Facebook Instagram Linkedin Twitter Youtube
Home Blog Page 9331

1,600 cops deployed to enforce metro lockdown

MANILA police deployed 1,600 cops and set up 56 checkpoints in the capital and nearby cities to monitor the movement of people after President Rodrigo R. Duterte ordered a lockdown to contain a novel coronavirus outbreak in the metro.

Checkpoints were set up in the cities of Caloocan, Malabon, Valenzuela, Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Marikina and Pasig, Brigadier General Debold M. Sinas, chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), told a news briefing on Sunday.

The Department of Health reported 29 more COVID-19 infections yesterday, bringing the total to 140. Three more patients died, raising the number of deaths to 11, it said in an e-mailed statement. Five have recovered, it added.

Mr. Sinas said every checkpoint will be equipped with at least one thermal scanner. The police will buy more to add to the 25 pieces they have now, he added.

Mr. Sinas said the checkpoint locations would be refined later to make them more efficient.

A nine-hour curfew starting at 8 p.m. on March 15 was to be enforced in Manila, the capital and nearby cities as part of a one-month lock down in Metro Manila that also banned land, domestic air and sea travels to and from the region. People leaving Metro Manila must be checked for signs of infection such as fever and other respiratory symptoms at exit checkpoints. A certification will then be issued by health authorities to the traveler, who must undergo a 14-day home-based quarantine, according to a memo issued by the presidential palace on Saturday.

Seventeen mayors of Metro Manila also issued a separate order urging mall operators to shut down for a month to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019, Juan City Mayor Francisco Javier M. Zamora said at the weekend.

Supermarkets, grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants with home deliveries, banks and outlets that offer health services will be allowed to operate.

Also yesterday, the presidential palace said the government would buy more COVID-19 test kits amid rising cases of infection.

In a joint statement, the palace and Science and Technology department said funds would be given to DoH and the University of the Philippines-National Institutes of Health, which is making a local version of the test kits.

The presidential memo at the weekend extended class suspensions until April 15 and detailed quarantine and social distancing measures for the metro.

Under the rules, mass gatherings including movie screenings, concerts, sporting events and other entertainment activities, community assemblies and nonessential company gatherings will be banned.

Religious gatherings and essential company meetings are allowed as long as people maintain a one-meter distance from each other, according to a copy of the memo signed by Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea.

A community quarantine will be imposed on the entire Metro Manila. Local governments must follow either general and enhanced community quarantines imposed by the Department of Health and Interior and Local Government department.

QUARANTINE
Under a general quarantine, the movement of people will be limited to accessing basic goods and work, while police and quarantine officers will be present at border points.

Police will restrict the nonessential entry and exit of people to and from Metro Manila, especially people who are at high risk of being infected such as senior citizens and pregnant women.

Health workers, authorized government officials, those traveling for medical or humanitarian reasons and people on their way to the airport for travel overseas will be exempted from the restrictions. People providing basic services and public utilities and essential skeletal workforce also won’t be covered.

Under an enhanced quarantine, home quarantine will be enforced in all households, transportation will be suspended and provision of food and health services will be regulated.

The memo does not say what could bring about an enhanced quarantine.

Mr. Duterte on Thursday ordered the lockdown and suspended work in the Executive branch for a month. The House of Representatives also suspended work and will adopt a rotating skeletal manpower during the period.

Companies should allow work-from-home and other flexible arrangements to prevent the spread of the virus, he said. Government agencies can form “skeletal workforces” to ensure unimpeded delivery of services, Mr. Duterte said.

The President made the announcement in a televised speech after meeting with an inter-agency task force against the contagion that has killed more than 5,000 people and sickened about 140,000 more worldwide, mostly in China.

Duterte said the highest alert level — code red sublevel 2 — was up, which means there have been community transmissions and increased infection cases beyond the government’s responding capacity. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas and Gillian M. Cortez

Gaming regulator suspends gambling operations in metro

THE country’s gaming regulator suspended gambling operations for a month starting on Sunday, even as it allowed offshore gaming operations to continue with a minimal workforce.

Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) in an e-mailed statement said the suspension covers all land-based casinos, including those that it owns and operates as well as licensed and integrated resort-casinos, electronic games, traditional and electronic bingo, sports betting, poker and slot-machine clubs and other activities it regulates.

