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Understanding ‘viral load’ and COVID-19

By Michaela Tangan, Features Writer, The Philippine STAR

According to the World Health Organization, older people and those with underlying medical conditions are at a higher risk of getting severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19). However, some young individuals and medical frontliners who are always exposed to numerous COVID-19 patients have also fallen seriously ill due to the virus.

As scientists and experts continue to understand the behavior of COVID-19, they are looking into “viral load”, which is the amount of virus a person has inside them, and whether a high viral load means worse illness.

A study from China, where the spread of the virus began, suggests that people exposed to a larger viral load could experience worse symptoms when they get the coronavirus. This was also observed during the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003. However, another study reported that there is no difference between how much coronavirus a person is exposed to and how sick they get.

Sarah Caddy, a clinical research fellow in viral immunology and veterinary surgeon at University of Cambridge, wrote in The Conversation that there are factors to consider aside from the amount of virus.

“It is important to bear in mind that the amount of virus it takes to cause infection is only one part of the story. How the body responds to the virus can also be critical. This is because the immune response to a virus can be both beneficial and harmful. If the immune system isn’t adequately activated, the virus can replicate faster. On the other hand, if the immune system is over-activated, it can damage healthy tissues,” Ms. Caddy wrote.

“There is a long list of medical conditions that can increase the chances of having a severe case of COVID-19, from diabetes to high blood pressure. But what about factors such as exhaustion or extreme stress? We expect many frontline medical staff to be under significant pressure in the coming weeks and months; could this affect their susceptibility?,” she added.

Meralco rate rises in April

By Adam J. Ang

Consumers in Metro Manila will likely see an increase in their electricity bills in April with a typical households set to see a P21 hike, Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) said on Thursday.

The rate hike comes amid falling demand in Luzon where most economic activities have been halted due to the enhanced community quarantine.

In a statement, Meralco said that the overall electricity rate rose by P0.1050 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to P8.9951/kWh from March’s P8.8901/kWh.

Households consuming 300 kWh, 400 kWh, and 500 kWh could expect their monthly bills to rise by P31.50, P42.00, and P52.50, respectively.

The rate increase was due to the normalization of the universal charge, after a one-time refund in the universal charge-NPC stranded contract costs (UC-SCC).

Last March, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) ordered Meralco to implement a P0.1453/kWh rate reversal in the UC-SCC, representing collections in excess of the amount due to Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM).

Universal charges are remitted to the government for the electrification in off-grid areas, the National Power Corporation’s financial obligations in excess of privatization proceeds, and watershed rehabilitation and management.

However, Meralco noted that the April rate is still “significantly” lower compared to the rate in the same month in 2019.

It said the rate hike is tempered by the P0.0495/kWh decrease in the feed-in tariff allowance (FiT-All) for April, following the suspension of its collection as ordered by the ERC.

Recently, Meralco claimed a force majeure event during the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine, bringing down generation charges for its customers.

The distribution utility invoked a force majeure provision in its Power Supply Agreements (PSA), lowering fixed charges for generation capacity that was not consumed, as power demand dropped.

The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines earlier noted that electricity demand in the Luzon grid declined around 20-30% amid the Luzon-wide lockdown due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Generation charges for this month dropped by P0.0247/kWh to P4.6385/kWh, significantly lower compared to the April 2019 generation rate of P5.6322/kWh.

A force majeure event is an uncontrollable event that makes it impossible for power plant operators to fulfill their obligations. Without this, Meralco said that generation rate would have increased by P0.0259/kWh from last month’s rate.

Cost of power from its PSAs, which accounts to 51% of Meralco’s total electricity supply, was lowered to P0.1696/kWh, while charges from Independent Power Producers, which supplies 38% of the utility’s power needs, also decreased by P0.0965 due to higher average plant dispatch and Peso appreciation.

Moreover, charges from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, which has an 11% share in its supply needs, fell by P0.9429/kWh driven by improved supply conditions in the Luzon grid.

Earlier, Meralco announced a one-month extension of payments of bills falling from March 1 to April 14 in part of its measures to help households affected by the ECQ. Bills for the period will be computed based on customers’ average electricity consumption from January to March.

The ECQ has been extended until end-April.

Meralco’s controlling stakeholder, Beacon Electric Asset Holdings, Inc., is partly owned by PLDT Inc. Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls.

