UP faculty members from Japan being tested for infection

March 11, 2020 | 8:13 pm

TWO faculty members of the University of the Philippines (UP) are under investigation for a possible novel coronavirus infection, the school said in a statement on Wednesday.

The two teachers had submitted themselves for testing after attending an academic conference in Japan, and were isolated, UP said.

“The UP Diliman Health Service declared the two as persons under investigation after showing fever and respiratory symptoms,” it said.

Protocols had been followed in isolating the patients and disinfecting the premises and the ambulance used to carry them to a referral hospital, it added.

The UP administration met with experts from the Health Service, while UP Manila-Philippine General Hospital released protocols for UP Diliman on March 10.

The guidelines prohibit official travels and require a 14-day self-quarantine for members returning from travel overseas. The university will also postpone all big campus events and conduct online classes.

The university also urged community members to practice social distancing, proper hygiene and behavioral etiquette to combat the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Members of the UP system who came in contact with a COVID-19 patient must see a doctor at UPHS or the nearest health facility.

Persons under investigation were being monitored in coordination with the university’s Health Service and Quezon City Epidemiology Surveillance Unit, it said.

Buildings visited by persons under investigation were being disinfected, it said.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said higher education institutions should deploy available distance learning, e-learning and other alternative modes.

They should also evaluate students based on available indicators and forego other curricular activities or the rest of the semester. They may also postpone graduation ceremonies if needed.

Private higher education institutions need not obtain CHED’s approval before undertaking such measures but should inform the commission about any changes, according to an e-mailed copy of the March 11 memo issued by CHED chairman J. Prospero E. de Vera III.

Mr. de Vera also said some hospitals with confirmed COVID-19 cases that are serving as training centers for medical and nursing students have been requiring students to continue their rotation duties or fail their internship program.

“The commission appeals to the officials of these hospitals to exercise leniency during this difficult time and explore alternative modes that will continue the medical training and education of their students without compromising their safety,” he said. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Bill on lockdowns filed at Senate

March 11, 2020 | 8:12 pm

A SENATOR has filed a bill allowing the Bureau of Quarantine to impose lockdowns in selected areas amid the threat of a novel coronavirus outbreak.

Senator Francis N. Tolentino filed Senate Bill 1408 or the proposed Health Emergency Lockdown Act, which will amend the Quarantine Act of 2004 by expanding the bureau’s powers.

The measure also allows the bureau, in coordination with the Interior and Local Government department to suspend classes, name dedicated hospitals and encourage telecommuting programs.

Some lawmakers have sought a lockdown in Metro Manila to contain the contagion, but Mr. Tolentino said it should only be implemented when the situation worsens.

“We haven’t reached that level of contamination yet to warrant the lockdown of the entire Metro Manila which I believe will be detrimental to the economy,” he told a news briefing on Wednesday. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

Regulator says there’s enough water supply in Metro Manila

March 11, 2020 | 8:11 pm

By Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

THE National Water Resources Board (NWRB) on Wednesday said there was enough water supply in Metro Manila in the face of increased demand in the summer and amid a novel coronavirus contagion.

The water allocation of 42 cubic meters per second (cms) to water concessionaires would be kept despite lower levels in Angat Dam, board Executive Director Sevillo D. David Jr. said by telephone.

As of Wednesday morning, the water level in Angat Dam stood at 200.72 meters, down by 0.23m from a day earlier, according to data from the local weather bureau.

The NWRB, together with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, Maynilad Water Services, Inc., and Manila Water Company Inc. is examining data to address the supply issue, Mr. David said.

“We have yet to confirm that there is indeed increased water usage due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19),” he said.

Mr. David said that both Maynilad and Manila Water had requested to keep the present allocation.

Manila Water’s allocation remained at 42 cms, well below the normal allocation o 46 cms, Nestor Jeric T. Sevilla, a spokesman for the company, said in a mobile-phone message.

“We have been using our Cardona Water Treatment Plan, which now yields 100 million liters per day, and deepwells to augment the supply coming from Angat,” he said.

Mr. Sevilla added that increased water consumption was to be expected in the summer months.

Manila Water is still implementing water interruption during off-peak hours, particularly from midnight to 4 a.m.

Meanwhile, Maynilad has put in place measures to ease the effects of reduced allocation from Angat Dam, said Jennifer C. Rufo, a spokesperson for the company.

Maynilad had been getting additional raw water from Laguna Lake via their two water treatment plants that produce 300 million liters per day, reactivating deep wells and sending modular treatment plants to small rivers in Cavite, she said.

