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NTC told to comment on ABS-CBN injunction suit

By Vann Marlo M. Villegas, Reporter

THE Supreme Court has not yet ruled on the petition of ABS-CBN Corp. for a temporary restraining order against the cease-and-desist order of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) against the network, forcing it to stop airing after its legislative franchise expired.

The court ordered the telecommunications regulator to comment on the petition of ABS-CBN for TRO and or preliminary injunction against its order in 10 days upon receipt of notice, SC Public Information Office Chief Brian Keith F. Hosaka said.

The SC also impleaded the Senate and the House of Representatives as parties to the case, requiring them to comment as well within 10 days.

“The Respondent NTC was also required to file a reply within a non-extendible period of 5 calendar days from personal notice of the said comments of the Senate and House of Representatives,” Mr. Hosaka told reporters in a Viber message.

ABS-CBN on Monday urged the court to immediately act on its petition filed on May 7, noting that it will take weeks or months before the Congress passes the measure of the lower house to grant it provisional authority to operate until October 2020.

The network also reiterated that the prolonged shutdown would affect the livelihood of its 11,000 employees and would mean less tax for the government as it has paid between P70.5 billion between 2003 and 2020.

ABS-CBN said in its petition that it would lose up to P35 million daily when it is off-air.

Mr. Hosaka said the court also denied the petition of lawyer Lorenzo G. Gadon to have his case consolidated after he asked the court to stop the NTC from issuing a provisional authority to ABS-CBN after its franchise expired.

The NTC issued the order on May 5 after the franchise of ABS-CBN , which renewal is pending before the Congress, expired on May 4.

This is contradictory to what the commission said before a Senate hearing in March that it would issue the provisional authority when the franchise expires.

Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra said in March that the Congress may pass a concurrent resolution authorizing NTC to issue the provisional authority pending the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN.

The House of Representatives sent a letter to the NTC while the Senate passed a resolution asking the commission to allow ABS-CBN to operate through the issuance of the authority.

NO MEDDLING
Meanwhile, the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) said it did not meddle with the Congress’ actions on the franchise of ABS-CBN when it advised the NTC in April not to grant the company a provisional authority.

It said that it was not opposing the Congress when it advised the NTC of its possible encroachment on legislative power if it issues the provisional authority without a law allowing it.

“Warning or cautioning a client is not threatening,” it said. “He (Solicitor General Jose C. Calida) never mentioned the name of Speaker Cayetano and any congressman in his advisory letter to NTC and subsequent press release.”

It also said that the letter it sent to the NTC on May 3 “merely formalized the legal advice verbally given to NTC officials before that date regarding the expiration of the media firm’s franchise.”

“Actually, the Solicitor General acted with circumspection because voicing out his concerns to Congress without being requested by it would have constituted meddling in its affairs, apart from the fact that the issues he is raising are sub judice,” it said, noting that the OSG filed a quo warranto petition to the SC for cancellation of ABS-CBN and its unit ABS-CBN Convergence, Inc.’s legislative franchises.

The OSG also said that it is the statutory counsel of NTC which belongs to the executive branch and there is no rule to notify a different branch of government of an internal communication.

It also said that it agrees with House Speaker Alan Peter S. Cayetano that alleged violations of ABS-CBN should be investigated.

The solicitor general also declined to attend the Senate hearing on May 19 because of the pending quo warranto petition before the Supreme Court.

In the quo warranto petition filed in February, the OSG cited the alleged “highly abusive practices” of ABS-CBN, citing the operation of a pay-per-view channel without NTC approval, and violation of foreign ownership restrictions, among others.

BSP chief sees no need to tap IMF facility amid crisis

THE PHILIPPINES does not need to tap International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) credit line for economies affected by the pandemic, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin E. Diokno said, citing the country’s sound economic management which put it at a “position of strength” before the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hit.

“BSP sees no apparent and immediate need to avail of IMF’s short-term liquidity line (SLL)… Structural reforms have helped the Philippines enter the COVID-19 crisis from a position of strength,” Mr. Diokno told reporters in a Viber message on Monday.

