Filipino crew member stuck on cruise ship commits suicide
Virgin Voyages cruise ship Scarlet Lady (AFP)
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A FILIPINO cruise ship crew member died of self-inflicted harm, the US Coast Guard said last week as it confirmed the latest in a series of apparent suicides among such workers trapped at sea because of the coronavirus pandemic. A 32-year-old worker Continue on page 3
THE LARGEST bulk of the P100-billion budget for the second tranche of emergency subsidies under the national government’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP) will be electronically distributed to indigent families, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said.
He said the government intends to give the second wave of payouts to SAP beneficiaries through electronic cash transfers to ensure faster distribution of the cash aid amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. “Not a whole [of P100
billion] will be downloaded to the government anymore because we’re hoping that bulk of it will be transferred electronically to the beneficiaries,” Roque said. Just last month, the Department of Social Welfare and Continue on page 2
2nd SAP aid to be given via e-transfer
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Mindanao, BARMM now under MGCQ I
NTER-AGENCY Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infection Diseases or IATF-EID has placed the whole of Mindanao, including Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces - except Zamboanga and Davao cities - under moderate general community quarantine or MGCQ until June 15 despite the rising number of new coronavirus cases in the country. Continue on page 3
China may develop potential Covid vaccine, says Duterte
Members of the Chinese medical expert team pose for a group photo with Algerian government officials and members of the Chinese Embassy in Algeria at the Algiers International Airport in Algiers, Algeria, May 28, 2020. A team of Chinese medical experts on Thursday ended their mission to help tackle the Covid-19 epidemic in Algeria after two-week work. The Chinese medical expert team arrived in Algeria on May 14 to help fight the coronavirus, through sharing China’s experiences in the spread of the contagious disease. (Xinhua) READ STORY ON PAGE 3
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GCQ extended in Zambo, Davao THE NATIONAL government has extended until June 15 the implementation of the general community quarantine or GCQ in Zamboanga City following new cases of novel coronavirus or Covid-19 in recent days. Zamboanga has nearly 150 positive Covid-19 cases and four confirmed mortalities, although related deaths were more than 130 and suspected infections almost 1,200. The decision to extend the GCQ was based on Resolution 40 issued by the Inter-agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases or IATFEID approved and signed by Health Secretary Francisco Duque, the IATFEID chairman; and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei Nograles, co-chairman. In Mindanao, only Zamboanga City and Davao City are under an extended GCQ while the rest of the provinces and cities in the southern region, including the Muslim autonomous region are placed under moderate GCQ until June 15. Mayor Beng Climaco, chairperson of the local Task Force Covid-19, said the local government adopted the IATF-EID resolution. “We are calling on residents to continue strict compliance of GCQ guidelines and help curb the spread of the virus,” she said, adding, the wearing of face mask and physical distancing will
strictly remain to prevent the spread of the deadly respiratory disease. Climaco said hotel operations are now partially allowed, but limited only for existing longterm bookings. She said public and private construction projects shall be allowed subject to strict compliance with the Revised Construction Safety Guidelines of the Department of Public Works and Highways such as the following: Only 21-59 years old without pre-existing health conditions are allowed to work and construction personnel shall undergo quarantine for 14 days prior to deployment or undergo any available FDA-approved (Food and Drug Administration of the Philippines) Covid-19 test; workers housed in barracks for project duration, with segregated facilities and initial transport via private shuttle; quarantine passes for onsite employees for local government and private construction projects; quarantine pass shall be issued by the City Engineer’s Office while for other government projects, it shall be issued by the implementing agency. And during deployment, Climaco said workers shall practise safe distancing and must be disinfect every day and errands outside the construction site should be minimized. There must
also be mandatory quarantine for all personnel returning from outside and deliveries and disposal of garbage or wastes should be handled by a separate team and protective suits must be available for all employees. There must also be safety officer to ensure compliance of the Revised Construction Safety Guidelines. Climaco said residents must strictly follow quarantine guidelines, saying, the current curfew hours from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. will also stay. The mayor has been praised many times over for how the local government handles the health and humanitarian crisis brought about by the pandemic. Dr Tony Leachon, of the Manila Doctors Hospital, who visited Zamboanga recently to inspect the Covid-19 testing facilities, praised Climaco for her leadership in battling the pandemic. “We are extremely impressed by the able leadership of City Mayor Isabelle ‘Beng’ Climaco,” he said. The local government has been effective in controlling the spread of the pandemic because of the early imposition of the enhanced community quarantine and continued information campaign in villages. (Zamboanga Post. With a report from the Mindanao Examiner.)
