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Kid video pushes hand washing

THE Cartoon Network has launched an animated public service announcement focusing on good hygiene practices, in support of worldwide efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Designed to be a fun way of helping children understand the importance of keeping healthy, the music video will run on Cartoon Network and Boomerang, initially across Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. It’s also available on Cartoon Network’s social channels and YouTube. The rap features iconic characters from its shows: The Powerpuff Girls, We Bare Bears, Teen Titans Go!, Adventure Time and Ben 10. Messages include covering your mouth when you sneeze, trying to avoid touching your face and washing your hands properly.

Bria Homes partners with Pag-IBIG, DBP employees

BRIA HOMES, Inc. signed a memorandum of understanding with DBP Service Corporation (DBPSC) and Pag-IBIG Fund Employees Labor Association (PAFELA) to provide housing opportunities for the organization’s members.

“With this remarkable alliance, BRIA Homes, DBPSC, and PAFELA will endeavor to make affordable and beautiful homes truly accessible for hardworking Filipinos all over the country,” the property developer said in a statement.

A subsidiary of listed Golden Bria Holdings, Inc., Bria Homes has over fifty projects around the country.

Holcim cement production to use more waste as fuel

HOLCIM Philippines, Inc. is increasing the use of waste materials as alternative fuel in cement production, the listed cement manufacturer said on Monday.

In a statement, the company said it was committing to increase its consumption of the coal alternative in its operations to help lower costs.

The move means that the company will boost its co-processing operations of alternative fuels and raw materials through waste management unit Geocycle.

“Aside from its business benefits, our Geocycle unit enables us to further contribute to Philippine development in a sustainable manner,” Holcim Philippines President and Chief Executive Officer John Stull was quoted as saying in the statement.

“Through our co-processing operations, we are able to lower our carbon footprint and help ease the waste management challenges of the country while producing an essential building material for development,” he added.

Holcim Philippines reported using more than 170,000 tons of waste materials last year as alternative fuel and raw material for its production. This translated to 38 days of avoiding coal in cement production, and therefore, lower carbon emissions from the company’s operations.

The process works by using segregated wastes from local governments near Holcim Philippines’ plants in Luzon and Mindanao. The waste is pre-processed to become fuel that will be used in cement production.

“In co-processing, qualified waste materials (are) pre-processed as alternative fuel and fed into the high-temperature kilns along with other raw materials to produce cement. This process transform wastes to alternative fuel and converts them into energy for cement production,” it said.

“The technology is recognized globally and is approved by the Philippine authorities due to its proven advantages in environmental and safety performance,” it added.

Holcim Philippines has plants in La Union, Bulacan, Batangas, Misamis Oriental and Davao. Its earnings last year rose 41% to P3.59 billion due to its efforts to increase efficiencies and lower costs.

The company is in the process of being acquired by listed conglomerate San Miguel Corp. The $2.15-billion deal is being reviewed by the Philippine Competition Commission.

Shares in Holcim at the stock exchange shed 88 centavos or 6.72% to P12.22 each on Monday. — Denise A. Valdez

Keepr ties up with BGC estate association

BONIFACIO Global City has tapped Keepr Storage PH to exclusively store the city’s seasonal decor in their secure facilities.

In a statement, Keepr Storage PH said it signed a deal with the BGC Estate Association (BGCEA), the estate management arm of Fort Bonifacio Development Corp. which consists of BGC lot owners and tenants. As part of the deal, Keepr will store the group’s seasonal ornaments used by malls around BGC.

“Keepr is always ready to serve and provide us with recommendations on how to transfer and store our items with so much more ease. They are easy to contact and accommodating. On top of this, their app allows us to easily pull out and monitor our stored items. Keepr is worth the price and easily accessible. The entire team is professional and accountable,” Michael Velasquez, estate manager of BGCEA, said.

Keepr is a mobile app that offers storage solutions that combine security, logistics and technology. Keepr subscribers are given access to personalized inventory management and 24-hour security.