“Only a minimum number of workers will be allowed in their workplaces,” Pagcor said of offshore gambling operators here, while employees follow social distancing and quarantine protocols.

Restaurants inside gaming areas will remain open, while hotels that house casinos may still accept guests, “but are discouraged from hosting large functions and events.”

If local governments outside Metro Manila start imposing community quarantine, gaming operations there will also be suspended, Pagcor said.

“This measure is intended to ensure the safety of both gaming employees and customers and eventually, the general public,” it said.

The gaming agency also banned public gatherings within its gaming venues and properties.

Pagcor said it had remitted P2 billion to the Office of the President, which will be used by the Health department against the COVID-19 contagion.

“It is also in the process of procuring personal protective equipment and food for frontline workers and communities affected by the pandemic,” it added. — Beatrice M. Laforga

438 Filipinos from US-based cruise ship to come home

THE government will bring home more than 400 Filipinos aboard the MV Grand Princess cruise ship docked in Oakland, California, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Sunday.

The agency said 438 crew members and six passengers left the cruise ship on Saturday evening and had been transferred to the San Francisco airport for their flight back home.

Only 444 Filipinos availed themselves of the repatriation offer. Thirteen had tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), while 78 crew members stayed put to man the vessel. Three passengers who were residents of California also stayed behind.

Those who got infected had been confined in health facilities in the United States, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Eduardo Martin R. Meñez told reporters in a teleconference.

Repatriates had been screened by the US Department of Health and Human Services and were cleared of the symptoms, he said.

The Filipinos were expected to arrive at the Haribon Hangar in Clark Airbase, Pampanga province. They will be transferred, through chartered buses, to the Athlete’s Village in New Clark City, where they will undergo a 14-day quarantine.

Last month, DFA brought home about 400 Filipinos from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Yokohama. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

#COVID-19 Regional Updates

NCR

Gov’t contractual workers to get compensation during community quarantine period

GOVERNMENT CONTRACTUAL workers will be compensated during the community quarantine period in Metro Manila, Senator Emmanuel Joel J. Villanueva said on Saturday evening. He said the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and the Commission on Audit (CoA) have both agreed to the proposal. “Final decision will be released (on) Monday,” Mr. Villanueva, who heads the committee on labor, employment and human resources development, told reporters. President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Thursday evening placed the National Capital Region (NCR) under a community quarantine from March 15 to April 14. He also suspended work in the Executive branch, leaving agencies to form a “skeletal workforce” to continue operations. Mr. Villanueva said he raised the proposal to CSC Chairman Alicia dela Rosa-Bala, who agreed with the proposal provided CoA will concur. “This needs concurrence with CoA again because there are Circulars governing Contract of Service and Job Orders, and are jointly issued by CSC and CoA,” he said. The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE), for its part, urged the private sector to adopt alternative work arrangements to lessen the chances of exposure of employees to the coronavirus. Among the alternatives include telecommuting, work from home, reduction of workdays/ hours, rotation of workers and forced leaves. Leaves of absence during the community quarantine will be charged to the workers’ leave credits. Manufacturing, retail and service establishments were also advised to continue operations, given that social distancing is observed. In its Labor Advisory No. 11 s. 2020, DoLE noted that social distancing means there is at least a one meter radius between individuals. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

House of Representatives worker dies from COVID-19

AN EMPLOYEE of the House of Representatives, who was earlier reported to have contracted the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), passed away on Sunday. “Sad news. The HRep (House of Representatives) employee who was positive with COVID-19 passed away earlier today at 1:45 a.m.,” Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Party-list Representative Jericho Jonas B. Nograles told reporters in a Viber message on Sunday. — Genshen L. Espedido

LUZON

Baguio residents advised to be home by 10 p.m.; tourists asked to postpone visit

THE BAGUIO City COVID-19 inter-agency task force (IATF) has released a list of new guidelines on preventing the spread of the new coronavirus, including asking residents to be home by 10 p.m. The IATF, led by Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong, also “requested” tourists planning to visit the popular mountain city “to postpone their trips.” The guidelines also include protocols on health declaration forms to be submitted at checkpoints.