The company was also finishing pipe replacements and leak repairs, and was ready with cloud-seeding operations.

“We encourage our customers to use water responsibly, and to limit its use for activities that are critical to ensure their health and sanitation,” Ms. Rufo said.

COVID-19 Regional Updates (03/11/20)

March 11, 2020 | 8:10 pm

Pangasinan brings ban on gatherings to barangay level

THE PANGASINAN provincial board has passed a resolution ordering village leaders along with the youth representatives to suspend “activities that could draw crowd in their respective localities” to avoid potential community transmission of the new coronavirus disease known as COVID-19. The ban includes barangay fiestas and Sangguniang Kabataan activities, which are mostly scheduled during the summer vacation months of March to May. “The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (provincial board) is calling on all local government units more particularly Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials to be united in helping the national and provincial governments to combat the acute respiratory diseases by suspending activities that could draw crowd in their respective localities,” reads the resolution authored by Board Member Jose G. Peralta, who heads the Liga ng mga Barangay Provincial Federation. Governor Amado I. Espino III has earlier ordered the cancellation of all provincial government-organized events and urged local government units to do the same. Meanwhile, Department of Health (DoH) Ilocos Region Director Valeriano Lopez said on Wednesday that none of the people who came into contact with the COVID-19-positive patient from Australia have so far shown symptoms of the disease. The Filipino-Australian visited the province for a school reunion and was confirmed with the virus upon her return to Australia.

WVMC seeks accreditation as COVID-19 test center

THE WESTERN Visayas Medical Center (WVMC), located in Iloilo City, has applied to be accredited as one of the test centers in the country for the coronavirus disease, formally named COVID-19. “We are still waiting for the results of their evaluation until now. We want to know if the WVMC is capable to serve as a testing center. We hope it will be approved,” said Roland Jay Fortuna, focal person of the Iloilo City COVID-19 Task Force. He noted that there is no diagnostic center yet for the new virus in the Western Visayas Region. The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), with assistance from the World Health Organization, has so far been capacitating five subnational laboratories, namely: San Lazaro Hospital and Lung Center of the Philippines in Manila; Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center in northern Luzon; Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City; and the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City. “Unlike dengue when we had an ample supply of test kits because these are just easy test kits, however for COVID-19, the testing facilities are being accredited by the RITM and now we only have five (in the country),” he said.

MONITORING

As of March 11, there is one patient within the region admitted in hospital for observation of the disease, based on the Department of Health (DoH) tracker. The Iloilo City government, meanwhile, is monitoring 82 persons, mostly overseas Filipino workers who have recent travel history from countries with confirmed COVID-19 cases. “They are considered PUMs (persons under monitoring). We are asking them to go on (home) quarantine and once they exhibit signs and symptoms, then they will be referred to the proper hospital,” Mayor Jerry P. Treñas told the media. Mr. Treñas also appealed to the DoH to send test kits to the region for faster diagnosis. “I am speaking for the rest of Western Visayas. We don’t have any test kits here. I am speaking to the DoH, and I think it is your responsibility to provide test kits to all the regions. We in the LGUs (local government units) are doing our job and the DoH should do the same, it is a matter of right,” said the mayor of Iloilo, which serves as the regional center. — Emme Rose S. Santiagudo

Cagayan de Oro gov’t to purchase thermal scanner, calls on private establishments to get non-contact thermometers

THE CAGAYAN de Oro City government is set to purchase a thermal scanner in addition to the 50 non-contact thermometers it has already acquired and being used in local offices, according to City Health Insurance Officer William Bernardo. The local government has also called for a city-wide adoption of the body temperature check policy as a preventive measure against the coronavirus disease. “We encourage other institutions, establishments and schools to do the same,” it said in a statement. City Health Office head Lorraine J. Nery said they are also expanding their training for infection control to include not just health workers but other agencies such as the police.

Duterte to meet with Boracay’s tourism sector, rehabilitation team

March 11, 2020 | 8:09 pm

PRESIDENT RODRIGO R. Duterte will meet tourism stakeholders and the task force overseeing the rehabilitation of Boracay when he visits the island on March 12, according to the Department of Tourism (DoT). In a statement on Wednesday, DoT said the President’s trip remains part of the tourism caravan to promote domestic travel amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. DoT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said Mr. Duterte will meet with local tourism stakeholders, including representatives from airlines, hotels and resorts, and tour operators after the companies offered discounted rates to stimulate domestic travel. DoT earmarked P6 billion to help the domestic industry nationwide after tourist arrivals slumped by 42% in February amid the COVID-19 outbreak. “At least PHP 85 million will finance the training on COVID-19 orientation, preparedness, response and protocols for industry stakeholders,” the statement said. DoT data showed Philippine international tourism revenues in February dropped by 41% to P26.73 billion from P45.6 billion in the same month last year.

