectations of future US rate cuts to negative policy rates following the spike in US unemployment data last week,” the trader said in an e-mail.

Reuters reported that the US Department of Labor said on Friday that the unemployment rate surged to 14.7%, going beyond the post-World War II record high 10.8% in November 1982.

For today, Mr. Ricafort gave a forecast range of P50.20 to P50.45 while the trader expects the local unit to move within the 50.15 and 50.35 band. — L.W.T. Noble with Reuters

Learn from home

By MICHAELA TANGAN

Where to take free online classes during the COVID-19 lockdown

We each have unique ways of coping up with the current global health pandemic. Some slow down, recharge and take this time to break away from the toxicity of the ‘hustle’ culture. Others choose to work doubly hard or broaden their skill set in the hopes of finding better opportunities after the lockdown.

Thanks to modern technologies, we can come out of this pandemic better and more equipped. When the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) forced us to stay home, several organizations and learning platforms have opened their doors by providing free online access to their training courses and programs. The step enabled millions of people at home to pursue knowledge despite numerous hurdles.

Check out these educational platforms and discover what suits your interests or supports your career advancement goals:

Coursera

The online learning platform has been providing free learning opportunities even before the COVID-19 broke out. However, on March 25, it launched new, free resources and course collections to help millions of learners across the globe, including the Philippines.

In partnership with leading institutions such as Caltech, Columbia University, Google, and IBM, Coursera currently offers courses on mental health and well-being, career development, technology, public health and COVID-19, as well as data science, people skills and gaming industry. There are also free courses for high school and college students.

Where to access: 

www.coursera.org, Apple App Store, Google Play Store

edX

Founded by Michigan Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard in 2012, it has now partnered with over 140 leading universities, non-profits, NGOs, and corporations to provide wide-ranging classes for free.

The platform mostly offers computer science, business and management, engineering, social sciences and humanities courses and programs but has now expanded with epidemics courses. Learners may deepen their understanding of pop culture, parenting, happiness, law, design and languages.

Where to access: 

www.edx.org, Apple App Store, Google Play Store

Kadenze

For those who are geared towards the arts and creative technology, Kadenze is the digital learning platform to access first.

The subjects they offer include music, design, creative computing, music technology, fashion, web development, animation, photography, videography, architecture, and performing arts, entrepreneurship and more.

These classes are moderated by highly-regarded institutions, including Columbia University, Sydney Opera House, National University of Singapore, Princeton University and Paris College of Art.

Where to access: www.kadenze.com

Khan Academy

The Khan Academy offers personalized learning resources for all ages — from pupils in preschool to students in elementary, high school and early college — despite school closures.

For parents at home, the Khan Academy Kids can be installed for free. It enables adults to sit down with kids and guide them through classes on reading, writing, math, handwriting practices, social-emotional learning and more.

For advanced level learning, Khan Academy publishes thousands of exercises, videos and articles on grammar, government, math, science, economics, humanities, and history and more. The activities can be downloaded or bookmarked for offline access.

Where to access: www.khanacademy.org, Apple App Store, Google PlayStore

The Culinary Cook

For aspiring chefs and cooks (or those wanting to learn new skills), The Culinary Cook is designed to develop needed skills to thrive in the culinary industry (or cook like a pro in the kitchen).

Through published articles, aspiring chefs will learn everything from spices, flavorings, stocks, broths, pasta, soups, meats and fish to knife handling, baking, cooking techniques and choosing culinary schools.

Where to access: www.theculinarycook.com

TESDA online program

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) launched an online program to encourage Filipinos to develop new skills and learn new crafts while in quarantine.

Students may freely access classes on finance, fruit growing, massage therapy, beauty care services, housekeeping, bread and pastry production, cookery, food processing, solar night light assembly, software development and android programing.

Enrollees will have to learn from video learning materials and pass quizzes to get a certificate of completion. A national certification, on the other hand, will be given when the COVID-19 situation normalizes, as it requires assessment tests at technical schools.

Where to access: www.e-tesda.gov.ph/course/index.php

Udemy

From meditation, goal setting, fitness, and personal productivity to web development, entrepreneurship fundamentals, investment and game development, the online learning portal offers various classes that help learners find their niche.