Working (out) from home? Four reasons to start exercising during the quarantine

Among the many changes COVID-19 has forced upon us, a general lack of movement and the realization of just how fragile our health can be are perhaps the most immediate in our daily lives.

With the possibility of the government’s quarantine measures extending and businesses struggling to find ways to continue servicing their customers, workers need to find ways to stay both healthy and productive in this period of isolation and social distancing.

But there’s a lot we can do, even from the confines of our homes, to keep our energy levels high and our immune systems strong as we support our nationwide efforts to beat COVID-19. Chief among them—commit to a simple daily exercise routine.

Here are four reasons why.

1. It boosts your immune system.

Our immune systems are our bodies’ defense against viruses like COVID-19. And while medicine and treatment are important, the best way to ensure we’re safe against sickness is to make sure we don’t get sick in the first place.

Time and again, exercise has been proven to naturally boost our immune systems. It lowers our levels of inflammatory cytokines, a by-product of our bodies fighting against infections. This, in turn, aids in preventing cardiovascular disease as well as type 2 diabetes, and osteoporosis, among others. Safe to say, exercise is definitely a proactive way of boosting our body’s natural defenses against unwanted viruses and bacteria.

2. It helps manage your mental wellbeing.

Fear and uncertainty are high these days, and that stress can sap a lot of energy out of our days. Many studies have found that exercise is among the best natural tools we have on-hand to improve our mental wellbeing, reducing anxiety, depression, and negative moods by improving not just self-esteem but also cognitive function.

On a scientific level, increased blood circulation during exercise leads to higher oxygen levels in our brains, helping us perform better. Exercise also produces endorphins, improving our moods, reducing stress levels, and leading to better sleep quality.

With our daily routines completely changed by this pandemic, setting aside time to exercise gives us control in a time where we are so limited by circumstance. That, in itself, is a huge boost to mental wellbeing.

3. It can be a great avenue for team-building.

For entrepreneurs, not being able to interact with your teams is a real problem. Even for firms that can still functionally operate remotely, having a separated workforce can really kill momentum and lead to employees becoming disconnected from one another.

To that end, exercise programs can do a lot to boost morale and keep co-workers connected. Using video conferencing tools like Skype or Zoom, it’s easy to schedule three days in the week for a 30-minute session where the team comes together for a quick workout. If you’ve ever done burpees before, you know that having people around you can be a huge motivator.

Bonus points if you can bring in a professional instructor to lead the group, as well as provide virtual guidance to each person. My team in Village Fitness has been running different formats of virtual programs for our members with the objective of keeping them engaged while our facilities are closed. We‘ve begun offering group sessions for our corporate clients as well, facilitating classes over Zoom.

4. Online programs have never been more accessible.

Given that equipment might not be as accessible during the enhanced community quarantine, it’s high time to get creative when designing fitness programs. Regular gym goers may be disappointed in seeing their progress melt away as they’re stuck at home. But there are still many resources available online to ensure your progress doesn’t end during the quarantine.

With the right combination of bodyweight fitness programs and mindful food choices, you can still supercharge your day and keep your health high. Exercise programs such as HIIT can stimulate the metabolism to burn more calories, while tempo-based bodyweight training can help you build muscle, even without heavy weights around.

With so many options available online, we’re almost spoiled for choice. But one important consideration when selecting a program for you is your ​personal fitness goal. Being clear with what you want to achieve is the first step in actualizing results. If mobility is what you want to achieve, maybe Yoga or Animal flow can help. If you want to be building strength and bulking up, find a trainer online that can help you make do with what you have lying around the house. Now is the best time to reflect and figure out what your fitness goal really is.

—

Ryan Fermin is an entrepreneur and startup founder specializing in implementing tech into lifestyle development and sports. If you’re interested in learning more about building a personal or professional fitness program, you can reach him at ryanfermin.villagefitness@gmail.com.

UP study says quarantine extension might ‘flatten the curve’

Last April 7, President Rodrigo R. Duterte accepted the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) to extend the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) until April 30.

An extension of the ECQ, coinciding with other non-medical interventions, would greatly help flatten the curve of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the country, a recent study of the University of the Philippines (UP) COVID-19 Pandemic Response Team reveals. 