The SLL was rolled out by the IMF in April as an on demand financing tool to help economies avoid longer-lasting solvency problems as they face the pandemic.

“It is designed to be a liquidity backstop for members with very strong policy frameworks and fundamentals, who face potential, moderate, short-term liquidity needs because of external shocks that generate BoP (balance of payments) difficulties,” Mr. Diokno said.

IMF Resident Representative to the Philippines Yongzheng Yang said there is no deadline for the availment of the SLL.

“There is no deadline. It is not just for this crisis. The repurchase (repayment) period is one year,” Mr. Yang said in an e-mail, noting that the country is eligible to apply for assistance under the facility.

The Philippines has been under lender status with the IMF since 2011.

Mr. Diokno noted that the country is armed with strong macroeconomic fundamentals, such as a seven-year high BoP surplus of $7.84 billion as of end-December, a resilient currency, ample dollar reserves, as well as a manageable debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio.

“The peso has outperformed most of its peers in the region…and is second to the Taiwanese dollar which is the only currency that appreciated versus the dollar,” he said.

Gross international reserves as of end-March stood at an all-time high of $88.99 billion, enough to cover 7.9 months of imports, BSP data showed.

The Philippines also posted a record low debt-to-GDP ratio of 39.6% last year.

Security Bank Corp. Chief Economist Robert Dan J. Roces said Mr. Diokno’s stand to not tap the IMF facility is an assurance that the country is in a position of strength.

“Strong economic fundamentals essentially mean the absence of a solvency problem in the longer term,” Mr. Roces said in an e-mail.

“Thus, the option to dispense with the SLL because the BSP sees no short-term liquidity problem that can become a deeper and longer-lasting solvency problem. This validates the position of strength for our economy,” he added.

But despite the ample buffers of the economy against the coronavirus crisis, UnionBank of the Philippines, Inc. Chief Economist Ruben Carlo O. Asuncion is of the view that tapping the facility will mean no harm for the country.

“The purpose of the special line, I believe, is perfect for the Philippines of today. If needed, I do not think using the credit line is going to be a problem,” Mr. Asuncion said in a text message, noting that the financial strength of the country is at its “best ever” right now.

So far, loans secured by the country for its COVID-19 response include totalled $600 million from the World Bank and $1.5 billion from the Asian Development Bank. — Luz Wendy T. Noble

Mask in a restaurant? This one can gobble like Pac-Man

OR YEHUDA, Israel — Israeli inventors have developed a coronavirus mask with a remote control mouth that lets diners eat food without taking it off, a device they say could make a visit to a restaurant less risky.

A squeeze of a lever, much like a cyclist operates a handbrake, opens a slot in the front of the mask so that food can pass through.

The process could get messy with ice cream or sauces, but more solid morsels can be gobbled up in a flash a la Pac-Man in the arcade game.

“The mask will be opened mechanically by hand remote or automatically when the fork is coming to the mask,” Asaf Gitelis, vice-president of Avtipus Patents and Inventions, said on Monday as he demonstrated the device at its offices near Tel Aviv.

“Then you can eat, enjoy, drink and you take out the fork and it will be closed, and you’re protected against the virus and other people sitting with you.”

The company said it plans to start manufacturing the mask within months and had already submitted a patent. It said it would likely sell at a 3 to 10 shekel ($0.85 to $2.85) premium above the price of the simple pale blue medical masks many Israelis wear.

Outside a Juice Bar in Tel Aviv, Reuters showed customers a cellphone video of the mask in action. Opinion was divided.

“I think this mask, that enables me to eat while I’m still wearing it, is a must-have,” said Ofir Hameiri, a 32-year-old graduate student.

But eating an ice cream cone, Ron Silberstein, a 29-year-old musician, said: “I don’t think this mask could hold this kind of ice cream — it’s dripping all over. I wouldn’t want to wear it afterward.”

