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Metro Manila mayors seek further lockdown easing

THE mayors of various cities in Metro Manila want the government to further ease the lockdown in the capital region starting June.

All 17 mayors were ready in case a return to a general community quarantine is ordered, Jose Arturo S. Garcia, Jr., general manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, said at a televised briefing aired on CNN Philippines on Tuesday night.

The Metro Manila Council, which is made up of the 17 mayors, does not have the power to decide on whether to ease the lockdown.

An inter-agency task force made up of Cabinet secretaries is expected to announce a decision on Wednesday, presidential spokesman Harry L. Roque said earlier in the day.

Mr. Garcia said there were concerns about the operations of buses and jeepneys, but taxis, tricycles ride-hailing and shuttle services would be allowed.

There is also a plan to adopt a modified number coding scheme for private vehicles, which will be allowed on streets seven days a week as long as they contain at least two passengers, he said.

This is given the limited number of public vehicles that will be allowed to operate once the general lockdown is put in place.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte locked down the entire Luzon island in mid-March, suspending work, classes and public transportation to contain a coronavirus pandemic.

Metro Manila remains under an altered lockdown until the end of the month, during which some businesses have been allowed to reopen with minimal workforce. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

#COVID-19 Regional Updates (05/26/20)

Cebu province taps 3 state-owned banks for P20B economic recovery fund

THREE government-owned banks have agreed to create a common fund, initially set at P20 billion, for Cebu’s economic recovery program, the provincial government announced Monday. Officials of LandBank of the Philippines (LandBank), Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), and the Philippine Veterans Bank (Veterans Bank) met with Governor Gwendolyn F. Garcia and other local officials last May 21 to discuss the financing plan that will be open to marginalized farmers, small and medium farm organizations, and large agriculture enterprises. “We have to give hope to the people, and we have to manage this fear and turn this into hope,” Ms. Garcia told the bank executives. The provincial government, along with city and town officials, are aiming to revive the local economy from the impact of the coronavirus crisis by focusing on agricultural development in the countryside. The banks will determine interest rates, loan packages and other financing terms, which will be presented to the provincial government. In the meantime, the governor ordered an inventory of the province’s land and properties where rice and corn could be planted to make the province self-sufficient for these basic commodities. — MSJ

Taxi-hailing firm Hirna to help in contact tracing in Davao City; prepares for e-payment

HOMEGROWN taxi-hailing firm Hirna Mobility Solutions, Inc. will assist in the contact tracing efforts of Davao City by collecting information from passengers. Region 11 Taxi Operators Association Inc. President Rogelio G. Largo said they will be undertaking this as they prepare to adopt electronic payment options as part of minimizing risks of coronavirus transmissions. “We are working on it now. We expect that we will be able to provide electronic payment options in the month of June this year. It will be the new normal for taxi riding public,” Mr. Largo said via messenger, noting that e-payments are part of the new guidelines from the government. “The need for Hirna as an online booking platform for taxis in Davao City has become greater at this time. With Hirna, those needing a ride need not go out of their homes to look for and hail a taxi,” he said. There are currently 4,300 taxis installed with the Hirna app, but Mr. Largo said only about 60% of the units are operating. “Some drivers have opted not to return to drive for lack of passengers. Others have preferred to remain in their respective provinces,” he said. The contact tracing form will include the passenger/s name, contact number, date and time of trip, and destination. Davao City has the highest number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in Mindanao at 232 as of May 25. City officials and regional health authorities have faced difficulties in contact tracing, particularly among thousands of participants of a series of cockfighting events in March, where a COVID-19 patient was determined to have been in attendance. — Maya M. Padillo

Nationwide round-up

Over 11,000 OFWs back in their hometowns


MORE than 11,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), among those who have been displaced by the coronavirus global pandemic, have already gone back to their home provinces as of May 25.

Palace Spokesperson Harry L. Roque, in a briefing on Tuesday, said a total of 11,848 OFWs who have tested negative for the coronavirus have been provided transport from Manila to different parts of the country.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Monday ordered national government agencies to pull together all available resources to bring the workers home after many of them have been stuck in quarantine facilities in Manila beyond the 14-day mandatory isolation period.