US prosecutors believe Credit Suisse is culpable in Mozambique scandal

NEW YORK — US prosecutors are investigating Credit Suisse Group AG’s role in a $2-billion Mozambique corruption case and believe they have evidence of the Swiss lender’s culpability after three former bankers pleaded guilty last year, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

Prosecutors believe Credit Suisse can be held criminally liable for its employees’ crimes if they were committed in the scope of their role and at least partly benefited the bank, said one of the sources who is a US law enforcement official. They believe a plea deal and testimonies from two former bankers at a subsequent trial give them evidence of the bank’s culpability, the sources said.

Prosecutors from the Eastern District of New York contacted the bank in February and laid out their initial case against it, the second source said.

“Credit Suisse continues to cooperate with all investigating authorities,” a Credit Suisse spokesman said.

The prosecutor’s view on the bank’s culpability and the latest contact between prosecutors and the bank have not been previously reported.

It is not clear whether prosecutors will file any charges against the bank. The second source said talks between prosecutors and Credit Suisse could go on for as long as a year and the bank, which disputes that testimonies from its former bankers proved its guilt, may fight any charges in court.

The Justice department declined to comment. The two sources declined to be named due to sensitivity of the matter.

The case stems from loans Credit Suisse helped arrange between 2013 and 2016 to develop Mozambique’s coastal defenses, shipping fleet and tuna fishing industry.

The three former Credit Suisse bankers, along with two middlemen and three Mozambican government officials, were charged in 2018 for money laundering and defrauding US investors who had invested in the loans. US prosecutors said at least $200 million of the loans had been diverted to the eight defendants. The former bankers pleaded guilty last year.

One of the former bankers, Andrew Pearse, who was a managing director, said during his plea hearing that he had accepted millions of dollars of unlawful kickbacks to enrich himself and Credit Suisse, according to a court transcript. The bank earned $24 million in fees on the loans, but is still waiting for Mozambique to repay a $270 million portion of the loan, one of the sources said.

A second former Credit Suisse banker who pleaded guilty testified at the trial of one of the middlemen that the bank was aware that the value of the ships financed through the loans were false, the sources familiar with the matter said.

The banker testified during a cross-examination that the bank failed to notify investors after learning that boats it had financed were worth about $250 million and $400 million less than it had originally indicated on the loan, said the law enforcement official.

However, the second source said such disclosures are usually made by the issuer, which in this case is the Mozambican government, and the bank is of the view that its former bankers were not senior enough to prove failure on the part of the lender. — Reuters

A can’t miss title

Langrisser 1 & 2
Bubble Bobble 4 Friends
Nintendo Switch

THERE are undoubtedly those who will remember a promising tactics game by the name of Warsong. Released for the Sega Genesis, Warsong blended Japanese-role-playing-game mechanics with turn-based strategy gameplay, asking its players to not merely take control of several mighty heroes, but also direct whole armies into battle. At the time, the unique twist to the genre enabled it to stand out; it was able to use its much larger sense of scale to its advantage. Unlike other contemporary titles, it didn’t just compel characters to fight; it likewise required players to manage troop composition, take care of commander levels, and watch their overall positioning on the battlefield to win the day.

Warsong was fun and innovative. Perhaps because it was also ahead of its time, it never really received a sequel — except in Japan, where it would continue to flourish well into the 1990s, under the banner of Langrisser, its original name. Meanwhile, diehard supporters in the West tried to keep it alive via fan-made patches. It would take until 2018 for an official English release to appear, first in the form of the mobile game Langrisser by Zilong, and now, after nearly 30 years of silence, the release of Langrisser I & II for the Nintendo Switch, the Sony PlayStation 4, and the personal computer.

In Langrisser I & II, players are thrust into one of two stories available to play through: that of Ledin, prince of the kingdom of Baldea, and that of Elwin, his successor and Descendant of Light. In both stories, players must make good use of their wits to survive what trials await them. From roadside ambushes to desperate siege defenses, players must employ their commanders, the troops they have, and the terrain they fight on to outwit and outlast the forces of darkness.