2nd SAP aid to be given via e-transfer Continued from page 1 Development (DSWD) launched the web application “ReliefAgad” to speed up the distribution of emergency subsidies to low-income Filipino households affected by the health crisis. ReliefAgad, a quick-relief system, would allow DSWD to quickly get the details of SAP beneficiaries and distribute the cash aid through an electronic payment using their smartphones. Roque said any inconvenience would now be avoided since SAP recipients need not claim the financial assistance from their local government units (LGUs). “We’re going to amend the way the second tranche of SAP will be distributed. We’re primarily availing now of electronic means so most of the beneficiaries will be receiving through electronic means, no longer through local government units. Given the mode of distribution
now chosen by the DSWD, I think it will be a lot faster compared to the first one,” he said. Many SAP beneficiaries have complained about the supposed irregularities in the LGUs’ distribution of emergency subsidies. In an effort to stop the supposed involvement of local officials in corrupt activities, Roque said the military would help in the distribution of cash aid to poor households who do not want the automated disbursement of emergency subsidies. “And the rest who opt to receive them in cash, that’s where we will physically distribute them anew with the assistance of the armed forces, but still with the coordination of the local government units,” he said. SAP, the national government’s P200-billion program, grants monthly emergency subsidy ranging from P5,000 to P8,000 to low-income families
for the months of April and May to help them cope with the Covid-19 outbreak. Around P100 billion have already been released for the implementation of the first phase of SAP. Some 18 million poor families, as provided under Republic Act 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, would receive the first tranche of the cash aid. For the second tranche of emergency subsidies, only the 12 million of 18 million families who are living in areas under enhanced community quarantine will get the assistance. An additional 5 million indigent families will join the 12 million under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program, one of the 13 social amelioration packages under SAP that grants outright cash of either P3,000 or P5,000, and P25,000 burial aid for those whose family member dies due to Covid-19.(PNA)
Hustisya, hiling para sa pinaslang na MSU professor GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Patuloy na humihingi ng hustisya ang pamilya at kaanak ng napaslang na professor ng Mindanao State University sa General Santos City. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin nahuhuli ang mga salarin na pumatay kay Mohammad Taha Abdulgapor. Binaril ito noong nakaraang linggo habang pauwi sa kanyang bahay kasama ang asawang si Salimah na sugatan rin sa pananambang. Sakay ng kotse ang mag-asawa at pabalik na sa kanilang lugar sa bayan ng Polomolok sa South Cotabato ng banatan. Nabatid na naka-buntot sa kotse ang mga salarin na sakay ng isang motorsiklo at ng makalapit ay doon na ito umatake at agad na tumakas.