REHABILITATION
Mr. Duterte will also discuss with the tourism sector the action plan on sustaining the rehabilitation efforts. Boracay was closed, upon Mr. Duterte’s order, for six months in 2018 for an initial phase of redevelopment. DoT said this is the first time Mr. Duterte is visiting the island since its reopening in October 2018. Mr. Duterte in July 2019 approved a medium-term action plan to continue rehabilitating Boracay, which includes the enforcement of laws to regulate visitors, rehabilitation of ecosystems, and the improvement of roads and public health infrastructure. Malacañang also announced earlier that the President will be distributing certificates of land ownership to farmer beneficiaries during his visit. — Jenina P. Ibañez

Davao Oriental combines greening and livelihood program with falcata project

March 11, 2020 | 8:09 pm

THE DAVAO Oriental provincial government recently signed a memorandum of agreement with falcata tree farmers to strengthen its program that combines reforestation with sustainable livelihood. Under the Nagkakaisang Lingkod-Bayan ng Davao Oriental Forest Landscape Restoration for Sustainable Development (NLD-FLRSD), farmers in six villages in Mati City and the towns of Lupon and San Isidro will get falcata seedlings as well as financial and technical assistance. The NLD-FLRSD, initiated in 2018, is “the provincial approach to ensure inclusive and sustainable development of the province’s forest resources and of the local communities in harmony with the national greening program and with global forest targets anchored on the united nation’s sustainable development goals.” Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang, speaking to the farmers during the March 4 agreement signing, said, “It is not the job of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources alone to preserve nature. Protecting the nature is our shared responsibility.” Falcata is a fast-growing tree that is known to have nitrogen-fixing qualities that help improve soil condition. Mature trees can be used as lumber. “The government has supported this program but it is in your hands to make it prosper,” Mr. Dayanghirang said. — Carmelito Q. Francisco

Nationwide round-up

March 11, 2020 | 8:08 pm

House committee approves proposed parking regulations

congress House of Representative — *PHILSTAR*

A MEASURE establishing parking fee regulations and standards for parking facilities was approved Monday by the House of Representatives’ committee on trade and industry. “I am glad that this bill is one step closer to becoming a law despite some misgivings of the owners of retail and commercial establishments and independent parking operators,” Valenzuela Rep. Weslie T. Gatchalian, who chairs the committee, said in a statement on Wednesday. Under the unnumbered substitute bill, confined patients and out-patients in health service establishments may use parking facilities for free while non-patients can be charged P20 per hour. Customers of accommodation facilities, including hotels, motels, hostels, and resorts, shall not be charged parking fees provided there is proof of transaction with the establishment. Non-customers can be charged P20 per hour. Meanwhile, parking fees in educational institutions shall be waived for the first two hours for officials, employees, faculty, and students, after which P20 can be charged per hour. Non-customers can also be charged P20 per hour.

RETAIL SHOPS
In retail establishments — including malls, shops, supermarkets, and stand-alone stores — customers get free parking for the first two hours, provided there is proof of transaction for an amount not less than P500. Non-customers can be charged P10 per hour but not more than P50 per day. Commercial establishments may charge P40 for the first four hours and P20 per succeeding hour for a maximum of P140 per day. Open parking enterprises may charge P30 for the first three hours and P20 per succeeding hour, while multilevel parking enterprises may charge P40 for the first three hours and P20 per succeeding hour. Street parking, which is usually managed by the local government, can have a rate of P50 per hour while the maximum overnight parking fee shall be P150 per vehicle. Lost parking tickets may also be charged a maximum of P150 per vehicle. The bill also sets the minimum standards that must be observed by all parking establishments including the provision of CCTV cameras, security guards, the number of entrance and exit booths to prevent traffic congestion, and other safety standards. The bill is up for second reading. — Genshen L. Espedido

DoJ preliminary probes to continue amid coronavirus threat

THE DEPARTMENT of Justice (DoJ) is not cancelling just yet its scheduled preliminary probes amid the coronavirus disease threat, an official said. “No cancellation of preliminary investigations at the NPS (National Prosecution Service),” Undersecretary Markk L. Perete told reporters in a mobile-phone message. “Until such time that further restrictions imposed by health authorities require cancellation of hearings, preliminary investigation of complaints will continue,” he added. He said the department, headquartered in Manila, will comply with the protocols that the inter-agency task force on the disease will issue. President Rodrigo R. Duterte declared on March 8 a state of public health emergency. As of March 11, the Department of Health said the country has 49 confirmed cases of the disease, formally named COVID-19, mostly within Metro Manila. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Nation at a Glance — (03/12/20)