According to the study, the number of COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila could range from 140,000 to 550,000 infected people, with the number of active cases to peak somewhere between end of April to June, before it flattens and wanes in the following months. The estimate, tabulated by a group of mathematicians from different UP campuses, also projected three different scenarios.

To prevent the worst case scenario of active cases totally overwhelming healthcare capacity, the study urges government decision makers to implement appropriate strategies and calibrate short- to long-term interventions to mitigate the impact of COVID-19. It also noted that hospital bed capacity and other healthcare metrics can be projected based on the proportion of severe cases (currently pegged at five percent). 

The study noted how simultaneous non-medical interventions — work and school shutdown, requirement of face masks (even homemade masks with filter), washing of hands, and social distancing — can help reduce the spread of the virus thereby giving the Philippine healthcare system some much-needed time to treat infected individuals.

“Community quarantine buys us time to beef up our healthcare system’s capacity, while limiting the reach of the disease. Thus, a modified, location-specific quarantine scenario can be explored in light of public healthcare realities on the ground (e.g. number of ventilators and hospital beds) and possibly different peak periods across local government units (LGUs) throughout the country,” the study recommends.

The study also encouraged each LGU to improve the simulations further by providing essential data like hospital information on the number of people tested, recovered, and other critical facts for modeling. These can be collected daily at the barangay level through online survey forms.

Villar still the wealthiest Filipino with P283B net worth

Manuel B. Villar, Jr. remains the richest Filipino in 2020 based on Forbes Magazine’s latest list of world billionaires. 

The Forbes World’s Billionaires List came out Tuesday night, hailing real estate tycoon and former senator Mr. Villar as the wealthiest in the Philippines with a net worth of$5.6 billion (about P283.11 billion). 

A total of 15 Filipinos made this year’s billionaire list, which Forbes collected using stock prices and exchange rates from March 18. The list is composed of individuals with an estimated net worth of at least $1 billion, and totaled 2,095 billionaires, fewer by 58 persons from in 2019.

Mr. Villar ranked 286th in the global list with his wealth growing about 2% from last year’s $5.5 billion (about P278.06 billion). 

He is the chairman of four listed companies: real estate firm Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc.; mall operator Vistamalls, Inc.; death-care service provider Golden Bria Holdings, Inc.; and home improvement retailer AllHome Corp. 

In the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Mr. Villar has donated disinfecting apparatus, face masks and a daily supply of bottled water to the government for distribution to government hospitals. 

His group of companies also teamed up with a local construction firm in assisting the Department of Public Works and Highways, which is headed by Mr. Villar’s son Mark A. Villlar, in building a health facility in the Philippine International Convention Center for COVID-19 patients.

Following Mr. Villar in Forbes’ list of billionaires is port and gaming magnate Enrique K. Razon, Jr. — second richest in the Philippines and 565th in the global list. He took the place of JG Summit Holdings, Inc. founder John L. Gokongwei, Jr. who died in late 2019.

Mr. Razon recorded a net worth of $3.4 billion (about P171.89 billion) in 2020, down by about 29% from last year’s $4.8 billion (about P242.95 billion).

Mr. Razon is the chairman of listed port operator International Container Terminal Services, Inc. and hotel and gaming operator Bloomberry Resorts Corp. He also recently took a stake in Ayala-led water concessionaire Manila Water Co., Inc.

In the fight against COVID-19, Mr. Razon is taking part in a consortium of companies helping communities affected by the Luzon-wide lockdown through a P1.7-billion donation. His infrastructure firm Prime Metro BMD Corp. is also working with the government to transform the Ninoy Aquino Stadium into a COVID-19 facility.

The children of SM Investments Corp. (SMIC) founder Henry Sy, Sr., who died in early 2019, took the next four spots in the country’s wealthiest men: Hans T. Sy and Herbert T. Sy tied at 1,063rd in the global list with net worth of $2 billion each (about P101.23 billion); and Harley T. Sy and Henry T. Sy, Jr. tied at 1,135th with net worths of $1.9 billion each (about P96.17 billion).

Hans’ and Herbert’s net worths this year fell from last year’s $2.4 billion each (about P121.48 billion), while Harley’s and Henry Sr.’s net worths dropped from last year’s $2.2 billion (about P111.35 billion).