The Department of Labor and Employment, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and the Department of Health have been given a week to organize the return of 24,000 OFWs.

The government is expecting more returning Filipinos in the coming weeks

In a late Monday taped meeting with his Cabinet and other officials, Mr. Duterte also called on local governments to ensure the smooth return of the OFWs to their hometowns.

“Do not impede it. Do not obstruct the movement of people because you run the risk of getting sued criminally. Because it is the national government who declared there is a national emergency involving a pandemic, an issue of health, that — that power cannot be shared by — by anybody else,” Mr. Duterte said.

Local governments have been preparing for the return of OFWs, with most areas requiring them to undergo another 14-day isolation period either in designated quarantine facilities or at home. — Gillian M. Cortez

Health dep’t pulls out coronavirus trial drug after WHO suspension

THE Department of Health has pulled out a medicine that is being tested as treatment for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the solidarity trial led by the World Health Organization (WHO).

WHO announced that it is temporarily suspending the use of anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine as treatment for COVID-19, citing the observational study published by The Lancet that a higher mortality rate was observed among patients who received the drug.

“We follow WHO guidelines on this because this is the WHO solidarity trial,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire said in a virtual briefing on Tuesday.

“Rest assured na tayo po ay titigil na muna magbigay nitong gamot dahil ito po ay na-i-rekomenda ng WHO (that we will stop giving this as advised by the WHO),” she added.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on May 25 said the executive group of the solidarity trial decided to suspend administering the drug to review data and evaluate its potential benefits and harms.

The Philippine joined the solidarity trial last month along with other countries to test the effectiveness of four possible treatments for the coronavirus. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Duterte orders probe on medical equipment distributor

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has ordered the investigation of a couple who own a medical equipment distribution firm that allegedly tried to sell overpriced goods to the government for its coronavirus response.

In a taped meeting with his Cabinet and other officials late Monday, Mr. Duterte said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) “should study the matter very, very carefully… whether it’s really an issue of humanity and their greed.”

A couple whose last name is Co, owners of Omnibus Corp., allegedly offered Sansure brand medical equipment to the government for P4.3 million when the actual selling price is around P1.7 million.

The couple also complained that the government did not respect Omnibus’ license as an “exclusive” reseller of Sansure even if there are other local distributors offering the same products.

“The officers from Sansure actually went to the Philippines. I met them last Friday and also yesterday we met them over lunch… We personally requested that if they sell, they sell directly to the Philippines,” said Budget Undersecretary Lloyd Christopher A. Lao during the meeting.

Mr. Lao said the China-based firm Sansure offered to sell at a lower price, through Omnibus, which the government rejected.

“If we allow them (Omnibus) to distribute now at a lower price, we’re giving them a reward for what they have done before. Now that we can go direct to Sansure, we suggest that we bypass them because we can get it cheaper.”

Palace Spokesperson Harry L. Roque said there is basis for the NBI to investigate the couple for violations of the anti-profiteering law and under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.

“There was really almost an attempt to blackmail us into buying something very expensive,” he said.

Meanwhile, the government defended the purchase of allegedly overpriced personal protective gear.

Mr. Lao said the equipment they procured for health frontliners are high grade and unlike reusable protective gear, do not promote growth of viruses and bacteria.

Mr. Duterte, for his part, said, “If you place a person in jeopardy while he is working, especially the doctors, they are fighting for life. Throw it. That’s the reason why we are spending money. And we will spend money.” — Gillian M. Cortez

No clamor for leadership change in DoH, says hospital group president

THE Philippine Hospitals Association on Tuesday said none of its 1,981 members are seeking a change in leadership at the Department of Health (DoH) amid calls for the resignation of Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III.

Association President Jaime A. Almora said they are “contented” with how the department is handling response to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We are happy with how things are going, we are happy that we are able to control the spread of the infection. At least we are able to contain it in Manila, and in the provinces, we are not seeing an increase in cases out in the provinces,” he said in a virtual briefing.

“There is no clamor for drastic changes in the leadership in the Department of Health right now. In fact, I have never seen one comment,” he added.