March 11, 2020 | 8:07 pm

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

PBA postpones PHL Cup games until further notice

March 11, 2020 | 6:19 pm

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

FOLLOWING a successful staging of its opening for Season 45 last weekend, the Philippine Basketball Association moved to postpone matches in the just-started All-Filipino tournament over concerns on the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

In an announcement released on Wednesday, the PBA said it was cancelling effective, March 11, all PBA Philippine Cup games and activities until further notice.

The decision was arrived after a special meeting held on Tuesday night among league board members and officials where they discussed the tack they would be taking moving forward in light of the growing confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country.

As of this writing, the Philippines has 33 confirmed cases of the contagious COVID-19.

Also covered by the postponement are games and activities of the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup and the inaugural staging of the PBA 3×3.

In the announcement, the PBA said safety and welfare of every league stakeholder was its prime consideration in its decision for postponement, saying, “Considering the present situation surrounding COVID-19 and the Presidential declaration of Public Health Emergency, it is our paramount duty and responsibility to ensure the health and safety of our fans, players, teams, officials and staff.”

It went on to say that it will continue assessing the situation daily, guided by the parameters set by the Department of Health and World Health Organization while reconfirming its commitment to stakeholders to hold the games and activities in a responsible manner.

With the postponement, immediately affected were scheduled matches in Day Two of the Philippine Cup yesterday, namely TNT KaTropa against the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters and NLEX Road Warriors versus Northport Batang Pier.

The KaTropa were set to debut its new-look roster, boasting of recently acquired players like Poy Erram, Jayjay Alejandro, Lervyn Flores and Simon Enciso, against a rebranded Fuel Masters squad.

NLEX, for its part, is angling to start its bounce-back campaign after unceremoniously being booted out in the last conference in the playoffs despite finishing with the best record in the elimination round.

The Road Warriors were set to begin it against Christian Standhardinger and the Batang Pier, their conquerors last conference.

Also affected by the postponement was the scheduled first out-of-town game of the season in Bataan between the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings and the Blackwater Elite.

In a press conference on Wednesday, PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said the Bataan game will be rescheduled to a later date but tickets bought for Saturday will be honored on the new play date.

Forced to a draw, Kaya seeks to do better against PSM at home

March 11, 2020 | 6:18 pm

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

KAYA FC-Iloilo stayed undefeated and at the top half of Group H in the 2020 AFC Cup group play after a 1-1 draw with PSM Makassar in an away match in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Tuesday. But the Philippine club admitted that it would have been far better if it came out with a victory.

That being said, Kaya is seeking to notch a more favorable result when it reengages PSM here at home in a month’s time.

“We’re disappointed we couldn’t get the win, but it’s still a draw away from home. We’re still undefeated, and we will look to win our match against them at home,” said Kaya head coach Oliver Colina as he shared his reflection on their performance in the post-match press conference.

“We played a good game, but of course we didn’t beat them at their home. We need to go back, fix everything and try to beat them at our home,” Jovin Bedic, Kaya captain, for his part, said.

Kaya played PSM at the Gelora Bung Karno Madya Stadium in Jakarta behind closed doors over concerns on the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has now reached more than a hundred countries, including Indonesia and the Philippines.

Things got off to an ideal start for Kaya as PSM’s Dedy Gusmawan was sent off just 11 minutes into the contest for two quick-fire yellow cards.

But despite being a man down, the home side was the one to open the scoring.

Yakob Sayuri picked out Osas Saha with a precise through ball, which the front man took in stride and slotted past Mike Casas. The goal was the first conceded by Kaya in 2020.

Kaya took control of possession for the remainder of the opening period, but struggled to carve out openings.

That changed after the break.

Arnel Amita came on for Marwin Angeles, and Jayson Panhay came on for the injured Shirmar Felongco.

Coach Yu Hoshide also tweaked the formation to play three at the back, pushing Eric Giganto into a forward role.

The move paid off as minutes after the restart, Mr. Amita curled in a cross which Mr. Giganto headed over the keeper and into the net at the 50^th minute.

In the 60^th minute the Compostela Valley duo almost combined for the go ahead but Mr. Giganto couldn’t keep his shot down.

