The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has allowed the resumption of limited work in 13 rail projects amid the imposition of Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said on Tuesday.
“The IATF approves the request of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to allow the resumption of utility relocation works and resume specified limited works across 13 rail projects,” Nograles, spokesperson of IATF-EID, said in a virtual press briefing aired on state-run PTV-4.
Nograles said the IATF-EID is also allowing the rail replacement works for Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3 when the rail system is not undergoing passenger operations.
Aside from MRT-3 rehabilitation, Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary Goddes Hope Libiran said other projects that will resume limited works are Light Rail Transit (LRT-1) Cavite Extension, LRT-2 East Extension, LRT-2 West Extension, LRT-2 Fire Restoration, MRT-7, Metro Manila Subway, MRT-LRT Common Station in North Avenue in Quezon City, Philippine National Railways (PNR) Clark 1, PNR Clark 2 and Calamba, Subic-Clark Railway, PNR Bicol, and the Mindanao Railway.
He said the DOTr should observe limited mobilization of personnel and skeletal staffing pattern.
He added that “on- or near-site” accommodations and point-to-point shuttle services should be provided to workers.
Nograles said regular disinfection of workplaces, shuttles, and accommodations should also be done.
He stressed that the IATF-EID also advised the regular monitoring of health of workers, especially those who are exhibiting symptoms of Covid-19.
He said “strict” social distancing measures and proper hand hygiene must likewise be observed.
“All other precautionary measures that the DOTr may implement (must be) observed at all times,” Nograles said.
The entire Luzon was initially placed under enhanced community quarantine until April 12.
Duterte said he is inclined to extend the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon until April 30 to contain the spread of Covid-19.
The Philippines has so far 3,660 confirmed cases of Covid-19, with 163 fatalities and 73 recoveries.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1099045
Thursday, April 9, 2020
Wednesday, April 8, 2020
Iloilo City extends lockdown to April 30, others keep open-ended policy
ILOILO City is extending its lockdown to April 30 following confirmed local transmission cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas announced late Tuesday that he will be signing the executive order on the extension of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) measures on Wednesday.
Mr. Treñas said the decision was made in consultation with health authorities, business sector representatives as well as Iloilo Provincial Governor Arthur R. Defensor Jr.
The city is administratively independent from Iloilo province.
“After due consultation with our focal person, DoH (Department of Health), medical doctors, City Health Office, some businessmen, and in due coordination with Governor Art ‘Toto’ Defensor, I will be extending the declaration of an Enhanced Community Quarantine in the City of Iloilo up to April 30 at 11:59pm,” he said.
The lockdown took effect March 20 and was originally scheduled to end April 14.
Mr. Treñas noted that the DoH has confirmed local transmission with the 4th and most recent COVID-19 patient linked to the second.
“Local transmission as defined by the World Health Organization indicates that the source of infection is within the reporting location,” Dr. Mary Ann Sta. Lucia of the DoH Western Visayas regional office explained.
As of April 7, the region had 36 confirmed cases, including four in Iloilo City and 13 in Iloilo province.
The others are in: Bacolod City, 7; Aklan, 6; Capiz, 4; and one each in Antique, and Negros Occidental. Only the island province of Guimaras remains free from COVID-19 patients.
Meanwhile, Mr. Treñas said they are planning to convert the Iloilo City Convention Center (ICON) into an isolation area in anticipation of an increase in the number of persons under monitoring (PUMs).
“We are looking at the ICON, maybe we’ll need it as our isolation center when we see our PUMs increase,” he said.
The Jubilee Hall along General Luna Street has been designated as the city’s isolation facility, currently housing 10 persons under investigation (PUIs) and one PUM.
“We are already anticipating the increase in PUMs as the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is also expected to rise,” the mayor said.
OTHER VISAYAS REGIONS
Other key areas outside the northern island of Luzon, where the ECQ has been extended to April 30, are mostly maintaining an indefinite lockdown policy.
Governor Gwendolyn F. Garcia of Cebu in Central Visayas said on Tuesday that her lockdown order, which took effect March 30, intentionally did not have an end-date “so as to avoid giving false hopes to the Cebuanos.”
The ECQ measures have also been adopted by the independent cities of Cebu, Lapu-Lapu, and Mandaue.
“It’s very early to lift the ECQ… I cannot even be cautiously optimistic about the results… A lot also depend on how the Manila situation would develop. We are all connected. We really hope and pray that the Luzon situation will soon improve and flatten the curve because unless that is achieved, we cannot hope to even estimate a date when our own ECQ would be lifted,” she said.
In Tacloban City, the regional center of Eastern Visayas, Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez said during a Tuesday briefing that an extension of the ECQ, due to end April 13, is “possible.”
MINDANAO
In Mindanao, Zamboanga City’s guidelines, which indicates a lockdown “until the health menace subsides,” remains in place.
In a statement Wednesday following a meeting of Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar with the city’s health team, the local government said, “Health professionals in the city are recommending the continuation of the strict observance of the enhanced community quarantine.”