Nakabangga pa ng isang tricycle ang kotse ni Abdulgapor nang pumagilid ito hanggang sa bumalandra sa isang puno sa tabi ng kalsada. Mabilis na naisugod ang mga biktima sa pagamutan, ngunit binawian rin ng buhay ang bikitma habang ginagamot. Inaalam pa ang motibo sa krimen, ayon kay Vasquez. Agad naman kinondena ni MSU President Habib Macaayong ang pagpatay kay Abdulgapor. Tinawag ni Macaayong na isang “peace educator” ang nasawi na kilalang civil society leader at miyembro rin ng local monitoring team at respetadong Islamic Studies professor sa MSU-General Santos. “His untimely demise is a great loss to the MSU System community and
the general public. Indeed, we have lost a man who had dedicated his life to building bridges of peace in a multicultural, multi-faith community,” ani Macaayong. “The MSU system, as a peace university, condemns the heinous act of violence that cut short the life of Professor Taha, and demands that justice must prevail. Our sincerest condolences go to his bereaved family, and we pray that they be granted strength and patience by the Almighty in this difficult time,” dagdag pa nito. Miyembro rin si Abdulgapor ng Moro Islamic Liberation Front local monitoring team in South Catabato at nagsilbi sa Bangsamoro Development Authority. (Asangan Madale at Rhoderick Beñez)
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Mindanao, BARMM now under MGCQ
Continued from page 1 The IATF-EID is chaired by Health Secretary Francisco Duque and co-chaired by Cabi-
net Secretary Karlo Alexei Norgrales who both signed Resolution No. 40 on May 27 and approved by President Rodrigo
Duterte. Duterte also placed the National Capital Region under general community quarantine (GCQ)
China may develop potential Covid vaccine, says Duterte PRESIDENT RODRIGO Duterte said China may be among the first countries to develop a potential vaccine against the coronavirus disease or Covid-19, adding, it could even be available as early as September. “Just pray that the vaccine, ang target nila is September. September I think China will be able to distribute if I’m not mistaken. And the other countries are catching up. Everybody is at it so they are really trying their very best,” Duterte said. Duterte lauded China’s humility, reiterating his confidence that it would succeed in its endeavor to provide immunity against the deadly respiratory disease. “Kaya lang itong China hindi ito hambog. Wala itong ere, but you know, they work and I’m very sure that they will be the first one, one of the countries that would be able to come up with a vaccine,” he said. The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has approved the Philippines’
collaboration with organizations Adimmune Corporation, Academia Sinica, Chinese Academy of Science-Guangzhou Institute of Biomedicine and Health, and Sinopharma-Wuhan Institute of Biological Products and Beijing Institute on clinical trials for vaccines they were developing. Once finished, the clinical trials will also be one of the requirements for the vaccine registration process by the Food and Drug Administration. Duterte, in previous speeches, said he was looking for funds for the immediate purchase of dosages of the vaccine once it is available and assured the public the national government is ready to implement an immunization plan should a vaccine roll out in the future. Since a vaccine has yet to be developed, Duterte renewed his call to observe health and safety precautions such as wearing of face masks, physical distancing, and frequent washing of hands despite easing quarantine restrictions. “Remember the Covid
microbes are still in the air that you breathe, that you pass on to your fellowmen if you are not ready or willing to wear the mask. It is precisely, this is the protection not for you if you do not want it, but for the protection of the other guy,” he said. Duterte also justified his decision to impose community quarantines across the country to prevent the spread of the virus after it spread from the Chinese city of Wuhan in December. “So that to prevent a mass contagion, gusto namin putulin kung saan namin maputol to stop it. That is the reason of the essence of the police power of the state, to come up with measures to protect public interest, public health, public safety, lahat nandiyan na yan,” he said. After relaxing quarantine protocols across the country, Duterte said although the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases has surpassed 15,000, the country still has a low fatality rate so far. (By Azer Parrocha. With additional report from Mindanao Examiner.)