Kaya continued with its attack thereafter and nearly got a potential marginal goal with 10 minutes remaining but Mr. Bedic’s close-range header deflected wide.

PSM had one final say in regulation but Osas fired narrowly wide from just outside the six-yard box, ensuring that the match finished knotted at 1-1.

Following the draw, Kaya slid to second place in Group H with five points on a 1-2-0 record.

Tampines Rovers FC (2-1-0) of Singapore moved to the top spot with seven points, boosted by its 2-1 win over Shan United FC of Myanmar also Tuesday.

PSM (1-1-1) is third with four points while winless Shan United is in last place.

Leader on the board after group play in the AFC Cup books a spot in the zonal semifinals.

UP Fighting Maroons all set to do offseason work

March 11, 2020 | 6:18 pm

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

WHILE Season 83 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines is still months away, the UP men’s basketball team is all set to go on gear-up mode as it begins its preparations, eyeing training abroad and joining various tournaments.

Made it to the Final Four in the last two UAAP seasons, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons are out to sustain the streak, beginning offseason training early so as to develop the skills and the system they need to make another solid run in the tournament.

“Offseason training is going to be the baseline of how you will do in the regular season. So, whatever it is that you do in the offseason is going to dictate what your season is going to be,” said UP coach Bo Perasol.

To aid them in their thrust, the UP men’s team is getting support from businessman JJ Atencio of STATS Performance Apparel.

Mr. Atencio has thrown his support in what Mr. Perasol and his team are trying to achieve and also underscored the importance of going in every competition prepared for a better chance of succeeding.

“Training plays a vital part in preparing the players for the season. I personally targeted to come in and sponsor training abroad to help mold the mentality of the group. This is not only for their physical development but also for their mental fortitude; and for them to realize that there is much more to achieve if they set their mind properly,” said Mr. Atencio who is also CEO and Chairman of Januarius Holdings Inc.

The Maroons are eyeing a number of training abroad, including one in Auckland, New Zealand.

“The countries we go to are usually places where basketball is big. The development there is way ahead of us, so that is where we benefit from new technologies, new advancements, new ideas, new ways to train. Besides looking for training opportunities, we also look to compete in pocket tournaments here and abroad to give us different points of view, a different experience and different kinds of play,” said Mr. Perasol.

The UP coach, however, was quick to say that all these depend on how things pan out for ongoing health concerns brought about by the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has already reached more than a hundred countries.

UP as well plans to take part in the Fil-Oil Pre-Season Tournament in May and defend their title in the upcoming BLIA Cup in Taiwan this July.

NBA: Dinwiddie, Nets shock Lakers

March 11, 2020 | 6:17 pm

LOS ANGELES — Spencer Dinwiddie scored 23 points and hit the go-ahead basket, and Caris LeVert added 22 points as the Brooklyn Nets surprised the host Los Angeles Lakers 104-102 on Tuesday night.

Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot had 13 points, Joe Harris finished with 12 and Chris Chiozza added 11 for the Nets, who have won four of their past five.

LeBron James had 29 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists for the Lakers, who had their four-game winning streak snapped. Anthony Davis scored 26 points and grabbed eight rebounds but missed a game-winning 3-point attempt at the buzzer.

Kyle Kuzma chipped in 14 points for Los Angeles, and Avery Bradley had 10.

Dinwiddie’s jumper with 28.8 seconds left was the difference.

The Nets led by nine midway through the fourth quarter before the Lakers rallied within three points with four minutes to go.

LeVert hit a trey, but Davis answered with a 3-pointer, and James scored on a drive to pull the Lakers within 100-99 with 1:47 remaining. After LeVert converted a pair of foul shots, Davis’ 3-pointer with 43.1 seconds left tied the score at 102.

However, Dinwiddie’s jumper put Brooklyn up for good.

James missed a layup with 9.1 seconds left, but the Lakers gained possession with 5.1 seconds left after a scramble for the ball, setting up Davis’ last-second attempt.

The Nets outscored the Lakers 31-22 in the third quarter for an 87-80 lead heading into the fourth.

A 16-4 burst by the Nets allowed them to wipe out a 10-point deficit after a bucket by Dinwiddie with 4:52 left in the second quarter for a 46-44 edge. The teams exchanged leads for the rest of the half before the Lakers grabbed a 58-56 advantage at the break after a dunk by Kuzma.

The Lakers played without Dwight Howard, who missed the contest due to a stomach illness.

Nets guard Garrett Temple missed his fourth straight game because of a left ankle sprain. — Reuters