DTI Lifts Quantity Limits on Essential Products Except for 4 Essential Products

Amid the community quarantine, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) issued Memorandum Circular (MC) 20-36, amending the previously issued circulars on Anti- Hoarding and Anti-Panic Buying, MC 20-07, MC-20-10 and MC 20-25 that limit consumer purchase on essential and vital products.

Under the latest circular, the general public can now purchase a maximum of five (5) bottles for sizes of 1Liter and below and a maximum of three (3) for sizes more than 1Liter for products such as disinfecting alcohol, hand sanitizers, and disinfecting liquids.

Meanwhile, a maximum of 50 pieces of face mask per person, whether N95 or N88 may now be availed of under MC 20-36 as compared to 10 pieces previously in MC 20-25.

Disinfecting alcohol	5 bottles for sizes one liter and below 3 bottles for sizes more than one liter
Hand sanitizers	5 bottles for sizes one liter and below 3 bottles for sizes more than one liter
Disinfecting liquids	5 bottles for sizes one liter and below 3 bottles for sizes more than one liter
Face Masks  (N95 and N88)	1 box of 50 pieces

It can be recalled that the quantity limits for alcohol, sanitizers, and disinfecting liquids were limited to two (2) pieces regardless of size under MC 20-07 which was issued last March 2020.

Further, under MC-20-36, the quantity limits for basic necessities and prime commodities such as locally produced instant noodles, canned sardines, canned regular milk, powdered milk in sachet, instant coffee in sachet, mineral water, loaf bread, canned pork, canned beef, detergent soap, bath soap, and condiments have been lifted.

“As we continue the battle against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) while at the same time adjusting to the new normal, our manufacturers and retailers continue to assure us of the sufficiency of supply of finished goods as well as raw materials necessary for production of these basic necessities and prime commodities, hence the need to relax the restrictions on some products and increase the quantity of limit per transaction for those that are vital and essential during this pandemic”, says DTI Consumer Protection Group Undersecretary Ruth B. Castelo.

The Department enjoins the consumers to always observe physical distancing when doing grocery shopping or doing business outside their homes and to always sanitize their hands.

For consumer-related concerns and queries, you may send an email to ConsumerCare@dti.gov.ph or reach us thru the One-DTI (1-384) Hotline.

DTI in Sydney offers Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan Webinar Series to Overseas Filipinos Affected by COVID-19

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Sydney, the overseas office of the DTI in Australia, organized the first webinar of the Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan (TNK) webinar series held on 20 April 2020.

The TNK is an initiative of the DTI in partnership with other government agencies, private sector, academe and civil society organizations, to increase incomes by generating more jobs and promoting entrepreneurship. The program aims to popularize entrepreneurship as an alternative to unemployment, job-seeking or migration.

Alma Argayoso, the Philippine commercial consul to Australia said that PTIC-Sydney had conducted TNK seminars in the past and has lined-up several seminars this year. However, due to coronavirus restrictions, the physical events have been cancelled but they have decided to offer virtual seminars.

“We realized that the webinars would be very useful particularly for those who have lost their jobs due to COVID-19, or for returning Filipinos who would like to start their own business. The webinars might also be of interest to Overseas Filipino Investors (OFIs) or even Australians who would like to help the Philippines recover from the pandemic by investing in viable economic activities in the country as soon as lockdown restrictions are lifted or helping finance the livelihood activities or rehabilitation efforts of their relatives or friends back home,” Argayoso said.

The first webinar of the series covered Franchising 101 and discussed key topics such as how to start and select a franchise business, benefits and pitfalls of franchising, franchising regulations, and franchising opportunities in Australia and the Philippines.

The speaker, Mr. Rudolf Kotik, founder of RK Franchise Consultancy Incorporated, discussed the basics of franchising for those looking for franchise opportunities in the Philippines or Australia, as well as opportunities for business owners who wish to develop their business into a franchise. An option to participate in a co-franchise agreement was also discussed where an opportunity to co-own a franchise together with other franchisees is available for those who wish to start a franchising business as a passive investor.

Mr. Kotik highlighted that the future of franchising is assured even after COVID-19 and is one of the most enduring industries one can think of. He said that aside from food businesses, the services sector such as beauty salons, spa services and laundry shops would bounce back immediately after lockdown restrictions are lifted.

“Franchising is an industry with a proven business system and the best way to invest your money and I highly recommend it to our overseas Filipino workers looking for alternative ways of employment or those who have lost their jobs due to COVID-19,” Kotik added.