VISAYAS

Iloilo City requires 14-day quarantine for all incoming passengers with recent foreign travel

ILOILO CITY Mayor Jerry P. Treñas has expanded the order on mandatory quarantine to all incoming passengers with recent foreign travel in any country. As of last week, the city government was monitoring 73 person who had travel history from countries with COVID-19 cases. Mr. Treñas also said the city hall will observe normal operations while employees with travel history from areas with confirmed cases and those with recent exposure to foreign clients have been ordered to undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine. “We will be back to normal but there will be some employees who will be requested to undergo voluntary quarantine for further monitoring,” he said. — Emme Rose S. Santiagudo

Cebu bans air transport from Clark, Cagayan de Oro, other areas

ALL INCOMING domestic air and sea transport will be temporarily suspended in Cebu, Governor Gwendolyn F. Garcia announced Saturday. The ban immediately took effect for flights from Clark International Airport, Legazpi City, Cagayan de Oro City, and Dumaguete City. The total domestic ban on air travel starts today and will be in effect for 30 days. Incoming passenger sea transport, on the other hand, will be suspended starting Tuesday. — The Freeman

MINDANAO

Zamboanga City bans all incoming transport starting 12 noon, March 16

ALL LAND, sea and air passenger transport will be barred from entering Zamboanga City starting 12 noon of March 16, the city government announced Saturday. Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar was scheduled to give a public address at 8 p.m. Sunday to provide more details on the order and other COVID-19 policies. “This is not a lockdown but an urgent preventive measure,” the city information office said in its announcement on its social media pages. The ban does not cover cargo transport and outgoing passenger trips. As of Sunday morning, Zamboanga City had zero patients under monitoring for COVID-19.

CDO orders passengers from Manila to register at barangay health centers for 14-day self quarantine monitoring

RESIDENTS AND visitors in Cagayan de Oro City who arrived from Metro Manila before the capital’s lockdown Sunday have been ordered to undergo a 14-day self-quarantine and coordinate with their respective barangay health centers for monitoring. “This now calls for patriotism… This demands sacrifice from all of us. Ang sakripisyo sa katawan (The sacrifice from the people) is to do preventive measures,” Mayor Oscar S. Moreno said in a streamed media conference Friday.

Meanwhile, public and private hospitals in the city are stepping up preparations for handling possible COVID-19 patients. The Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC), for one, has increased the number of allocated isolation rooms. NMMC was where a 54-year old male patient from Lanao del Sur was transferred from an Iligan City hospital last week. He tested positive for the new coronavirus and died Friday night. Meanwhile, JR Borja General Hospital chief Ramon Nery said while they are prepared for a potential surge of people at their Out-Patient department, he called on the public to first “patronize” their local health centers. Barangay Health Centers have been equipped for initial medical assessment and response teams have been trained to handle suspected COVID-19 cases.

GenSan imposes 9 p.m.–4 a.m. curfew

A 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew is in effect in General Santos City starting March 14 until further notice. “In the coming days, we will be more strict with the implementation, especially for areas where there are a large number of people,” Mayor Ronnel C. Rivera said Saturday evening. “We appeal to the public, to please follow our rules and regulations. I know this is hard for everybody… I understand our businessmen and residents. But this is for the good of everybody,” he said in mixed English and Filipino.

DA sets SRP for agricultural goods in Davao City main public markets

THE DEPARTMENT of Agriculture-Davao Region (DA-11) office has issued standard retail price (SRP) ranges for agricultural goods sold at two of Davao City’s main public markets. SRPs are set for fish, livestock and poultry, vegetables, fruits, and rice and corn at the Bankerohan and Agdao markets. The lists are posted on DA-11’s Facebook page, Agri Info Davao. Last Friday, the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry called on the regional offices of the DA and the Department of Trade and Industry to “impose price controls on critical commodities” amid the COVID-19 threat. — Carmelito Q. Francisco