Israel has largely reopened its economy after a dramatic drop in cases of the novel coronavirus. Restaurants are open only for takeout for the time being. — Reuters

Network warns of job losses by August

ABS-CBN Corp. employees are at risk of retrenchment by August if the Congress fails to grant a franchise that will allow the network to resume operations, the top official of the network said on Tuesday.

“When we were taken off air on May 5th, we made a commitment to our employees given the difficult economic situation following COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), we made a commitment to them that we would not take away jobs for three months,” ABS-CBN President and Chief Executive Officer Carlo L. Katigbak said in a hearing, Tuesday.

But he said the network continues to incur losses after its May 5 shutdown, which may force it to eventually consider laying off its workers.

“We continue to lose a substantial amount of money every month and I’m afraid that if we cannot get back on air soon by August, we may already have to consider beginning a retrenchment process,” he said.

Mr. Katigbak was speaking before the Senate Committee on Public Services, which is tackling measures that will grant the network a 25-year franchise renewal and two other bills providing a provisional franchise until December 2020 and June 2022.

The hearing was conducted while the Senate awaits the transmittal of House Bill No. 6732, which in its last version grants ABS-CBN a provisional franchise until October.

“At this point in time our primary concern is to try and get back on air as quickly as possible. We leave it to Congress jointly to decide what’s the best way for us to legally return to the air,” Mr. Katigbak also said.

“It is critical from a financial stand point and from an employee welfare standpoint that we return, that we go back on air,” he added.

Former senate president Juan Ponce Enrile questioned the urgency in deliberating the ABS-CBN franchise as he is under the impression that there are enough radio stations in the country to report updates on the pandemic.

“The nooks and corners of this republic is rich, not by television but because of radio,” he said.

He also recommended that the Congress grant the National Telecommunications Commission the power to extend franchises, instead of granting a short-term franchise to the network.

Senator Risa N. Hontiveros-Baraquel pointed out the urgency is in securing the employment of network’s workers, in light also of the crisis brought by the pandemic. Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri was concerned about the risk of ABS-CBN potentially losing its frequency.

“Coming up with a franchise renewal is a very difficult process already, a more difficult process is accessing frequency and that is why there is free tv frequency allotted these companies, if they lose the frequency they will start from scratch,” Mr. Zubiri said.

The chamber also established the constitutionality of the procedure after Senator Francis N. Tolentino raised it might be questioned by the Supreme Court, considering the House of Representatives has yet to transmit its version.

Senator Franklin M. Drilon, in response, said it has long been a practice to hold simultaneous hearings on measures that should emanate from the House.

“The rule is we can conduct hearings to the ABS-CBN franchise, but there can be no reports, submitted by the Senate as an institution,” Mr. Drilon said.

Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian, who presided over the hearing, clarified that the panel would not finalize the committee report until the House officially transmits its version.

“The preliminary hearings will not yield to a committee report. This is purely anticipatory, exploratory as well as clarificatory,” he said. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

T-bills fully awarded

THE TREASURY made a full award of the 35-day papers.

THE GOVERNMENT made a full award of the 35-day Treasury bills (T-bills) auctioned off on Tuesday on strong demand as investor appetite for short-term papers continues to strengthen.

The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) on Tuesday raised P15 billion as planned via the 35-day papers out of bids worth P33.422 billion.

To accommodate excess demand, the BTr also opened its tap facility to raise another P10 billion.

The 35-day papers fetched an average rate of 2.024%, down by 1.8 basis points (bps) from the 2.042% fetched in the previous auction on May 5.

National Rosalia V. de Leon said the auction was met with strong reception from investors who showed “strong preference” for the short-term papers.

Ms. De Leon said this was evident in the oversubscription, as the total tenders were two times more than the programmed offer.

“Saw sustained investor strong preference for short end with twice subscription for P15 billion offering. Rates further declined from previous 35-day auction,” she told reporters via Viber yesterday.

The BTr has been making full awards and opening its tap facility since the first half of April on declining rates and robust demand as investors flocked to safe-haven assets amid lingering uncertainties.

“Strong interest for short dates persisted as reflected in the good volume subscription with investors opting to put liquidity to work in this part of the curve,” Kevin Palma, peso sovereign debt trader of Robinsons Bank Corp. said in a Viber message.