Argayoso, during her presentation, highlighted that aside from the webinar initiated by her office, the DTI in the Philippines offers various services, tools and information to help Filipinos succeed as entrepreneurs. Through DTI’s Negosyo Centers located all over the country, the agency provides business advisory, business registration facilitation, product catalogue preparation, packaging and labelling design development, mentorship, education and training, exposure to online platforms and trade fairs, as well as funding for MSMEs.

More recently, DTI’s financing arm, SB Corporation announced a P1B loan facility for MSMEs affected by COVID-19 which will be rolled out by partnering with Negosyo Centers in accepting loan applications for small enterprises.

Argayoso said the TNK webinar series will discuss various business opportunities and feature a sector or industry per session. It will also include other topics of interest related to starting a business

PGH Calls for Blood Donations from COVID-19 Survivors

Since April 15, the number of people who have recovered from the coronavirus disease has surpassed the nationwide death toll. Today, there are a total of 693 recoveries and 446 deaths. Of those 446, 9 died just yesterday. So while the situation is improving, there is still much to do.

“Filipinos continue to suffer and some eventually die from Covid 19 everyday. There is no proven treatment yet for this although different medications and regimens are being investigated. And the vaccine against the novel coronavirus is not yet available. That is why we are calling for plasma donations from Covid 19 survivors. Their antibodies may help save patients who are still battling the disease, especially the severe and critical cases,” said Dr. Jonas Del Rosario, spokesperson for the Philippine General Hospital.

Known as convalescent plasma therapy, the treatment is a century-old technique that has been tried and tested on numerous illnesses, most recently for diseases such as Ebola, Sars, Mers, and Swine Flu. It involves the transfusion of plasma, the liquid component of blood, from a recovered patient to a sick patient.

Much like other organizations around the world, the PGH sees plasma therapy as a possible stop-gap to hold the virus at bay while more complex treatments are developed. “A vaccine is a year out, but what if we can use the antibodies of those who have already survived to strengthen the immune system of those still battling the virus,” said Dr. Del Rosario.

Since beginning the experimental treatment very recently, the PGH has received over 90 inquiries with more than 21 passing the criteria and at least 19 having already donated plasma. At least 5 COVID-19 patients were able to receive transfusions.

“Right now, we are taking care of over 100 COVID-19 patients in the PGH, and some of those are severe and critical cases who have exhausted all other treatment options with no success. For them, plasma therapy could be the last resort. That’s why we’re looking for more donors,” said Dr. Del Rosario.

The plasma donation process for COVID-19 survivors is fairly straightforward. When a prospective donor calls the PGH hotline, he or she is first evaluated over the phone. Once found eligible to donate, PGH personnel will conduct a home visit to get informed consent and a blood sample. After that, the donor is invited to the College of Medicine in UP Manila to donate. For all COVID-19 survivors who want to donate, you may call the PGH hotline at 155-200.

Minimum Health Standards will be the New Protocol in Business Operations – DTI Chief

MANILA—Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez said best hygiene and health measures practiced among leading export companies should be the new protocol in business operations as the country prepares for the post-Enhanced Community Quarantine (post-ECQ) scenario.

“Minimum health standards such as strict social distancing, wearing of face masks, presence of sanitation stations, taking of body temperature, and provision of vitamins must always be observed in work and public places," Sec. Lopez said.

"Likewise, the conduct of COVID-19 tests, provision of nearby accommodations and shuttle services, allowing more work-from-home arrangements, and healthcare preparedness and insurance from enterprises, should be the new normal as we ease into the new way of doing business,” he added.

The trade chief explained that these measures must be exercised in order to minimize the health risk among workers as essential enterprises conduct their operations.

He further emphasized that these be strictly required once other sectors are granted to conduct businesses.

“We need to have a new way of doing business to ensure that our significant gains during the ECQ and the collective efforts in flattening the curve will not be put to waste once ECQ is fully lifted,” the trade secretary said.

“It is accepted that health takes primacy over the economy, but there is no dichotomy between the two if we take precautionary health measures when we do business and work with other people to minimize any health risk in a post-ECQ environment”, Sec. Lopez added.

Several sectors have been recognized by DTI for their interventions in protecting the safety and well-being of their employees, as well as in providing them with extensive health benefits.

Among these include leading export-oriented manufacturing industries, which provided additional health benefits such as near-site accommodation and shuttle services, hiring from local communities, provision of vitamins and medicines and regular check-ups and healthcare in the workplace. These companies also distributed face masks and digital thermometers to employees at no cost, and set up ambulances, isolation tents, and clinics in their facilities.