As a remaster, Langrisser I & II features an updated story with modern English translations, updated art, new assets, and minor balance changes. That said, it promises to hew as close as possible to the original experience, and the effort to stay true to its roots shows. Plot points across both stories run as their predecessors did, and while they’re undoubtedly uncomplicated, they don’t take away from the gameplay. More than anything else, the capacity to finally play these classic games on a modern system more than outweighs any general clunkiness that show up on occasion.

From the very instant control is given, Langrisser I and II expect players to handle its simple but effective combat systems with surprising deftness. From defeating enemy bosses to facilitating daring escapes, missions are linear in their design, but never feel frustrating to go through, mostly because of the game’s huge sense of scale; players don’t just control named heroes, but also bring into battle hired mercenaries to serve as frontline soldiers in combat. As a result, players are free to choose from a multitude of strategies to achieve their objectives, with character experimentation feeling encouraged rather than stifled.

Backstopped by a robust progression system, where characters can level up, become stronger, and hire better, flashier mercenaries, Langrisser I and II’s gameplay has the makings of a compelling, if forthright, strategy RPG — one that’s able to provide players the right amount of challenge to keep their interest. And if that’s not enough, the myriad branching paths more than give it a ton of replay value; the divergent routes add new commanders to play with, new scenes and dialogues to uncover, and new endings to unlock.

In fact, if there’s any real negative to Langrisser I & II, it’s the time it took for it to finally make its way to eighth-generation platforms. Other franchises in the genre, among them Fire Emblem and Valkyria Chronicles, have the remake option down pat, modernizing audio-visual presentations and adding new and interesting mechanics to the formula that initially helped them stand out in an already crowded space. Compared to these series, Langrisser I & II might be behind in the curve, but the mere fact that it’s still able to give an immersive experience despite its somewhat dated game design attests to how fleshed out its original mechanics were, and how timeless its gameplay remains.

All in all, Langrisser I & II is a brilliant remaster of two decades-old games. And it’s outstanding on either the Switch or the PS4. Beautifully remastered with little to no technical missteps, it boasts of excellent Japanese voiceovers and English translations, not to mention controls with nary a lag. And, for good measure, NIS America gives players the choice of retaining the original audio-visual presentation, or opting for the updated one, featuring new character designs and track arrangements. As with any remaster, it may be inherently unwieldy at times. Nonetheless, those steeped in RPG strategy will find it a can’t-miss title that will have them staying around a while — a long, long while.

THE GOOD:

• Solid SRPG gameplay with good balance between strong

characters and capable soldiers

• Branching paths and multiple endings to unlock

• Two unique and interesting stories to play through

• High replay value

THE BAD

• Can feel a bit clunky and simple compared to more

modern titles

• Lacks handholding

• Inadequate explanations on mechanics

RATING: 9/10

POSTSCRIPT: There’s a game made for gamers and there’s a game made for everyone. Bubble Bobble 4 Friends brings back the fun spirit of the 1986 blockbuster arcade in a game designed to appeal to anyone and everyone, young and old alike.

Dormant for almost two decades (save for small blips on mobile gaming platforms and re-releases of the old Nintendo Entertainment System and Family Computer ports), Bubble Bobble was last spotted in videogame consoles in 2009 as the downloadable Bubble Bobble Plus on the Wii (also known as BB Neo on the Microsoft Xbox). With the 2019/2020 release of Bubble Bobble 4 Friends, its latest sequel, Bubble Bobble reaches into the future via the Nintendo Switch.

Taito’s classic two-button masher is still the standard for this reinvention of the Bubble Bobble franchise. As the gameplay goes, the player character is a bubble-blowing dragon that shoots bubbles from his mouth, traps enemies in them, and eliminates them by hitting them with his head or feet. Doing so singly or in combos produces scores relative to the number of enemies eliminated off the screen. Maneuvering through obstacles adds difficulty to the game as the plump but agile lizard character can jump, duck, and crawl under platforms; he can also use bubbles as makeshift landing spots to propel himself to suspended locations. A successful mopping operation clears the level and produces fruit bonuses for added points in the game. A battle with a major Boss comes after clearing 10 stages at a time and helps you acquire new fighting skills. These skills, such as amazing thunder bubbles that wipe out enemies in one broad stroke, are almost necessary in the latter, progressively difficult levels.

