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Gov’t won’t dip into infrastructure budget, says needed to drive economy

FUNDS intended for the infrastructure program will be kept largely intact during the current emergency, as such spending will be needed to drive growth after the pandemic crisis ends, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei B. Nograles said.

In a briefing Wednesday, Mr. Nograles said that the government has no intention of redirecting funds earmarked for its flagship program, known as “Build, Build, Build” amid doubts that the initial stimulus packages will be sufficient for the duration of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emergency.

“Malaking bahagi ng pag-jumpstart ng ekonomiya ang “Build, Build, Build.” ‘Yun po ang makaka-rev up ng ekonomiya natin (“Build, Build, Build” will play a big part in jumpstarting the economy. That program will rev it up),” Mr. Nograles said.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte said in a speech Monday that he wants the Finance department to generate more funds as the P270 billion worth of budget realignments identified for the Bayanihan to Heal as One Law is not enough to assist Filipinos in need.

The Philippines is expected by economic managers and analysts to enter into a mild recession due to the pandemic after economic activity was disrupted during the enhanced community quarantine. The Luzon-wide lockdown has been extended until the end of April.

Under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, the government can realign items from the 2019 and 2020 national budgets so it can finance measures to contain COVID-19.

The “Build, Build, Build” budget in 2019 was P816.2 billion. In 2020, the main agencies implementing the program, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Department of Transportation (DoTr), have been allocated P581.7 billion and P100.6 billion respectively.

However, DPWH Secretary Mark A. Villar said in an interview with ANC Tuesday that the department has reallocated a “small amount” — about P30 billion — from its “Build, Build, Build” program to help finance the government’s response to the crisis.

Mr. Villar also said last week that projects under the infrastructure program will be slightly delayed but targets for 2020 will still be met. — Gillian M. Cortez

Moody’s downgrades PHL growth outlook to 2.5%, flags ‘challenges’ to credit standing

MOODY’S Investors Service said it further downgraded its 2020 gross domestic product (GDP) forecast for the Philippines to 2.5% due to the escalating impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak and the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) imposed on Luzon.

It said COVID-19 will also pose near-term challenges to the country’s credit profile, which had been built on a recent record of strong economic performance, an improved fiscal position and limited vulnerability to external risks.

In its latest Credit Opinion about the Philippines, Moody’s said the new 2.5% GDP forecast slashes the already-downgraded 5.4% projection issued in March and the initial 6.2% forecast it gave last year.

“We lowered the forecasts for GDP growth to reflect the expected impact of the widening spread of the coronavirus both globally and in the Philippines,” Christian de Guzman, senior vice-president, Sovereign Risk Group at Moody’s said in an e-mail to BusinessWorld.

The revised view on growth from Moody’s falls within the -0.6% to 4.3% range of estimates issued for various scenarios by the National Economic and Development Authority in the wake of COVID-19. Initially, the government had set a 6.5-7.5% growth target for 2020.

According to Mr. De Guzman, the Luzon lockdown disrupts economic activity across all sectors.

“Domestically, the imposition of the ECQ will curtail domestic activity — not just household consumption and private investment, but also the government’s implementation of its infrastructure development program,” he said.

The original month-long lockdown was imposed on Luzon, which accounts for about 70% of Philippine GDP. The government has decided to extend the lockdown by two more weeks to April 30.

Mr. De Guzman said that the Moody’s growth forecast for the Philippines is likely to be further downgraded depending on the duration and extent of the containment effort.

“The growth outlook is subject to further downside if the coronavirus outbreak is not resolved by the middle of the year, and if more stringent containment measures are implemented in the Philippines or its largest trading partners,” he said.

Moody’s said the Philippines’ growth will be strong in the context of its peer economies.

“Moody’s expects the Philippines’ real GDP growth to remain robust relative to peers and that its fiscal metrics will continue to strengthen as the government continues to make progress on its socioeconomic reform agenda, particularly on tax reform,” it said.

However, it cited downside risks that could affect the rating outlook due to the broader impact of COVID-19.

“The global coronavirus outbreak threatens the Philippines through a number of channels, including trade, supply chain linkages, investment, remittances and tourism, while stringent containment measures will also sharply curtail domestic demand,” it said.

It added political developments could likewise be the potential source of downside risk for the Philippines’ “stable” outlook.

“Domestic political developments, such as the administration’s controversial campaign against illegal drugs, also present downside risks to the country’s institutional profile and could hinder the further implementation of reform,” it said.