DTI has also been working with the DOH and DOLE to issue the new set of guidelines on the minimum health protocols in all business operations.

The trade chief acknowledged the importance of continuing working-from-home arrangements where possible to help mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. He added that the rise of the e-commerce industry and delivery models should be further enhanced even after the ECQ.

“As we continue to collaborate with different industries, we call on the cooperation of all our partners in the private sector to maintain best practices through observing health protocols and sustaining measures for employees’ welfare. Only then can we heal as one and move forward as one,” Sec. Lopez said.

DTI, CONWEP to produce 300,000 PPE coveralls for healthcare workers

MAKATI—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has partnered with the Confederation of Wearable Exporters of the Philippines (CONWEP) to produce 300,000 locally-manufactured personal protective equipment (PPE) coveralls for the country’s healthcare workers.

To address the deficient supply of PPE in the country, DTI launched the Bayanihan PPE Project with the garment exporters of CONWEP and the Department of Health (DOH) to help the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) through the local production of medical-grade PPEs.

On Wednesday, 22 April 2020, the Inter-Agency Task Force against Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID)—through DTI, DOH, and CONWEP—turned over to PGH the first 10,000 of the 300,000 locally-manufactured PPE coveralls.

“This collaboration by the government and the private sector aims to develop our country’s capacity to produce medical-grade PPE. This will also meet our demand for these vital medical supplies throughout the pandemic and beyond," said DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez.

"There is really a need to create local manufacturing capacities to reduce import dependence, especially at a time when there is also a global shortage of critical medical supplies like PPEs and masks. Self-reliance is key to our strategy,” the trade chief added.

The project is an initiative by DTI and the Board of Investments (BOI) to repurpose economic activities for the manufacture of health and medical products to address the COVID-19 situation. It leverages on the strengths of local firms and industries, particularly in product development, logistics and production systems, and the country’s skilled workforce.

While CONWEP, with the assistance of BOI, executed the design of the PPE coveralls, DOH and PGH ensured that the approved prototype can be used even in high
COVID-risk hospital situations such as operating rooms, COVID-19 positive wards, ICUs, and the like

To further address the shortage in PPEs, DTI issued on 11 April 2020 Memorandum Circular No. 20-15, which extends the daily operating hours of retail establishments authorized to operate during the enhanced community quarantine. DTI also approved the temporary increase of workforce capacity for manufacturers of essential goods to ensure sufficient supply of these necessities during the quarantine period.

With the increased supply and ongoing production of PPEs, DOH Secretary Francisco Duque is hopeful that public healthcare workers and frontliners at PGH will be fully equipped to serve without fear and doubt as they face their day-to-day challenges

“We are also future-proofing the Philippine health sector. We will continue to seek out ways to lessen the various risks to our frontliners as their safety and well-being remain our top priority,” Sec. Duque said

Meanwhile, Secretary Lopez highlighted that another important component of the initiative for repurposing manufacturing is the linking of resources and capabilities across different sectors

He expressed his thanks and appreciation to San Miguel Corporation for procuring the initial 10,000 pieces of PPE coveralls, to Minebea for donating 15,000 N95 masks to PGH, and to Steel Asia for pledging support to the Bayanihan PPE Project

The trade chief likewise extended his gratitude to the UPS Foundation, Air21, and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation for their help in facilitating the airlift of fabrics from Shenzhen to Cavite, including the waiving of fees for transport and logistics.

“I am optimistic that this collaboration between the private and public sector will encourage other business groups to give support to the Bayanihan PPE Project,” Sec. Lopez said.

“By locally-manufacturing medical grade PPEs we not only protect those who are at the forefront of this health crisis, but also create a sustainable local supply chain amid the ongoing pandemic,” he added.

DTI Conducts Diskwento Caravan amid COVID-19

DTI Conducts Diskwento Caravan amid COVID-19In the midst of the enhanced community quarantine, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) began its series of Diskwento Caravan in Navotas City last 14 April 2020 and in Taguig City last 15 April 2020, which was jointly conducted with the Department of Agriculture (DA).

This initiative aims to supply basic goods priced in accordance with, or lower than the suggested retail prices. The basic necessities in the caravan include canned sardines, Instant noodles, coffee, soap, condiments (vinegar, soy sauce), cooking oil, fresh fish and chicken, vegetables, and fruits. Bottles of disinfectant alcohol were also made available.

