They have been working non-stop since the lockdown was called last March of this year and have been busy navigating the many intricacies and rules needed to have properties correctly complying with state and LGU mandated rules. Below are the excerpts of some of our discussion. 

SamsungPAT: Thank you for talking to us Sir Mike. How has quarantine life been treating you? 

Mike Magpusao, COO, APMC: This pandemic has certainly rocked our entire world. Since APMC is in-charge of directly managing all Estates, Residential developments, Office Building not to mention providing support to Ayala Malls, Hotels, and other Ayala Land Inc. developments, we were not able to go home during the 67-days of ECQ. We “manned the fort”, from 17 Mar to 22 May. Myself together with 26 Safety & Engineering SMEs, and 6326 Property Managers & their respective staff supported 307-Ayala Land Inc. sites nation-wide.

SamsungPAT: The pandemic made us realized a lot of things that we really didn’t notice previously. Why are enclosed spaces, specifically buildings vulnerable? 

Mike Magpusao: The Pandemic caught the world unprepared and the science to understand the COVID-19 behavior is changing daily, specifically the SARS CoV-2 virus. While the situation is like this, we need to ADOPT, BE FLEXIBLE, and ensure we are ALWAYS at the SAFE side of precautions. 

Enclosed spaces are vulnerable because most have poor ventilation. In the fight against this crisis, proper ventilation is critical. Therefore, while COVID-19 is considered NOT airborne based on WHO, DOH, and ASHRAE, we must still do precautionary measures like: 

1. Ensure sufficient fresh air; 
2. Air flow direction; 
3. Avoid cross contamination; 

SamsungPAT: How soon did you realize that the situation is going to be big and will definitely have a major effect on how you do your operations? 

Mike Magpusao: Based on different facts & scientific studies released by WHO, CDC, ASHRAE, DOH as early as late Mar, we knew this crisis is going to be huge. While it didn’t really affect our day to day operations as we are used to things changing daily and constantly, it was still challenging to make sure that fact-based executions are followed and flexibility together with logical decisions are consistently upheld to make sure that we can continue to deliver quality and cost effective operations. 

If there is one thing the current pandemic has taught us it is the fact that perhaps this is what the “new normal” will look like. Rapid digitalization (i.e contactless transactions, digital reservations, etc.) and high-level consciousness on safety will continue to be the new normal. Which I feel is good & very progressive and is going to be positive for all of us

SamsungPAT: Within the context of buildings and enclosed spaces, like what we have here in our facility, what are some of the most common myths and misconceptions floating around? 

Mike Magpusao: Not being able to differentiate because of mixed information out there especially with studies that deals with “hospital set-up” as opposed to “general building set-up” to justify “airborne transmissions”. As I had mentioned previously and based on the all of the studies and recommendations given by the international bodies as well as the local counterparts here in the Philippines, COVID-19 is generally not airborne. EXCEPT in HOSPITALS. Studies have shown that Covid-19 Coronavirus can be air-borne at the hospital due to the concentration of viral load from the “infected patients” and/or “poor ventilation and air-exchange.” Because of this, there has been a lot of recommendations on how to properly safeguard buildings by installing or using different products. Some of them while helpful, are not necessarily effective. A great example would be products that supposedly were effectively tested on “Human Corona Virus” but the specimen is not SARS CoV-2 (which is the actual virus causing Covid-19) but they are claiming it as effective to COVID-19. Another one would be those that advises to use HEPA Filters (High Efficiency Particulate Filter) in the centralized HVAC but they did not consider that HEPA filters are good up to 0.3 mm but SARS CoV-2 is only around 0.1 to 0.08mm. Therefore, HEPA filters cannot really effectively filter SARS CoV2. 

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SamsungPAT: As you know we are about to open the new Samsung Performing Arts Theater? Performing arts venues were one of the very first ones asked to close and will more than likely be one of the last ones called to open. As an Ayala property, managed by APMC, what are some of the measures we are doing and implementing to make sure that we are ready to welcome everybody in our brand-new facility without as much fear or risks? 

Mike Magpusao: At APMC, we have implemented a “SAFE 8” program to effectively manage all of our properties. This program will focus on the following 8 critical areas: 

1. Prepare the Property 

2. Prepare our Workforce 

3. Strengthen the Contactless Access Control 

4. Protect the Front liners 

5. Implement Multiple Points Social Distancing 

6. Reduce Touch Points 

7. Communicate, communicate, communicate 

8. Work with Partners & Customers 

In addition to the “Safe 8” program, in order for us to make sure your theater is going to be safe; we need to understand the “changing science” of COVID-19 so that we can continue to implement effective mitigating factors within the facility. Further, it is very important that we ensure compliance to local IATF regulation, DOH guidance, and applicable local & national government rules to make sure we are cooperating and helping the rest of the country move forward as we open and welcome the public to your theater.