Filipino crew member stuck on cruise ship commits suicide Continued from page 1 on a ship called Scarlet Lady, the only cruise ship owned by Virgin Voyages, died of “apparent self-harm,” the Coast Guard said. The Florida-based company founded by British billionaire Richard Branson expressed its condolences over the death of its employee but gave no details of what happened. The ship was to have made its maiden voyage in March but it was cancelled because of the pandemic, so the vessel has been in limbo off the coast of Florida ever since, with its crew
trapped on board. A specialized blog called Cruise Law News, which first reported the latest death quoting anonymous sources on the ship, said it was not clear exactly when the Filipino man died. It said he worked as a cleaner in the ship’s living quarters for guests. The ship docked in Miami last Friday for the body to be taken away, the blog and the Miami Herald reported. In May alone, at least six cruise ship crew members around the world died of causes not related to the pandemic. Five of them were apparently
cases of suicide. Cruise ship lines face daunting logistical challenges to repatriate tens of thousands of crew members who have not set foot on dry land in more than two months and have been living at sea in limbo. Many have no word on when they might return home. These repatriations depend to a large extent on the health and safety measures in place at a given port and on travel restrictions imposed by destination countries, some of which did not even let their own citizens return because of the global health crisis. (AFP)
starting June 1. MGCQ refers to the transition between general community quarantine or GCQ and the “New Normal”, when the following temporary measures are relaxed and become less necessary limiting movement and transportation, the regulation of operating industries, and the presence of uniformed personnel to enforce community quarantine protocols. Duterte also instructed Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque to announce places where there will be changes depending on what the President called “the viability of the place to meet the challenges of Covid-19.” “The state has every right to control your movement if you pass on the contagion to the population,” Duterte said as he expressed confidence
that Filipinos will follow quarantine protocols. “The level of confidence is very high. Unang-una, napatunayan ng mga Pilipino na kaya nilang sumunod dahil naman by and large ‘no, itong more than 70 days na tayo ay nagkaroon ng ECQ at MECQ ay pinatunayan natin na disiplinado po ang mga Pilipino,” Roque said. Roque said the public know that stricter quarantine rules could be re-imposed should there be a sharp increase in the Covid-19 cases. “Tingin ko alam din ng mga Pilipino na mas malaki iyong magiging banta sa kanilang buhay at kabuhayan kung sa puntong ito, matapos na nawalan ng 70 days tayo at nakakulong lang tayo sa ating mga pamamahay ay babalik sila sa dati,” he said. Roque said case doubling time or the time it
takes for the number of Covid-19 cases to double in number, along with the critical care capacity and economics are the top considerations that experts and the IATF are looking at in basing recommendations with regard to community quarantine decisions. “At siyempre po importante rin, balansehin natin iyan, iyong ating ekonomiya dahil kung buhay naman tayo sa Covid pero wala naman tayong hanap-buhay eh ganoon din po ang suma-total,” he said. The Department of Health said there are more than 15,000 positive Covid-19 cases in the country with more than 900 deaths, according to Roque. “Let me put it this way, habang walang bakuna, habang wala pong gamot, talagang tataas ang numero ng Covid-19 cases,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner)
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June 1-7, 2020
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, and Jolo Municipal Government)
June 1-7, 2020
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Sulu Pictures in the News
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June 1-7, 2020
Across : 1. French buddy 4. Party 8. Military supplies 12. Writing tablet 13. Aloud 14. Brad 15. Sign up again 17. Floor covering 18. Chile’s mountains 19. Greeting word 20. She, to Pierre 22. Fire alarm 24. Luau necklace 25. Serious 29. School assignment 33. Serious injury 34. Clothes cabinet 36. Chafe 37. Shallow dish 39. Swine 40. Host ___ King 43. Necklace part 45. Concept 46. Briefest 49. Intend 50. Retained 51. Cry of surprise 52. Scandinavian capital 53. The ___ of March 54. Fisherman’s snare
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28. File labels 30. High voice 31. Greasy 32. Pro-gun org. 35. Engraved 38. Marry clandestinely 39. DDE’s predecessor 40. Star’s car 41. Fruit beverages 42. Not imaginary 44. Humanities 46. Go downhill 47. That gal 48. Create lace
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June 1-7, 2020
Pagadian City Airport, ready na!
