Intensify anti-smoking drive, health orgs urge LGUs TWO HEALTH and environmental organizations appealed to all local governments to strengthen their tobacco prevention and control programs to protect their constituents from the lingering threat of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) even after the quarantine restrictions are lifted.
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Action on Smoking and Health (ASH Philippines) and the EcoWaste Coalition pointed to the vital need to reinvigorate existing programs as experts have warned that smokers are likely to develop severe coronavirus disease compared to non-smokers. Continue on page 3
PRESIDENT RODRIGO Duterte has appealed for public understanding as his administration is left with no choice but to restrict the distribution of the second tranche of emergency subsidies under the social amelioration program (SAP). Duterte lamented the limited budget for SAP implementation Continue on page 3
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More businesses now allowed under community quarantine ‘IATF releases modified guidelines’
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HE INTER-AGANECY Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has revised the guidelines for the nationwide community quarantine to allow more businesses to operate at full capacity. This was also con- fresh guidelines, autho- community quarantine firmed by Presidential rizes the full operation of (ECQ), modified ECQ Spokesperson Harry public or private hospi- (MECQ), and general Roque who said the revi- tals; health and emergen- community quarantine sions were adopted by the cy front-line services; and (GCQ). IATF-EID through its Res- manufacturers of mediThe IATF-EID also olution 38 recently. cines, medical supplies, allows industries inIATF-EID Resolution devices and equipment volved in agriculture, 38, which contains the in areas under enhanced Continue on page 3
Marawi war survivors get psycho-social support A vinta sail and an antique Spanish canon were once a landmark in Zamboanga.
PCSO releases more funds for Covid-19 response THE PHILIPPINE Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) released over P3 billion in fresh funds to aid the government’s
campaign against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). PCSO general manager Royina Garma said they
released some P2.2 billion in dividends to the Department of Finance. She said this is pursuant to Continue on page 3
ILIGAN CITY - Over 2000 refugees who were victims of fighting between security and rebel forces in Marawi City on May 2017 were given psycho-social support (PSS) under the Gawad Angat BAYan (GABAY) Program of the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK). The project was fund-
ed by the Department of Finance (DOF) under the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau-Interest Differential Fund (KfW-IDF). Since the implementation of the program in January last year, LANDBANK, as program manager, has partnered with Balay Mindanaw Foundation, Inc. (BFMI), as
program implementer, to conduct various PSS activities that have so far benefited 1,673 internally displaced adults and 455 children in ten villages and transitional shelters in Marawi City and Lanao del Sur, one of 5 provinces under the Muslim autonomous Continue on page 7
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SM Foundation donates PPEs, medical items to Zamboanga hospital
Zamboanga City Medical Center Logistics Head Violeta Magaso, SM City Mindpro Mall Manager Engr. Lucino Agraviador (center), and Material Management Service Head Luis Fabian (right) during the recent SM Foundation Inc. donation of PPEs and other medical items to the hospital. THE SM Foundation Inc. with the assistance of SM City Mindpro, donated personal protective equipment (PPEs) and medical supplies to the Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC) in southern Philippines. The ZCMC thanked the SM Foundation and SM City Mindpro for the donation of alcohol, KN95 face masks, protective clothing, face shields, raincoats, medical gloves and shoe covers. “These items are hard to find nowadays and are costly,” said Luis Fabian, Senior Administrative Officer and head of ZCMC Material Management Service. ZCMC’s OIC Medical Chief, who concurrently regional director of the
Department of Health, Dr. Emilia Monicimpo, also expressed their heartfelt gratitude to SM Foundation Inc. for the donated PPEs and medical items. “This is also a great help for our cause to fight the Covid-19 here in Zamboanga. We hope that this engagement is just a start, and more engagement will come in the future,” said Dr. Monicimpo. The timing of this donation was right on time as the covid-19 testing laboratory recently opened its door within the hospital’s purlieu. SM Foundation - the civic arm of SM Group of Companies - donations to over 50 hospitals and health centers nationwide have reached P270 million worth of PPEs and medical
supplies. In Mindanao, recipients include the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City, Northern Mindanao Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro City, Amai Pakpak Hospital in Marawi City, and Davao Regional Medical Center in Tagum City. The SM Group of Companies - in response to the pandemic – also waived rentals of all tenants of SM Supermalls nationwide and the continued compensation of employees, and the extension of an emergency financial assistance to its front liners, security guards and janitorial staff during the enhanced community quarantine period. (With a report from the Zamboanga Post)