It also provides free access to COVID-19 Toolkit for Nonprofits and Ministries course, which guides leaders on how to respond to the current pandemic effectively.

Where to access: www.udemy.com/courses/free

WHO 

It’s clear that industries, especially the health care sector, will have to embrace the new normal. While the world is still ironing its strategies against the new virus, we have to amplify our preparedness efforts on COVID-19, especially when the lockdowns are lifted.

For frontliners and those who are planning to pursue a career in affected industries, the World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a section dedicated to COVID-19-related online training and simulation exercises.

Some online training modules on the website discuss proper ways to put on and remove personal protective equipment, standard precautions, hand hygiene, and infection prevention and control for COVID-19.

Where to access: www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/training

The COVID-19 may have stopped us from holding graduation ceremonies, shaking hands, hugging and high-fiving, but it can never stop us from developing new skills, pursuing knowledge, enriching ourselves and moving forward, especially with modern technology up our sleeves.

PBA finding ways to engage fans amid COVID-19

LIVE staging of games rendered impossible right now with mitigating protocols because of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic up, the Philippine Basketball Association is finding ways to continue to engage fans.

On Sunday, Asia’s first play-for-pay league launched its online show, PBA Kamustahan, geared towards touching base with the league’s fandom which has to bear for two months now not seeing their hardcourt heroes in action.

First episode of the Kamustahan had PBA big men Marc Pingris (Magnolia), Poy Erram (TNT), June Mar Fajardo (San Miguel), Beau Belga (Rain or Shine) and Asi Taulava (NLEX) as featured guests. PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial also came on board during the broadcast which was moderated by league barker and radio broadcaster Noel Zarate.

From the comforts of their homes, the guests shared their various experiences while dealing with the enhanced community quarantine, thoughts on the league’s return and their stints with Gilas Pilipinas, among others.

As expected all the players said they miss playing in front of the fans but recognize that safety of all league stakeholders is primary at this point.

For now, they are enjoying their time with their families while also doing training on their own to keep in shape and stay sharp.

They said they are hoping that they get to return to action at the soonest possible time just as they noted that the return to some form of normalcy would take time.

“The guys will be excited to be back with their teammates for sure. But definitely we would not be able to get back to what we used to do. It would take time to normalize,” said Mr. Taulava.

He was seconded by Mr. Belga, saying, “Thing will gradually go back to normal. Basketball will always be there and am sure the fans would love to get it back.”

League officials said it remains to be seen if the season would continue this year as COVID-19 remains a growing concern but they are hopeful that by August they will have a definite decision on the fate of PBA Season 45.

Mr. Marcial said the first episode of Kamustahan was only the start and that they intend to get more players participating in the online show to give fans something to turn to during these uncertain times.

The PBA in March decided to suspend its ongoing season after the government declared a state of public health emergency and put the entire Luzon on ECQ as a means to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Durant won’t play if NBA resumes season

BROOKLYN Nets star Kevin Durant will not play if the National Basketball Association restarts the season, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Sunday.

The Nets are determined to let the four-time scoring champion rest until next season rather than risk reinjuring his right Achilles tendon.

“Kevin Durant’s not coming back to the Nets this year,” Wojnarowski said during “The Woj Pod” podcast. “That’s not happening. … They’re not playing him.”

Earlier this month, Brooklyn general manager Sean Marks said he wouldn’t rule out Durant returning to the court if the league resumes the 2019–20 campaign. Play has been suspended since March 11 due to the coronavirus crisis.

“He knows his body better than anybody,” Marks told Newshub of New Zealand. “Our performance team and training staff have done a tremendous job getting him to this point, but I just don’t know how coming out of this pandemic will affect anybody, let alone Kevin.”

Durant, 31, was injured during Game Five of the 2019 NBA Finals as a member of the Golden State Warriors. He signed a four-year, $164-million deal with the Nets as a free agent in July.

The 10-time All-Star forward was the league’s Most Valuable Player in 2013–14 as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder. He was a two-time NBA Finals MVP with the Warriors. — Reuters

UFC: Criticizing safety measures could be costly

UFC FIGHTERS who took part at the UFC 249 event in Florida could lose their purses and bonuses if they publicly criticize the fight promotion’s health and safety precautions for COVID-19, according to an event participation agreement seen by Reuters.

