'MODIFIED' LOCKDOWN SET IN METRO MANILA, 2 OTHER AREAS

MANILA - Metro Manila and 2 other areas will shift to a modified lockdown

until the end of the month while the rest of the country will have fewer

restrictions as the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) lapses on Friday,

Malacañang said Tuesday.

A "modified" lockdown will stay from May 16 until May 31 in Metro Manila,

neighboring Laguna province, and Cebu City in the Visayas, Presidential

Spokesman Harry Roque said, announcing President Rodrigo Duterte's decision

that followed a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging

Infectious Diseases Monday night.

The 3 areas have a combined population of around 16 million.

It was the third extension and revision in the scope of the ECQ since it was

declared over all of Luzon on March 17.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

Roque said the modified lockdown is different from the ECQ in the sense that

it allows the slow restart of the economy.

Because of the 2-month long lockdown, the country's economy shrank 0.2

percent in the quarter by the end of March, the first contraction since

1998.

"Ang pinagkaiba po unti-unti nating binubuksan ang ekonomiya," Roque said.

Under a modified lockdown, Roque said the movement of people will be limited

to essential services and going to work. There will also be limited

transportation services for essential goods and services.

Select industries can operate up to a maximum of 50 percent capacity, Roque

said. The industries will be announced on Wednesday.

"Ang modified po na ECQ is ECQ kaya lang may ilang industriya na bubuksan

hanggang 50 porsiyento at mayroon pa rin ilang zona, mga barangay, o grupo

ng mga barangay na mananatili pa rin sa ECQ," Roque said in a Palace press

briefing.

The government's COVID-19 response task force also classified so-called

general community quarantine or GCQ areas into low and moderate risk. Areas

under ECQ are considered high risk.

Roque said local officials may appeal the classification of their respective

areas to the pandemic task force's screening and validation committee until

Wednesday, May 13.

The Philippines on Monday tallied 11,086 infections since its first case was

reported on Jan. 30. This includes 726 deaths and 1,999 recoveries.

EDSA TRAFFIC: LOCKDOWN AFFORDS TIME TO PLAN DECONGESTION, SAYS MMDA

MANILA – The pandemic lockdown should give authorities time to plan the

decongestion of Metro Manila's main highway, EDSA, in preparation for work

and business resumptions, a traffic official said Wednesday.

Reducing routes and redirecting vehicles to roads outside EDSA will speed up

travel between the north and south ends of the capital, Metropolitan Manila

Development Authority general manager Jojo Garcia said.

Transport authorities should reduce the number of buses allowed on the

highway, currently over 4,000 units and 61 routes, he said.

“This is the right time to modernize, even the routes…What we’re trying to

do is, ang EDSA maging connector na lang (make EDSA a connector). Meaning

may isang ruta lang ang EDSA paikot ikot (there's only one route),” Garcia

said.

The Luzon lockdown imposed on March 17 suspended all public transport,

except those that ferry essential workers. The enhanced community quarantine

in Metro Manila will be eased from May 16 for the first time in 2 months.

The so-called modified ECQ will last until May 31.

The rest of the country will be under general community quarantine with

loser restrictions or no formal quarantine but with minimum health checks.

The fate of public utility vehicles under the modified enhanced community

quarantine, in place until May 31, is still being discussed, Garcia said.

In areas under general community quarantine, public transport, starting with

buses, were allowed to operate at 50 percent capacity to facilitate social

distancing.

HONTIVEROS SEEKS MANDATORY COVID-19 TESTS FOR EMPLOYEES RETURNING TO WORK

MANILA -- Coronavirus testing should be mandatory for all employees before

returning to work, a lawmaker said Wednesday, as the government prepared to

slowly ease the lockdown in the capital.

Some businesses will be allowed to resume at half capacity when Metro

Manila, Laguna and Cebu City shifts to a modified enhanced community

quarantine from May 16 until the end of the month.

For the capital region, home to 12 million people and which accounts for a

third of gross domestic product, the lockdown will be eased for the first

time in 2 months.