Note that while there are only 50 unique levels in Bubble Bobble 4 Friends, a hard mode is available for the accomplished gamer. Finishing all 50 levels successfully and winning all Boss Battles unlock this hard mode where one can re-play all 50 with a maddeningly higher level of difficulty.

Casual gamers who opt for fun and some distraction would be glad to know that the quest of the dragon siblings Bub and Bob never really end in Bubble Bobble 4 Friends, for failing to clear a level three times does not automatically end the game. Players may continue to play with a feature called “invincibility,” allowing less than adept participants to progress through the game without cost to his/her enjoyment.

As an added bonus, Bubble Bobble 4 Friends contains the original arcade version, a throwback to the 1980s when the retro Bubble Bobble hit the fledgling gaming community by storm.

Played in co-op mode, up to four players can participate in the fun frenzy, but all players will have to share just eight lives. Online play is not available, which is disappointing, but local play is engrossing enough. However, there is no competition between and among players, a feature that would have undoubtably extended the game’s playability and repetition.

While Bubble Bobble’s gameplay has always been its main attraction, Bubble Bobble 4 Friends also boasts of improved graphics, an enjoyable soundtrack, and fast turnovers with no discernible drops in framerates. On screen, the action moves very smoothly and reflex responses to these actions are almost instantaneous. Games can be quick and rewarding, or challenging and infuriating; either way, it is always fun.

All told, Bubble Bobble 4 Friends is perfect for having fun, either alone or with friends and family. By sticking to what it does best, Bubble Bobble maintains its playability throughout the decades, thus proving that there is no need to reinvent the wheel, not when the wheel rolls well into the future.

THE GOOD:

• familiar but still engrossing

• two-button controls make this appropriate for all ages

• co-op play is fun

• great visuals and music

• gameplay is smooth

THE BAD:

• no competition

• 50 levels isn’t quite enough

• unlockable skills are less desirable than old game’s power-ups

• absent online play

RATING: 8/10

THE LAST WORD: Mall closures on this side of the world have gamers dismayed, what with the release of Animal Crossing: New Horizons just around the corner. As the first release of the extremely popular series on the Switch, it has been hotly anticipated, with the rate of preorders among the highest locally in recent memory. Unfortunately, those who did so in order to ensure that they get a physical copy in anticipation of a shortage of supply are instead compelled to wait until the shops reopen. In the meantime, they have no choice but to buy a digital copy from the Nintendo eShop to tide them over. That said, they’re safe and sound at home, and, from the game’s release on March 20, engrossed with it while in community quarantine. In the end, there can be no substitute for good health.

Sta. Lucia to expand further in the provinces

STA. LUCIA Land Inc. (SLI) is eyeing further expansion in the countryside as rising land prices in Metro Manila encourage real estate companies to look outside the capital region.

In a statement on Monday, the property developer said it is eyeing the development of masterplanned communities in the countryside.

“Our work is done only when we see the areas outside of Metro Manila and the main CBDs (central business districts) thriving. It is only when the way of life of homeowners in more areas across the country is enhanced or improved can we say that yes, our work is done,” SLI President Exequiel D. Robles said.

“It is only when a community starts to feel their importance or that their needs are being looked after can we say that we’ve managed to build not only our business but also our legacy.”

SLI said that real estate companies are looking to developments in the provinces as land in Metro Manila becomes scarce and expensive.

The company said that it has established its presence in Pasig and Quezon cities, as well as Rizal and Cavite.

Its developments include golf courses, resorts, condominiums, condotels, hotels, lake communities, sports facilities, clubhouses, townhouses, lots, and house-and-lot packages.

SLI said that its developments are in “fringe areas” that provide access to modern conveniences and continued appreciation of land value.

These include the Sotogrande Fairview and Acropolis Loyola in Quezon City; Orchard Towers in Pasig City; Green Peak Heights Phase 3, Rizal Technopark and Sta. Lucia Residenze in Rizal; as well as Aquamira at Saddle & Clubs Leisure Park, and Rockville in Cavite.