On Monday, the BTr upsized the T-bills it awarded to P24 billion as total bids reached P103.8 billion, with rates falling across-the- board.

The Treasury also raised another P5 billion in one-year papers via the tap facility.

The government is planning to borrow P170 billion from the local market this month: P110 billion via its weekly T-bill auctions and the remaining P60 billion via Treasury bonds to be offered fortnightly. — B.M. Laforga

Lockdown story time: Roald Dahl with Streep, Cumberbatch and more

ARTWORK of the “Roald Dahl — James and the Giant Peach with Taika Waititi and Friends” fundraising storytelling series is seen in this undated handout illustration provided by The Roald Dahl Story Company 2020.

LONDON — Stuck at home with the kids? Meryl Streep, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Cate Blanchett may be able to help.

Oscar-winning New Zealand filmmaker Taika Waititi has lined up some of his Hollywood friends by videolink from their living rooms for a coronavirus lockdown charity reading of Roald Dahl’s classic James and the Giant Peach.

Waititi, director of Jojo Rabbit and Thor: Ragnarok, reads the British author’s 1961 children’s novel while his friends chime in, voicing characters and having fun.

Cynthia Erivo, Beanie Feldstein, Josh Gad, Mindy Kaling, Gordon Ramsay, Eddie Redmayne, Olivia Wilde, Ruth Wilson and Archie Yates are among the cast.

In trailers released on Monday, Chris Hemsworth boasts of his “loveliness” to his sceptical brother, The Hunger Games star Liam, in what is billed as their first performance together.

Streep’s silly voices are among the highlights, earning a laugh from Cumberbatch.

The novel will be read in 10 installments, with the first two available from Monday on the Roald Dahl YouTube channel. Funds raised will go to Partners In Health, a charity for maternal health in Sierra Leone.

Waititi described himself as “an adult child myself,” who has read the book many times to his daughters.

It is about an orphan boy’s adventures in a surreal magical world inside a giant peach, and Waititi says it is the perfect story for our locked down times.

“This wacky, wonderful tale is about resilience in children, triumph over adversity and dealing with a sense of isolation which couldn’t have been more relevant today,” he said. — Reuters

Gaisano-led retailer posts 87% profit drop as insurance claims dip

EARNINGS of Metro Retail Stores Group, Inc. (MRSGI) plummeted 87% in the first quarter due to lower proceeds from insurance claims.

The Gaisano-led retailer reported a net income after tax of P7.98 million during the three-month period, down from P62.93 million in the same period last year.

It said operating income increased by P24.3 million, but non-core income fell by P97.4 million because of “the last tranche of insurance recoveries which tapered to P104.4 million vs. P190.5 million a year ago.”

MRSGI also started implementing a new accounting standard that resulted in a net impact after tax of P20 million.

The company’s lower bottomline came despite a 10% climb in revenues to P8.57 billion, which was lifted by its food retail business that benefited quarantine measures related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Food retail recorded net sales of P8.5 billion, up 9.9% from last year.

Blended same store sales climbed 3% during the period, but the total general merchandise business fell 10.6% due to department store closures.

The implementation of an enhanced community quarantine in mid-March restricted mall operations to stores providing basic needs such as supermarkets and drug stores.

MRSGI’s operating expenses fell 4.6% due to the closure of most mall facilities, which offset the additional overhead costs it recorded from opening new malls during the period.

“As Luzon and Visayas start to ease its quarantine restrictions, MRSGI affirms its commitment to continue serving the interests of its customers, employees, shareholders and the general public and contributing to the economic recovery,” it said in a statement.

“Regular disinfection of all touch points and high traffic areas in the stores before, during, and after operating hours have been rolled out,” it added.