SEC reminds financing firms to grant grace period to borrowers THE SECURITIES and Exchange Commission (SEC) reminded all financing and lending companies to provide borrowers more time to settle loans falling due within the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) period. In an advisory issued on May 20, SEC ordered financing and lending companies to strictly comply with the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, its IRR, and other applicable laws, rules and regulations. Under the Bayanihan Act, refusal to provide 30day grace period shall be punishable with imprisonment of two months or a fine of not less than P10,000 but not more than P1 million or both, at the discretion of the court. “Any violation or noncompliance shall be dealt with to the full extent of the law,” the SEC warned, noting that it is currently investigating financing and lending companies that allegedly refuse to
comply with the Bayanihan Act, its IRR and other applicable laws, rules and regulations. The Department of Finance previously issued the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) directing all lenders, including those under the supervision of the SEC, to apply an initial 30-day grace period to all loans with principal and, or interest falling due during the ECQ period. The initial 30-day grace period shall automatically be extended if the ECQ period is extended by the President pursuant to his emergency powers. All financing companies, lending companies and microfinance nongovernmental organizations shall apply the mandatory grace period to all loans with principal and, or interest falling due between March 17 and May 31. The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging
Infectious Diseases also issued Resolution No. 33 directing all banks, quasi-banks, financing companies, lending companies, and other financial institutions to count the grace period from the respective due dates of qualified loans or until such time that the community quarantine is lifted, whichever is longer. Under the IRR, all covered institutions shall not impose interest on interest, fees and other charges to future payments or amortizations. Borrowers may also pay the interest accrued during the grace period on a staggered basis over the remaining life of the loan. All covered institutions are further prohibited from requiring their borrowers to waive the application of the mandatory grace period. Nonetheless, borrowers may still choose to pay their obligations during the ECQ. (With reports from the Zamboanga Post and Mindanao Examiner.)
Intensify anti-smoking drive, health orgs urge LGUs Continued from page 1 “We urge lawmakers to pass or reinforce a comprehensive tobacco control policy to protect the people from the lingering threat of Covid-19 even after the quarantine has been lifted,” said pulmonologist Dr. Maricar Limpin, Executive Director, ASH Philippines Intensified programs to combat tobacco consumption and addiction will help local governments in accomplishing their health and environmental objectives, the groups emphasized ahead of the observance of the World No Tobacco Day on May 31. Such programs may include mass-reach communications drive, population-specific interventions, action against illegal trade of tobacco products, anti-butt littering campaigns, and the active enforcement of related laws such as President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order 26 providing for the establishment of smoke-free environments in public and enclosed places. “Smoking compromises the immune system making it harder to fight infection. Therefore, smokers are more likely to contract the virus compared to non-smokers, and they are more vulnerable to developing severe symptoms when exposed to the disease. We also need to urge people to quit smoking during times like this as we cannot afford to have more people getting sick,” Limpin said.
For his part, Thony Dizon, Chemical Safety Campaigner of EcoWaste Coalition, said “the energetic conduct of tobacco control programs by the local governments will contribute to protecting human health and the environment from cigarette butts, the most visible toxic litter in our surroundings,” adding “we can curb the disposal of these small but hazardous pollutants on our streets, beaches and dumps by helping citizens to quit or not to start smoking.” In Sulu and Zamboanga City, the provincial and city governments have effectively banned cigarette smoking in public places and violators face a hefty penalty. Sulu Governor Sakur Tan said the locals know the bad effects of nicotine in the body and the provincial health office is active in anti-smoking campaign. Zamboanga Mayor Beng Climaco, a strong health advocate, has repeatedly warned residents of the ill effects of cigarette smoking and the risk of secondhand smoke to health. The World Health Organization (WHO) earlier warned that smoking may increase the risk of getting a severe case of Covid-19 due to compromised lung health. Tobacco weakens the respiratory system and destroys some of the lung’s natural defense mechanisms making smokers more vulnerable to contagious diseases.