"If we can require COVID-19 testing for POGO workers, all the more that we

should require the same for Filipino workers who are facing the same risks,"

Sen. Risa Hontiveros said in a statement.

Hontiveros was referring to the government's previous pronouncement that

workers in the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) industry will

undergo COVID-19 testing before they resume operations.

"If we can commit to test POGO workers, we can commit to test Filipino

workers," she said.

UP EXPERTS SPOT 'ALARMING ERRORS' IN DOH'S COVID-19 PATIENT DATA

MANILA — The University of the Philippines COVID-19 Pandemic Response Team

in their policy note released Tuesday pointed out errors and discrepancies

in the Department of Health's data on COVID-19 patients.

Comparing official data published only a day apart on April 24 and 25,

experts from the state university found that 45 cases had their recorded sex

changed (male to female or vice-versa), 75 patients got older or younger by

as much as decades, 516 had their residence moved to another city or a

"completely imaginary city" (like a barangay or district) and even a patient

initially reported dead being reclassified as alive the next day.

Moreover, the health department logged conflicting location data with

inconsistencies in the coding of the Philippine Geographic Code (PSGC),

which is ironically supposed to provide "uniform standards and

classification systems in the generation of government statistics to ensure

harmonization and comparability of statistics in the country and at the

international level," according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

The UP team discovered overlapping codes used to describe the same region.

Similarly, DOH data reflect different data formats, adopting three different

systems on April 14 (MM/DD/YYYY), April 22 (DD-MMM-YYYY) and May 5

(YYYY-MM-DD), respectively.

This "makes it difficult for automated systems of extracting and updating

data from case information," read the report dated May 8.

COVID-19 data reporting protocols were also noted to have changed often

since March, with certain variables appearing, disappearing and some later

reappearing.

“These lapses may seem small relative to the total size of data contained in

the daily updates, but they have significant implications on the reliability

of our scientific analyses on COVID-19,” wrote the UP team.

“As we have repeatedly pointed out since Day 1, any analysis is only as good

as the data that we have...We do recognize the difficulties in the

collection of detailed and timely records of COVID-19 data on a nationwide

scale. However, no matter how difficult, these problems need to be addressed

at the soonest possible time and should be of top priority.”

Aside from errors contained in the data itself, the team affirmed the

observations of netizens that DOH data does not always match those of local

government units, citing how the Health department reported 22 deaths and 65

recoveries fewer than the provincial tally of Laguna cases on May 3.

“Almost three months since we had our first confirmed case in the person of

a Chinese national on 30 January, we have yet to reconcile differences in

numbers between DOH and LGU sources,” read the report.

The team, however, recognized that the health department "has been open to

feedback" and said that "this has been reflected in the improvement in

reporting," citing the government's live COVID-19 tracker and habit of

reporting cases at a uniform time daily (4:00 p.m.).

“However, there is still room for improving the quality of the data...It is

important to make sure that correct data is captured as swiftly as possible

to minimize uploading of erroneous and anomalous, if not missing, data.”

‘WOW CHINA’ DRAWS FLAK FROM NETIZENS

MANILA — A program about Chinese culture aired by government radio station

Radyo Pilipinas has sparked outrage for allegedly spreading pro-China

propaganda.

“Wow China,” which has been airing weekly since 2018, is a collaboration

between Radyo Pilipinas and China Radio International.

In its opening spiel, the program encourages the public to get to know their

Chinese brothers to establish “better relationships and friendship.”

Its episode last Sunday was hosted by Nimfa Asuncion and Ernest Wang and

featured discussions about the coronavirus and Mandarin lessons.

“Wow China” has drawn more than 16,000 angry reactions on Facebook as of

yesterday, with some users accusing Filipinos behind the program of

“treason.”

Asked to comment on the negative reactions to “Wow China,” presidential

spokesman Harry Roque said the public should just be allowed to form their

views on the radio program.

“First, it’s part of the free marketplace of ideas. Let us allow our

countrymen to form their own opinion about that advertisement or program.

Second, itÂ’s not a program under the Office of the Presidential

Spokesperson. I would direct your queries to PCOO (Presidential

Communications Operations Office) Secretary Martin Andanar,” he said at a

press briefing yesterday.