Mr. Robles said that he is grateful other areas are “sharing the limelight” with other CBDs.

“As a developer, we have always been on the lookout for new areas to build our projects. And we believe that these fringe areas make for a good investment not only for us but especially for our buyers. Here, their investments would be way lower and yet the potential for value appreciation remains strong,” he said.

“Our market sometimes appreciate that they are not located in the CBD, where most of the action happens. This allows them to take a breather — unwind, recharge and take a break — while appreciating the feeling of being home and spending uninterrupted quality time with their loved ones.” — Jenina P. Ibañez

How PSEi member stocks performed — March 16, 2020

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Monday, March 16, 2020.

DTI guidelines propose rent relief for shuttered retailers

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has asked mall operators and commercial landlords to waive rents as stores shut during the month-long Metro Manila quarantine.

In a memorandum issued Monday, the DTI said in its “guidelines” that “with the declaration of General Community Quarantine,” mall operations will be limited to establishments offering basic necessities, including supermarkets, banks, pharmacies, health clinics, bookstores, hardware stores, and food stalls that offer takeout and delivery.

Business Process Outsourcing offices inside malls are also allowed to continue operations.

“Lessors and owners of business spaces shall share the responsibility by waiving the corresponding rental fees and charges of stores that were closed during the one-month period of General Community Quarantine,” the DTI said.

The memorandum went out as the “Implementing Guidelines for IATF Resolution No. 12 Issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the management of Emerging Infectious Disease on Social Distancing and Business Operations.”

Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez in a mobile message to reporters said that stores that remain open pay rent.

“They nego(tiate) their discounts if applicable.”

President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Thursday ordered a Metro Manila quarantine halting most land, domestic, and sea travel to and from the capital region from March 15 to April 14 in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The quarantine has since been “enhanced” with the suspension of transportation services and most people ordered to stay indoors.

Leisure and entertainment business establishments are also prohibited from operating for the entire quarantine period.

These include “places of amusement” that serve alcoholic beverages such as night clubs, bars, taverns, cocktail lounges, discotheques, and pubs.

Arts, entertainment, and recreational activities and establishments have also been ordered shut. These include live performances, exhibits for public viewing, art galleries, concerts, opera, dance productions. Concert halls and theaters have also been ordered to shut down.

Included in the ban are gambling facilities, such as casinos, bingo halls, video gaming terminals, and lottery and off-track betting services.

The memorandum said that business owners of these spaces should also waive rental fees.

Retail establishments that are allowed to operate must observe social-distancing best practices, keeping customers at a density of one person per square meter of unimpeded space in the selling area. Number of entrants will be limited to the establishment’s carrying capacity, based on the total vacant space in square meters.

Retail establishments have also been directed to educate staff on social distancing, carrying capacity, and sanitary measures, and to notify public health authorities of staff that show COVID-19 symptoms.

Retail establishments were also encouraged to use e-commerce platforms within the capital region.

Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI), SM Supermalls, Inc., and the Villar-led VistaMall and Starmalls have announced the temporary closure of their Metro Manila malls.

“SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), assures all its stakeholders that the Company will be in full support of the preventive measures outlined by the national and local government to help mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) disease,” SM Prime CFO John Nai Peng C. Ong said in an e-mail.

Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) Chief Finance Officer Augusto D. Bengzon in an e-mail said that ALI has a business continuity plan (BCP) in place, based on national and local government directives on quarantines.

“Under the BCP, pandemic/epidemic plans were revisited to ensure the readiness and response action of each business unit, in consideration of three (3) critical loss scenarios: (1) loss of premises, (2) loss of critical people, and (3) loss of critical service providers,” he said.

“The required resources and activities under the three scenarios have been identified to ensure the continuity of critical functions to support the business and protect the public’s interest under a lockdown or a quarantine scenario.”

Establishments in the agriculture, manufacturing, and services sector may operate as long as they follow social distancing and health measures. DTI also encouraged businesses in construction and manufacturing to provide temporary housing for workers living outside Metro Manila.