Nationwide round-up

OFWs affected by Kuwait, Qatar flight ban to get assistance

OVERSEAS FILIPINO workers (OFWs) in Kuwait and Qatar affected by the temporary flight ban imposed by these two countries will be given assistance by the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE). In a statement on Sunday, DoLE said around 743 OFWs in Kuwait were affected when the country imposed a temporary ban on flights to and from the Philippines last March 7. “Filipinos who are now in Kuwait can stay, but those who were en route after the announcement of the ban were barred entry. We are now considering either flying them back immediately or just wait for the seven-day period, as the Kuwait government said that the ban is only good for seven days,” said Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III. In Qatar, 300 OFWs were also affected when the country issued a similar flight ban on March 9. Mr. Bello is currently requesting P1.5 billion from President Rodrigo R. Duterte to assist all OFWs whose employment were affected due to the virus concerns and cases. — Gillian M. Cortez

Lawmakers propose measures to cushion COVID-19 impact

SEVERAL LAWMAKERS have proposed various measures to help cushion the impact of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19), particularly on the general public. ACT-CIS Partylist Rep. Rowena Niña O. Taduran called on the government to impose a moratorium on the repayment of debts, taxes, fees and utility bills which are due within the one month community quarantine period in Metro Manila from March 15 to April 14. “We must consider that even though people may have money, they might be apprehensive about going out to take care of these payments. Also, they might need their money for more essential items at this time,” Ms. Taduran said in a statement on Sunday.

RENT DISCOUNT
Meanwhile, Bagong Henerasyon Partylist Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy asked mall owners and landlords to give “compassionate discount” to their tenants, especially small retailers. “Talagang nalulugi po ngayon ang ating mga (Lossses are really being incurred by) MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises),” she said in a statement. Ms. Herrera-Dy added that giving temporary relief to small businesses is a “wise move” instead of letting them close shop. “We also call on the Department of Trade and Industry to facilitate this financial relief for our small businesses, and to do this as soon as possible,” she said Sunday. For his part, Albay Rep. Edcel C. Lagman urged the government to extend economic packages and assistance to affected workers and MSMEs. “To offset wage losses and other related adverse consequences of COVID-19, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and the Social Security System (SSS) should extend interest-free three-month emergency salary loans to affected workers, who have been temporarily laid off or placed on staggered work schedule, with repayment to be amortized for ten (10) months starting three months from receipt of the loan proceeds,” he said in a statement on Saturday. He also called on the government to use its Contingent Fund, Calamity Fund and Quick-Response Fund (QRF) to provide hazard pay to frontline workers.

LODGING
Meanwhile, San Jose Del Monte City Rep. Florida P. Robes urged government to temporarily house Metro Manila workers living outside the capital in hotels, motels, inns, and other similar lodgings during the community quarantine period. She said allowing workers living outside the National Capital Region to go in and out of Metro Manila “defeats the purpose of the community quarantine since they may spread the virus in their respective communities.” — Genshen L. Espedido

Nation at a Glance — (03/16/20)

News stories from across the nation. Visit www.bworldonline.com (section: The Nation) to read more national and regional news from the Philippines.

Nation at a Glance — (03/16/20)

UAAP scraps Season 82

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

WITH THE SPREAD of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) an ongoing and concerning threat, and in relation to the local measures put up to contain it, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) at the weekend moved to cancel the remainder of Season 82.

It was the content of a league memorandum issued on Saturday, March 14, which was signed by both Season 82 President Emmanuel M. Fernandez of host school Ateneo de Manila University and Executive Director Atty. Rene Andrei Saguisag.

The UAAP, however, provided a glimmer of hope for collegiate play, saying it may revisit the idea of resuming action albeit with a revamped format if the situation improves.

The UAAP underscored the need to ensure the welfare and safety of the “greater number” in its decision just as it wanted to adhere to “the stringent social distancing measures imposed in the National Capital Region” which is part of the guidelines set by the government as it put Metro Manila under community quarantine beginning March 15.

Under the guidelines, mass gathering like sporting events and entertainment activities are prohibited. Classes at all levels were also suspended until April 14, this year.

With the UAAP decision to cancel, affected were all high school events whether pending or yet to commence, including the first-ever girls basketball tournament, which was already in the finals when competition was stopped because of the threat of COVID-19.

University of Santo Tomas and Adamson University were tied in their best-of-three finals with a game each and it was decided to declare both of them as co-champions.

For collegiate competition, the UAAP said the regular formats of the different sporting events were also cancelled.