“The Department will continue to find ways to help consumers especially in this challenging time,” says DTI Assistant Secretary Domingo Tolentino Jr.

“We recognize that in this crisis, we work and heal as one. Our close coordination with the Department of Agriculture (DA), retailers, manufacturers and Local Government Units (LGU) is essential in ensuring supply of basic necessities and are priced according to, or lower than the prevailing prices set in the price freeze list,” DTI Consumer Protection Group Undersecretary Ruth B. Castelo underscores.

The DTI’s Consumer Policy and Advocacy Bureau (CPAB) coordinates with the manufacturers and retailers of basic necessities to be part of the Caravan. “We enjoin our partners from the industry of basic necessities to assist our consumer by offering their products in the caravan and providing them at discounted prices,” Undersecretary Castelo adds.

In partnership with the LGUs and the DA, the DTI promotes the strict implementation of social distancing during the conduct of the Diskwento Caravan.

To report establishments that sell basic necessities beyond the price freeze, consumers may call the One-DTI (1-384) Hotline or send an email to ConsumerCare@dti.gov.ph. For the price freeze lists for NCR and the province, visit the DTI website, www.dti.gov.ph.

Exporters Urged to Register for EU-GSP+ Privileges Before June 30 Deadline

MAKATI – The Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB) urged all Philippine exporters to the European Union to register to the EU Registered Exporter System (EU REX) before the June 30, 2020 deadline to avail themselves of preferential tariffs under the European Union’s Generalised System of Preferences Plus or EU GSP+. 

The EU REX is a system of self-certification, with a Statement on Origin replacing the Certificates of Origin (CO) Form A.  After the set deadline has passed, the EU will no longer accept the CO Form A.

"Our exporters to Europe should now register with the EU REX so that they can avail themselves of the preferential tariffs under the EU GSP+.  This one-time registration simplifies the process of exporting to the EU because exporters no longer need to get a Certificate of Origin (CO) Form A from the Bureau of Customs every time they ship to the EU," said DTI-Trade Promotions Group (TPG) Undersecretary Abdulgani M. Macatoman. 

The Philippines is one of the beneficiary countries of the EU GSP+ that grants zero tariffs to 6,274 product lines. These products include particular items of fish, dairy, fruits, vegetables, coconut oils, coffee, cocoa, tobacco, chemicals, fertilizers, essential oils, soaps, articles of plastics and rubber. Also included are articles of wood and leather, apparels, footwear and headgears, ceramic products, glass and glassware, pearls, fine and costume jewelry, furniture, auto and aero parts, ships and boats, electronics and semi-conductors, watches, and other manufactured articles.  

The procedure for registration is outlined in the Philippine Bureau of Customs (BOC) Memorandum Order (CMO) 50 - 2019: Guidelines on the Implementation of the Registered Exporter System (REX) for Exporters under European Union-Generalised System of Preferences (EU GSP).

Producers, manufacturers, or traders may apply by filling out the application available at  https://customs.ec.europa.eu/rex-pa-ui/#/create-preapplication/.

Once application has been filled out and submitted electronically, the producer, manufacturer or trader shall submit the application form to the concerned Export Division/Unit with the Unique Reference Number (URN) as PEZA locators, Client Profile Registration System (CPRS) for non-PEZA locators or other equivalent document; and a Product Evaluation Report, if applicable.

During this time of the expanded community quarantine (ECQ), applicants can now submit their applications together with the other required documents online directly to gina.german@customs.gov.ph and ecd@customs.gov.ph or through the BOC portal client.customs.gov.ph.

Applications evaluated by Export Division/Unit of the port shall be endorsed to ECD (Export Coordination Division) for its registration to the REX system.  Registered exporters shall be assigned with a REX Number within seven (7) working days from receipt of the complete set of documents endorsed by the port to ECD.

Exporters and the endorsing port shall be notified by the ECD on the results of the application with the assigned REX number.  Denial of application shall likewise be communicated stating the reason therein.

The Statement on Origin must be completed in legible and permanent form, and issued by typing, printing or stamping the text stated below on the invoice, pro-forma invoice, packing list or any other commercial document identifying clearly the originating products:

“The exporter (Registered Exporter Number) of the products covered by this document declares that, except where otherwise clearly indicated, these products are of Philippine preferential origin according to rules of origin of the Generalised System of Preferences of the European Union and the origin criterion met is _______.”

The Registered Exporter Number must be indicated in the Statement on Origin if the value of the originating goods for consignment is above the value threshold of 6,000 EUR.  If the value of the originating goods is below the value threshold, then any exporter, even though not registered with BOC, may accomplish a Statement on Origin.