He did acknowledge that there have been complaints from member hospitals, particularly those that have not received personal protective equipment and financial aid from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).

“Definitely, tanggalin muna natin ang politika sa ating anti-COVID campaign po. Magtulung-tulongan lang, ‘yun ang focus natin ngayon (let us stop politics in the anti-COVID campaign. Let us help one another, that is our focus for now), to cooperate and make our efforts be united in this fight,” he said.

On the other hand, the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PHAPi) on Monday asked President Rodrigo R. Duterte to replace Mr. Duque, who also heads PhilHealth.

The group cited that some of its members have not received the financial aid from the government-owned insurance company.

“For this reason, the PHAPi, an association of Seven Hundred Forty Four (744) member private hospitals, now respectfully requests for the replacement of Dr. Francisco T. Duque III as DoH Secretary and Chairman of PhilHealth and appoint someone who can deliver the goods better in addressing the health concerns of the country,” it said.

PHAPi said they have high regard for Mr. Duque “but he seems to be already so exhausted that there is need for a fresh blood and a fresh mind to lead the Department of Health and the PhilHealth.” — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Didal, Wong staying the course amid COVID-19

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

GOLD medal-winning athletes Margielyn Didal and Agatha Wong find it a challenge to train amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, but it is not stopping them from staying the course in maintaining their fitnesss.

Guests at the weekend on the Philippine Olympic Committee Webinar series on “Making Smart Food Choices,” hosted by former athlete and now sports official Akiko Thompson, Misses Didal and Wong admitted that COVID-19 has significantly disrupted their training but they are finding ways to get by.

“I’m doing okay. Yes I can’t go out and skate as much as I want to but I have been stretching and trying to maintain my conditioning,” said Ms. Didal, who is currently in her hometown of Cebu City.

“I cannot really skate outside but we try to find ways here at the house. I asked my father to build me ramps at the rooftop for me to practice,” the Asian Games skateboard gold medallist added.

Staying conditioned and finding a balance while working out on her own are also something keeping Ms. Wong busy in their home in Quezon City.

“I’m doing okay. I’m just trying to maintain my body, its condition, since the lockdown started. It’s hard since in lockdown we cannot really train. And I’m just doing as much as I can, strengthen my body and keep my mental health at bay. Finding a balance,” said Ms. Wong, a gold medallist in wushu in last year’s 30th Southeast Asian Games held here.

The national athletes agree that among the challenges while holed up in the house during the pandemic is the tendency to splurge in food and deviate from their usual nutritional habits.

It is something that is completely understandable, said nutrition coach Jeaneth Aro, who was also a guest at the Webinar along with Misses Didal and Wong.

To guard themselves from overdoing such, the athletes said they try to make up for it with the training they put in.

“Here at home the challenge is the tendency to splurge on food. I have been eating a lot, especially rice. Rice is life,” said Ms. Didal with a laugh. “But I’m compensating for it in training. Good thing about skateboarding weight is not much of an issue like in other sports. But you have to maintain a certain level so you can ride well.”

Ms. Didal is currently in the thick of things in qualifying for a spot in the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics and expressed her determination to go for it.

“I don’t know yet when the Olympic qualifiers will resume but those I competed in prior I did well. I think we are in a good position,” she said.

Weight maintenance for Ms. Wong, meanwhile, is not an issue, she said.

“I have been exercising a lot. Waking up early and keeping my routine. In March I weighed 58 kilograms then in April it fell to 54 kg. In May I’m up to 56 kg,” said Ms. Wong.

Adding, “Weight maintenance is not an issue for me but I have days I eat so much and there are days I eat little.”

Moving forward, Misses Didal and Wong said work continues for them in whatever form until some semblance of normalcy in sports here is achieved just as they underscored the need to forging ahead and not losing hope.

“Stay home. Stay safe. Things will get better soon,” said Ms. Didal.

“Let’s keep fighting in this pandemic and never give up,” Ms. Wong, for her part, said.

As of this writing, COVID-19 continues to be a growing concern for the Philippines, with confirmed cases numbering 14,319.