DTI urged establishments in operation to prepare an infectious disease preparedness and response plan, including risk assessment, contact tracing for workers exposed to COVID-19, infection prevention such as hand washing measures, disinfection, and providing customers with hygiene items such as alcohol and trash bins.

In disclosures to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Monday, casino and gaming companies Bloomberry Resorts Corp. (Solaire Resort and Casino); Leisure and Resorts World Corp.; PhilWeb Corp.; DFNN, Inc.; Premium Leisure Corp., and Belle Corp. (City of Dreams Manila) announced suspended operations. — Jenina P. Ibañez

Food shipments into NCR to be assigned special lanes

AGRICULTURE Secretary William D. Dar said the government will permit cargo vehicles delivering food to use special lanes to ensure Metro Manila is adequately supplied during the COVID-19 lockdown.

The special lanes are outlined in the DA’s Food Resiliency Action Plan.

In a news conference yesterday, Mr. Dar said the scheme’s main feature is so-called “green lanes” or “food fast lanes” at 65 entry and exit points around Metro Manila, for the duration of the community quarantine protocol.

Other typical quarantine measures will still be observed with drivers and other delivery crew subject to temperature checks.

“We are coordinating with all accredited truckers, logistics, and refrigerated van operators for the faster passage of agricultural goods,” Mr. Dar said.

The DA (Department of Agriculture) released a memorandum circular laying down the guidelines for the delivery of food and other agricultural commodities to, from, and transiting the National Capital Region throughout the 30 day community quarantine period.

The circular detailed the process of “food lane” accreditation for trucks and suppliers and the requirements for their registration.

Accredited suppliers will be exempted from restrictions set by the local government units (LGUs) from point of origin to the destination area and vice versa.

Mr. Dar is set to discuss the protocols in a meeting with the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) set up by the Philippine government to contain COVID-19.

The DA is also arranging with LGUs the creation of new drop-off points where food deliveries can be easily accessed by the consuming public.

“These new drop-off points provide additional places where goods can be distributed and where the consuming public can buy,” Mr. Dar said.

Fishing activities in Manila Bay and fish deliveries in Metro Manila will remain unrestricted, the DA said.

The DA has instructed the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to provide assistance to small fisherfolk, shippers, distributors, and fish traders to ensure continued movement of fish products at the six major ports in Metro Manila.

Movement of fish products from nearby provinces will also be monitored by fisheries bureau personnel to ensure consistent delivery to distribution centers and target destinations.

“There is no restriction in fishing activities while ports will continue normal operations to ensure smooth movement and unloading of fish products for Metro Manila residents,” Mr. Dar said.

Other regional DA offices have also been mobilized by the DA to help ensure adequate food supply in Metro Manila.

Recently, the DA said the rice supply is sufficient for 35 weeks or barely nine months, with 929,358 metric tons (MT) committed to Metro Manila.

Committed weekly supply for pork and poultry supply was 11,074 MT and vegetables and root crops 17,302 MT.

“Again, we assure Metro Manila residents that we have supplies of food and fish in volumes we earlier reported. We will continue our coordination with other government agencies for the most efficient movement of food from the provinces to Metro Manila,” Mr. Dar said. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

PCC freezes merger notification timeline for duration of quarantine

THE Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) is suspending the acceptance and evaluation of merger notifications with its offices minimally staffed while Metro Manila is under enhanced community quarantine.

The PCC, in a resolution Monday, said it will suspend acceptance of new notification forms and letters of non-coverage, as well as the evaluation of the sufficiency of the notification forms and letters of non-coverage that have already been submitted to the commission.

The 30-day deadline to submit merger notifications will also be frozen, with notifying parties given the remaining balance of the notification period when regular operations resume.

Companies have 30 days to submit merger notifications to the PCC after signing definitive agreements. They face fines of up to P2 million if they fail to do so.

PCC merger processes were declared suspended between March 16 to April 14, 2020, or until the community quarantine is lifted.

“Regular operations of the PCC will resume as soon as the NCR-wide quarantine has been lifted,” the PCC said in the statement.