Moody’s has a Baa2 rating for the Philippines, a notch above minimum investment grade, dating back to 2014.

The ratings agency said a possible review of the sovereign rating will depend on improvement in per capita income and government revenues growth if its borrowing costs fall to nearer those enjoyed by higher-rated economies.

“This could materialize over time as the government makes greater progress on its reform agenda, including addressing infrastructure gaps, increasing competitiveness and the ease of doing business, and ensuring sustainable and inclusive growth,” it said.

On the other hand, a downgrade could also follow a bout of macroeconomic instability, which could produce a deterioration in fiscal and government metrics, Moody’s said.

“The reversal of reforms that have supported recent gains in economic and fiscal strength would also likely lead to a downgrade,” it said. — Luz Wendy T. Noble

DTI extends rent grace period following extension of ECQ

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said the rent deferment grace period for commercial and residential tenants in force during the original enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) now applies to the extended lockdown as well, covering payments due for the period to April 30.

Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez told DZMM on Wednesday that the grace period will last for 30 days from the last payment due date within the extended lockdown. The sum of all payments due within the lockdown may be paid over six months.

“Dahil na-extend ‘yung ECQ, kung ano ‘yung amount dun pagsasamahin (Because the ECQ was extended, the amount due for the extended period will also be covered by the grace period),” he said.
The Luzon-wide lockdown to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was initially set to end on April 12, but was extended to April 30.

The DTI in a memorandum on April 4 said residential rents and commercial rents of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) falling due within the ECQ will have a grace period of 30 days.
Lessors who do not observe the 30-day grace period face imprisonment of at least two months and/or a fine of at least P10,000.
Mr. Lopez said in an interview with DZBB Wednesday that beyond the grace period, malls that have voluntarily waived rent for shops that have closed due to the lockdown may also extend their waivers accordingly.

“Voluntary ‘yun sa mga malls ulit kung pagbibigyan na nila ‘yung dalawang linggo na ito kasi sarado naman ‘yung negosyo (Rent waivers are voluntary for malls, and it’s up to them if they will forego rent for the extra two weeks, since the shops remain closed),” he said.
DTI in mid-March urged mall operators and commercial landlords to waive rent during the ECQ.
Major mall operators like SM Group, Ayala Malls, Megaworld Corp., Robinsons Land Corp. and Ortigas & Co., have announced they will waive rent for all tenants in their shopping malls that are not able to operate until April 14.

The malls have not yet announced whether their rent waivers will be extended.

“While we await new guidelines from the national government, the Ayala group will continue to take care of its employees as a priority and extend support as much as we can to our partners and communities through collaborative efforts,” Ayala Corp. Chairman and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala said in a statement. — Jenina P. Ibañez

Inflation projected to ease further on weak oil prices, falling demand

INFLATION is likely to ease further in the coming months as global oil prices continue to drop and domestic demand remains subdued due to business closures and movement restrictions, the Department of Finance (DoF) said.

In an economic bulletin Wednesday, the DoF said the slowdown in core inflation last month indicates further “easing inflation in the next few months.”

Headline inflation in March eased further to 2.5% from 2.6% in February and 3.3% a year earlier. Core inflation, which strips out volatile items like food and fuel, slowed to 3% last month from 3.2% in February.

“Still, it is important that in this time of expanded community quarantine (ECQ), the supply chain of basic goods and other necessary items, while subject to requirements of public health, should not be broken,” the DoF said.

PNB economist Jun Trinidad said low oil prices on top of weak domestic demand and higher unemployment will likely drive inflation lower.

In April, Mr. Trinidad said headline inflation will likely ease further to 2% or less.

“Beyond logistical issues, weaker commercial demand with the shutdown of malls and restaurants, and higher unemployment emerging as painful trade-offs to stabilizing the rising COVID-19 infections, will blend with low oil prices to eventually show up in faster disinflation,” Mr. Trinidad said in a research note.

He said for the second quarter, PNB expects “lackluster” demand-side pressures to overcome supply-side shocks emerging from the lockdown restrictions.

“Amid COVID-19’s deflationary (impact), BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) may cut its policy rate by 50 basis points (bps) plus an RRR (reserve requirement ratio) cut of 100 bps (when) the Monetary Board meets in May, to cushion downside demand risks,” the DoF said.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte extended the Luzon-wide ECQ to April 30. It was originally due to end on April 12. — Beatrice M. Laforga

Outlook slashed for Asia-Pacific growth on pandemic, US-China tensions

DISRUPTIONS brought about by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and lingering trade tensions will weigh on economic growth in Asia and the Pacific, according to a report issued by a United Nations (UN) agency.