Their two other siblings also made the list: Teresita T. Sy-Coson ranked eighth in the local list and 1,196th in the global list with a net worth of $1.8 billion (about P91.11 billion), and Elizabeth T. Sy ranked 12th in the local list and 1,335th in the global list with a net worth of $1.6 billion (about P80.98 billion).

Teresita’s wealth declined from last year’s $2.2 billion (about P111.35 billion), while Elizabeth’s wealth decreased from last year’s $1.9 billion (about P96.17 billion).

In helping in the ongoing health crisis, the Sy family, through the SM Group, has earmarked more than P170 million to buy personal protective equipment, test kits and ventilators to be given to hospitals. 

Other Filipino billionaires that made the list include Alliance Global Group, Inc. Chairman Andrew L. Tan (tied with Hans and Herbert at 1,063rd), with a net worth of $1.9 billion (about P96.17 billion). His wealth this year is lower from last year’s $2.7 billion (about P136.66 billion).

Alphaland Corp. Chairman Roberto V. Ongpin also made the list — ninth locally and 1,267th globally. His net worth stood at $1.7 billion (about P86.05 billion), higher from last year’s $1.1 billion (about P55.68 billion).

LT Group, Inc. and PAL Holdings, Inc. Chairman Lucio C. Tan, whose businesses expand across banking, tobacco, spirits, property and airlines, was the 10th richest man in the country and 1,267th in the world. His net worth dropped to $1.7 billion (about P86.05 billion) from last year’s $4.4 billion (about P222.71 billion).

Mr. Tan is tied with Jollibee Foods Corp. founder Tony Tan Caktiong and his family, whose net worth of $1.7 billion (about P86.05 billion) this year fell from last year’s $3.9 billion (about P197.4 billion).

Completing the list from ranks 13th to 15th are San Miguel Corp. President and Chief Operating Officer Ramon S. Ang; Prudential Guarantee & Assurance Chairman Robert G. Coyiuto, Jr.; and San Miguel Chairman Eduardo M. Cojuangco, Jr.

Mr. Ang’s and Mr. Coyiuto’s net worths were at $1.4 billion each (about P70.86 billion). This is lower for Mr. Ang whose wealth in 2019 stood at $2.9 billion (about P146.78 billion). Mr. Coyiuto’s net worth was flat. 

Mr. Cojuangco recorded a net worth of $1 billion (about P50.61 billion), down from last year’s $1.4 billion (about P70.86 billion).  

Forbes noted 51% of the billionaires in this year’s billionaire list are “poorer” from a year ago, which it attributed to the collapse of global equities and business declines due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The consolidated net worth of the billionaires in the list stood at $8 trillion (about P404.92 trillion), lower by $700 billion year on year. 

Topping the global list are Amazon founder Jeff Bezos ($113 billion from last year’s $131 billion) and Microsoft founder Bill Gates ($98 billion from last year’s $96.5 billion).

SEC warns investors of more shady schemes during crisis

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) warned the public anew of more groups peddling fraudulent investments.

In a statement on Wednesday, SEC noted five groups, namely: Cryptec, CryptoPeso, V2R Trades, Lao Razon Trading and/or Lao Razon Marketing and Sakto Online Advertising, for operating without licenses.

These added to the list of groups it earlier flagged for trying to lure the public into unauthorized investment activities since the coronavirus outbreak started last month.

The offshore cryptocurrency broker Cryptec, operated by Point Place, Ltd. in the Commonwealth of Dominica, offers trading accounts with 50-150% trading bonus for those opening with an investment ranging $250 to more than $500,000.

CryptoPeso, meanwhile, seeks investment via mobile token wallet and payment application. Its latest program CryptoPeso (PHPc) Staking program requires an investment of at least P2,000 from members, plus a P500 activation fee.

The group is run by Blockxperts, Inc. of Larrimar Espiritu Tia, who also serves as chief innovative officer of Indigen, the corporation that introduces the Unilevel Marketing Program in the CyptoPeso application.  

Another group, V2R Trades, operates online offering compensation packages worth P5,700 to P285,000 and promises a 33% monthly return. SEC said an investor may receive P50 to P5,000 daily rewards, 10% referral rewards, as well as 7% to 10% match rewards.

Dumaguete-based Lao Razon Trading and/or Lao Razon Marketing also operates a similar scheme, the corporate regulator noted. The group promises a 30-500% compounding income within a one- to six-month period for an initial investment of P500 to P5 million.