According to WHO, smokers are likely to be more vulnerable to Covid-19 as the act of smoking means that fingers (and possibly contaminated cigarettes) are in contact with lips which increases the possibility of transmission of virus from hand to mouth. Smokers may also already have lung disease or reduced lung capacity which would greatly increase risk of serious illness. As explained by WHO, the COVID-19 is an infectious disease that primarily attacks the lungs. Smoking impairs lung function making it harder for the body to fight off coronaviruses and other diseases. Tobacco is also a major risk factor for noncommunicable diseases like cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory disease and diabetes which put people with these conditions at higher risk for developing severe illness when affected by Covid-19. Available research suggests that smokers are at higher risk of developing severe disease and death, the WHO said. Based on information from WHO, tobacco kills more than 8 million people globally every year. And more than 7 million of these deaths are from direct tobacco use and around 1.2 million are due to non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke. (With a report from Zamboanga Post and Mindanao Examiner)
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More businesses now allowed under community quarantine ‘IATF releases modified guidelines’ Continued from page 1 forestry, and fishery, as well as those rendering delivery and courier services that are transporting food, medicine and other essential goods to operate at full capacity in ECQ, MECQ and GCQ zones. Private establishments involved in the provision of essential goods and services, media establishments, establishments offering utility relocation work and specified limited works are allowed to operate at a maximum of 50 percent in areas under ECQ and at full capacity in places under MECQ and GCQ, according to the fresh guidelines issued by the IATF-EID. Medical, dental, rehabilitation, and optometry clinics; pharmacies and drug stores; veterinary clinics; banks and money transfer services; capital markets, water supply, and sanitation services and facilities; energy and power firms; telecommunications companies; airline and aircraft maintenance can also resume partial operations in ECQ zones and full operations in MECQ GCQ zones.
The IATF-EID also allows partial operations in ECQ areas and full operations in MECQ and GCQ areas of manufacturing companies; state-run Philippine Postal Corporation and Philippine Statistics Authority; business process outsourcing (BPO) and export-oriented businesses; essential projects; funeral and embalming services; and funeral rites. Humanitarian assistance personnel; security personnel; printing presses; companies engaged in repair and maintenance of machinery and equipment; and real estate activities limited to leasing can also partially operate in areas under ECQ and fully operate in places under MECQ and GCQ. For areas under MECQ, the IATF-EID permits the full operations of media establishments; BPO and export-oriented companies; electric commerce firms; other postal and courier services; establishments involved in rental and leasing; recruitment and placement agencies; and those offering housing services.
The new guidelines still allow the full operations of media establishments; BPO and export-oriented firms; electric commerce companies; other postal and courier services; establishments involved in rental and leasing; recruitment and placement agencies; and those offering housing services in GCQ zones. The IATF-EID also permits the full operations of power, energy, water, and other utilities, agriculture, fishery and forestry industries; food manufacturing and food supply chain businesses; food preparation establishments; and food delivery services in areas where GCQ was enforced. Health-related establishments; the logistics sector; information technology and telecommunication firms; and media establishments are still authorized to operate at full capacity in GCQ zones. Mining and other manufacturing and electric commerce companies, as well as other delivery, repair and main-
PCSO releases more funds for Covid-19 response Continued from page 1 Republic Act 7656, which requires government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) to declare dividends under certain conditions to the national government, and for other purposes. “It is crucial that we all work together with other government agencies to help minimize the negative impact of the pandemic on health systems, social services as well as economic activities,” Garma said. While admitting the PCSO has no revenue for over two months now due to suspension of games, Garma said this will not stop them from aiding the government and the public. “That is why when this is all over, I am calling on the public to donate to PCSO by continuously playing Lotto, STL, Keno, Sweepstakes, Scratch-it games,” she stressed. In March, the PCSO Board of Directors approved the release of P420
million for anti-Covid-19 measures and assistance to the government. The amount was turned over to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhillHealth) to help it shoulder the cost of hospitalization of Covid-19 patients. The PCSO released another P447 million as financial assistance to 82 government hospitals across the country as the financial assistance aims to augment the financial capability of the beneficiary hospitals in catering to Covid-19 patients. Garma said the coverage of the assistance is limited to Covid-19 cases and shall be used for test kits, reagents, medical/ diagnostic equipment, confinement, medicines, laborator y/diagnostic procedures, and personal protective equipment. To capacitate government hospitals, PCSO also released P4.2 million to the Lung Center of the Philippines, Philippine Heart Center, Philippine
General Hospital, Rizal Medical Center and Taguig Pateros District Hospital. Garma said they also approved P63.5 million worth of medical assistance for 6,211 indigent Filipinos across the country. She added that the PCSO provided P6.2 million worth of medical assistance to 867 indigent beneficiaries nationwide. Aside from the financial aid to the government and patients, Garma said the PCSO also extended food packs, alcohol, disinfecting solutions, and masks to police units in Manila and in Davao. “The agency, adhering and complying to the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, emphasizes and strengthens this auxiliary role especially in providing healthcare to Filipinos, bearing a part of the weight and augmenting government efforts in these strained and challenging times,” Garma said.(With a report from the Mindanao Examiner.)