Davao City, along with the rest of Davao Region, has an ECQ in effect until April 19, but Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said on Tuesday that there is a “possibility that the city will be placed under an extreme Enhanced Community Quarantine (EECQ)” by the 20th.
“We are now planning on what will happen to Davao City and Davao Region after April 19,” Ms. Carpio said, “We are planning two things – one is Extreme Enhanced Community Quarantine or we go back to the ordinary community quarantine.”
She said the decision will “depend on the outcome of the 14-day ECQ” in terms of the number of COVID-19 patients along with the PUIs and PUMs.
Davao City currently has the highest number of positive patients outside the capital, including several local transmission cases due in part to a series of cockfighting events in March.
Cagayan de Oro City, the regional center of Northern Mindanao, has been under the less stringent community quarantine policy since March 20, but Mayor Oscar S. Moreno has been issuing specific restrictions on businesses and physical distancing measures.
A community quarantine does not have a blanket ban on both private and public transportation.
The mayor’s orders are on open-ended implementation.
In an April 5 reply letter to calls for an ECQ in Cagayan de Oro, including appeals from the medical community, Mr. Moreno defended his position by citing guidelines from the national Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19.
The Northern Mindanao Region as of April 7 had six COVID-19 cases, with two from Iligan City and one each in Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, and Camiguin.
“We hope that we will prevail over the virus without having a lockdown, the repercussions of which would bring serious irreparable damage. I want to emphasize, however, that we are committed to save lives. This is non-negotiable,” Mr. Moreno said in the letter.
“Cagayan de Oro is the host of the region’s hospital for COVID-19 patients. This is a responsibility that we have to live and deal with. Avoiding this duty will cause more harm to everybody.” — Emme Rose S. Santiagudo and Marifi S. Jara
https://www.bworldonline.com/iloilo-city-extends-lockdown-to-april-30-others-keep-open-ended-policy/
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas announced late Tuesday that he will be signing the executive order on the extension of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) measures on Wednesday.
Mr. Treñas said the decision was made in consultation with health authorities, business sector representatives as well as Iloilo Provincial Governor Arthur R. Defensor Jr.
The city is administratively independent from Iloilo province.
“After due consultation with our focal person, DoH (Department of Health), medical doctors, City Health Office, some businessmen, and in due coordination with Governor Art ‘Toto’ Defensor, I will be extending the declaration of an Enhanced Community Quarantine in the City of Iloilo up to April 30 at 11:59pm,” he said.
The lockdown took effect March 20 and was originally scheduled to end April 14.
Mr. Treñas noted that the DoH has confirmed local transmission with the 4th and most recent COVID-19 patient linked to the second.
“Local transmission as defined by the World Health Organization indicates that the source of infection is within the reporting location,” Dr. Mary Ann Sta. Lucia of the DoH Western Visayas regional office explained.
As of April 7, the region had 36 confirmed cases, including four in Iloilo City and 13 in Iloilo province.
The others are in: Bacolod City, 7; Aklan, 6; Capiz, 4; and one each in Antique, and Negros Occidental. Only the island province of Guimaras remains free from COVID-19 patients.
Meanwhile, Mr. Treñas said they are planning to convert the Iloilo City Convention Center (ICON) into an isolation area in anticipation of an increase in the number of persons under monitoring (PUMs).
“We are looking at the ICON, maybe we’ll need it as our isolation center when we see our PUMs increase,” he said.
The Jubilee Hall along General Luna Street has been designated as the city’s isolation facility, currently housing 10 persons under investigation (PUIs) and one PUM.
“We are already anticipating the increase in PUMs as the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is also expected to rise,” the mayor said.
OTHER VISAYAS REGIONS
Other key areas outside the northern island of Luzon, where the ECQ has been extended to April 30, are mostly maintaining an indefinite lockdown policy.
Governor Gwendolyn F. Garcia of Cebu in Central Visayas said on Tuesday that her lockdown order, which took effect March 30, intentionally did not have an end-date “so as to avoid giving false hopes to the Cebuanos.”
The ECQ measures have also been adopted by the independent cities of Cebu, Lapu-Lapu, and Mandaue.
“It’s very early to lift the ECQ… I cannot even be cautiously optimistic about the results… A lot also depend on how the Manila situation would develop. We are all connected. We really hope and pray that the Luzon situation will soon improve and flatten the curve because unless that is achieved, we cannot hope to even estimate a date when our own ECQ would be lifted,” she said.
In Tacloban City, the regional center of Eastern Visayas, Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez said during a Tuesday briefing that an extension of the ECQ, due to end April 13, is “possible.”
MINDANAO
In Mindanao, Zamboanga City’s guidelines, which indicates a lockdown “until the health menace subsides,” remains in place.
In a statement Wednesday following a meeting of Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar with the city’s health team, the local government said, “Health professionals in the city are recommending the continuation of the strict observance of the enhanced community quarantine.”
Davao City, along with the rest of Davao Region, has an ECQ in effect until April 19, but Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said on Tuesday that there is a “possibility that the city will be placed under an extreme Enhanced Community Quarantine (EECQ)” by the 20th.