Further, Sakto Online Advertising, founded by a certain Rosulo Vigilia Cabusora, Jr. in Santiago City, Isabela, sells packages of “Sakto Amazing Detergent Powder” worth P198 to P13,986 and resell them or simply recruit members to make profits. 

“Those who act as salesmen, brokers, dealers or agents of fraudulent investment schemes may be held criminally liable and penalized with a maximum fine of P5 million or imprisonment of 21 years or both under the Securities Regulation Code,” the statement read.

SEC reminded the provision in the recently passed Republic Act No. 11469, or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, which penalizes those participating in cyber incidents that make use or take advantage of the current crisis to prey on the public through scams, phishing, fraudulent emails, or other similar acts with two-month imprisonment or a maximum fine of P1 million or both. — Adam J. Ang

Sports, conference venues converted into COVID-19 facilities

Health facilities at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) in Manila and Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay are prepared to take in over a hundred patients infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The government chose the two sites, along with the World Trade Center in Pasay, to be areas where treatment facilities will be mounted to treat patients with COVID-19.  

In a statement on Wednesday, Razon-led Bloomberry Resorts Corp. said it finished the first phase of the construction of the treatment facility in the sports complex.

The health center has 116 beds, two nurses’ stations, a drywall partition wall, as well as temporary furniture. The Ninoy Aquino Stadium at the RMSC was also converted into a common area. 

The construction of the emergency facility, which was funded by Bloomberry Cultural Foundation, Inc., started on April 1 by Prime Metro BMD Corp., a construction firm under the Razon group of companies. 

The second phase of construction, which is seen to provide an additional 108 beds, will also start upon the green light from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Department of Health. It is expected to be finished by the end of next week. 

Separately, Yuchengco-led construction firm EEI Corp. also announced that it completed the health facilities at both the PICC and RMSC. 

Further, Ayala Corp., together with the Investment & Capital Corp. of the Philippines (ICCP) Group, said it is almost through with the conversion of an area at the World Trade Center into a quarantine facility for COVID-19 patients. 

“We are also completing the conversion of some 8,000 sqm of the World Trade Center in Pasay into a 500-bed quarantine facility for COVID positive patients with the ICCP group. This will be turned over to the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines], as the medical operator next week, “ Ayala Corp. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala said. 

Meanwhile, Maynilad Water Services, Inc. is set to supply water for the three converted sites, shouldering as well the water requirements of these facilities for the entire period of its operations. 

Manila Electric Co. has also pledged to power the treatment centers and to subsidize their electricity needs. 

The Sy family’s SM Foundation, Inc. donated COVID-19 test kits to the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine in Mandaluyong, on top of its P170-million assistance in the fight against the spread of the disease pandemic. 

Makati Development Corp., the construction arm of Ayala’s unit Ayala Land, Inc., completed as well the retrofitting of an area within the Philippine Red Cross headquarters to be used as a COVID-19 testing facility. 

Recently, the real estate unit launched a campaign to generate funds for hospital supplies and groceries for the benefit of The Philippine General Hospital, The Philippine Lung Center, Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital, and Caritas Manila.

MORE COVID-19 RELIEF EFFORTS

San Miguel Corp., in part of its COVID-19 assistance program, is set to purchase 10,000 personal protective equipment (PPE) from a local garment manufacturer for medical workers in the frontline of the fight to contain the coronavirus disease.

“We are asking more local manufacturers to come forward. We are in a race for time to save more lives and protect our medical workers who care for them. As soon as the 10,000 sets of PPEs are ready, we will immediately dispatch these to hospitals in dire need,” SMC President and Chief Executive Officer Ramon S. Ang appealed.

Meanwhile, the Aboitiz Group through its social responsibility arm Aboitiz Foundation committed a month of food provisions for around 200 patients and medical staff in the quarantine facility at the RMSC. 

“The Aboitiz Group continues to ensure that our initial support to our brave COVID-19 frontliners and patients will be sustained in the days to come. We hope that by addressing the immediate nutritional needs of the healthcare staff and patients at the Rizal Memorial Quarantine Facility, we are able to strengthen the ‘warriors’ fighting the battle to defeat COVID-19 in our country,” Aboitiz Group President and Chief Executive Officer Sabin M. Aboitiz said.

