DTI Monitors the COVID-19 Protocols Set for Resumed Enterprises in ZamPen

To curtail the transmission of the COVID-19 spread as businesses resumed operations in Zamboanga Peninsula, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) guarantee that the employers and workers properly observe the precautionary health measures in the workplace.

DTI-IX OIC-Regional Director Ceferino Rubio joined the DOLE and local government units (LGUs) in the series of region-wide monitoring of barbershops, salons, dine-in and fast food restaurants which were allowed to resume operations last June 7, 2020.

Initial findings on the inspection conducted among the establishments include the presence of waiting area outside the establishment, foot bath, temperature check and disinfection upon entrance for both employees and clients; filling out of health checklist for employees, safe distancing of 1 to 1.5 meters among employees and clients, and use of PPE for employees.

Rubio stressed that post-audit will also be carried out to focus on the mandatory protocols which shall serve as the basis to issue an outright warning to the establishment on the first instance of violation. Upon receipt, the concerned DTI Office shall forward the individual reports of erring establishments to the proper LGU for appropriate enforcement and monitoring procedures. The concerned office is also expected to recommend to the proper LGU: a.) temporary closure of the establishment should the LGU still find the establishment unable to comply within the following day, and b.) erring establishments may only resume operations once proven able to comply the mandatory protocols.

DTI Region 9 continuously conducts the monitoring in the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay and the cities of Zamboanga and Isabela. Monitoring covers those establishments that are already allowed to operate during GCQ for Zamboanga City and MGCQ for the rest of the region.

However, Rubio also stressed that the following establishments are not yet allowed to operate during GCQ: gyms, fitness studios and sports facilities, entertainment, business, politically, and or sports related mass gatherings, libraries, archives, museums, gambling and betting activities, travel agency, tour operators, reservation services, and activities of membership organizations.

To date, DTI IX has already reached and inspected 350 establishments, in which 267 establishments has 183% compliance and 83 establishments with partial compliance.

Diskwento Caravan Continues to Roll, Moves West of the City

The Department of Trade and Industry, through the initiative of its Regional Operations Group (DTI-ROG) led by Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona, has finally run the Diskwento Caravan rolling store, heading its way to the western portion of Zamboanga City after serving four (4) barangays in the east. It first went to Barangay Sinunuc on April 24, 2020, and on April 28, it rolled to Barangay San Roque.

In Sinunuc, it served a total of eight hundred twenty-one (821) consumers generating sales amounting to PhP 252,566.00. While in San Roque, nine hundred thirty-two (932) consumers were served by the rolling store which also generated PhP 297,936.00 in sales. The number of consumers served by the rolling store in the two barangays are the highest since it started operating on April 7.

“We believe that the absence of grocery and convenience stores in Sinunuc is one of the major reasons for the large turnout of buyers during our visit in the area. Among the barangays we visited so far, it was in Sinunuc where the rolling store was the busiest. More or less, we were able to serve eight hundred twenty-one (821) consumers”, said Rowena Divinagracia of DTI-Zamboanga City’s Consumer Protection Division. “We expect higher turnouts and hope to help more consumers in other areas where it is really difficult for the people to access basic grocery items.”

Four (4) days later, new records, both in the number of consumers served and amount of sales were posted in Barangay San Roque. Of the total number of consumers reached out by the rolling store, almost a quarter were from San Roque.

“Ta puede gane kita mira, maga gente y vivientes de San Roque cay este dia ya dale gayod canaton privilegio especialmente el maga departamento de govierno - el DTI, el Department of Agriculture, el City Agriculture’s office. Alegre gane kita cay bien manada gayod ya puede beneficia el de aton maga residente taqui ahora (We can clearly see that, today, the people of San Roque are very privileged especially that various government agencies are here – the DTI, Department of Agriculture (DA) and City Agriculture’s Office. We are very glad that many, who are here, are benefitting from this event)”, Chairman Edgardo Delgado of Barangay San Roque said in an interview.

In all areas visited by the rolling store, the DA’s Kadiwa on Wheels also brings with it basic agricultural commodities such as vegetables, fruits, fish and poultry products.

The DTI, other line government agencies and the local government unit of Zamboanga City continue to provide the people of Zamboanga easier access to their basic necessities.