THE REST

========

AUTHORITIES ARREST WORKER OFFERING P100 MILLION FOR DUTERTE'S SLAY

MANILA — Authorities arrested a construction worker in Aklan on Tuesday over

his social media post offering a P100-million reward to anyone who could

kill President Rodrigo Duterte.

Malay Police Station wrote on its Facebook page that its operatives arrested

Ronald Quiboyen, who was identified in media reports as a construction

worker.

“Quiboyen was turned-over to [Criminal Investigation and Detection

Group-Aklan] and Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit 6 for appropriate filing of

case,” it added.

Included in the police stationÂ’s report is a screen capture of QuinoyenÂ’s

supposed post, saying he would “double” the P50 million reward for anyone

who can kill Duterte.

This came following the National Bureau of InvestigationÂ’s arrest of

25-year-old public teacher Ronnel Mas who posted a tweet offering P50

million for killing the president.

Mas was brought to the NBI headquarters on Tuesday, and was subjected to

inquest, which would determine whether there is probable cause to charge him

in court.

He is facing complaints of Inciting to Sedition in relation to the

Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 and violation of the Code of Conduct and

Ethical Standards for Public Officials.

7,500 OFWS COMPLETE CORONAVIRUS QUARANTINE

Some 7,500 migrant workers who went home to the Philippines have completed

their 14-day quarantine to watch out for symptoms of the novel coronavirus,

the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration said Wednesday.

The overseas Filipino workers were earlier tested for the coronavirus upon

landing at the airport and would be screened again before they go home to

their provinces, said OWWA Administrator Hans Cacdac.

The government will give them livelihood seminars, he told radio DZMM.

Some 300 OFWs who tested positive for the pathogen abroad will get $200 in

government aid, he added.

The government so far spent P320 million for the quarantine of repatriated

OFWs, said Cacdac.

CEBU PACIFIC EXTENDS FLIGHT CANCELATIONS TO MAY 31

MANILA - Cebu Pacific said Wednesday all domestic and international flights

were canceled for the rest of May, in step with pandemic travel

restrictions.

The enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila will be eased from May 16

for the first time in 2 months. The so-called modified ECQ will last until

May 31.

"All Cebu Pacific and Cebgo domestic and international flights remain

canceled from May 16 to 31, 2020. This is in line with the implementation of

Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine over Metro Manila," the airline said.

The modified ECQ will also be in force from May 16 in Laguna province and

Cebu City. Fewer restrictions will apply to the rest of the country which

will be under general or no quarantine.

Airlines in the country are preparing for the "new normal" which involves

the use of personal protective equipment for flight crew and enhanced health

safety protocols from check-in, boarding to flight time.

PARTS OF QUEZON CITY ON 14-DAY LOCKDOWN

MANILA — Starting this week, some areas in Quezon City will be placed under

a 14-day “special concern lockdown” due to the high number of coronavirus

disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.

Under the special concern lockdown, only authorized persons outside of

residence such as frontliners with necessary identification cards will be

allowed to leave their homes.

The city government will provide relief goods and supplies to all families

within the designated areas.

An initial five areas have been identified, although the list has yet to be

released as of yesterday afternoon.

Rolly Cruz, head of the city epidemiology and surveillance unit, said the

decision to place areas under a special concern lockdown is based on the

results of community-based testing conducted by the city government.

“If clustering is observed in these areas, meaning two or more households in

each area have positive cases, it is very likely they will end up under the

special concern lockdown,” he said.

GO TO DOTR: BRING STRANDED STUDENTS TO HOME PROVINCES

MANILA — Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go asked the Department of Transportation

(DOTr) and other concerned agencies yesterday to help stranded students in

Metro Manila return to their home provinces as restrictions due to the

coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are being eased.

He said he backed President Duterte’s initiative, “Hatid Estudyante para

Makabalik sa (Kanilang) Probinsya” for stranded students.

The senator urged various agencies of the government to coordinate closely

with each other to ensure the safety of students who would choose to

voluntarily go home.