With sporting events cancelled around the globe due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, the Ultimate Fighting Championship is staging three cards in eight days in Jacksonville, Florida.

Before competing, fighters who took part in the UFC 249 event on May 9 were asked to sign an eight-page event participation agreement.

A non-disparagement clause in the undated agreement states that “the Participant will not suggest or communicate to any person or entity” that the events “have been or will be held without appropriate health, safety or other precautions, whether relating to COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) or otherwise.”

The agreement goes on to say that if a fighter does breach this clause, “the Company may revoke all or any part of any prize monies or awards won … including, but not limited to, purses, win bonuses, other fight-related bonuses and event-based merchandise royalties.”

Though signed exclusively to the promotion, UFC fighters are independent contractors rather than employees, and purses and bonuses form a major part of the income of almost all of the fighters on the roster.

A UFC spokesperson declined to comment on the clause and the possibility of penalties being imposed on fighters, instead referring to comments Dana White gave to Yahoo in which the UFC president said that fighters would not be punished for airing their opinions about the health and safety arrangements.

“If a fighter says something that isn’t true — if he says we didn’t test anyone for this — that would (violate the agreement). But if he said something that was true, his opinion, then that is different,” White said.

In recent weeks, one fighter has expressed reservations about getting in the cage during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Heavyweight Greg Hardy, who suffers from asthma, said in a news conference on Thursday that he was “terrified” of the virus, but he went on to compete on the UFC 249 card and scored a decision victory over Yorgan De Castro. — Reuters

Players worried about Premier League restart — union deputy chief

BENGALURU — Players have genuine concerns about their health as the Premier League considers resuming fixtures amid the COVID-19 pandemic, players’ union deputy chief Bobby Barnes has said.

The league’s “Project Restart” envisages a return to play in June at neutral venues, once given the green light from the government, but players are worried about transmission when sharing the pitch with others in a contact sport.

A British government study said black people are nearly twice as likely to die from COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) than whites and Barnes said young black players were apprehensive.

“There are players who have voiced genuine concerns,” the Professional Footballers Association’s Barnes told the Times.

“You’ve got players who’ve got young children, players with pregnant partners, people with underlying health conditions.

“Some of the young black players I’ve spoken to have read what’s in the press and want answers to that (government study). ‘Am I more affected in my demographic and if so why?’

“My stance with the Premier League from day one has been it’s all very well those of us in suits saying what our opinions are but we’re not going to be out there on a Saturday afternoon and we’re not going to be going back to our family.”

A third first team player at Brighton & Hove Albion tested positive for COVID-19 over the weekend, sparking fresh concerns about the league’s proposed restart.

Clubs are due to meet later on Monday to further discuss how to complete the remaining 92 matches of the season. — Reuters

Shopee and BillEase offer seller loan program for MSMEs

FDFC, the fintech company behind digital credit app BillEase, and Shopee have launched their Seller Loan Program to help Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) registered on Shopee as they struggle through the country’s continued quarantine.

The year-long program aims to help Filipino MSMEs cope with the adverse effects brought about by the COVID-19 outbreak and enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

Interested Shopee sellers must have been operating for at least six months and ramping up their working capital. If they fulfill these requirements, they can then apply on BillEase for Business, BillEase’s financial service platform for small business lending, based on their sales record prior to the ECQ. Successful applicants can avail of P20,000 up to P2 million commensurate of their sales transactions, an extra one-month grace period for the loan repayment, and up to 12 months maximum loan term.

The loan program comes after Shopee’s announcement of its P200-million Seller Support Package, which will help up to 80,000 MSMEs. FDFC also has a tie-up with Lazada that offers interest-free financing, this time for consumers.

“We understand that Shopee sellers are still navigating the effect of ECQ and they are looking for partners that would look after their business financially,” said Georg Steiger, CEO of FDFC. “Our Shopee Loan Program will help these sellers who are either producing essential goods to continue operations amid the increasing demand or those preparing to recover after the quarantine.”

Shopee sellers can apply through this link.

1...8,8508,8518,852...13,526Page 8,851 of 13,526
© 2024 BusinessWorld Publishing.
All rights reserved.
Read our privacy guidelines
Facebook Instagram Linkedin Twitter Youtube