tenance, and housing and office services, can also operate “between 50 percent up to full operational capacity” in areas put under GCQ, according to the guidelines. The IATF-EID also authorizes financial services; legal and accounting, and auditing services; professional, scientific, tech-
nical, and other non-leisure services; and other non-leisure wholesale and retail firms to operate at “50 percent work-on-site arrangement, and without prejudice to work-fromhome and other alternative work arrangements in GCQ areas. ECQ in Cebu and Mandaue cities and
MECQ in Metro Manila, Laguna, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, and Zambales will lapse on May 31.The rest of the areas in the country are under GCQ until May 31. Malacañang earlier said that the nationwide GCQ may likely be imposed in August this year. (Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos)
Duterte says SAP funds lacking Continued from page 1 is stalling his plan to grant cash aid to all poor families affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) outbreak. “The 18 million (indigent families), we’ll be ready and we are prioritizing the five million (families) na hindi nakatangap. Kayo na ho umintindi. Lahat naman tayo nagdudusa and hindi naman natin ‘to gusto,” he said. Each low-income household in the country will get a monthly emergency subsidy worth P5,000 to P8,000 for April and May to help them cope with the Covid-19 crisis, according to Republic Act (RA) 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act. The original number of SAP beneficiaries, as stated under RA 11469, is 18 million. The Inter-Agency Task
Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, however, has agreed with Duterte to extend the financial assistance to five million more poor families, bringing the total number of SAP recipients to 23 million. Duterte said not all the 23 million indigent families could benefit from the implementation of the second phase of the SAP because government funds are already depleting. “Ngayon mag-tipid tayo. Gusto natin na bigyan lahat, ang problema ho wala tayong kita,” he said. He also noted that the government has limited funds because its tax collections fell short since he imposed strict quarantine rules last March to stop the spread of Covid-19. He explained that his government failed to collect taxes because of the tem-
porary stoppage of operations of some businesses amid the health crisis in the country. “Alam naman ninyong walang nagbabayad ng buwis for all of the months that we were under (Covid-19) lockdown or quarantine. So remember, we are short on tax collections,” Duterte said. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said those living in areas under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) are the only qualified to get the second wave of financial assistance. Cebu and Mandaue cities were put under ECQ, while Metro Manila and the provinces of Laguna, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, and Zambales were placed under MECQ from May 16 to 31.
Mocha apologizes over FB post OVERSEAS WORKERS Welfare Administration (OWWA) Deputy Administrator Esther Margaux ‘Mocha’ Uson has apologized to the public for using a photo of a private donation of protective personal equipment (PPEs) lifted from a national newspaper which she claimed had been purchased by the national government. Uson also clarified this with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) after she was subpoenaed to explain her
social media post showing the photo. Uson said it was an honest mistake. The photo of PPEs was a donation from the SM Foundation. “Kahit sino dapat, di porke government official ka, hindi ka maga-appear, so nandito po tayo dahil nag-comply po tayo sa subpoena at pinaliwanag natin ‘yung ating side,” Uson said after admitting that she had mistakenly posted one of the photos, but immediately issued an erratum. “Yung ginawa ko
naman, ay ang intensyon ko, i-inform yung ating mga kababayan na hindi pinababayaan ng gobyerno ang ating mga health workers, mga front-liners, kaya nga dun sa post ko, nai-share ko ‘yung good news na mayroong ginawa ang gobyerno na mag-provide ng PPE sa ating mga front-liners,” she said. NBI Cybercrime Division chief Victor Lorenzo said his office will evaluate the case against Uson and asked her to file a formal affidavit. (Benjamin Pulta)
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Sulu Pictures in the News Sulu provincial government at work. This is where your taxes go. (Photos from the Office of the Provincial Governor, Task Force Covid-19)
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Across : 1. Cobbler’s concern 5. Watering place 8. Manner of walking 12. Identical sibling 13. Beach color 14. Paddy product 15. Prince Charles’s sister 16. Involved 18. ___ Ryan of “You’ve Got Mail” 19. Felt dizzy 20. Airplane feature 22. Atlas chart 25. ___ League 26. Actor ___ De Niro 28. Test for flavor 31. Christmas visitor 32. Communion tables 34. Deep 35. Pod vegetable 36. Baby carriages 41. Pester 42. Perjure oneself 43. Out-of-date 46. Icicle’s spot 47. Color changer 48. Man’s title 49. Tread 50. School official 51. Rescue me! 52. Cherished animals