“We are now planning on what will happen to Davao City and Davao Region after April 19,” Ms. Carpio said, “We are planning two things – one is Extreme Enhanced Community Quarantine or we go back to the ordinary community quarantine.”
She said the decision will “depend on the outcome of the 14-day ECQ” in terms of the number of COVID-19 patients along with the PUIs and PUMs.
Davao City currently has the highest number of positive patients outside the capital, including several local transmission cases due in part to a series of cockfighting events in March.
Cagayan de Oro City, the regional center of Northern Mindanao, has been under the less stringent community quarantine policy since March 20, but Mayor Oscar S. Moreno has been issuing specific restrictions on businesses and physical distancing measures.
A community quarantine does not have a blanket ban on both private and public transportation.
The mayor’s orders are on open-ended implementation.
In an April 5 reply letter to calls for an ECQ in Cagayan de Oro, including appeals from the medical community, Mr. Moreno defended his position by citing guidelines from the national Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19.
The Northern Mindanao Region as of April 7 had six COVID-19 cases, with two from Iligan City and one each in Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, and Camiguin.
“We hope that we will prevail over the virus without having a lockdown, the repercussions of which would bring serious irreparable damage. I want to emphasize, however, that we are committed to save lives. This is non-negotiable,” Mr. Moreno said in the letter.
“Cagayan de Oro is the host of the region’s hospital for COVID-19 patients. This is a responsibility that we have to live and deal with. Avoiding this duty will cause more harm to everybody.” — Emme Rose S. Santiagudo and Marifi S. Jara
https://www.bworldonline.com/iloilo-city-extends-lockdown-to-april-30-others-keep-open-ended-policy/
Gov't to restart infrastructure work amid lengthened Luzon quarantine
Public rail infrastructures have secured approval to restart “limited works” during the Luzon-wide community quarantine next week, providing a necessary boost to lagging economic activity as the Duterte government vowed to proceed with its infrastructure agenda.
The approval, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said, was granted by the Inter-agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases overseeing the government’s response to the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) outbreak.
Sought for details, Transport Assistant Secretary Goddes Hope Libiran said in a text message 13 rail projects “may begin at different times next week,” led by the aid-funded P227-billion Metro Manila Subway Project.
The rehabilitation and upgrade of existing Light Rail Transit (LRT) Lines 1 and 2 will also resume, including that which extends to Cavite. The construction of a common station for the LRT lines and Metro Rail Transit 3 in Quezon City was also covered by the approval.
Similarly, resumption of work on the Japan-funded rehabilitation of MRT-3 running along EDSA, as well as the MRT-7, financed by San Miguel Corp., along Commonwealth Avenue, was also green-lighted.
Outside Metro Manila, groundwork can also proceed for the P82.9-billion Mindanao Railway project that would cross Davao, where a lockdown just started on Saturday. The Subic-Clark Railway, and components of the 148-kilometer North-South Commuter Railway traversing Clark to Calamba in Laguna, will also continue.
IATF’s quarantine exemption on infrastructure work came just as the government extended the Luzon-wide lockdown to April 30 from its original expiration on April 12. Economic managers wanted the “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program to continue, as they bank on a capital outlay boost to save the economy from an expected downturn due to the epidemic.
While infrastructure building will resume, Nograles said it would do so under conditions of “limited mobilization” and skeletal workforce, a mechanism that allows social distancing to be practiced to avoid the virus contagion.
Contractors are also required to provide accommodations to their workers near or on site, while regular disinfection of work areas and health monitoring for their personnel should also be undertaken.
Sought for comment, Ibarra Paulino, executive director of the Philippine Constructors Association, an industry group that claims to corner around 80% of state projects, supported the government’s decision to proceed with its building program.
“This is the right time for them to do maintenance and improvement of the rails, (but) protocols on safety of workers [such as] safe distancing…should strictly be followed,” Paulino told Philstar.com in a phone interview.
He went as far as suggesting that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) do the same for some road projects while most people are indoors, such as the long-overdue rehabilitation of EDSA thoroughfare. DPWH officials could not be reached for comment.
“On the part of government, I think they need to move too because a lot of people are affected without livelihoods and government workers who don’t have jobs. So we think that’s one thing they can do for now,” Paulino said.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2020/04/07/2006093/govt-restart-infrastructure-work-amid-lengthened-luzon-quarantine
The approval, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said, was granted by the Inter-agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases overseeing the government’s response to the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) outbreak.
Sought for details, Transport Assistant Secretary Goddes Hope Libiran said in a text message 13 rail projects “may begin at different times next week,” led by the aid-funded P227-billion Metro Manila Subway Project.
The rehabilitation and upgrade of existing Light Rail Transit (LRT) Lines 1 and 2 will also resume, including that which extends to Cavite. The construction of a common station for the LRT lines and Metro Rail Transit 3 in Quezon City was also covered by the approval.