(Photos and news by Asenso Pagadian) Pagadian City airport in Zamboanga del Sur province PAGADIAN CITY Nagpahigayon og simulation exercise ang Pagadian City Airport para sa tanang umaabot nga departing ug arriving passengers kung mabalik na ang byahe sa eroplano sa syudad. Ang airport management nag butang og mga physical distancing markers sa sulod og gawas sa airport building, hand washing area, foot bath mat, og moagi tanang pasahero
og thermal gun checking sa dili pa mosulod sa airport building. Kining mga preventive measures sa airport kay hingpit pagatumanon gayud. Tanang bagahe o kargo sa mga pasahero (departing & arriving) kay i-disinfect pa sa dili pa isulod sa airport o sa dili pa igawas sa arrival area inig abot. Gi-awhag ang tanang mga umaabot nga pasahero sa eroplano nga
mo adto na sa Pagadian City Airport kung mahimo 2 hours before the flight para iwas aberya og mapatuman gyud ang mga protocols. Atol sa simulation, anaa nag obserba ang Pagadian Covid-19 Task Force nga gipangulohan ni Dr. Noel Ceniza og City Administrator Vince Quipot, Integrated Provincial Health Officer Dr. Ramon Blancia ug Dr. Maria Rovel Blancia. (Asenso Pagadian)
WHO suspends hydroxychloroquine trials for Covid-19 THE WORLD Health Organization (WHO) said it is temporarily halting a clinical trial of the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine for treating coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) patients due to safety concerns. The announcement follows the publication recently by the Lancet medical journal of an observational study on hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine and their effects on hospitalized Covid-19 patients. “The Executive Group has implemented a temporary pause of the hydroxychloroquine arm within the Solidarity Trial while the safety data is reviewed by the Data Safety Monitoring Board,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. He said more than two months ago, the WHO initiated its “Solidarity Trial” to evaluate the safety and efficacy of four drugs and drug combinations against Covid-19. On April 19, US President Donald Trump said he had been taking hy-
droxychloroquine, which he has repeatedly touted for the treatment of coronavirus patients. “A lot of good things have come out about the hydroxy. You’d be surprised at how many people are taking it, especially the frontline workers. I happen to be taking it. I’m taking it, hydroxychloroquine. Right now,” he said. More than 400 hospitals in 35 countries are actively recruiting patients and nearly 3,500 patients had been enrolled from 17 countries to test the drug, the WHO said. The study published in the Lancet peer-reviewed journal looked at more than 96,000 virus patients. It found a higher risk of abnormal heartbeats, or arrhythmias, that could cause a heart attack in those treated with hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine. The Lancet study looked at patient medical records in 671 hospitals across six continents, making it the most extensively published evaluation of the drug’s impacts on coronavirus patients. Tedros said the Lan-
cet report researchers found a higher mortality rate among patients receiving the drug when used alone or with a macrolide. “I wish to reiterate that these drugs are accepted as generally safe for use in patients with autoimmune diseases or malaria,” he said. The Executive Group of the WHO’s Solidarity Trial, representing 10 of the participating countries, met Saturday and agreed to review a comprehensive analysis and critical appraisal of all evidence available globally. “The review will consider data collected so far in the Solidarity Trial and, in particular, robust randomized available data to adequately evaluate the potential benefits and harms from this drug,” Tedros said. Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of the WHO’s health emergencies program, said, “We’re just acting on an abundance of caution based on the recent results of other studies to ensure that we can continue safely with that arm of the trial.”
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Pinoy board topnotcher worked as toilet cleaner before becoming a nurse in Australia MILLIONS OF medical health workers are risking their lives every day because of the COVID-19 outbreak. Filipino nurse Suharto Jundam, however, wouldn’t have it any other way. Suharto, or “Jao” to his friends, was the seventh placer in the 2015 nursing board exams. Despite being a board topnotcher, Jao had worked as a toilet cleaner, fish vendor, “barbeque boy,” and waiter. It was only after three years of struggling in these odd jobs that he was finally able to practice his profession as a registered nurse in Australia. The Sulu-born nurse recounted his journey in an interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) on March 21, 2020, via Facebook Messenger. According to Jao, it started after he graduated from Manila Tytana Colleges and took the board exam shortly afterwards. He recalled, “It was 2015 when I topped the board exam. “It was also in the same year when I first moved to Australia just to get a glimpse of how it feels like to live here [Australia]. I was undecided pa kasi if I’ll study nursing in AU or proceed to med school in the Philippines.” He continued, “I came back to the Philippines in 2016. In 2017, nag-aral na ako sa Canberra, Australia. I had to do a one-year conversion course at the University of Canberra.” Living in Australia was not easy for Jao. “I lived with a Filipino family in a shared house, so I had to pay rent and share expenses din. I had to take on many odd jobs to help my family pay my expenses. Even though my tita—who has been living in AU and is really sup-