The commission will continue to attend to pre-notification consultations and other inquiries through e-mail or conference calls.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Thursday ordered a community quarantine halting land, domestic, and sea travel to and from Metro Manila from March 15 to April 14. Workers may enter and exit Metro Manila by showing their company ID at checkpoints. The quarantine has since been “enhanced” with transport suspended and most people ordered to stay indoors.

The PCC said that numerous entities had expressed concerns about the timely submission of their notification forms for merger transactions whose 30-day notification period will expire during the community quarantine period.

The commission said that it adopted alternative work arrangements and maintains only minimal staffing at its offices.

“The health and safety of PCC employees, transacting parties, resource persons and other stakeholders are of the utmost concern to the Commission during this period of public health emergency,” PCC said.

Meanwhile, the National Privacy Commission (NPC) in an advisory Thursday said previously scheduled discovery conferences, summary hearings, and mediation proceedings are canceled.

“It is emphasized that only the hearings are suspended and that all cases pending before the NPC are neither terminated dismissed,” NPC said.

“Notice for the resetting of both proceedings shall be sent to the parties through mail and/or e-mail.”

The NPC is also encouraging the public to send inquiries, breach notifications, complaints, and other forms of correspondence by phone, e-mail, or to the NPC’s social media accounts.

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) on Monday announced that heads of agencies have the discretion to develop alternative work arrangements for the duration of the community quarantine.

CSC said the alternative work arrangements will ensure delivery of public services while observing social distancing and other preventive measures. — Jenina P. Ibañez

DA confirms bird flu outbreak in Nueva Ecija

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said confirmed an outbreak of H5N6 Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) at a quail farm in Nueva Ecija.

In a news conference Monday, Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar said the outbreak was confirmed on March 13 after the Nueva Ecija Veterinary Office received reports of increased quail mortality at a farm in Barangay Ulanin-Pitak in Jaen on March 9.

The authorities culled 12,000 birds while 3,000 died from the disease. The farm is now being disinfected.

“We will ensure that the incidence will be contained effectively and swiftly to prevent the occurrence of the unfortunate outbreak of a few years ago,” Mr. Dar said.

The DA implements a “test and cull” strategy in which a sample of birds is tested for the virus, followed by a cull if the test is positive.

Compensation for farmers is set at P10 for small poultry and P80 pesos for bigger birds such as ducks and broiler chickens. The payments will be funded from the DA’s quick response fund.

The DA has placed under surveillance areas which are one kilometer (km) and seven km radius from the affected farm to contain the outbreak.

All poultry inside the one kilometer radius area are subject to testing, with security checkpoints established to prevent animal movement beyond the one-kilometer radius.

“Animal quarantine checkpoints have also been established to restrict the movement of all domestic birds to and from the one kilometer radius quarantine area,” Mr. Dar said.

Meanwhile, poultry products within the seven kilometer surveillance radius are subject to random testing.

Transport of poultry products such as day-old chicks, hatching eggs, and chicken meat within the seven kilometer zone will still be allowed as long as the farms that provided the poultry test negative for bird flu.

Undersecretary Ariel T. Cayanan said that the DA has tested nearby farms and is controlling the spread. He added that proper disposal of the culled birds are equally important.

“The main concern here is to control and contain the virus,” Mr. Cayanan added.

Layer chickens are thought to be more susceptible to the disease than broiler chickens.

The same virus subtype was also the cause of the 2017 bird flu outbreak in Pampanga and Nueva Ecija.

DA Technical Spokesperson for Avian Influenza Arlene V. Vytiaco said there is a possibility of human transmission, which she described as “very slim,” adding that the mortality rate is zero for the persons who tested positive for the virus.

Dr. Vytiaco added the outbreak was controlled due to early reporting by the farm owner.

“Maaga natin na-detect so maaga ang control measures natin. Controlling measures are in place kaya wala dapat ikatakot ang public. (We detected the disease early, so the control measures were implemented as soon as possible). Controlling measures are in place which means that the public has nothing to be scared of,” she said. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

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