Similarly, resumption of work on the Japan-funded rehabilitation of MRT-3 running along EDSA, as well as the MRT-7, financed by San Miguel Corp., along Commonwealth Avenue, was also green-lighted.
Outside Metro Manila, groundwork can also proceed for the P82.9-billion Mindanao Railway project that would cross Davao, where a lockdown just started on Saturday. The Subic-Clark Railway, and components of the 148-kilometer North-South Commuter Railway traversing Clark to Calamba in Laguna, will also continue.
IATF’s quarantine exemption on infrastructure work came just as the government extended the Luzon-wide lockdown to April 30 from its original expiration on April 12. Economic managers wanted the “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program to continue, as they bank on a capital outlay boost to save the economy from an expected downturn due to the epidemic.
While infrastructure building will resume, Nograles said it would do so under conditions of “limited mobilization” and skeletal workforce, a mechanism that allows social distancing to be practiced to avoid the virus contagion.
Contractors are also required to provide accommodations to their workers near or on site, while regular disinfection of work areas and health monitoring for their personnel should also be undertaken.
Sought for comment, Ibarra Paulino, executive director of the Philippine Constructors Association, an industry group that claims to corner around 80% of state projects, supported the government’s decision to proceed with its building program.
“This is the right time for them to do maintenance and improvement of the rails, (but) protocols on safety of workers [such as] safe distancing…should strictly be followed,” Paulino told Philstar.com in a phone interview.
He went as far as suggesting that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) do the same for some road projects while most people are indoors, such as the long-overdue rehabilitation of EDSA thoroughfare. DPWH officials could not be reached for comment.
“On the part of government, I think they need to move too because a lot of people are affected without livelihoods and government workers who don’t have jobs. So we think that’s one thing they can do for now,” Paulino said.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2020/04/07/2006093/govt-restart-infrastructure-work-amid-lengthened-luzon-quarantine
Tuesday, April 7, 2020
Masses in Diocese of Cubao remain suspended until April 30
The Diocese of Cubao has extended the suspension of holding of public masses until the end of the month.
Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco said the measure is in compliance with President Rodrigo Duterte's approval of the extension of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon until April 30 amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
“Yes, we will follow the government's extension of quarantine. We seek for the good of all,” he said in a message.
Meanwhile, Archdiocese of Manila Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo said they will discuss on Wednesday the extension of suspension of masses in the archdiocese.
At the same time, he urged the government to fast-track its efforts in providing assistance to the people especially the less fortunate.
“We follow the government on quarantine protocols but we ask that the government should speed up providing help to the poor and the daily wage earners. We in the church continue to provide for the people spiritual and material help,” he added.
Church activities in Luzon have been suspended in connection with the imposition of the enhanced community quarantine to help curb the spread of Covid-19.
Online masses through social media accounts of different churches in Metro Manila are being held every day where the faithful are encouraged to participate.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1099133
Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco said the measure is in compliance with President Rodrigo Duterte's approval of the extension of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon until April 30 amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
“Yes, we will follow the government's extension of quarantine. We seek for the good of all,” he said in a message.
Meanwhile, Archdiocese of Manila Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo said they will discuss on Wednesday the extension of suspension of masses in the archdiocese.
At the same time, he urged the government to fast-track its efforts in providing assistance to the people especially the less fortunate.
“We follow the government on quarantine protocols but we ask that the government should speed up providing help to the poor and the daily wage earners. We in the church continue to provide for the people spiritual and material help,” he added.
Church activities in Luzon have been suspended in connection with the imposition of the enhanced community quarantine to help curb the spread of Covid-19.
Online masses through social media accounts of different churches in Metro Manila are being held every day where the faithful are encouraged to participate.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1099133
IATF approves resumption of railroad projects, MRT3 maintenance work amid COVID-19 pandemic
The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has approved the resumption of railroad projects and maintenance work for Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 even amid the enhanced community quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
IATF spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said this move is in response to the request made by the Department of Transportation to allow the resumption of utility relocation work and specified limited work across 13 rail projects, including rail replacement work for MRT3 which can only be done when MRT3 is not undergoing passenger operations.
Apart from the MRT3 rehabilitation and maintenance works, other rail projects to resume are the following:
The enhanced community quarantine has banned mass transportation since March 17, and the said COVID-19 quarantine period has since been extended to April 30.
The resumption of the rail work, however, is based on the following preconditions:
As of 4 p.m. of April 6, the Philippines has already recorded 3,660 COVID-19 cases. Of this number, 163 have died while 73 others recovered. —With a report from Ted Cordero/KG, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/732954/iatf-approves-resumption-of-railroad-projects-mrt3-maintenance-work-amid-covid-19-pandemic/story/
IATF spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said this move is in response to the request made by the Department of Transportation to allow the resumption of utility relocation work and specified limited work across 13 rail projects, including rail replacement work for MRT3 which can only be done when MRT3 is not undergoing passenger operations.