Shares in MRSGI at the stock exchange gained four centavos or 2.52% to close at P1.63 apiece on Tuesday. — Denise A. Valdez

Nomura seeks new growth from private equity, debt and start-ups

NOMURA HOLDINGS, Inc. is looking to beef up its business amid the pandemic. — REUTERS

TOKYO — Nomura Holdings, Inc. said on Tuesday it planned to beef up business with unlisted companies, including offering advice to start-ups, aiming to diversify revenue after quarterly earnings took a battering from the coronavirus pandemic.

Japanese biggest brokerage and investment bank said in a business strategy update it was seeking new growth in private equity, private debt and infrastructure, as well as in offerings of digital bonds and security tokens.

“To achieve sustainable growth, I have to take Nomura to a different dimension. How do we get there? Strengthening our expansion from public to private is the strategy,” Chief Executive Kentaro Okuda told an online investor briefing.

Nomura said current revenue from business with private companies was “not that big” but declined to provide specific figures.

This month Nomura posted a surprise fourth-quarter net loss, its first in five quarters, as the pandemic wreaked havoc on global stock markets.

“It’s unclear if Nomura will be really successful in private markets but fee income from the new businesses could become stable and a key driving force for growth,” said Toshihiro Matsuo, an analyst at S&P Global Ratings in Tokyo.

Nomura’s retail division saw revenue slide 20% in April after staff had to halt face to face meetings with customers due to Japan’s state of emergency to curb the spread of the virus.

But the bank believes the problem is temporary, forecasting 110 billion yen in pretax income for the division for the year ending March 2023, more than double the amount booked for the past business year.

Nomura said a year ago it was aiming for about 140 billion yen in cost cuts by March 2022. About 70% of that plan had been achieved, Okuda said. — Reuters

WFH during the ECQ: Kumu’s Roland Ros

ROLAND ROS

LIVE streaming company Kumu Holdings has been responding to a surge in demand for entertainment and online community spaces since the start of the enhanced community quarantine.

A busy work-from-home (WFH) schedule means work sometimes seeps into personal time. To keep up with the demands of running a start-up, Kumu co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Roland Ros said he created a home-based “commute.” In an online interview on May 7, he also talked about how he helps maintain workplace morale for a team that found itself working at a distance.

The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

WHAT IS YOUR WORK FROM HOME SET UP?
Prior to COVID-19, we were sharing an office with Summit Media in Pioneer, Mandaluyong. I’m in Makati. I’ve had to really mentally say, okay, I’m in my bed — I’m in Makati, my desk is Mandaluyong, and my living room is Ortigas. I’ve turned my condo [into districts so moving through the rooms] is like commuting, just to get out of that headspace of trying to do everything in my bed because that’s not good. I’ve just really been able to create a space for my desk — and really use the table in my kitchen and use the table in my living room to break out. Because of that I can’t really start my day until I do my morning ritual… so that when I walk to my desk it feels like that was my commute. And it helps with my headspace.

When the quarantine first hit, I was just waking up and throwing the laptop on my lap and working from there. But I noticed that there was this kind of unhealthy balance of no boundaries between personal and work life. Having to actually create boundaries in my actual space at home helps to create a routine: commuting to my desk, and then commuting to my kitchen to do lunch, and a lot of my social things happening in my living room.

HOW MUCH HAS YOUR SCHEDULE CHANGED?
Zoom fatigue is real. It’s crazy. I’ve been doing so many meetings on Zoom… I just read an article yesterday about Zoom and Google Meet fatigue where the video — because you’re constantly aware of people looking at you because it’s not in person, we’re utilizing our eyes and our ears and we’re conscious of how we look a lot more. For me, I found that doing this nine to 10 times a day, it can really be tiring.

We realized that in one way we’re a lot more efficient in getting things done and getting meetings done than when we were in an office, but at the same time too, we’ve noticed that it’s been more mentally taxing.

WHAT HAS SURPRISED YOU ABOUT THE SETUP?
I’ve just been really surprised with how efficient we’ve been with our time. One thing was, wow, this many meetings can actually happen on Zoom rather than a three-hour Grab ride to Quezon City and back. That’s really game changing.

HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN PRODUCTIVITY, MORALE, AND HELP ENSURE MENTAL HEALTH AMONG YOUR STAFF?
Because we’re a livestream app, we do these weekly tambay sessions with the whole team, where we’re all hanging out with each other, talking, joking. I have a very strict one-on-one policy with my managers. So what I do is I check in with each of my managers on a one-on-one basis to, one, hear how they can improve the company, and, two, how they can improve their relationship. It’s a weekly check-in to see how they’re doing. It’s something I’ve always done prior to the quarantine — it’s just even more important now.

By leading by example, “look I’m spending all this time with you managers, now I expect you to do the same thing with your teams as well” and so it’s been a really great experience hearing and listening to everyone’s concerns and thinking about how a lot of people at the company feel heard.

Also, yes, there’s Slack and WhatsApp, but we created some boundaries after a certain period. For example, only me and some key co-founders really communicate with each other on the weekends, but with other senior leaders and other key employees, we try to agree on things by Friday so that if anything happens during the weekend I don’t need to contact them. Also, late night. I tend to go on these two to three o’clock in the morning spazz sessions — I try to communicate to my team that other than the co-founders, they don’t have to get back to me. They can get back to me after nine o’clock in the morning. — Jenina P. Ibañez

PAL studies flights from Davao hub

FLAG carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Tuesday said it is studying the possibility of mounting commercial flights to Iloilo, Siargao, and Tagbilaran from its Davao hub ahead of the normal resumption of regular operations.

In a phone message, PAL Spokesperson Cielo C. Villaluna said the airline is planning to mount flights “between Davao and Iloilo, Davao and Siargao, and Davao and Tagbilaran.”

She added that the flights to and from PAL’s Davao hub may happen “soon.”

“It is still being worked on. We have to establish the numbers to define demand, then the necessary action of informing the aviation authorities,” Ms. Villaluna said.

“Davao, only because they are on GCQ (general community quarantine… GCQ to GCQ commercial flights are allowed,” she said about why Davao was chosen.

PAL, Cebu Pacific, Cebgo and Philippines AirAsia announced on May 13 the extension of the suspension of their commercial flights until May 31.

PAL, operated by PAL Holdings, Inc., said all its domestic flights to or from its hubs in Manila, Cebu and Clark would remain canceled up to May 31, 2020.

Affected PAL passengers can convert their tickets to a travel voucher. They may also rebook their tickets for free or request a refund without penalties.

PAL plans to operate a reduced number of weekly flights on most domestic routes and on selected international routes by June 1.

“But this will depend on the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) conditions: community quarantine restrictions, travel bans imposed by various governments and their impact on passenger demand, and above all on the public health and safety situation in each of the countries that PAL serves,” it said in a statement.

“PAL will continue to operate occasional special flights to repatriate stranded passengers and to transport urgent cargo such as medical equipment and supplies to help sustain critical supply chains across the Philippines and on selected international routes,” it added.

PAL assured the public that all its aircraft have air filtration systems, and all its crew will be in full personal protective equipment to protect passengers on board against viruses. Social-distancing cabin seating options as well as simplified meal or snack service will also be carried out. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Debt payments held under modified lockdown

THE grace period for loan payments to financial institutions is further extended as some areas of the country continue to be under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said.

In Memorandum No. M-2020-042 signed by BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno on May 18 said the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act states the loan relief is still applicable if there are areas in the country that remain under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) or MECQ.

“The mandatory grace period shall still apply to all loans extended by all covered financial institutions irrespective of their place of operation,” the memorandum said.

“The application of the mandatory grace period shall cease once the ECQ and MECQ are lifted in the entire country,” it added.

The implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act directs banks and other quasi-banks such as loan associations, credit card issuers and pawnshops to provide a 30-day grace period for clients amid the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Financial institutions covered by the IRR are also ordered to not impose interest, fees, and charges on future payments and amortizations that have been accrued during the 30-day grace period.

Lenders have begun booking higher loan provisions in the first quarter, factoring in the possible impact of COVID-19 on sectors. This has caused lower profits for some banks in the period.

The extension is a welcome development for struggling businesses with operations that were shuttered because of the lockdown, according to Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis, Jr., president of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines.