The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific’s (ESCAP) Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2020 report released Wednesday found that growth for developing countries in the Asia Pacific could slow to 3.7% in 2020 from 4.3% in 2019.

“Uncertainties about the region’s short-term economic outlook have increased considerably due to the multifaceted impact of COVID-19, which initially impaired China’s economy and has subsequently spread to other countries, impacting the region’s economies through supply, demand and financial links.”

Inflation in the region is expected to pick up to 4.8%, which the report anticipates is temporary, as consumer prices of essentials rise during the pandemic. Inflation is expected to fall to 4.2% in 2021.

UNESCAP said the region’s major trading partners are severely affected, with weakened demand from the European Union and the US impairing the region’s trade significantly.

Slower activity in the commodity markets during the pandemic is expected to hurt exporters.

“Lower commodity prices can reduce commodity exporting countries’ fiscal revenues, worsen their trade positions and put pressure on their currencies. In the region, exporters of primary commodities (excluding fuel) are vulnerable mainly due to China,” UNESCAP said.

Supply chains have also been disrupted, including those of the automobile and pharmaceutical industries.

COVID-19 has also caused declines in tourism, and countries have been suspending productive activities that may trigger capital flight and weaken currencies in the region.

The report said that trade tensions between the US and China remain the primary risk for the region’s short-term economic outlook.

Although the two countries had signed an initial trade agreement, the report said it does not address US concerns about China’s subsidies and state-owned enterprises. The report added that the trade targets are unrealistic, and enforcement of the agreement lacks a multilateral framework.

ESCAP said that the region should invest in health emergency preparedness in addition to immediate relief measures.

It also recommended the strengthening of social protections for the vulnerable in future health crises and the use of fiscal stimulus measures to help safeguard employment.

Countries affected by trade tensions should diversify trade networks, the report added.

“Multilateral cooperation is indispensable in order to address unresolved trade tensions and rising protectionism,” it added. — Jenina P. Ibañez

DBP, gov’t pension funds outline payment relief terms for loans, contributions

GOVERNMENT financial institutions allowed their borrowers to defer loan payments without penalty as a form of relief during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis.

In a statement Wednesday, Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) President and CEO Emmanuel G. Herbosa said the DBP will observe a 60-day moratorium on amortization due on its EC Credit Salary Loan program for payments falling due between March 15 and April 12.

Mr. Herbosa said borrowers can defer their amortization payments without incurring interest, penalties and other charges.

The DBP’s EC Credit Salary Loan program is available to employees of government agencies and local government units. It offers loans of up to P1 million, payable up to 48 months.

Separately, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) suspended collection of March, April and May loan payments by members and pensioners, including those who availed of housing loans.

It said collection on loans will resume starting June 1.

“We hope that this 90-day grace period will give our members some financial relief in these trying times,” GSIS President and General Manager Rolando L. Macasaet was quoted as saying.

Mr. Macasaet said the GSIS also halted loan deductions on May pensions for GSIS retirees.

The government earlier ordered all lenders to grant at least a 30-day grace period on all loan payments that fall due within the enhanced community quarantine period.

The Social Security System (SSS) also extended to June 1 the payment deadline for monthly contributions of members and employers.

“Self-employed, voluntary, and non-working spouse members… can pay their SSS contributions for the applicable months of January, February and March 2020, or the first quarter of 2020 until June 1, 2020. On the other hand, regular and household employers have until June 1, 2020 to pay for their employee’s contributions from February to April May 2020 without incurring any penalties,” SSS President and CEO Aurora C. Ignacio said in a statement. — Beatrice M. Laforga

Rice inventories decline 1.9% in March

THE NATIONAL rice inventory fell 1.9% year-on-year to 2.178 million metric tons (MT) in March, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.

In its Rice and Corn Stocks Inventory report, the PSA said that rice held by households fell 5.1% year-on-year to 981.02 thousand MT while stocks held by commercial warehouses rose 2.9% to 715.81 thousand MT.

National Food Authority (NFA) inventories fell 2.1% year-on-year to 481.81 thousand MT.

On a month-on-month basis, the national rice inventory fell 8.3%, with household stocks declining 6.2%, commercial holdings falling 14.9%, and the NFA inventory down 1.4%.

Meanwhile, corn inventories in March rose 99.8% year-on-year to 793.28 thousand MT.

Corn stocks held by households rose 80.5% to 202.77 thousand MT while commercial warehouse inventories rose 107.4% to 590.51 thousand MT.