Apart from the MRT3 rehabilitation and maintenance works, other rail projects to resume are the following:
- LRT 1 Cavite Extension
- LRT 2 East Extension
- LRT 2 West Extension
- MRT 7
- Metro Manila Subway
- Common Station
- PNR Clark 1
- PNR Clark 2 and Calamba
- Subic-Clark Railway
- PNR Bicol
- Mindanao Railway
The enhanced community quarantine has banned mass transportation since March 17, and the said COVID-19 quarantine period has since been extended to April 30.
The resumption of the rail work, however, is based on the following preconditions:
- limited mobilization of personnel and skeletal staffing pattern is observed;
- on- or near-site accommodations and/or point-to-point shuttle services are provided, where applicable;
- regular disinfection of workplaces, shuttles, and accommodations;
- regular monitoring of personnel’s health, especially for COVID-19 symptoms;
- strict social distancing measures and proper hand hygiene; and
- all other precautionary measures that the DOTr may implement are observed at all times.
As of 4 p.m. of April 6, the Philippines has already recorded 3,660 COVID-19 cases. Of this number, 163 have died while 73 others recovered. —With a report from Ted Cordero/KG, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/732954/iatf-approves-resumption-of-railroad-projects-mrt3-maintenance-work-amid-covid-19-pandemic/story/
Megawide confident of completing new Clark passenger terminal
Despite the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine, engineering and infrastructure conglomerate Megawide Construction Corp. is optimistic that it will be able to complete and deliver on schedule the new passenger terminal in Clark that will help decongest Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Megawide, together with its partner GMR Infrastructure Ltd. of India, is actually ahead of schedule in constructing the Clark International Airport’s new passenger terminal building prior to the imposition of the community quarantine in Luzon, Megawide chairman and CEO Edgar Saavedra said.
“That we were ahead of schedule in the construction of the new Clark passenger terminal building is a testament to all the hard work and dedication of the people on the ground such as our engineering and construction teams,” he said.
Saavedra said construction of the new terminal, access roads, bus station, and car parks is 96 percent complete with only minor works remaining.
He said the new terminal building shell has been substantially completed, and installation of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire-protection works as well as construction of the landside works are already in the final stages.
“The ECQ has minimal impact on our construction timelines for Clark International Airport primarily because engineering and construction are Megawide’s core strengths and the fact that we leveraged on what we learned from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) expansion,” he said.
Saavedra said Megawide is confident that the construction project may still be turned over to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority before the July 31 completion date should the lockdown end as scheduled on April 14.
The Clark International Airport’s new terminal is designed to increase the capacity of the airport from four million to 12 million passengers per annum.
Its construction is being undertaken by Megawide GMR Construction Joint Venture Inc., which won the expansion project in December 2017 by submitting the lowest bid at P9.36 billion under a hybrid public-private partnership scheme.
Megawide and Indian airport developer GMR are also behind the development of the MCIA and the contractor of the multi-awarded MCIA Terminal 2.
“We learned a lot during the construction of MCIA Terminal 2. We applied all these learnings in the Clark project, including engineering techniques such as the use of glued-laminated timber for a full roof structure, and many others,” Saavedra said.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2020/04/07/2005891/megawide-confident-completing-new-clark-passenger-terminal
Megawide, together with its partner GMR Infrastructure Ltd. of India, is actually ahead of schedule in constructing the Clark International Airport’s new passenger terminal building prior to the imposition of the community quarantine in Luzon, Megawide chairman and CEO Edgar Saavedra said.
“That we were ahead of schedule in the construction of the new Clark passenger terminal building is a testament to all the hard work and dedication of the people on the ground such as our engineering and construction teams,” he said.
Saavedra said construction of the new terminal, access roads, bus station, and car parks is 96 percent complete with only minor works remaining.
He said the new terminal building shell has been substantially completed, and installation of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire-protection works as well as construction of the landside works are already in the final stages.
“The ECQ has minimal impact on our construction timelines for Clark International Airport primarily because engineering and construction are Megawide’s core strengths and the fact that we leveraged on what we learned from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) expansion,” he said.
Saavedra said Megawide is confident that the construction project may still be turned over to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority before the July 31 completion date should the lockdown end as scheduled on April 14.
The Clark International Airport’s new terminal is designed to increase the capacity of the airport from four million to 12 million passengers per annum.
Its construction is being undertaken by Megawide GMR Construction Joint Venture Inc., which won the expansion project in December 2017 by submitting the lowest bid at P9.36 billion under a hybrid public-private partnership scheme.
Megawide and Indian airport developer GMR are also behind the development of the MCIA and the contractor of the multi-awarded MCIA Terminal 2.
“We learned a lot during the construction of MCIA Terminal 2. We applied all these learnings in the Clark project, including engineering techniques such as the use of glued-laminated timber for a full roof structure, and many others,” Saavedra said.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2020/04/07/2005891/megawide-confident-completing-new-clark-passenger-terminal
Gov’t set to announce decision on Luzon lockdown
THE government was expected to announce its decision by late Monday on whether it would extend a Luzon-wide lockdown to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
A task force made up of Cabinet officials was still assessing the health crisis, its spokesman Karlo Alexei B. Nograles told a news briefing on Monday morning.