“Definitely, anything that gives leeway to the businessmen will help,” he said in a phone call.

Mr. Ortiz-Luis said this would particularly bring relief to small businesses.

“Marami diyan hindi naman na magbubukas eh. Kulang sila ng working capital…Kailangan talaga matulungan sila sa extension (Many of these small businesses will not be able to restart operations because they lack working capital. They really need help in terms of loan payment extension),” he said.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) has called for credit lenders to give at least one year extension for loans maturing between Mar. 16 to Dec. 31 given the “deteriorating cash positions” that small businesses face.

Asked to comment on PCCI’s position, Mr. Ortiz-Luiz said: “Definitely may resistance ang bangko doon. But at the end of the day, kung makikita nila na hindi naman kaya ng mga kumpanya, baka naman pumayag (There will definitely be resistance from banks for a year-long extension. But if these banks see that businesses have no ability to pay these loans at this time, maybe they will agree to it).” — L.W.T. Noble

Doing Good: stepping up during a lockdown

Much of the Philippines is still under varying degrees of lockdown though some restrictions have been loosened to allow people to go back to work and get the economy going. It’s a very delicate balancing act — keeping the spread of the virus at controllable levels while opening up the country. Many communities still need help due to quarantines while frontliners are kept busy handling the sick. Here are more stories of people doing good.

PLDT-Smart Foundation

The PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF) has partnered with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to provision the army’s mobile kitchen with more than 1,250 kg of rice and 500 kg of vegetables purchased directly from farmers’ cooperatives including the Batangas Organic and Natural Farming Agriculture Cooperative.

The donation will help the army continue providing hot meals for more than 4,000 families in Metro Manila.

“The AFP has been one of our partners when it comes to conducting [relief] efforts. With our recent donations, we hope that more families will benefit from this mobile kitchen initiative as the country continues to face the lethal impact of the pandemic,” Esther Santos, PSF President, said in a statement.

The foundation also donated reusable masks for soldiers manning the mobile kitchen and served 150 meals to the officers and staff of the National Task Force in Camp Aguinaldo.

Standard Chartered Bank

Standard Chartered Bank through its global COVID-19 fund aid, donated 6,600 protective personal equipment (PPEs) sets to help augment the limited medical supplies in the country. The donation was made in partnership with non-government organization Philippine Business for Social Progress and fundraising platform Bayanihan Musikahan. The sets include reusable coveralls, shoe covers, and face shields, and were distributed to 20 hospitals and treatment centers in the National Capital Region including the Medical Center Muntinlupa (MCM), San Lorenzo Ruiz Women’s Hospital (SLRMC) in Malabon, and Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center (ARMMC) in Marikina.

Uniqlo Philippines

Uniqlo Philippines announced that it will be donating 100,000 masks to hospitals and communities and 20,000 Uniqlo DRY T-shirts to frontliners “to show appreciation for their hard work,” the company said in a statement.

Globe myBusiness

Globe myBusiness rolled out the second phase of its Heroes for Heroes project which has the company partnering with small- and medium-sized food enterprises to provide meals for healthcare frontliners in select hospitals.

The first phase helped 25 hospitals and has brought business back to 11 restaurants and logistics businesses throughout the last week of March until the first weeks of April.

Among the new partner food businesses were Susie’s Cuisine, 121 Grille and Restaurant, Veggiebite, and Oldtown Lechon. They were able to prepare meals for healthcare workers at De La Salle Dasmariñas City Medical Center in Cavite, Las Piñas Doctors Hospital, Loving Mother General Hospital in Pampanga, and Bacolod Adventist Medical Center, among others. The meals were delivered daily to each hospital for five days.

Apart from providing meals, Globe myBusiness partnered with HTP Clothing to supply hospitals with PPEs, while also donating other essentials like surgical face masks, surgical gloves, and disinfectants.

Shake Shack

Burger chain Shake Shack’s Share the Shack program is giving frontliners from 16 beneficiary communities its featured item if customers buy the same from FoodPanda from April 21 to June 13.

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