NFA held no corn stocks during the month.

Month-on-month, the household corn inventory rose 32.4% while holdings of commercial warehouses rose 17.8%.

Separately, the average farmgate price of palay, or unmilled rice, rose 1% week-on-week to P16.41 per kilogram in the third week of March, with a 12.9% decline year-on-year, according to the PSA.

In its weekly update on palay, rice, and corn prices, the PSA said the average wholesale and retail price of well-milled rice (WMR) rose 0.3% week-on-week to P37.14 and P41.26 respectively.

The average wholesale price of regular-milled rice (RMR) rose 0.7% week-on-week to P33.01 while the retail price rose 0.5% to P36.36.

The average farmgate price of yellow corn grain fell 0.3% week-on-week to P12.09.

The average wholesale and retail price of yellow corn grain fell 0.2% week-on-week to P21.44 and P24.94 respectively.

The average farmgate price of white corn grain rose 2.2% week-on-week to P13.57.

The average wholesale price of white corn grain rose 6.5% week-on-week to P16.33, while the retail price remained flat at P26.90. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Philippine health workers barred from leaving amid pandemic

THE government of President Rodrigo R. Duterte has barred Filpino health workers from leaving the country while it battles the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic that has sickened almost 4,000 people.

In an order dated April 2, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) suspended the deployment of doctors and nurses while the country is in a state of national emergency.

Also covered by the ban are microbiologists, molecular biologists, medical technologists, clinical analysts, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, laboratory and X-ray technicians, nursing aids, medical equipment operators, health supervisors and hospital equipment repair men.

POEA also suspended negotiations for government-to-government deployment of health workers.

The Philippines was 290,000 short of health workers last year, which was aggravated by the migration of 13,000 health professionals, POEA said, citing a Human Resources for Health Network (HRHN) report.

“The country’s health facilities, personnel and other resources are under severe strain due to the rising number of persons affected by the COVID-19,” according to the order.

The Department of Health on Wednesday reported 106 more COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 3,870. Five more patients died, raising the death toll to 182, it said in a bulletin. Twelve more patients recovered, bringing the total of those who have gotten well to 96, it added.

Beverly Lorraine C. Ho, the Health secretary’s special assistant, said 252 health workers had tested positive for COVID-19, 152 of them doctors and 63 nurses. At least 12 have died, she told a news briefing.

There are now 11 testing laboratories in the country — nine government and two private facilities, while seven other hospitals were undergoing certification to be allowed to test samples.

Ms. Ho said the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. would cover all expenses of COVID-19 patients. Patients who were admitted between February 1 and April 14 and paid their hospital bills may get their payments reimbursed by PhilHealth. Those who will be admitted starting April 15 — the start of the expanded testing — will have their expenses covered by PhilHealth using a new case rate benefit package.

Mr. Duterte on March 16 ordered that Luzon be locked down, suspending classes, work and public transportation to contain the pandemic. He extended the month-long lockdown by two more weeks until April 30.

Meanwhile, the Department of Interior and Local Government asked local governments to prepare isolation facilities as mass testing for the virus starts. Infections are expected to rise as more people get tested, hence the need for the facilities, Interior Undersecretary Jonathan E. Malaya said at a news briefing. The centers will also house patients who have mild or no symptoms of the disease, he said. — Charmaine A. Tadalan, Vann Marlo M. Villegas and Gillian M. Cortez

Gov’t told to increase cash aid after lockdown extension

THE government should consider increasing its cash aid to workers after the Luzon-wide lockdown was extended by two more weeks until April 30 to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, business and labor leaders said on Wednesday.

The state should also give workers monthly income subsidies equivalent to the minimum wage during the so-called enhanced community quarantine, while cutting paper requirements for eligibility, various groups said in an e-mailed joint statement.

Under the law, affected workers will get a one-time cash assistance of P5,000, which the groups said was not enough.

The leaders said they were committed to work with the Labor department “to ensure that government assistance to the workers are delivered in a timely and efficient manner.”

The business groups were made up of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. representing management.

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, Federation of Free Workers and Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa represented the labor sector.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte on March 16 ordered that Luzon be locked down for a month, suspending work, classes and public transportation to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. This week, he extended the lockdown by two more weeks until April 30.

The groups that called themselves the Leaders Forum said all workers in the formal economy, especially those on “no work, no pay” arrangements should receive government aid.