Jao Jundam, a 2015 board topnotcher, has beaten the odds to become a registered nurse in Australia. Not even the scare of Covid-19 can stop him from heeding his call of duty. (Jao Jundam Facebook) portive of me—handed me her debit card so that I can buy whatever I need, I told myself that I’ll try to earn to support myself, self-sufficiency kumbaga,” he said. JAO’S BLUE-COLLAR JOBS Because he still didn’t have the license to work as a registered nurse in Australia, Jao was compelled to take any job available to him. “I worked for two weeks as barbeque boy, then nine months sa fish market, more than one year din as a cleaner. Iyong ibang jobs, super short lang kasi basta may mapasukan lang na trabaho,” he recalled. The 25-year-old nurse also detailed his challenges on his viral Facebook post dated January 28. He wrote: “I [had] to walk for one hour in the freezing winter morning of Canberra just to work and sell fish in Belconnen market... I also had to fry liempo under the blazing hot summer of Canberra during its annual Noodle Markets.” With his meager sala-
ry, Jao was “mindful of the number of meals” he ate in a day.”I had to cook two ulams, which were often sinigang and tinola, because they’re the easiest and cheapest to cook. Once I have cooked them, I separate them in containers [equivalent to] three a day, so that it will suffice for a week. I also remember buying a five-dollar cake and slicing it in seven so that I can only eat one slice per day,” he stated. While Jao was struggling to finance his daily expenses, he was also experiencing several setbacks in the university. He detailed: “I had to fail multiple times in Uni [university] due to the culture shock I have experienced while studying in Australia. I have even been accused of plagiarism, which put my last semester in jeopardy. But each time Jao fell, he would get back on his feet and tell himself,”Kaya ko pa. Ako pa ba?” Jao told PEP.ph that thinking of his family kept
him going. “They know I’m struggling kaya super support naman sila, but I didn’t want them to be worried,” he said. Rather than dwell on his problems, he decided to spare his family the details of struggles abroad. “I managed to do all of these because I have a goal to achieve, iyon siguro iyong naging motivation ko—to really endure all of those jobs and challenges. So Alhamdulillah (thank God), I was able to support myself naman,” he said. After finishing his course at the University of Canberra, Jao continued to live with his tita and her family in Brisbane. JAO BECOMES A FRONTLINER IN THE BATTLE AGAINST COVID-19 In February 2018, Jao received his certification as a nurse in Australia. “I just feel so blessed. Not just because I’ve achieved my goal of becoming a registered nurse, but also because through all those ups and downs, my family was there with me, 110 percent!” he said. Next, he took a master’s degree in Acute Care Nursing at Griffith University in South East Queensland, Australia. There, he also became an International Students Ambassador. Today, Jao works in the frontline of Australia’s battle against COVID-19. Passion, along with the lessons he learned in the past, has been keeping him mo-
tivated every day. “I work 24-hour shifting job, which didn’t really change since the outbreak. So. I still do morning (7am-2:30pm), afternoon (2:30pm-11pm), and night (11pm-7am),” the nurse said. “And to survive rotating shifts, ‘di ko rin alam, e. Basta nagagawa na lang kahit abnormal na ang sleeping pattern ko. “Rotating shift kami, so walang definitive off.” Jao, who now lives on his own, usually spends his day-off in isolation. He continued: “And because of the outbreak, I just spend time alone at home during my off or go to my family [in Brisbane] if mahaba-haba ang off.” Although his family and girlfriend are anxious about his first-hand exposure to the coronavirus, Jao is not backing down from his oath. “Siyempre mahirap, nakakakaba. Kasi kahit anong ayaw nila ako magtrabaho, I can’t and I won’t stop kasi I’ve chosen this profession. And I love this profession. Ito kasi iyong time na talagang kailangan kami ng mga tao, so kahit takot din ako na mahawaan, mas nangigibabaw iyong kagustuhan kong magserbisyo,” he said. JAO’S WORRY FOR THE PEOPLE BACK HOME Jao said he is inspired to work because of the first-rate healthcare system of Australia. He detailed that, “based on my experience, Australia has always had an efficient healthcare delivery system, not just