A technical working group headed by the Department of Health was still studying data on COVID-19 cases, he added.
“You can be assured that in deciding the matter, the Inter-Agency Task Force and President Rodrigo R. Duterte will consider what the experts say,” Mr. Nograles said in Filipino.
“The President is seriously evaluating the inputs and suggestions given by various sectors of society for either the extension or the lifting of the enhanced community quarantine or lockdown,” presidential spokesman Salvador S. Panelo said in an e-mailed reply to a pool of questions.
Mr. Duterte will “take the best option that will purge us of this pandemic,” he said.
Mr. Nograles said at the weekend the task force would probably announce its recommendations to Mr. Duterte by April 6.
The technical working group is composed of officials from the National Economic and Development Authority, Philippine Institute for Development Studies, Department of Science and Technology and experts from the academe, health, economic and security sectors.
Cebu Rep. Rodrigo A. Abellanosa in a statement said the government should stagger the lifting of the so-called enhanced community quarantine for Luzon and enforce localized quarantines.
He said lockdown may be imposed per village or clusters of villages and by employment communities such as construction, food production, food processing, manufacturing, call centers, building maintenance and the like.
Mr. Abellanosa said food deliveries and public transportation may be allowed to operate but only within the local quarantines.
Authorities can persuade supermarkets, big grocery stores and food wholesalers to hire out-of-work drivers, cashiers and baggers. Standby jeepneys, trucks and buses may also be hired to set up mobile stores, while law enforcers must “actively discourage” residents from going out of their local quarantines. — Gillian M. Cortez and Genshen L. Espedido
https://www.bworldonline.com/govt-set-to-announce-decision-on-luzon-lockdown/
A task force made up of Cabinet officials was still assessing the health crisis, its spokesman Karlo Alexei B. Nograles told a news briefing on Monday morning.
A technical working group headed by the Department of Health was still studying data on COVID-19 cases, he added.
“You can be assured that in deciding the matter, the Inter-Agency Task Force and President Rodrigo R. Duterte will consider what the experts say,” Mr. Nograles said in Filipino.
“The President is seriously evaluating the inputs and suggestions given by various sectors of society for either the extension or the lifting of the enhanced community quarantine or lockdown,” presidential spokesman Salvador S. Panelo said in an e-mailed reply to a pool of questions.
Mr. Duterte will “take the best option that will purge us of this pandemic,” he said.
Mr. Nograles said at the weekend the task force would probably announce its recommendations to Mr. Duterte by April 6.
The technical working group is composed of officials from the National Economic and Development Authority, Philippine Institute for Development Studies, Department of Science and Technology and experts from the academe, health, economic and security sectors.
Cebu Rep. Rodrigo A. Abellanosa in a statement said the government should stagger the lifting of the so-called enhanced community quarantine for Luzon and enforce localized quarantines.
He said lockdown may be imposed per village or clusters of villages and by employment communities such as construction, food production, food processing, manufacturing, call centers, building maintenance and the like.
Mr. Abellanosa said food deliveries and public transportation may be allowed to operate but only within the local quarantines.
Authorities can persuade supermarkets, big grocery stores and food wholesalers to hire out-of-work drivers, cashiers and baggers. Standby jeepneys, trucks and buses may also be hired to set up mobile stores, while law enforcers must “actively discourage” residents from going out of their local quarantines. — Gillian M. Cortez and Genshen L. Espedido
https://www.bworldonline.com/govt-set-to-announce-decision-on-luzon-lockdown/
Monday, April 6, 2020
Gov’t eyes extending lockdown to April 30
By Argyll Cyrus Geducos
President Duterte said the government was inclined to extend the Luzon-wide partial lockdown or enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) until April 30 as the country continues to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
Duterte made the statement in his late-night public address Monday, six days before the ECQ ends on Easter Sunday.
In his hour-long address, Duterte told the public that the ECQ may be extended until the end of the month.
“If you really want to know, we have discussed it actually even before this, we are inclined to extend the lockdown up to April 30. Tingnan natin after that (We’ll see after that),” he said.
“In the meantime, mag double-time kami sa tinatawag niyong (we’ll go over the proposal for the) middle class,” he added, referring to Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla’s appeal to include the middle-income earners in the government’s social amelioration program.
Earlier, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said President Duterte was seriously evaluating recommendations before making his decision on the ECQ soon.
“The President is seriously evaluating the inputs and suggestions given by various sectors of society for either the extension or the lifting of the enhanced community quarantine or lockdown, and will take the best option that will purge us of this pandemic disease. He will announce his decision very soon,” he said.
He said Duterte was appealing to the public to take the COVID-19 situation seriously and follow the protocols set by the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
“They were placed there for the protection and survival of everyone. Any transgressor will be dealt with in accordance with the law,” Panelo said.
Cabinet Secretary and IATF spokesman Karlo Nograles said lifting, extending, or expanding the Luzon-wide ECQ will not be an easy decision to make as there were a lot of factors to be considered.