But if the government declares that it is safe to resume classes on April 15, or a day after the community quarantine in NCR had lapsed, and does not prohibit mass gathering, the league will craft alternative formats of competition to begin no earlier than May 1.

Among affected collegiate tournaments were those of volleyball, football, baseball, softball, lawn tennis and 3×3 basketball.

In volleyball, at the time that play was stopped, the National University Lady Bulldogs were on top of the heap with a 2-0 record.

They were followed by the De La Salle Lady Spikers at 1-0, with the UST Golden Tigresses, Ateneo Lady Eagles, Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws and University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons having identical 1-1 cards.

The Adamson Lady Falcons were at 0-1 and the University of the East Lady Warriors winless at 0-2.

In the men’s tournament, NU and FEU were tied on top with 2-0 cards, followed by UP, Ateneo and UE (1-1).

La Salle and Adamson were at 0-1 and UST at 0-2.

The start of the tournament was already delayed by two weeks because of COVID-19. It was scheduled to begin on Feb. 15 but formally kicked off on March 3.

The UAAP said it was a tough decision to make, recognizing the hard work that coaches and student-athletes had put in for the season, but something that it had to do.

It closed out the memorandum by asking for all stakeholders’ patience and understanding in light of the ongoing situation.

UFC Brasilia pushes through; Oliveira tops Lee

UFC Fight Night logo

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

DESPITE global concerns on the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Fight Night 170 pushed through in Brasilia, Brazil, on Sunday (Manila time) with Brazilian Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira topping American Kevin “The Motown Phenom” Lee in their lightweight battle.

Held behind closed doors at the Ginasio Nilson Nelson in Brasilia, UFC Fight Night 170 forged ahead notwithstanding the suspension of large gatherings in Brazil because of the outbreak of COVID-19.

Mr. Oliveira (29-8) ruled the main event by defeating Mr. Lee (18-6) by submission (guillotine choke) in the third round.

The two fighters battled it out in the first two rounds, looking to get the traction they needed to swing the fight in their favor.

In the third round, Do Bronx held sway early, managing to catch his opponent in a guillotine choke and forcing Mr. Lee to tap 28 seconds onto the frame.

The win was the seventh straight for Mr. Oliveira while Mr. Lee fell to his third defeat in his last four matches.

“Tony Ferguson and Khabib (Nurmagomedov), I’ll be seating in front. I’m one of the best in the world and the belt is going to be mine,” said Mr. Oliveria, ranked number 13 in the division entering the contest, referring to the world lightweight championship fight between reigning champ Khabib and former interim champion Ferguson on April 18.

Also winning yesterday were welterweight Gilbert Burns over Demian Maia (TKO/punches); lightweight Renato Moicano over Damir Hadzovic (submission/rear-naked choke); light heavyweight Nikita Krylov over Johnny Walker (unanimous decision); and Francisco Trinaldo over John Makdessi (UD).

In the lead-up to UFC Fight Night 170, the UFC said it will be pushing through despite the COVID-19, with some of its events relocated to its facilities in Las Vegas and played behind closed doors.

Next for the UFC is UFC Fight Night 171 on March 21, headlined by former welterweight champion Tyron Woodley against Leon Edwards.

PBA Press Corps Awards Night deferred to a later date

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE Annual PBA Press Corps Awards Night which was set to take place today has been moved to a later date in accordance with the guidelines set by the government as the National Capital Region went under “community quarantine” on Sunday to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Was set to take place at the Novotel Manila in Araneta City, the awards night, held annually by the media covering the league, was forced to reschedule the event as under community quarantine guidelines mass gatherings are strictly prohibited.

Eleven awards were set to be handed out, including the Order of Merit to be given to San Miguel Beermen big man June Mar Fajardo.

Mr. Fajardo recently claimed his sixth straight PBA most valuable player award at the league’s annual awards.

The San Miguel player, who unfortunately is expected to miss a significant time this season after injuring his leg and undergoing surgery in the offseason, is given the award after garnering the most number of Player of the Week honors last season, that saw his team win two of three titles – Philippine Cup and Commissioner’s Cup.

Also set to be feted is Columbian Dyip star CJ Perez, who is the Scoring Champion after leading the PBA with a 20.8 point per contest average in his rookie year.

