MANILA - A month into the already extended enhanced community quarantine covering Luzon, Metro Manila- the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic- remains removed from its busy, traffic-congested previous reality. While authorities have been railing against motorists and pedestrians violating the lockdown, the temporary transformation of the metro is still apparent in many places, especially the main highways. Makati-based freelance video editor Vir Ascabano captured this in a video titled "Uncrowded: Metro Manila," which shows the skyline and city streets from sundown to sunrise free from the usual hustle and bustle. The video, set in somber music, also captured various frontliners such as health workers and street cleaners at or on their way to work. Ascabano said he shot the clips in snippets for nearly a month since the start of the lockdown during the times he had to go outside to do errands. The video, uploaded on April 15, also used clips from Ascabano's earlier video "Makati: Uncrowded," which offered a rare glimpse into the quiet central business district at the first week of the quarantine. "I just wanted to capture an angle of what it looks like outside. But this time, not just in Makati but in some areas also," he told ABS-CBN News via chat. "I observed the same uncrowded streets and peaceful areas. But not sure though [about streets leading to] other areas since I only travel [in the] major roads." One thing he noticed during his trips, however, were street dwellers and people begging for food and help. This was why he also began using his errand time to drop off assistance to those he encountered. Ascabano said his Makati video became an unexpected source for the assistance after some companies and institutions used clips from it for their own productions. "I decided to use a portion of what I earned and gave it to those people. It may be not much but a little could help." He said he has adjusted to the lockdown and plans to use the remaining time to continue developing his multimedia skills. "Because of this positive feedback to the video and the current situation, it inspired me to make more videos that give a positive impact and [a] sense of calmness and peace in times like this." news.abs-cbn.com
MANILA - TikTok is encouraging users to promote positivity on the dance video platform during the COVID-19 lockdown, as frontliners in scrub suits go viral, its Philippines head said Thursday. Users are uploading more videos focused on safety and positivity after the enhanced community quarantine was imposed, said TikTok Philippines' User, Content and Community Operations manager Emmanuel John Castro. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Department of Health (DOH) are among agencies that tapped TikTok to reach a wider audience, he said. "We make sure that these videos are shown in the Philippines because these promotes positivity we’ve always been craving for as Filipinos," Castro said.
"We try to promote the right kind of information out there because TikTok has been like a big platform of users for different ages," he said. Millions in Luzon have turned to social media platforms and the internet for entertainment during the lockdown of Luzon, which was extended until April 30. source: news.abs-cbn.com
MANILA -- Canned sardines maker Mega Global said Thursday it was working to increase capacity to meet heightened demand during the Luzon lockdown. Mega is transporting employees to its plant in Zamboanga to raise capacity to 75 percent from 50 percent, said its founder, William Tiu Lim.
The company's plant in Valenzuela City north of Metro Manila is helping the company meet demand in the region, he told ANC. "We are looking at ways and means to get more people coming in so capacity will be bigger," he said. source: news.abs-cbn.com
MANILA - The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday issued a subpoena for Sen. Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III over his alleged breach of quarantine protocol for showing up at a hospital despite experiencing coronavirus symptoms, Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento told reporters in a text message. Pimentel is facing a complaint filed by lawyer Rico Quicho, former dean of the University of Makati School of Law, for allegedly violating Republic Act No. 11332 when he accompanied his then pregnant wife at the Makati Medical Center on March 24, despite undergoing testing for coronavirus disease or COVID-19 on March 20. Pimentel, who admitted to experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, said he was only informed that he had tested positive for COVID-19 while at the hospital and that he immediately left. Both the hospital and the Department of Health confirmed there was a breach of quarantine protocols. Malcontento also disclosed that the preliminary investigation is tentatively scheduled on May 20. When reached for comment, Pimentel said: "...[M]y lawyers will do what is necessary. I will defer to them." In a Facebook post earlier Tuesday, Quicho said he received an order from the Department of Justice requiring him to appear within 5 days from the lifting of the enhanced community quarantine with hard copies of his complaint and annexes and to swear to his complaint under oath. The lockdown is set to end on April 30. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra earlier said the Justice department will immediately schedule a preliminary investigation on the complaint against Pimentel on an appropriate date given the Luzon-wide lockdown. The DOJ probe is separate from that of the National Bureau of Investigation. Both Pimentel and Guevarra received strong criticism online – Pimentel for his actions and Guevarra for his statement that the DOJ will temper the rigor of the law with human compassion, when asked for comment regarding Pimentel’s case. Authorities have arrested thousands of violators of the enhanced community quarantine protocols. Some were warned, others fined but there were also those prosecuted, such as protesters from Sitio San Roque in Quezon City who were arrested for holding a protest action. They have since been released on bail. source: news.abs-cbn.com