when it comes to handling COVID-19, but also for the general healthcare system. At the moment, we do have enough supply, though of course, nagtitipid na rin kami especially when it comes to personal protective equipment. Healthcare worker-wise, presently, the supply still meets the demand, pero siyempre due to the increasing cases of COVID-19, we can expect shortage in the future,” he narrated. Having spent most of his life in the Philippines, the Australia-based nurse is fearful of the situation in his homeland. Jao revealed this in a Facebook post uploaded on March 14. He said (published as is) “I am afraid of the virus, but I am more afraid of how will our healthcare system in the Philippines cater to those who are confirmed infected with the virus. It’s not the virus that kills the person; it’s the inability to provide timely and appropriate management to those who are sick. The virus doesn’t kill, it’s the complications that occur due to prolonged illnesses following an inefficient healthcare system. A huge percentage of Covid-infected individuals recover due to the accessibility and availability of resources in [their] countries.” Still, Jao hopes that this pandemic would teach us all to be more appreciative and grateful. “I’m looking forward to seeing the world change—na sana, when this storm has passed, we see the good things that we have in life that we often take for granted. Small things such as spending time with family, appreciating the food that we have on our tables (panic buying is crazy!), and even waking up alive the next day,” he told PEP.ph. “May this virus show us that we are all in this together, no race, color, gender, nationality, or any sector that separates one person from another. I really pray and hope that this will be over soon. The first quarter of 2020 has been too much for us, so sana the remaining months will be full of blessings and blissful moments na,” Jao concluded. (By Justine Ounzalan – PEP.ph)
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Property developers visualize ‘pandemic-proof’ buildings
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HE CORONAVIRUS pandemic has brought new things to consider in the business sector as people escalate their standards on safety and health. Top property ence, shared their expertise future pandemics. In a redevelopers of the Philip- in creating a ‘healthy build- cent episode of real estate pines, in a video confer- ing’ that will stand against platform Lamudi’s seminar,
Pinay healthcare worker in US shares Covid story FOR A US-based Filipina medical front-liner infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), there is no obstacle that she can’t handle because survival means taking charge and understanding what has to be done to take care of oneself, and working with government and medical authorities to flatten the curve, Beth Mayran, 56, of Calbayog City in Samar, is a health care worker for almost 16 years in one of the suburban hospitals in Illinois. In February, she was one of those assigned to take care of patients - though not on a daily basis - in the newly opened Covid-19 Unit at the hospital where she worked. Hardworking as most Filipinos overseas are, Beth developed Covid symptoms in early April after all the days of exposure to Covid patients. “The first five days I just called off from work and self-isolated myself based on our safety and standard protocol. Those first five days I had chills, body aches, and fevers. I took only Tylenol to ease my fever, but it only lowered my fever for two hours, then fever up to 104.7 Fahrenheit continued to persist,” she narrated. After reaching out to her hospital’s Employee Health services, she was tested on April 13 and the result came back positive. She was advised to stop taking Tylenol so as not to mask the healing
process. She was neither encouraged to be in the hospital unless she develops chest tightness or respiratory distress. Most of their facility’s Covid patients, she said, are treated of their underlying medical conditions or if they have immunocompromised conditions. Since there is no proven medication yet that directly treats Covid-19, Beth personally preferred to self-isolate at home than be in the hospital. “I openly spoke to my family at home about our plan and safety precautions while I stayed in the basement of our house strictly isolated so as not to compromise my family while I combat the disease,” she said. She admitted to having struggled for two weeks, fighting the virus with no medication at all. On April 26, 18 days after self-isolation, she finally loosened up the grip of the virus in her body. Strict discipline, mindset “It is strict discipline and process of thoughts. Focus and self-awareness are vital to get through it. Having no medication, mindset is very important too. I used a basic approach both traditional and practical to fight the disease,” she said. She recalled that she lost her sense of taste and smell at the height of her struggle with the virus, and having high fever and chills almost every day for 12 days coupled with body aches and dry cough
Beth Mayran, a health care worker for almost 16 years in one of the suburban hospitals in Illinois, says coronavirus tested her faith to believe when that’s all the option for her, to hope against hope and to never cave in unless surrendering means winning. (Contributed photo)
ARMM