NBA teams should forfeit series if player gets virus, says Barkley

CHARLES BARKLEY laid out a possible ugly scenario for the National Basketball Association postseason if it is played this summer amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Hall-of-Famer believes teams should be eliminated from the playoffs if one of their players tests positive for COVID-19.

“I think the one thing we’ve to go do is, how are we going to handle if one of our players gets infected,” Barkley said Monday on ESPN’s The Paul Finebaum Show. “That to me is the tricky part. You can’t stop the playoffs. I think a team is just going to have to forfeit a series if any of their players, not even their best player, gets the virus.

“You’re going to have to sequester the entire team, and they are going to have to forfeit a round of the playoffs. They are going to be gone for the playoffs.

“It would be devastating for us in the NBA if the Milwaukee Bucks got taken out, even if it’s a guy who just is sitting on the bench, you would have to take the whole Milwaukee Bucks team, and the great player Giannis (Antetokounmpo), they would lose in the first round of the playoffs.

“This stuff is just uncharted waters. We’re going to have to learn as we go.”

Barkley added that both the nature of the game and the prospective living quarters for the players could put them at risk of infection.

“Big basketball players pushing on each other in the lane, fighting for rebounds and post position, there’s no way they can social-distance,” Barkley said. “They say they’re going to put ‘em in a hotel for two or three months. Are the maids going to be in the hotel for two or three months? The maids are going to go home every day.

“What about the people in room service? They’re going to go home every day. So it’s just a lot of unanswered questions.”

On the positive side, Barkley does believe the suspended NBA season will come to a conclusion, citing knowledge obtained from his bosses at Turner Sports.

“(The NBA is) gonna make a decision in the next week,” Barkley told Finebaum, according to thescore.com. “I’m 100 percent sure we’re going to play. I know my friends in Major League Baseball are going to play. I know that the hockey league is going to play. I think the pro football and the college football, they have to sit back and see how it goes for us. …

“I do know this, talking to my bosses at Turner: We’re going to play basketball. It’s gonna be in Florida and (Las) Vegas, or just Florida.”

Finebaum asked Barkley about the upcoming college football season, with the fate of play uncertain as different states deal with different realities within the pandemic.

“One thing I hope they don’t do is separate the teams and play the haves and the have-nots. I think that would be awful for the game,” Barkley said. “They are going to have a month or two of (hockey, baseball and basketball) to see how it goes before they have to make a really big decision — either play, delay or not play.”

“College football and pro football, obviously they are the two King Kongs of the sports world, but they’ve got the longest leeway before they have to make a decision.”

The Monday interview came a day after Barkley made headlines for his work Sunday as a commentator on the charity golf match featuring Tiger Woods, Peyton Manning, Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady. Barkley mocked Brady’s poor play until Brady fired back after sinking a chip shot from the fairway.

“I was just really glad the guys had some fun,” Barkley told Finebaum. “You know, when you do events like that, if the guys are not having fun, it’s really boring. … It was awesome, and it gave us something to do on a Sunday afternoon.” — Reuters

MPL-PH Season 5 grand finals set for this weekend

THE GRAND FINALS for Season 5 of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League — Philippines (MPL-PH) is set for this weekend with eight teams vying for the top spot.

Happening from May 29 to 31, the MPL-PH grand finals, organizers said, promises to churn out exciting battles, which is what the tournament has been doing in a season challenged by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Competing teams are led by veteran squads Bren Esports and Execration. They are joined by defending champion Sunsparks, ONIC PH, SGD Omega, Blacklist International, BSB and ULVL.

Up for grabs in the marquee mobile esports event is the $25,000 first place prize.

Powering the event is Smart Communications Inc. with realMe the gaming smartphone of choice.

The Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League — Philippines Season 5 grand finals will be broadcast online through Facebook Live (Tagalog Stream — https://www.facebook.com/MobileLegendsOnlinePH/ and English Stream — https://www.facebook.com/MLESPORTS/), and YouTube Gaming (Tagalog Stream — http://bit.ly/MLBBEsportsYTB and English Stream — http://bit.ly/MLBBENYTB).

Viewers of the event stand to win prizes during the Mythical Raffle Draw.