To be awarded as well is the All-Interview Team, which is given to personalities who produce quotable quotes and at the same time always make themselves available for interviews.

Making up the team are Kiefer Ravena (NLEX), Beau Belga (Rain or Shine), Vic Manuel (Alaska), Arwind Santos (San Miguel), Christian Standhardinger (Northport) and coach Yeng Guiao (NLEX).

The Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan Coach of the Year award, meanwhile, is a toss-up between San Miguel Beer’s Leo Austria and Tim Cone of Barangay Ginebra.

Other awards to be given are the Game of the Season, All-Rookie Team, Mr. Quality Minutes, Defensive Player of the Year, President’s award, and the Danny Floro Executive of the Year.

To be honored as well are the D-League Finals MVPs, namely, Cignal-Ateneo’s Thirdy Ravena (Aspirant’s Cup) and Hessed Gabo of BRT-Sumisip Basilan-St. Clare (Foundation Cup).

The PBA press corps said the awards night will still be held at Novotel when situation settles even as it extended its gratitude to the venue’s management for the flexibility given to the group.

The PBA Press Corps Awards Night is to be presented by Cignal TV.

NBA in good hands

A lot has happened since Rudy Gobert playfully mocked in a presser last week safety precautions against the transmission of the novel coronavirus. Prior to leaving the premises, he went to the trouble of touching every microphone and voice recorder laid out in front of the table — effectively belittling its capacity to spread. Never mind that the National Basketball Association had just instituted measures distancing players from members of the media in an effort to minimize, if not altogether eradicate, infection. And never mind that France, from which he hails, was then already hard-hit and fighting to contain it.

Within two days of Gobert’s media conference, he wound up being affected by the virus first hand. His test came back positive, prompting a wave of actions and reactions that ultimately led to the NBA’s decision to suspend the remainder of the 2019–20 campaign. His fellow Jazz and the Thunder, whom they were supposed to face at the Chesapeake Energy Arena, had to be checked and quarantined until cleared. And, as things turned out, teammate Donovan Mitchell carried it as well. The development further cast a pall on his cavalier attitude during the presser, caught on camera, and, evidently, in the locker room, where he also touched the belongings of others.

Needless to say, Gobert was contrite in the aftermath, apologizing for his “careless” consideration of public welfare. His mea culpa was as remarkable as his decision to donate half a million dollars to a handful of causes working to alleviate and combat the virus’ short- and long-term effects. Unfortunately, there was already damage, not least to relationships within the Jazz. At stake is the very spirit of camaraderie that had him making light of the situation. Mitchell appeared especially affected, and it’s fair to speculate how and when the two most vital cogs will move past the discord.

The good news is that both Gobert and Mitchell look to be on the road to recovery. And, considering how well the two hitherto got along, and how tight officials run the Jazz, there is every reason to think all will be fine. Meanwhile, fans are wondering when the NBA will resume play, if at all. To argue that it has been a tumultuous season would be to vastly understate the obvious. It has gone through one deep dive after another — from Rockets general manager Daryl Morey’s tweet to China’s pullout of support for the league to Kobe Bryant’s shocking death to the effects of the global pandemic.

All things considered, the NBA can thank its stars it has Adam Silver at the helm. He has blazed trails other sports organizations have seen fit to follow, and, under his watch, the league figures to recover. It’s why stakeholders’ worries are on everything but the sport. It’s in good hands. It will survive, and then it will thrive.

 

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and Human Resources management, corporate communications, and business development.

[B-SIDE Podcast] Surprise! The importance of unannounced visits in investigating price-fixing cartels

Follow us on Spotify BusinessWorld B-Side

The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) is ready to investigate price-fixing cartels and anti-competitive behavior by inspecting company premises uninvited. Now, they want to take on these surprise visits without the required court order. PCC’s Orlando P. Polinar tells BusinessWorld reporter Jenina Ibañez about the importance of surprising companies, and defends the commission’s access to private documents. Recorded on February 21 at the PCC office in Quezon City. Produced by Nina M. Diaz, Paolo L. Lopez, and Sam L. Marcelo.