They also asked the government to simplify the application for cash aid from the Labor department by requiring only one instead of two of six documents, including pay slips and certified payrolls. The agency should allow workers to submit requirements directly using an online portal, and fast-track the procedure by allowing both its national and regional offices to process applications, they said.

Meanwhile, the aid can be deposited directly in the savings or payroll accounts of workers, or by the employers through checks issued to workers, uncrossed and encashable. The e cash aid can also be released through remittance services or mobile wallets, the groups said.

For accountability, the Labor department should relax accounting rules and notify employees or employers through e-mail or a text message on the status of their application for aid within three days, they said.

The agency should also disclose the budget allotted for the aid program per region to ensure transparency, with daily updates including the amount released, number of workers covered and number of applications, approvals and disapprovals. The Labor department should also state the reasons when rejecting an application for aid, they said. — Gillian M. Cortez

OFWs, outsourcing workers to live in hotel rooms

THE Department of Tourism (DoT) will use more than 24,000 hotel rooms to house outsourcing employees and Filipino workers who have come home from overseas.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat on Wednesday said 11,549 hotel rooms were ready for OFWs who need to be quarantined once they arrive, while 13,287 hotel rooms in Metro Manila were accommodating business process outsourcing workers.

“We can expect more rooms as the DoT continues to encourage our private partners to extend the world-renowned Filipino hospitality to our kababayans,” Ms. Puyat said in a statement.

As of April 7, at least 209 hotels mostly in Metro Manila have offered their rooms.
“At least 49 of the hotels with 3,343 rooms available are located outside Metro Manila,” Ms. Puyat said. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

Iloilo City extends lockdown to April 30, others keep open-ended policy

ILOILO City is extending its lockdown to April 30 following confirmed local transmission cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Mayor Jerry P. Treñas announced late Tuesday that he will be signing the executive order on the extension of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) measures on Wednesday.

Mr. Treñas said the decision was made in consultation with health authorities, business sector representatives as well as Iloilo Provincial Governor Arthur R. Defensor Jr.

The city is administratively independent from Iloilo province.

“After due consultation with our focal person, DoH (Department of Health), medical doctors, City Health Office, some businessmen, and in due coordination with Governor Art ‘Toto’ Defensor, I will be extending the declaration of an Enhanced Community Quarantine in the City of Iloilo up to April 30 at 11:59pm,” he said.

The lockdown took effect March 20 and was originally scheduled to end April 14.

Mr. Treñas noted that the DoH has confirmed local transmission with the 4th and most recent COVID-19 patient linked to the second.

“Local transmission as defined by the World Health Organization indicates that the source of infection is within the reporting location,” Dr. Mary Ann Sta. Lucia of the DoH Western Visayas regional office explained.

As of April 7, the region had 36 confirmed cases, including four in Iloilo City and 13 in Iloilo province.

The others are in: Bacolod City, 7; Aklan, 6; Capiz, 4; and one each in Antique, and Negros Occidental. Only the island province of Guimaras remains free from COVID-19 patients.

Meanwhile, Mr. Treñas said they are planning to convert the Iloilo City Convention Center (ICON) into an isolation area in anticipation of an increase in the number of persons under monitoring (PUMs).

“We are looking at the ICON, maybe we’ll need it as our isolation center when we see our PUMs increase,” he said.

The Jubilee Hall along General Luna Street has been designated as the city’s isolation facility, currently housing 10 persons under investigation (PUIs) and one PUM.

“We are already anticipating the increase in PUMs as the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is also expected to rise,” the mayor said.

OTHER VISAYAS REGIONS

Other key areas outside the northern island of Luzon, where the ECQ has been extended to April 30, are mostly maintaining an indefinite lockdown policy.

Governor Gwendolyn F. Garcia of Cebu in Central Visayas said on Tuesday that her lockdown order, which took effect March 30, intentionally did not have an end-date “so as to avoid giving false hopes to the Cebuanos.”

The ECQ measures have also been adopted by the independent cities of Cebu, Lapu-Lapu, and Mandaue.

“It’s very early to lift the ECQ… I cannot even be cautiously optimistic about the results… A lot also depend on how the Manila situation would develop. We are all connected. We really hope and pray that the Luzon situation will soon improve and flatten the curve because unless that is achieved, we cannot hope to even estimate a date when our own ECQ would be lifted,” she said.

In Tacloban City, the regional center of Eastern Visayas, Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez said during a Tuesday briefing that an extension of the ECQ, due to end April 13, is “possible.”

MINDANAO

In Mindanao, Zamboanga City’s guidelines, which indicates a lockdown “until the health menace subsides,” remains in place.