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PLM accepts additional 3,500 students THE PAMANTASAN ng Lungsod ng Maynila said it is accepting another 3,500 freshmen students for academic year 20202021, bringing the tally of passers to 5,000 applicants who will start their college years under blended learning. This represents onefifth of the 25,000 who applied for the PLM Admission Test, out of which 21,193 applicants took the physical examinations conducted until February. The list of passers can be viewed below. The University will process more applicants whose test schedules were cancelled due to the declaration of enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila, as well as new applicants for the upcoming school year. The final admission exam is scheduled on June 11, which will be done fully online as a necessary adjustment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These PLMAT passers are expected to pursue their undergraduate degree under the “new normal,” with the University tapping blended learning strategies through virtual and out-of-classroom lectures in keeping with physical distancing guidelines. Flexible learning arrangements would like-
wise allow PLM to cater to more students through online solutions. This year’s batch of successful applicants is top performers based on their respective high school performance and admission test scores. The highest admission score was 88.63%. High school grades form part of the assessment for the PLMAT, as these show a student’s potential to sustain good scholastic performance in college. Nearly all passers pursued academic tracks while in senior high school, with two-thirds (62.3%) enrolled under the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics strand. A fifth (20.96%) took the Accountancy, Business and Management strand, while a tenth (10.62%) came from the Humanities and Social Sciences strand. Two-thirds of the current roster of passers is females, while the remaining 34.2% are males. By place of residence, 3,000 or 60% of passers live within the City of Manila. Of these passers, 1,114 are residents of Tondo while 607 come from Sampaloc. The communities of Santa Ana, Malate, and Sta. Cruz also count a combined 752 passers. One-fourth of suc-
cessful examinees come from the rest of Metro Manila, while 14% or 700 passers reside outside the National Capital Region. An increasing number of students from outside Manila have shown interest in taking the PLMAT, making PLM a university of choice among Filipino youth. By course, 560 students have been accepted as Accountancy students, followed by 350 admitted as Civil Engineering freshmen. The College of Engineering and Technology took in the most number of students at 1,288, followed by the PLM Business School with 1,237 students and the College of Science with 698 freshmen. A tenth or 500 of the current passers are yet to determine their courses, as they did not meet the quota requirements of their three preferred courses. They will be interviewed by the Office of Guidance and Testing Services to help them decide on a new degree program. Another set of 500 candidates have been waitlisted, who will be considered during the next round of rankings to include the last batch of examinees this June. (With a report from the Mindanao Examiner.)
Marawi war survivors get psycho-social support Continued from page 1 region. LANDBANK said the PSS activity, dubbed as Mashwara Para Ko Kapamulong (Conversations for Healing), is designed to provide space for community sharing and community-building among IDPs and other individuals affected by violence. It also aimed to identify and prioritize issues within the communities, and come up with common hopes and possible actions to address the identified issues. “The LANDBANK GABAY Program embodies the Bank’s commitment to help communities grow and recover. Since the implementation of the program in 2019, we were able to give hope to many
of our brothers and sisters in Marawi City and Lanao del Sur, helping them rebuild their communities from the catastrophic impact brought about by the five-month-long siege in 2017,” LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo said. To continue the conversations with internally displaced adults, LANDBANK facilitated post-PSS activities, such as the Mashwara Corners, in partner-communities where participants shared their personal journeys since completing the Mashwara Para Ko Kapamulong activities. And for the internally displaced children, LANDBANK conducted a series of children’s festival which
included games, storytelling and learning sessions. A unique feature of the PSS program is the incorporation of eco-therapy where LANDBANK mounted various workshops and hands-on trainings on natural farming to share and emphasize its importance as an introduction to a sustainable way of living and healing. As part of the main components of the GABAY Program, LANDBANK also held a series of trainings of trainers on PSS, with a total of 101 graduates. They eventually served as facilitators in the conduct of PSS activities and other interventions for the conflict-torn communities. (With a report from the Mindanao Examiner.)