Lately, the group’s power unit Aboitiz Power Corp. welcomed the Department of Energy’s (DoE) order to use funds under the Energy Regulations 1-94 to help local government units (LGU) in their fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. 

AboitizPower is downloading P146 million to around 130 of its host LGUs across the country, while P338 million more funds from its various generation units are currently being remitted by the DoE to the host beneficiaries.

“This is our contribution to the government’s efforts to ensure that all LGUs have enough resources to help contain, mitigate, and eventually eliminate the spread of COVID-19 in their areas,” AboitizPower President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel V. Rubio said in a separate statement.

Moreover, Mega Global Corp., the country’s largest sardine fishing and canning operator, earmarked P50 million in aid to communities and employees affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

The canned goods operator via Mega Tiu Lim Foundation and in partnership with other food firms opened Mega Malasakit Kitchen, which rolls out 500 meals a day to support “unseen frontliners,” such as those manning checkpoints and working at supermarkets and barangay health offices. — Adam J. Ang

Taiwan’s New Kinpo to make ventilators, face masks locally

Taiwan’s New Kinpo Group will produce 1,000 ventilators and 2.5 million face masks in the Philippines to support the country’s efforts to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The Board of Investments (BoI) in a statement on Wednesday said the group’s local subsidiary Cal-Comp Technology Philippines, Inc. will produce medical-grade face masks and ventilators exclusively for the Philippine market.

The company will be repurposing its Batangas and Laguna facilities to produce these supplies.

“This is necessary because the supply of raw materials from the usual suppliers from abroad have become very tight as a result of the same issues brought about by COVID-19,” Trade Secretary and BoI Chairman Ramon M. Lopez said.

A “big portion” of the medical supplies will be donated to Philippine hospitals and agencies dealing with the pandemic, the statement said.

“The rest of the masks and ventilators will be available to the Philippine market at very reasonable price points, considering that they will be produced locally,” it added.

The first batch of ventilators will be rolled out by the end of May.

The statement also said that the BoI and the Trade department will help ensure the delivery of raw materials for production.

Importation of equipment, supplies, and raw materials needed to manufacture medical products to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak are exempt from duties, taxes, and fees.

The group is also considering the production of face shields, as the group’s subsidiary XYZ Printing manufactures 3D printers that can produce face shield frames.

Cal-Comp Philippines is an electronics manufacturer employing 7,000 employees in economic zones, according to its website.

“I am very pleased to learn of New Kinpo’s very timely decision to shift their high-tech manufacturing capabilities in helping the Philippine health sector effectively address the challenges in combating the COVID-19 threat,” Mr. Lopez said.

“On behalf of the Philippine government and the entire country, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to [New Kinpo Chief Executive Officer] Simon [Shen] and the New Kinpo Group for this much needed support and lifeline for our medical front-liners,” he added. — Jenina P. Ibañez

Smart, Globe 4G availability scores improve

PLDT wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. and Globe Telecom, Inc. have further improved their 4G availability scores, according to a recent report by wireless coverage mapping company Opensignal.

In its latest Mobile Network Experience Report, the United Kingdom-based Opensignal said Smart’s 4G availability score, or the time users spend being connected to the 4G network, reached 81.8%.

Opensignal said it had analyzed data gathered from Nov. 1, 2019 to Jan. 29, 2020.

“Globe also increased its 4G availability score to 77.8% but a gap of 4 points now exists between the two operators,” it added.

In its previous analysis covering September to November 2019 data, Opensignal said Globe was the only network in the country that passed the 75% 4G availability mark nationwide with a score of 75.3%. Smart’s score was 74.3%.

Opensignal also included an analysis of the gaming experience in the country in its latest report.

Smart scored 36.9 (very poor) on a scale of 0-100, according to Opensignal.

Globe’s lower score of 35.9 likewise fell into the “very poor” category.

“This means the majority of users found the gaming experience to be in need of improvement with too noticeable delays within games and where players often didn’t feel like they had full control over the gameplay. In poor network conditions, mobile multiplayer games’ AI often steps in automatically to reduce some of the apparent negative impacts for users,” Opensignal explained.

In terms of video experience, Smart’s score increased 15.6%, from the previously reported score, to 55 on a scale of 0-100.

Smart was in the “fair” category while Globe’s score of 39.8, although an improvement of 30.6% from the previous report, was in the “poor” category.