They just have to register on the link that will appear during the show to win any of the following prizes: One of Nine (9) Legendary Prize packs, each containing 10 EPIC skins, 5 Lightborn skins and other in-game items and One (1) Mythical Prize pack containing 4 Legend Skins, 5 Lightborn skins, 36 exclusive Epic skins and lots of other in-game items.

Meanwhile, because of the cancellation of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Southeast Asia Cup (MSC) 2020, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang will be hosting the MPL-PH Champion Invitational, an online exhibition tournament which will take place on June 20 — 21 and June 27 — 28. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Antonio to face Laylo in a winner-take-all chess match

GRANDMASTER (GM) Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr., winner of the recent GCC Arena and Barako Open blitz tournament, will face archrival GM Darwin Laylo in a head-to-head duel in Lichess arena on June 7.

Backed by Europe-based Kim Zafra, the one-day event is a race-to-15 challenge match of three minutes plus two seconds increment with a winner-take-all guaranteed prize of P20,000.

“It will be a very interesting match against GM (Darwin) Laylo,” said Antonio, the 13-time Philippine Open champion.

“I’ll be expecting tough matches but I will try my very best,” added Antonio.

Laylo, for his part, said, “I trained hard for this fight so I can give a good show for chess fans.”

Before the duel though, Antonio and Laylo will compete in the 1st Baby Uno chess challenge invitational online chess tournament on May 29.

The tournament is organized by Bayanihan chess club.

Other invited players are International Master (IM) Barlo Nadera, Fide Master (FM) Dale Bernardo, PECA president Dr. Fred Paez, Dr. Jenny Mayor, Mark Rodrigo, Abel Dimalanta, Levi Miranda, Glenn Hullana Garcia, national para games coach James Infiesto and coach Ederwin Estavillo as well Philippine chess kids Oshrie James and Prince Reyes, Ivan Travis and Jericho Winston Cu, Bonjoure Fille Suyamin, Austin Kloe Roan and Tyrone Tabernilla. — Marlon Bernardino

A template

The Match: Champions for Charity went about as well as could be expected. No, scratch that; it went much, much better than expected. Not that it had high hurdles to begin with as the second go-round for Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. The first, held last November 2018, ran into significant technical difficulties, prompting AT&T and other streaming distributors to issue full refunds for the pay-per-view spectacle. And even if the broadcast proceeded smoothly to warrant the $19.99 price tag, the entertainment value through 22 holes left much to be desired.

As things turned out, the weekend brought forth 18 holes of compelling drama, even between shots, among Woods and Mickelson, not to mention partners Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. To be sure, the marquee names had much to do with the interest; they’re intrinsically chatty and, of late, chummy enough to throw in some cutting remarks while in competition. And they’re good with clubs in their hands, never mind the anticipated rust brought about by quarantine protocols during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. The lack of alternative fare ensured a captive audience to start; their constant back and forth, the variety of rules in play, and tight scores in the back nine kept close to six million pairs of eyes glued to the screen until the end.

Considering the objectives, who won the affair was secondary to it actually being held. Certainly, Medalist Golf Club in Hobe Sound was as good a venue as any, and not simply because it’s Woods’ home course. Florida’s relaxed social-distancing protocols allowed for The Match: Champions for Charity to be planned and held, with the participants tested for the virus beforehand and then staying away from each other, but still within range of trash talk, throughout the contest. And with no caddies in tow, they lugged around custom-painted carts and took out clubs from the bags themselves.

Significantly, The Match: Champions for Charity featured little to no dead air. The presence of Charles Barkley and Justin Thomas, also a Medalist member, helped; in equal measure, they provided insightful knowledge and humorous jabs. For the most part, though, Woods, Mickelson, Manning, and Brady came up with the physical and verbal highlights. At the same time, the rules guaranteed heterogeneity, with the best-ball format in play for the first nine holes and modified alternate shot on display after the turn. There were also call-in and off-the-cuff challenges, which doubled aggregate donations to $20 million.