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LGUs appeal to allow motorcycle passenger
C
EBU CITY – Local officials in Consolacion town and the cities of Carcar and Talisay in Cebu province have appealed to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to allow motorcycle drivers to carry one passenger, especially in remote villages unreachable to four-wheel vehicles. DOTr said motorcycles are Mayor Joannes Alegado of Conso- back-riding for motorcycles beprohibited from having passen- lacion town said allowing motorcy- cause it is the main transportation gers and instead encourage the cle back-riding would help address in the city, especially for family use of bicycles. It said the ban on the problem on lack of transport members,” Gullas said. back riders is part of the safety services in their areas, especially When the community quarguidelines that reduce contact, in far-flung villages unreachable to antine protocols began in Cebu transmission, and spread of the four-wheel vehicles. last March, the DOTr announced coronavirus disease. Gullas appealed to DOTs to the ban on motorcycle back-riding, Talisay Mayor Gerald An- allow motorcycle back-riding for even between family members, to thony Gullas and Carcar City Vice spouses and members of the same avoid close contact which may Mayor Nicepuro Apura and and family. “I would like to appeal that cause transmission of coronavirus
disease. Gullas said, however, that he is hoping DOTr would look at the situation on the ground. “Hopefully, they can reconsider their position,” he said. For his part, Apura said motorcycles have already become a means of public transportation which have been patronized by city folks. “There may be no harm in allowing a couple as driver and back-rider of a motorcycle,” he said, adding that checkpoint personnel could ascertain if the
PTFoMS close to solving slay of Dumaguete broadcaster
Rex Pepino (PTFoMS) AUTHORITIES ARE close to solving the murder of a veteran radio broadcaster in Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental province after several breakthroughs in the investigation may lead to the identities of the killers and their mastermind. Undersecretary Joel Egco, Executive Director of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS), said they have gathered pieces of evidence and are pursuing several persons of interest (POIs) to shed light in the killing of Rex Pepino. Pepino, who worked at radio station dyMD, and his wife Colen, were heading home on a motorcycle when 2 gunmen, also on a motorcycle blocked, their path in Daro village on the evening of May 5 and shot him several times at close range. The woman’s life was spared by the killer who escaped after the attack.
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Egco said the Dumaguete City Police Office, and the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office, including the National Bureau of Investigation are on the forefront in resolving Pepino’s murder. “We will follow where the evidence leads us. Charge those who will hamper your investigation,” he told Dumaguete City police chief, Lt. Col. Wilfredo Alarcon Jr, and NBI Agent-in-Charge, Atty. Jose Ermie Monsato. Both Alarcon and Monsato reported major breakthroughs in their investigation, including the identification of the car allegedly used in tailing Pepino until after he was killed and some POIs, according to Egco. But Egco said one of the POIs had been killed by motorcycle gunmen on May 12 even before the police could serve a warrant to search his house. “It’s theatrical. Just like in the movies where one of the suspects is killed to tie some loose ends. Hindi naman tayo ipinanganak kahapon,” he said. The PTFoMS, chaired by Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, also held a video conference to discuss the progress of the investigation and the meeting was attended by Justice Undersecretary Markk Perete and PTFoMS Co-Chairman and Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar. Egco said upon the recommendation of Perete, a task force led by a local member of the National Prosecution Service will be formed. Perete also gave in-
structions to the PTFoMS to secure Pepino’s wife and place her under the government’s Witness Protection Program. Andanar assured Pepino’s family that the government will not rest until the brains behind the broadcaster’s murder have been identified and brought to justice. Provincial police chief, Col. Julian Entoma reported that they have identified the car used in surveilling Pepino and also as a getaway vehicle of the killers. Egco said CCTV footage obtained by investigators showed a suspicious grey car parked near Pepino’s radio station on the night of the murder and was later seen tailing the broadcaster and his wife after they left dyMD. “Do what you have to do. I know the intense pressure you are experiencing there. Do not be cowed by anyone. All these findings will be reported to the President, the Executive Secretary; Secretary of Justice and Secretary Andanar. Those who will come in the way and obstruct (the investigation) will be dealt with accordingly,” Egco told authorities handling the murder case. He said the car’s registration was later traced to the Provincial Assessor’s Office and police investigators, armed with a search warrant issued by a court searched the vehicle and recovered crucial evidence, including fingerprints. But authorities are still searching for an orange sedan that was allegedly used by the suspects. Egco stressed that more