In terms of voice apps experience, Smart scored 64.8 on a scale of 0-100, slightly higher than Globe’s 64. Both of them fell into the “very poor” category.

“There’s a lot of opportunity for the operators to reduce call quality impairments such as distortion, clicking sounds and silence,” Opensignal said.

Smart likewise improved in terms of download experience, with its users experiencing an overall download speed of 10.6 Mbps, 12.8% higher than the previously reported 9.4 Mbps speed.

Globe users reported download speeds of 7.6 Mbps from the previously reported 6.5 Mbps.

Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Tips on using and storing your home disinfectants

White vinegar and baking soda are proven effective for ordinary cleaning, but they cannot kill the coronavirus.

In cleaning and disinfecting the house, one can use common household products such as alcohol disinfectant, sodium hypochlorite (bleach solution), and calcium hypochlorite (chlorine tablets or powder).

These are toxic chemicals, so family members should know how to use and store them properly. Here are some tips to do these from the Department of Health:

1. Always wear gloves when handling chemical disinfectants because it can cause burns. Make sure to wash hands properly after touching chemicals.

2. Read the instructions and warnings on the product label. Make sure the chemical does not get into the eyes, mouth and on skin.

3. Store bleach or chlorine disinfectant solutions in a well-ventilated area. These chemicals can release harmful chlorine gas.

4. Don’t drink the disinfectant. It is poisonous.

5. Buy only 70-percent solution isopropyl or ethyl alcohol approved by the Food and Drug Administration to ensure product safety and quality.

6. Always put a label on prepared disinfectant solutions. Do not use containers that people may mistake as water or drinking bottles.

7. Keep the disinfectant solutions away from children’s reach.

8. Pure bleach solutions are only used for cleaning the toilet. Do not use this to disinfect eating utensils and kitchenware.

9. Do not mix different kinds of chemical disinfectants as this can trigger chemical reactions and release harmful gases, such as chlorine gas (bleach + vinegar), chloramine (bleach + ammonia), and chloroform (bleach + rubbing alcohol).

10. If a chemical disinfectant is accidentally swallowed, consult a doctor or call the nearest Poison Control Center.

PAL, Cebu Pacific, 2Go cancel trips until April 30

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL), budget airline Cebu Pacific, and shipping and logistics provider 2Go Group Inc. (2Go) have canceled their passenger trips up to April 30.

Their announcements came after the government declared on Tuesday the extension of the lockdown on Luzon island until the end of April, as the country has yet to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). 

As of Tuesday, the Department of Health reported a total number of COVID-19 infections at 3,764, with 177 deaths and 84 recoveries.

PAL, operated by PAL Holdings, Inc., said in an advisory late Tuesday: “We confirm that all Philippine Airlines domestic and international flights are canceled up to April 30, 2020, in line with the extension of the Luzon Enhanced Community Quarantine until April 30.”

The flag carrier said it intends to resume its flights by May 1 “if allowed by government authorities, global public health conditions and the travel environment.”

Cebu Pacific, operated by Cebu Air, Inc., said in a statement on Wednesday that its flights will remain suspended from April 15 to April 30.

2Go Group also canceled all its voyages from March 17 to April 30. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Global Ferronickel suspends Surigao del Norte mining

The operating arm of Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc. (FNI) has temporarily suspended its mining operations in Surigao del Norte, amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

In a disclosure on Wednesday, Platinum Group Metals Corp. (PGMC) has halted its operations located at Barangay Cagdianao in the Municipality of Claver.

This is in accordance with the requests of Surigao del Norte governor Francisco T. Matugas and Claver Mayor Georgia D. Gokiangkee to cease mining operations.

The temporary suspension is in compliance with the policy directions being implemented by the local government units.

“As a good corporate citizen, we comply with all rules and regulations, and as a good neighbor, we listen to the concerns of the local community,” FNI President Dante R. Bravo said.

PGMC will continue to observe quarantine and sanitation procedures, as the company will maintain a skeleton staff for its site maintenance and relief operations.

The mining company initially earmarked P10 million for relief assistance to the impact and non-impact communities from the 14 barangays in Claver.

“We also stand together with the Surigaonon people and the whole country in the fight against this pandemic,” Mr. Bravo said.

PGMC has since distributed relief goods, disinfectants, face masks, meals, and other essential items to 10,995 people. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

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