Moving forward, The Match: Champions for Charity has provided a template after which exhibitions can be patterned. Granted, not all factors can be replicated; beginning with how the Woods-Manning pairing won, and by the smallest of margins, subsequent stagings would be fortunate to come close in generating an edge-of-seat denouement. That said, the format lends well to the notion that the journey is as important as the destination. And, in this regard, organizers are enjoined to tap such larger-than-life types as Mickelson and Brady. Frankly, why not just stage a rematch? Already, all and sundry can’t wait.

 

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.

Huawei Global Analyst Summit discusses business results and vision for the future

Last May 18, Huawei kicked off its three-day 17th annual Global Analyst Summit to discuss how the industry “can work together to weather the difficult times, achieve win-win outcomes, and accelerate the arrival of the intelligent world.”

Guo Ping, Huawei’s rotating chairman, shared business results of the past year. The company reported ¥858.8 billion (P6.1 trillion) in revenue, with a net profit of ¥62.7 billion (P445.6 billion). In order to help cope with Huawei’s inclusion in the US government’s entity list, they invested ¥131.7 billion (P936.8 billion) into their research and development, a significant 29.8% more than the amount last year. 

This investment and innovation falls into three domains: connectivity, computing, and smart devices. One of the technologies that the company is exploring, naked-eye 3D, displays capable of creating 3D images without the need for specialized eyewear, is believed to have great value in entertainment, healthcare, and education. It also has the potential to create a new market worth hundreds of billions of US dollars.

If accurate, this new technology, along with AI, Internet of Things, and 5G, will contribute to the digital economy estimated to be worth $23 trillion by 2025. “The ICT infrastructure is the cornerstone of the intelligent world… They will promote sustainable development, become new drivers for economic growth, and enable better consumer experience, smart cities, and industrial digitization,” said Guo Ping.

Huawei believes that this is possible only with continuous collaboration. “We now live in a highly-integrated, globalized world… there are more opportunities for cooperation than competition. Huawei calls for the industry to make certain efforts in strengthening IPr protecting IPR protection, safeguarding fair competition, protecting unified standards, and promoting a collaborative supply chain.”

Navigating the curve: how to market during COVID-19

As the population continues to stay indoors in the hopes of flattening the COVID-19 curve, they are becoming increasingly dependent on the Internet for information and connectivity. Usage has shot up to 70% since the pandemic started, creating a huge opportunity for marketers to raise awareness on their brand.

But with heightened usage, comes higher scrutiny as well—with consumers paying more attention to what brands are saying, and doing, more than ever before.

Through the lockdown, consumers are becoming hyper-aware of corporate reactions towards the crisis, and are quick to drop their thoughts and criticisms online.

With such delicate conditions to consider, how can marketers ensure that they are communicating helpfully and respectfully?

Experts weighed in on the matter during “Staying Sensitive: How to Communicate during COVID-19”, a webinar organized by media production agency Near Creative, held last May 8.

Here are some of the insights they shared:

1. Fill yourself in on what’s going on around you—and respond sensitively.

We’ve seen the likes of KFC receiving backlash for some ill-timed messaging in the face of the pandemic. And when local influencer Cat Arambulo-Antonio went on a tirade against minimum wage workers stranded during the lockdown, netizens quickly demanded accountability from the brands she was endorsing, prompting some of them to clarify that her thoughts did not reflect theirs.

With millions of people struggling through real crises, marketers and their partners should keep updated with current events and the sentiments of consumers across all segments. For example, you may want to avoid sales-driven content considering the financial troubles experienced by many.

“Companies should… focus on building that brand, that relationship… on content that helps the community,” said Roxi Biribicchi, co-founder of Near Creative. “In that sense you don’t concretely promote your product, but at the same time, you still deepen that relationship by providing relevant content.”

Camille Co, content creator and entrepreneur, also advises to double-check the timing of your material. “Sometimes, it’s not really offensive to say a certain thing at a certain point in time, but because of something that happened, it could be misconstrued or people might get hurt.”

2. Engage with your consumers so that you know what they need.

Of course, this practice of listening and keeping informed also extends to your customer communications. “So much has changed about the way that we interact with the world, with each other, and with brands,” said Aika Lim, managing director at Bridges PR. “And we’ve been so accustomed to a set kind of communications blueprint [which] is not going to apply in the future.”