MANILA – Credit card users don’t need to worry about paying late fees and finance charges during the 30-day grace period for payments due within the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said on Thursday. BSP managing director Pia Roman-Tayag said that under the implementing rules and regulations of the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act, collecting these fees is not allowed during the lockdown period. “There, it is very explicit, that no fees and charges will be incurred, and no interest,” said Tayag, who heads the BSP’s Center for Learning and Inclusion Advocacy. Credit card issuers are allowed to collect interest charges on people who pay only the minimum amount required, Tayag said. But this interest will be paid on a staggered basis to spare credit card users from a “bill shock,” the BSP official said. People who pay their credit card bills in full will not get any extra charges in their bills, which means their due date is effectively extended, Tayag said. The BSP said the grace period applies not only to consumer loans, such as credit card, auto and housing loans, but also to commercial loans. Tayag added that the grace period covers not just loans extended by banks and financial institutions supervised by the BSP, but to all businesses that extend loans, including real estate companies with in-house financing. The entire island of Luzon was placed under enhanced community quarantine to stop the spread of COVID-19 from March 17 to April 12. source: news.abs-cbn.com
MANILA -- DataBlitz is the latest company to announce closures in Luzon amid the lockdown on the main island to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus in the Philippines. On Wednesday, the local gaming store chain said all of its branches in Luzon will be closed until further notice. Shops in Visayas and Mindanao remain open, except for Cagayan de Oro. "Our thanks to everyone for your patience and kind understanding as we look forward to being of service to you again soon! Please to take care and keep safe!" it said in aFacebook post.
DataBlitz assured gaming enthusiasts that they can still place their orders via PIxelPlay on Lazada and Shopee. Those who preordered the game "Animal Crossing," which will be released this Friday, are given two options: pick it up when the community quarantine is lifted and get a P500 gift certificate from DataBlitz for subsequent purchases; or cancel their purchase when the branch where they preordered reopens and get a refund. source: news.abs-cbn.com
MANILA - PLDT Inc and Globe Telecom said Wednesday they were taking steps to meet demand for data and keep connections stable as the 30-day Luzon lockdown forced millions in the Philippines to stay home. PLDT will offer a free "speed boost" for its fiber subscribers, bringing the minimum internet connection to 25 Mbps until April 30, it said in a statement. "We are taking steps to address the need of customers and the public for enhanced internet services during this COVID outbreak," PLDT Inc said. The boost is expected to meet the "expected greater need for data" of its customers, the telco said. PLDT's wireless unit Smart Communications also offered free access to official websites starting March 11, it said. Subscribers can access the Health department's official website, its NCOV tracker, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the Philippine Information Agency for free, Smart said. GLOBE TELECOM Globe subscribers can also access the official sites of the DOH and the NDRRMC on free data, the telco said. Globe and TM users who subscribed to KonsultaMD can get in touch with doctors via the 79880 telehealth hotline without any mobile call charges, it said. The telco cautioned that using websites or apps to download movies or content illegally "hogs bandwidth." Subscribers should be "conscientious" with internet use while most Filipinos are working from home, Globe said. Both PLDT and Globe have announced a 30-day payment extensions to settle their monthly bills. "Globe believes that the extension of the bill payment will be one less worry for our customers especially during these difficult times," president and CEO Ernest Cu said. source: news.abs-cbn.com
MANILA - Jollibee Foods Corp on Wednesday said it would close some stores in Luzon during the COVID-19 lockdown. Outlets that will stay open will service customers on drive-thru, delivery and take out, the country's largest restaurant operator said in an advisory. "We are temporarily closing some of out stores in Luzon as a result of the enhanced community quarantine," Jollibeesaid. Contactless delivery will also be imposed with riders standing 6-feet away from consumers during transactions, it said. Strict sanitation and social distancing are being observed for stores catering to take-out and drive-thru orders, Jollibee said. source: news.abs-cbn.com