In a statement Wednesday following a meeting of Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar with the city’s health team, the local government said, “Health professionals in the city are recommending the continuation of the strict observance of the enhanced community quarantine.”

Davao City, along with the rest of Davao Region, has an ECQ in effect until April 19, but Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said on Tuesday that there is a “possibility that the city will be placed under an extreme Enhanced Community Quarantine (EECQ)” by the 20th.

“We are now planning on what will happen to Davao City and Davao Region after April 19,” Ms. Carpio said, “We are planning two things – one is Extreme Enhanced Community Quarantine or we go back to the ordinary community quarantine.”

She said the decision will “depend on the outcome of the 14-day ECQ” in terms of the number of COVID-19 patients along with the PUIs and PUMs.

Davao City currently has the highest number of positive patients outside the capital, including several local transmission cases due in part to a series of cockfighting events in March.

Cagayan de Oro City, the regional center of Northern Mindanao, has been under the less stringent community quarantine policy since March 20, but Mayor Oscar S. Moreno has been issuing specific restrictions on businesses and physical distancing measures.

A community quarantine does not have a blanket ban on both private and public transportation.

The mayor’s orders are on open-ended implementation.

In an April 5 reply letter to calls for an ECQ in Cagayan de Oro, including appeals from the medical community, Mr. Moreno defended his position by citing guidelines from the national Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19.

The Northern Mindanao Region as of April 7 had six COVID-19 cases, with two from Iligan City and one each in Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, and Camiguin.

“We hope that we will prevail over the virus without having a lockdown, the repercussions of which would bring serious irreparable damage. I want to emphasize, however, that we are committed to save lives. This is non-negotiable,” Mr. Moreno said in the letter.

“Cagayan de Oro is the host of the region’s hospital for COVID-19 patients. This is a responsibility that we have to live and deal with. Avoiding this duty will cause more harm to everybody.” — Emme Rose S. Santiagudo and Marifi S. Jara

Less than half of Metro Manila residents doing ‘good’ under lockdown

LESS than half, or 47.5%, of Metro Manila residents are doing “good” or “very good” under the enhanced community quarantine currently being implemented to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to a survey by political consultancy firm Publicus Asia, Inc (PAI).

Those who consider themselves in a “bad” or “very bad” condition comprise 15%, while the remaining 37.5% answered neither.

“It should be noted that respondents from the three lowest income groups were the only ones among all income groups to report a higher average incidence of bad or very bad condition,” PAI Executive Director Aureli C. Sinsuat said in a virtual presser on Wednesday.

The National Capital Region, where most of the country’s confirmed COVID-19 cases are located, has a 12.887 million population as of the 2015 census.

PAI conducted its Online Panel Survey from April 2 to 6, with a weighted sample of 1,000 respondents aged 18 to 70 years old.

Of the respondents, 33.5% said their food and water supply are only sufficient for a week, 25.3% have supplies that will last for a week or two, 25.1% said less than a week, while 16.1% said their supplies will last for more than two weeks.

In terms of confidence in the national government’s ability to contain and prevent the spread of COVID-19, 40% of respondents answered that there is a high or very high chance of success.

Another 41.3% feel a “50/50” chance while 18.7% have low or very low confidence.

PAI also reported that about 66.6% of Metro Manila residents approve of the response measures undertaken by President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s administration.

“Exactly two-thirds, 66.6%, approved of the manner in which President Duterte and the national government are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. 17% neither approved nor disapproved and 16.4% either disapproved or strongly disapproved,” Mr. Sinsuat said.

“The President and the national government have positive net approval among all income groups but interestingly enough, it was lowest among both the richest of the rich and the poorest of the poor,” he added.

Meanwhile, 53% approve of the Department of Health’s response to COVID-19, 26% neither approved nor disapproved while 21% disapproved or strongly disapproved.

“However, the leader of the Department of Health, Secretary Francisco (T.) Duque III, has a slightly lower approval rating. A plurality of respondents or 39.3% approved the response of Health Secretary Duque to COVID-19, almost one-third, 31%, neither approved or disapproved and disapproval rating of Secretary Duque is 29.7%,” Mr. Sinsuat said.

The Senate, on the other hand, had a 38.8% approval rating of its response to COVID-19, while 33% neither approved nor disapproved and 38.3% disapproved.

For the House of Representatives, 31.7% approved of its response to the outbreak, 37.3% neither approved nor disapproved and 31% disapproved. — Genshen L. Espedido

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