To keep your finger on the pulse, regularly ask your customers about their needs and experiences with your product using a tool that best suits your capacity. Lim says it can be as simple as a social media poll, while Samuel Jeanblanc, market lead at Google Philippines, suggests using CRM platforms such as Salesforce and HubSpot.

“Make sure that you have this database of clients that you can interact with and re-engage, reach out to, and delight,” he said.

3. Support the community in your own, genuine way.

This pandemic has seen every able hand doing their part to help—and companies aren’t exempted from this expectation. 

Brands like Ligo were lauded for their huge efforts in helping frontliners. But even if your brand can’t match these large-scale relief efforts, it’s enough to simply invest in a better communication strategy, one fit for the times.

“If you can directly help, then the messaging should be around ‘Talk to me’, meaning [it]… has to be around, ‘How can my brand help you as someone struggling with the crisis?’” said Jeanblanc. Angkas exemplified this when they launched Angkas Food to support their riders.

On the other end of the spectrum, your messaging can also revolve around “Talk to we”, meaning the community. Lots of brands have been doing this through social media posts reminding people to practice good hygiene and social distancing.

You can also explore other ways—and even specific communities— to provide help to those in need. “For instance, a lot of beauty professionals are struggling. So some [beauty] brands have been using their platform to support those professionals, like stylists, and giving them a platform to share their expertise,” said Lim.

Unseen frontliners: Aircraft mechanics help keep planes safe to fly amid COVID-19 pandemic

They are the unseen hands helping a critical service running as millions are locked down in their homes amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Quietly working in the background of a crisis that has brought Luzon and other parts of the country to a near halt, a skeletal force of aircraft mechanics continue to report for work every day, making sure that airplanes going on flights exempt from travel restrictions depart and arrive safely in their destinations.

Around a quarter of the 3,300-strong Lufthansa Technik Philippines (LTP) workforce, remain on duty every day to ensure airworthiness of airplanes, servicing aircraft in key ports such as Manila, Clark, Cebu and Davao, of which close to 300 work at the terminals and the rest work on aircraft maintenance tasks at the base.

While it is a task largely unnoticed, keeping aircraft maintenance available is critical at this time, as they ensure the safety of airplanes carrying crucial cargo such as food and medical supplies, and aircraft used to bring home Filipinos overseas stranded because of travel restrictions.

“We contribute to our country’s goal to ‘flatten the curve’ through servicing and providing flight mechanics to cargo flights loaded with export/import goods and medical supplies and servicing repatriation flights of our fellow Filipinos stranded abroad due to the lockdown. We commit to our country, we commit to our profession, and we commit to our colleagues in LTP. This is who we are,” said Eugene Estigoy, section manager at Lufthansa’s Manila Terminals Operations.

Despite the drastic reduction in daily flights—now at 10 flights per day from approximately 250 flights per day before the pandemic—LTP’s aircraft mechanics continue to provide service to flag carrier Philippine Airlines and other international airlines. The aircraft maintenance team, working on limited staffing, still handles two planes every day, from the usual four to five, to ensure efficiency, as well maintenance work for grounded aircraft.

“We prioritize the aircraft that needs to fly out as soon as possible. In this situation, the aircraft maintenance department current workforce capacity was reduced as the safety of the personnel who cannot enter the NCR (Metro Manila) area was greatly considered. Only those aircraft that need attention or need to fly out are prioritized to be serviced,” said Grant Aron Naval, aircraft mechanic at LTP’s Manila hangar.

Like those from other sectors who must brave the risks of exposure to the contagious disease, LTP’s frontliners were provided full sets of personal protective equipment and vitamins to make sure they stay healthy while on duty.
Sanitation booths were also placed at access points in LTP’s facilities for disinfection.

Despite the challenges of continuing to work under a lockdown, Lufthansa Technik Philippines’ mechanics remain unfailing in their duty to serve.

“Working during a scary pandemic situation has added pressure on us in line maintenance. As part of LTP’s skeletal workforce, we understand that it is not just about doing a task but a balancing act of responsibly keeping a customer’s aircraft airworthy and released on time, as well as keeping ourselves safe and in good health condition for our family,” said aircraft mechanic Joseph Jemar Villanueva, who is assigned at LTP’s Operations MNL Terminals department.