Follow us on Spotify BusinessWorld B-Side

Metro placed under curfew; malls to close

By Norman P. Aquino and Gillian M. Cortez

A nine-hour curfew starting at 8 p.m. on March 15 will be enforced in Manila, the capital and nearby cities as part of government efforts to contain a novel coronavirus that has killed at least eight people and sickened 90 more in the Philippines.

Seventeen Metro Manila mayors had approved a resolution imposing the curfew during the one-month lockdown that also banned land, domestic air and sea travels to and from the region, San Juan City Mayor Francisco Javier M. Zamora said at a briefing on Saturday.

Mr. Zamora, who read a copy of the resolution issued by the Metro Manila Council, also said mayors had passed a separate order urging mall operators to shut down for a month to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

“Strict measures of social distancing and community quarantine must be adopted,” he said. These measures would “preserve and protect the lives of their constituents,” Mr. Zamora said.

Supermarkets, grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants with home deliveries, banks and outlets that offer health services will be allowed to operate.

Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said malls would have to close for a month in keeping with the ban on mass gatherings.

“We will include it in the order,” he told reporters in a Viber message when asked if the closure was just a suggestion.

The Department of Health (DoH) reported 34 more infections on Saturday, bringing the total to 98.

“The details of these new cases are currently being validated by our teams and will be provided to the public as soon as the information is available and verified by the department,” it said in a statement.

The agency was verifying reports of more infections, it said.

DoH also said 13 people from the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City, including 12 health workers, were being monitored after they were exposed to a COVID-19 patient who has since died.

The hospital was limiting its operations to in-patient and emergency cases after the incident.

Rizal Medical Center in Pasig City had also reported several health workers being exposed to the COVID-19 virus, DOH said, adding that it was still verifying data.

Meanwhile, the presidential palace released a memo extending class suspensions until April 15 and detailing quarantine and social distancing measures for the metro.

Under the rules, mass gatherings including movie screenings, concerts, sporting events and other entertainment activities, community assemblies and nonessential company gatherings will be banned.

Religious gatherings and essential company meetings are allowed as long as people maintain a one-meter distance from each other, according to a copy of the memo signed by Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea.

A community quarantine will be imposed on the entire Metro Manila. Local governments must follow either general and enhanced community quarantines imposed by the Department of Health and Interior and Local Government department.

Under a general quarantine, the movement of people will be limited to accessing basic goods and work, while police and quarantine officers will be present at border points.

Police will restrict the nonessential entry and exit of people to and from Metro Manila, especially people who are at high risk of being infected such as senior citizens and pregnant women.

Health workers, authorized government officials, those traveling for medical or humanitarian reasons and people on their way to the airport for travel overseas will be exempted from the restrictions. People providing basic services and public utilities and essential skeletal workforce also won’t be covered.

‘ENHANCED’ QUARANTINE

Under an enhanced quarantine, home quarantine will be enforced in all households, transportation will be suspended and provision of food and health services will be regulated.

The memo does not say what could bring about an enhanced quarantine.

People leaving Metro Manila must be checked for signs of infection such as fever and other respiratory symptoms at exit checkpoints. A certification will then be issued by health authorities to the traveler, who must undergo a 14-day home-based quarantine.

“Don’t think about coming here,” Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo M. Año told Metro Manila outsiders at the same briefing that was streamed live on YouTube.

He added that people who leave the metro won’t be able to return until the end of the month-long lockdown period. “It’s that simple.”

Mr. Año said people who don’t cooperate would be told to go home. “If they resist, they will be arrested.”

President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Thursday ordered the lockdown and suspended work in the Executive branch for a month.

Companies should allow work-from-home and other flexible arrangements to prevent the spread of the virus, he said. Government agencies can form “skeletal workforces” to ensure unimpeded delivery of services, Mr. Duterte said.

The President made the announcement in a televised speech after meeting with an inter-agency task force against the contagion that has killed more than 5,000 people and sickened about 140,000 more worldwide, mostly in China.

Mr. Duterte said the highest alert level — code red sublevel 2 — was up, which means there have been community transmissions and increased infection cases beyond the government’s responding capacity. — with Jenina P. Ibañez

1...9,3309,3319,332...13,813Page 9,331 of 13,813
© 2024 BusinessWorld Publishing.
All rights reserved.
Read our privacy guidelines
Facebook Instagram Linkedin Twitter Youtube