DTI Ensures Unhampered Movement of Cargo and Transit of Personnel of Operating Establishments

“Movement of all food and non-food cargoes within, to, and from Luzon shall be unhampered, and if subjected to random inspection, shall not be delayed. Transit of personnel of all establishments allowed to operate shall likewise be permitted,” says the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in its latest issuance, Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 20-06.

The MC covers enterprises engaged in the manufacture of all food and essential products, medicine, and medical supplies such as, but not limited to, soap and detergents, diapers, feminine hygiene products, tissue, wipes, and toilet papers, disinfectants, medicines and vitamins; medical personal protective equipment, gloves, and masks.

This includes the distribution and logistics to support manufacturing activities, including cargo handling, warehousing, trucking, and port operations.

Retail establishments such as supermarkets, groceries, hypermarkets, convenience stores, and pharmacies and drug stores, and the Export and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies are likewise included in the said issuance.

While the MC ensures the smooth and unimpeded movement of all cargoes in the Luzon area, when stopped at any checkpoint for random inspection, the cargo manifest or delivery receipt indicating the destination, nature, and quantity of the loaded goods/cargoes must be presented for them not be delayed.

Transit of personnel of these operating enterprises and establishments shall likewise be allowed in all checkpoints upon presentation of a valid company-issued identification card, proof of residence, or certificate of employment. To further facilitate this, by 22 March 2020, an official IATF ID duly issued by the DTI will be presented at the checkpoints instead of the usual identification requirements.

To apply for the IATF ID, qualified enterprises and establishments covered by MC 20-06 may download and fill-out the template from the DTI website, www.dti.gov.ph/iatfid/, and submit to the following contact points:

CONTACT PERSONS	EMAIL
MANUFACTURING Board of Investments (BOI) Executive Director Ma. Corazon H. Dichosa	manufacturers@dti.gov.ph
RETAIL DTI-Consumer Protection Group (CPG) Ms. Angeli Ann Solis Ms. Maria Lorena A. Yanga	retailers@dti.gov.ph
LOGISTICS SERVICES DTI-Supply Chain and Logistics Management Division (SCLMD) Mr. Jonathan Cabaltera Ms. Wea Bohol Ms. Berlin Mabuna	logistics@dti.gov.ph

Meanwhile, operations of Export and BPO companies on a skeletal workforce will be allowed provided that, they observe strict social distancing measures and provide temporary lodging and shuttle service to those assigned as skeletal personnel.

Arrangement with hotels for accommodation of employees of export-oriented and BPO companies and transfer of necessary equipment such as, but not limited to, desktop computers and laptops for those working from home will be permitted until 20 March 2020, unless extended.

“We completely understand the plight of the enterprises and establishments, and their people. The government is doing everything it can to facilitate the most reasonable arrangements while adhering to the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Luzon for the smooth delivery of basic essential goods and services to the people in this time of emergency,” says DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez.

Copies of MC 20-06 were furnished to the Philippine National Police and local government units for proper implementation.

DTI: Manufacturers Assure Sufficient Supply of Basic Goods and Disinfectants in the Market

MAKATI CITY — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) convened the manufacturers of basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPC), and alcohol and other disinfectants in a meeting today following the surge in demand for these products in light of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak.

The emergency meeting was called to ensure supply availability and price stability of consumer goods in the market.

According to the manufacturers of basic goods, supply is sufficient while regular stocks in their warehouses are good for 1 month more or less, and they can produce more as the need arises.

On rice, the National Food Authority (NFA) assured the DTI that there is sufficient supply in the country.

On retail, supermarket officers of Robinsons, SM and Puregold reported that they hold regular inventory that is good for two (2) months.

Mercury Drug Store mentioned that they maintain a month’s stock of medicines.

On disinfectants, Green Cross Inc. and Philusa Corporation assured the DTI that they have sufficient supply for the coming months and committed to not increase their prices for alcohol brands—Green Cross, Rhea, and Cleene. Both manufacturers said that they are maximizing production to meet the current demand.

Supermarkets and other retail stores agreed with the instruction of DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez to strictly implement the “two bottles of alcohol per transaction” policy to limit the purchase of each buyer thereby preventing shortage and the possibility of resale at an overpriced rate.

“Consumers need not worry as we have enough stocks of basic goods in the market. The DTI is working closely with the manufacturers and retailers to ensure continued flow of supply in the market and reasonableness of prices of basic goods including disinfectants,” says Sec. Lopez.

To ensure the availability of sanitizers, the manufacturers sought assistance from the DTI in coordinating with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to fast track the issuance of Certificates of Product Registration for imported disinfectants.

In terms of health and safety measures, retailers are providing disinfectants at the mall entrances and cash registers. Further, security guards are using contactless thermometers to check the temperature of mall-goers to mitigate the spread of virus.

The meeting was attended by Coca-Cola Femsa Philippines Inc, Alaska Milk Corporation, CDO Foodsphere, Universal Robina Corporation, Century Pacific Inc, Procter & Gamble Distributing Philippines, Inc. San Miguel Purefoods and Beverage, Inc., Phil Leading Infinite Inc, Nature’s Spring, Megal Global Corporation, Nestle Philippines, Unilever, Gardenia Philippines, National Food Authority, Philippine Consumer Centric Traders Association, Inc., Canned Sardines Association of the Philippines, Green Cross, Johnson & Johnson Philippines Inc, Philusa Corporation, SM Supermarkets, JG Summit Holdings, Inc., Puregold, Metro Retail Stores Group of Companies, Inc, Mercury Drug Store, The Generics Pharmacy, and Metro Retail Stores Group of Companies, Inc.

Business establishments found to have committed any illegal act of price manipulation such as hoarding or profiteering will face a stiff penalty of imprisonment for a period of five (5) years to fifteen (15) years, and will be imposed a fine ranging from Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00) up to Two Million Pesos (P2,000,000.00).

Consumers are enjoined to report hoarding, profiteering, panic buying, and any other act of illegal price manipulation through the One-DTI (1-384) Hotline or send an email to ConsumerCare@dti.gov.ph.