Brenda Bhee Anuran, an avionics mechanic from the same department, cited how LTP workers observe physical distancing rules while on duty to keep themselves safe.

“Being in a skeletal workforce is a big decision to make. We should consider our personal health and the health of the people around us. With a minimal manpower, teamwork, proper communications, and coordination are the keys to make everything happen and successful. We also follow the DOH (Department of Health) guidelines to avoid COVID-19 like proper distancing,” she said.

At a time of crisis, LTP workers view their jobs not just as a profession but as a civic duty.

“To volunteer to be part of the skeletal workforce of LTP is a very brave choice. It is courage over fear. I’m doing it for my family, my company, and most especially my country. It is my duty to help in this time of pandemic in my own little way for I believe I am part of those so-called brave frontliners in the aviation industry,” said plane crew chief Ramon Ganaden.

Meralco sets health protocols for employees in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic

The Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) today committed to keep the lights on (#KeepTheLightsOn) for its over 6.9 million customers amid the coronavirus-19 pandemic.

In a statement released to media, Meralco said it is important that there are enough personnel to ensure 24/7 service.

Meralco President and CEO Atty. Ray C. Espinosa emphasized that health and safety of employees are of paramount importance, thus instituting strict return-to-office health protocols to keep the threat of COVID-19 at bay within the organization.

For daily health checks, employees are required to declare their whereabouts and health status through the Code Light application available online. This will allow daily health monitoring for any symptoms of COVID-19 through self-declaration by way of the application. Code Light also triggers contact tracing if symptoms are declared or if direct contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case, suspect case or probable case is declared.

A 24/7 COVID-19 Hotline was also set-up to further provide online medical consultation for employees manifesting virus symptoms. The Code Light Application and COVID-19 Hotline are the first lines of defense to ensure that symptoms are thoroughly screened and checked daily by health professionals.

As part of the preparation for the workplace re-entry arrangements in the office buildings, work premises and business centers, several measures were initiated to assure employees of management’s main thrust to provide a safe and secure work environment. Disinfection of offices using Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation room sterilizers and disinfectant vaporizing equipment, cleaning and disinfection of air conditioning units (ACU) and air handling units (AHU) were completed. Ultraviolet lamp installation at individual ACUs and AHU cooling coils is currently being undertaken to further improve ventilation and ensure safe indoor air quality in offices. To enhance this further, high efficiency particular air (HEPA) filters and air exchange blowers shall be installed in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.

In addition to these measures aimed at improving air quality, installation of protective barriers, implementation of six feet social distancing, reduction of office density, management of foot traffic, enhanced communication on proper hygiene protocol, and provision of foot mats, temperature scanners and alcohol stations were likewise done. For employees who commute, transportation services were made available to them via additional shuttle services and motor pool vehicles as well as encouragement of carpooling. Depending on the type of external exposure, provision and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) such as facemasks, face shields, goggles, gloves, and hazmat suits will continuously be carried out.

Work arrangements such as flexible hours, shifting and work-from-home were also adapted according to the work requirements.  For those employees and contractors required on-site, a rapid mass testing was implemented in partnership with the Pasig City Health Office to ensure that asymptomatic individuals (those with no symptoms) are screened, detected and isolated to further minimize the spread of the virus. Re-Testing will also be conducted monthly for at least twenty percent of the workforce, with priority given to employees depending on exposure and job risk. Reactive cases under this  rapid testing program undergo further verification, as necessary, using an RT-PCR based test. As part of the process, contact tracing is immediately carried out for confirmed cases and adherence to the established protocols is strictly enforced.

For collaboration, online meetings are now the new normal. Group gatherings continue to be discouraged and strict building entry protocols such as temperature and medical screening, as well as hand and shoe sanitation, are in place. Local and foreign travel remains to be discontinued as well as cross-site physical interaction. Training programs have also shifted online for continuous employee development.

All these, as well as other protocols and initiatives, ensure that all Meralco employees as well as customers remain safe and protected at all times in their effort to keep the lights on.

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