He, however, acknowledged that it was important to make a decision soon.
“We have to make a decision and we have to make it as soon as possible,” he said Monday.
“It will not be an easy decision, napakahirap po, it’s very, very difficult, only because ang daming factors na kailangan namin tingnan: kapakanan ng taumbayan, ang (there are a lot of factors that we need to look at: the welfare of the public, the) health, economic, social, security, medical,” he added.
Nograles earlier said an IATF sub-technical working group headed by the Department of Health (DOH) was directed to convene all concerned agencies and to finalize the aggregation and analysis of all relevant data applicable to the contained area.
The parameters adopted by the IATF for deciding on the total or partial lifting or the possible extension or expansion of the ECQ are:
1. Trends in the COVID-19 epidemiological curve, which include, among others, the doubling time, acceleration, or deceleration of new cases;
2. Capacity of the health care system, which includes, among others, the number and availability of quarantine, isolation, and treatment facilities; capability to mount contact tracing; availability of personal protective equipment (PPEs) for frontliners; and the testing capacity of the country;
3. Social factors;
4. Economic factors; and
5. Security factors.
Luzon is under an enhanced community quarantine until April 12 due to the threat of COVID-19. To date, the country has reported 3,660 COVID-19 cases, 73 of whom have recovered while 163 died.
President Duterte said the government was inclined to extend the Luzon-wide partial lockdown or enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) until April 30 as the country continues to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
Duterte made the statement in his late-night public address Monday, six days before the ECQ ends on Easter Sunday.
In his hour-long address, Duterte told the public that the ECQ may be extended until the end of the month.
“If you really want to know, we have discussed it actually even before this, we are inclined to extend the lockdown up to April 30. Tingnan natin after that (We’ll see after that),” he said.
“In the meantime, mag double-time kami sa tinatawag niyong (we’ll go over the proposal for the) middle class,” he added, referring to Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla’s appeal to include the middle-income earners in the government’s social amelioration program.
Earlier, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said President Duterte was seriously evaluating recommendations before making his decision on the ECQ soon.
“The President is seriously evaluating the inputs and suggestions given by various sectors of society for either the extension or the lifting of the enhanced community quarantine or lockdown, and will take the best option that will purge us of this pandemic disease. He will announce his decision very soon,” he said.
He said Duterte was appealing to the public to take the COVID-19 situation seriously and follow the protocols set by the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
“They were placed there for the protection and survival of everyone. Any transgressor will be dealt with in accordance with the law,” Panelo said.
Cabinet Secretary and IATF spokesman Karlo Nograles said lifting, extending, or expanding the Luzon-wide ECQ will not be an easy decision to make as there were a lot of factors to be considered.
He, however, acknowledged that it was important to make a decision soon.
“We have to make a decision and we have to make it as soon as possible,” he said Monday.
“It will not be an easy decision, napakahirap po, it’s very, very difficult, only because ang daming factors na kailangan namin tingnan: kapakanan ng taumbayan, ang (there are a lot of factors that we need to look at: the welfare of the public, the) health, economic, social, security, medical,” he added.
Nograles earlier said an IATF sub-technical working group headed by the Department of Health (DOH) was directed to convene all concerned agencies and to finalize the aggregation and analysis of all relevant data applicable to the contained area.
The parameters adopted by the IATF for deciding on the total or partial lifting or the possible extension or expansion of the ECQ are:
1. Trends in the COVID-19 epidemiological curve, which include, among others, the doubling time, acceleration, or deceleration of new cases;
2. Capacity of the health care system, which includes, among others, the number and availability of quarantine, isolation, and treatment facilities; capability to mount contact tracing; availability of personal protective equipment (PPEs) for frontliners; and the testing capacity of the country;
3. Social factors;
4. Economic factors; and
5. Security factors.
Luzon is under an enhanced community quarantine until April 12 due to the threat of COVID-19. To date, the country has reported 3,660 COVID-19 cases, 73 of whom have recovered while 163 died.
Duterte ‘inclined’ to extend Luzon-wide quarantine until April 30
The Duterte administration is inclined to extend the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine until April 30 as the government continues to grapple with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, President Rodrigo Duterte said in a televised address on Monday.
“If you really want to know, we have discussed it actually even before this, we are inclined to extend the lockdown up to April 30,” Duterte said.
The Luzon-wide quarantine was originally targeted to be lifted by April 14.
The Philippines has so far recorded 3,660 cases of COVID-19 and 163 fatalities.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1254850/break-duterte-inclined-to-extend-luzon-wide-quarantine-until-april-30
“If you really want to know, we have discussed it actually even before this, we are inclined to extend the lockdown up to April 30,” Duterte said.
The Luzon-wide quarantine was originally targeted to be lifted by April 14.