Eastern Mindanao
breakthroughs in the case are forthcoming, including the identified of the suspects. “It is becoming increasingly clear that the motive behind the killing of Rex Pepino was to silence him. We are on the verge of solving this case. PTFoMS will not leave any stone unturned until the perpetrators and the mastermind behind this gruesome act are put behind bars,” Egco said. He reminded journalists to report to the PTFoMS any threat to their safety so it can be acted upon immediately. “You can count on us. We will provide you with necessary assistance and security if you feel that your lives are being threatened in any way,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner)
back-rider is indeed the spouse of the driver by asking them to show proof. He maintained that measures could be implemented to prevent the occurrence of traffic congestion when motorcycles would be stopped to check the relationship between the motorcycle driver and the back-rider. Alegado said he prefers motorcycle taxis as a mode of transportation since physical distancing is usually not observed in four-wheel vehicles being used to transport commuters. He noted that motorcycle drivers could wear masks and use alcohol as sanitizers to prevent the spread of the coronavirus to their back-rider. According to DOTs, transportation in moderate and low-risk areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) resumed operations at reduced capacity to ensure compliance with strict safety measures against Covid-19. “Public transportation in the road sector will be available in areas declared under GCQ but we will strictly impose health safety standards at all times to ensure the safety of our drivers and passengers,” said DOTr Assistant Secretary for the Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark Richmund de Leon. All permitted PUVs (public utility vehicles) and transport terminals and operators must adhere to all three essential components dictated in the protocol and guide-
lines - safety, capacity and coverage and scope. Safety refers to guidelines that reduce contact, transmission, and spread of the virus through the mandatory use of face masks and gloves for drivers. Thorough disinfecting practices of vehicles, terminals, and even among passengers are also required. Capacity and passenger load factors will be required for each mode of transportation to ensure that physical distancing is followed. Passenger load for public utility buses (PUBs) and public utility jeepneys (PUJs) should not exceed 50 percent or half of the vehicle’s capacity, excluding driver and conductor. For UV Express and taxis, passenger load should not exceed two passengers per row, except for the driver’s row where only one passenger is allowed. Tricycles, on the other hand, must not exceed one passenger in the side-car, while back-riding will not be allowed. As for private vehicle owners, private cars and motorcycles will be allowed to operate for the purpose of essential travels as defined by the Inter-Agency Task Force. Cars will only be allowed one passenger to occupy the front passenger seat, while front-facing seats shall not exceed two passengers per row. (John Rey Saavedra. With additional report from Cebu Examiner.)
Cebu town develops app to track movements of residents CEBU CITY – A town in Cebu province has developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered application in tracking residents within the municipality as part of an effort to combat the spread of the deadly coronavirus disease especially during the general community quarantine (GCQ) period. Consolacion town Mayor Joannes Alegado said personnel stationed at quarantine control points are now using the Conan app to identify the destination of quarantine pass holders. Since the municipality of Consolacion has been placed under GCQ, more residents, especially workers, are leaving their
Western Mindanao
homes, Alegado said. “The application would help monitor their locations on a particular day. Quarantine passes are scanned every time the holder goes through checkpoints, which would be downloaded to the database,” he said. Through Conan’s location logger, the database would help health authorities in the contact tracing efforts in case they discovered positive Covid-19 patients within the town. Alegado also said members of the local police force can also use the Conan app in scanning the workers’ permit and authority to operate of businessmen upon passing through the
Cebu
checkpoints. The Conan automated chat assistant also provides quick responses to queries related to Covid-19 as well as updates from the local government, he said, adding, the system is available 24/7. Michael Dino, the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas, lauded the Conan app. His spokesman, Titus Borromeo, said the app is helping Consolacion town keep track of the movement of its residents as part of the efforts to combat the coronavirus disease. (Ramil Ayuman. With a report from the Cebu Examiner.)
Manila