Go said the cost of transportation should be shouldered by the agencies so

students would not have to pay for their trip even as he urged concerned

local government units to prepare for the arrival of the students for safe

turnover to their families.

10,000 APPLY FOR BALIK-PROBINSYA PROGRAM ONLINE: NHA

A program that aims to de-congest Metro Manila by luring residents to the

provinces with the promise of livelihood assistance has drawn 10,000

applicants in the first 4 days of its online registration, the National

Housing Authority said Wednesday.

"We are now trying to validate everything. Gusto natin makitang totoong tao

ito" NHA General Manager Marcelino Escalada said of the applicants.

The online application for the Balik Probinsya program asks applicants about

their potential source of livelihood and the type of assistance they will

need after relocating, he told DZMM.

Leyte, he said, is the top destination eyed by applicants, drawing 1,000

enrollees. The NHA is talking with the governors of Leyte, Camarines Sur,

Quirino, Bukidnon, Lanao Del Norte and Zamboanga Del Norte among others to

determine their readiness for accepting Balik Probinsya beneficiaries,

Escalada said.

To ensure beneficiaries will stay in the province, social welfare officers

who are tasked with distributing the assistance will check on them weekly,

he said. Escalada said he also asked the Commission on Elections to register

the beneficiaries as voters in the area.

Those interested in the program may also get hard copies of the application

form from their local government, he said.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

'I'M GONNA PROTECT IT WITH ALL I HAVE': JULIA BARRETTO HINTS AT NEW LOVE

MANILA -- "I'm gonna protect it with all that I have."

This was what Julia Barretto said about her new relationship, adding that

she plans to do so by keeping things between her and her new lover away from

the public eye.

In a radio interview on Magic 89.9 FM Monday night, she revealed that she's

"very happy" at the moment, and that her "heart is fine."

"It's happy right now, it's very happy," she said, as seen in the video

below (around the 51-minute mark), without naming the person. "But as to

whether I'm single or not, I'm not gonna answer that for now."

Barretto explained that her love life should be the least of people's

concerns at the moment, given the COVID-19 pandemic. But she also said that

she wants to keep things private this time around.

Asked about the one thing she would never do again, and a lesson she wished

she knew a long time ago, she answered: "When it comes to love, if it's

something you really want to last or work out, protect it as much as you can

and don't share too much about it."

"I think the less people know about something, the less they could have an

opinion about it.

"So now I want things to work out, I want things to last and I'm gonna

protect it with all that I have. I'm gonna keep a lot of things to myself

from now on when it comes to that aspect in my life."

Hints about Barretto's new relationship first came to light when she shared

an intriguing post on Instagram last March, sharing that she spent her

birthday with her family and a "loved one."

She was last known to be in a relationship with her former onscreen partner

Joshua Garcia. They parted ways in mid-2019.

She was then linked romantically with her "Between Maybes" co-star Gerald

Anderson, but both of them denied it.

SPORTS

FOOTBALL: PREMIER LEAGUE PLAYERS FACE STRICT NEW TRAINING PROTOCOLS

LONDON -- Premier League players are set to be subjected to a strict testing

regime if they are to return to training amid the coronavirus pandemic,

according to British media reports.

The BBC said Tuesday it had seen a copy of official protocols sent to all 20

Premier League clubs detailing the need for corner-flags, balls, cones,

goalposts and even playing surfaces to be disinfected after each training

session.

Other measures in the guidance include twice-weekly testing, and a daily

pre-training questionnaire and temperature check.

Should a player test positive, with or without symptoms, they will be forced

to self-isolate for seven days.

All players will have to travel to a training ground individually and avoid

public transport. Once there they will not be allowed to gather in communal

areas and won't be fed on the premises.

Tackling and contact will reportedly be banned for the first phase of team

training.

Meanwhile club medical staff must wear personal protection equipment when

treating the players.

A meeting involving players, the Professional Footballers' Association and

the British government over safety and health issues surrounding a possible

restart of the game is set to take place on Wednesday.

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor, said his members would be open to playing

again provided "everything that can be done is being done" to assure their

safety.

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 50.31

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Indians declare victory too soon - Viswanathan Anand (in 2004)