The Philippines has so far recorded 3,660 cases of COVID-19 and 163 fatalities.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1254850/break-duterte-inclined-to-extend-luzon-wide-quarantine-until-april-30
Rizal province under lockdown amid growing number of coronavirus cases
Non-residents of Rizal can no longer enter the province except for those exempted by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Disease
Rizal province was placed under lockdown starting Monday, April 6, a necessary move amid its “growing number” of coronavirus cases.
Acting Rizal Governor Reynaldo San Juan Jr signed Executive Order 14 on Saturday, April 4.
The EO said that, as of March 29, Rizal had recorded 58 cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. It had resulted in 8 deaths. As of April 5, the health department's tracker recorded 105 cases in Rizal.
Cainta has 25 recorded COVID-19 cases, the most among the province’s 8 cities and towns. Antipolo has 17 cases, followed by Taytay with 9.
The Rizal Mayors’ League “unanimously passed a resolution” recommending that the entire province be placed under lockdown. The lockdown began at 8 am Monday and will be in effect “until otherwise lifted.”
“This is to further protect the whole province from entering possible carriers of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19),” the provincial government said in a Facebook post where it announced the lockdown.
Rizal implements its own lockdown on the final week of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte from March 16 to April 12 to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
The National Task Force (NTF) COVID-19 is still deliberating whether or not to extend the Luzon lockdown.
As of Monday, the COVID-19 cases in the country has soared to 3,660, with 163 deaths, and 73 recoveries, the Department of Health (DOH) said.
Under Rizal’s lockdown rules, non-residents of the province can no longer enter the province except for those exempted by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-EID) including “public and private health workers, emergency frontliners, government workers, diplomats, media personnel, religious ministers as well as employees who are part of the skeletal workforce of various businesses related to basic services and commodities as well as BPO and hotel industry.”
Cargo trucks and vehicles transporting food commodities and farm inputs to designated food lanes are still allowed to go inside and out of the province.
The EO directs the establishment of 24/7 checkpoints to enforce the border restriction, following the guidelines of the Joint Task Force Corona Virus Shield (JTF CV Shied).
The EO has strict reminders that “human rights shall be respected and protected at all times in the operations of the checkpoints.”
It also reminded all personnel at the checkpoint to observe physical distancing and wear personal protective equipment (PPEs).
The EO also suspended all forms of public transportation, but called on the cities and towns to provide vehicles for medical frontliners and health workers.
An express lane for those who need medical attention as well as for donations for frontliners and hospitals from donors will be set up.
The provincial government called on Rizal’s residents to stay at home as the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) had imposed a 24-hour curfew, except for family members with quarantine passes to buy food and other essential commodities.
https://www.rappler.com/nation/257177-rizal-province-lockdown-coronavirus-april-2020
Rizal province was placed under lockdown starting Monday, April 6, a necessary move amid its “growing number” of coronavirus cases.
Acting Rizal Governor Reynaldo San Juan Jr signed Executive Order 14 on Saturday, April 4.
The EO said that, as of March 29, Rizal had recorded 58 cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. It had resulted in 8 deaths. As of April 5, the health department's tracker recorded 105 cases in Rizal.
Cainta has 25 recorded COVID-19 cases, the most among the province’s 8 cities and towns. Antipolo has 17 cases, followed by Taytay with 9.
The Rizal Mayors’ League “unanimously passed a resolution” recommending that the entire province be placed under lockdown. The lockdown began at 8 am Monday and will be in effect “until otherwise lifted.”
“This is to further protect the whole province from entering possible carriers of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19),” the provincial government said in a Facebook post where it announced the lockdown.
Rizal implements its own lockdown on the final week of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte from March 16 to April 12 to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
The National Task Force (NTF) COVID-19 is still deliberating whether or not to extend the Luzon lockdown.
As of Monday, the COVID-19 cases in the country has soared to 3,660, with 163 deaths, and 73 recoveries, the Department of Health (DOH) said.
Under Rizal’s lockdown rules, non-residents of the province can no longer enter the province except for those exempted by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-EID) including “public and private health workers, emergency frontliners, government workers, diplomats, media personnel, religious ministers as well as employees who are part of the skeletal workforce of various businesses related to basic services and commodities as well as BPO and hotel industry.”
Cargo trucks and vehicles transporting food commodities and farm inputs to designated food lanes are still allowed to go inside and out of the province.
The EO directs the establishment of 24/7 checkpoints to enforce the border restriction, following the guidelines of the Joint Task Force Corona Virus Shield (JTF CV Shied).
The EO has strict reminders that “human rights shall be respected and protected at all times in the operations of the checkpoints.”
It also reminded all personnel at the checkpoint to observe physical distancing and wear personal protective equipment (PPEs).
The EO also suspended all forms of public transportation, but called on the cities and towns to provide vehicles for medical frontliners and health workers.
An express lane for those who need medical attention as well as for donations for frontliners and hospitals from donors will be set up.
The provincial government called on Rizal’s residents to stay at home as the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) had imposed a 24-hour curfew, except for family members with quarantine passes to buy food and other essential commodities.
https://www.rappler.com/nation/257177-rizal-province-lockdown-coronavirus-april-2020
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