easily drained her strength. “There were days that I can only tolerate drinking water, freshly squeezed juices, homemade ginger tea, and salted water. I just regained my appetite a few days ago,” she said. Support system In life’s ups and downs, people need others who listen, understand, and can be depended upon during tough times. The positive benefits of support system proved true for Beth whose family provided a reason for her higher level of well-being, and better coping skills. “My family is so supportive of me. They assisted me with my needs while adhering to the mandated social distancing, good hand washing, and using masks at home,” she said. Although they only communicate by phone and that they only leave her food and drinks outside her room door, she said having open communication with them eased possible misunderstandings, unnecessary fears, and the risk of transmitting the virus to other members of the family. God is strength in her weakest Although it wasn’t an easy fight for Beth, she attributes her courage and resilience to get through with the virus to her childhood life and upbringing in a remote village in Samar. “This virus tested my faith to believe when that’s all the option for me, to hope against hope and to never cave in unless surrendering means winning. It’s spirit over matter. I always believe that in my weakest, God is my strength,” she said. She admits to being a private person but is happy to share her experience if it can uplift a little to kababayans (fellow Filipinos) to stay focused and be cooperative to the mandates of leaders and help in containing this disease. “I want to be strong and be ready to work this coming week,” she said, adding that she already attended an office online town hall meeting the other day through WebEx. Beth’s experience offers a portrait of people rising to meet extraordinary challenges of fighting this global pandemic. (Gigie Arcilla)
Eastern Mindanao
the developers highlighted the high-performance ventilation strategies and sustainable design for improved productivity and health from better indoor environments. What makes a ‘healthy building’? Christopher Narciso, executive vice president of Arthaland Corporation, said a healthy building includes features that protect and take care of the occupants. “It promotes practices that keep the occupants well and facilitates opportunities for them to connect with one another,” he said. Emma Imperial, president, and chief executive officer of Imperial Homes Corporation, puts her trust in the use of special raw materials in creating healthy buildings. “We have a technology that comes from Denmark that uses ultra-high-performance concrete. This kind of material is non-porous, and therefore bacteria can’t come in, and the life of people inside is going to be a lot safer,” she said. Marla Mendoza, assistant marketing manager of Filigree, said the popular term “green buildings” should not be confused with “healthy buildings” as the latter carries a more holistic perspective. In a way, she said properties today go beyond addressing the environmental repercussions that come with construction and maintenance, focusing also on the safety and well-being of the very occupants of the
Western Mindanao
property. “The whole point of having green buildings is fighting climate change. But then, there’s heightened awareness now that buildings should be able to support and protect humans. It’s not just for the environment, but also for the occupants,” she said. Breathing spaces are key Observing the government order to stay at home, the public is inclined to work and studies at home. Hence, generous spaces in residences are suggested for better productivity. “The more that you have a desirable indoor environment, the more you want to stay inside as well, the more you’re not anxious,” Mendoza said, citing the ventilation system and presence of natural light as essential in design. Most of Filigree’s units also feature balconies that offer ample space for people to soak in some sunshine. Mendoza also added the importance of being in a walkable community as it encourages people to have a little bit of exercise when going outside. Meanwhile, Imperial reiterated the use of ultra-high-performance concrete in preventing diseases in residential communities. “This high-performance concrete is able to avoid leak-proof surface because of its non-porosity. This one resists the growth of bacteria and viruses. In other words, the application of high-performance concrete eliminates potential diseases and
Cebu
infections,” she said. In contrast, conventional hollow blocks eventually allow mold to build up inside homes, affecting the respiratory health of the occupants over time. Imperial likewise noted that the use of renewable energy sources is crucial in reducing pollution at large, thus protecting people’s well-being. Essential, not luxury With the spacious design and quality material, the stakes are higher indeed for healthy buildings. Mendoza recognized that this is something industry players can advocate for. “Real estate can even leverage on this, and [tell] the market that they need this, that this is actually essential. This is no longer for luxury,” she said. Arthaland’s Narciso sees that healthy buildings will be a part of the status quo post-pandemic. “What this pandemic has brought about is the [acceleration] of norms and practices that will eventually become the new normal: the need for green and healthy [buildings], observing sustainable practices, taking care of the environment and the people,” he said. “Whether it’s for luxury or affordable or mid, green or healthy features were treated as marketing elements, things to help sell. But I think we all have to adopt this as part of our lifestyle now. These are basic essentials to healthy living,” he added. (Christine Cudis)
Manila