Representative/s of an exporter shall be allowed to make origin declaration upon submission of the exporter’s written authorization.

For further inquiries on EU REX, contact the export officers in the local ports, Ms. Gina C. German of the BOC at gina.german@customs.gov.ph or Ms. Maria Jaena Go-Aco of the DTI-EMB at MariaJaenaGoaco@dti.gov.ph.

DTI 4-A’s SSF for Garments Production Manufactures PPE Coveralls for Healthcare Workers

The Department of Trade and Industry-Regional Operations Group (DTI-ROG) and DTI-Region
4A, through its Shared Service Facility (SSF) for Garments Production, collaborated with Reliance
Producers Cooperative in Carmona, Cavite, in manufacturing laboratory gowns, jump suits, and
face masks for the country’s healthcare workers.

The initiative is in response to the call of the Department of Health (DOH) to work closely with the
DTI, industry associations, and private firms to produce personal protective equipment (PPEs)
locally.

Established on April 4, 2017, the Reliance Producers Cooperative is a member of the
Confederation of Wearables Exporters of the Philippines (CONWEP), which has been tapped by
the DOH to produce 10,000 PPE coveralls daily. The Cooperative is the first and only Philippine
Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) registered and authorized to engage in garment manufacturing
and exporting in the Philippines. It has 2,300 member-workers catering a wide range of products
to international customers with distinguished brands.

Since April 8, 2020, Reliance Producers is manufacturing 600 lab gowns, 500 jump suits, and
1,000 face masks per day with 300 member-workers. Upon the arrival of additional raw materials,
they are targeting 5,000 pieces of PPE per day with added workforce.

The DTI 4-A provided ten (10) units of single needle-lock stitch needle feed machine, six (6) units
of over lock five-threads machine, six (6) units of cover stitch machine, four (4) units of buttonhole
machine, and four (4) units of bar tack machine to the Cooperative on June 1, 2016. Presently,
these machines are used to manufacture the PPEs, using raw materials that have met
international standards for waterproofing and resistance to contaminants.

“In this very difficult time, it is vital that we have enough PPEs for our healthcare workers to ensure
their safety in this fight against COVID-19, and we are happy with the support that we are getting
from different sectors. The use of our SSFs to produce more PPEs is our way of helping and
protecting the healthcare workers and other frontliners since they are the ones who are most
exposed to dangers,” said DTI-CALABARZON Director Marilou Toledo.

The SSF Project is a major component of the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME)
Development programs to improve and develop competitiveness among the entrepreneurs by
giving them access to energy efficient technologies and more sophisticated equipment.
Beneficiaries of the project are the actual and potential users of the SSF, which should be
predominantly cooperatives, associations, or groups of MSMEs including individual entrepreneurs
who may not be members of cooperatives, associations, corporations, or organizations.

PH Exports Grow for Second Straight Month in February

MAKATI – Amidst a backdrop of the surging COVID-19 pandemic, Philippine merchandise exports grew by 2.8% in February 2020 to USD5.4B from USD5.3B in the same period last year, based on the preliminary Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data. Semiconductors were still the top export product, comprising 75.7% of electronics exports and 41.7% of all merchandise exports.

This was the second consecutive month of positive growth, after the 9.7% growth in January 2020. Cumulatively, merchandise exports grew by 6.1% in the first two months of 2020 to USD11.2B from USD10.5B in the same period a year ago.

The Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB) pointed out that for February, six of the top 10 export products recorded positive growth. These were other manufactured goods (45.0%); fresh bananas (29.6%); other mineral products (13.2%); machinery and transport equipment (11.7%); gold (6.0%); and electronic products (3.4%). Majority of export products were still electronic products at 55.1% while non-electronics made up the remaining 44.9%

After posting a 15.8% increase in January, electronics exports grew again in February, albeit at a slower pace, by 9.7%. This was a lot better than the negative 0.5% growth recorded in the same period last year. Meanwhile, exports of non-electronic products rose from a 24-month decline with a 2.0% growth to USD5.0B year-to-date (YTD) from USD4.9B in the same period last year.

In terms of markets, exports grew in seven out of the top 10 markets of the Philippines. Exports to Malaysia grew the biggest at 28.5% YTD to USD340M. This was followed by South Korea with an 18.9% growth to USD490M and Thailand with a 15.3% growth to USD500M.

Exports in the top three markets, namely China, including Hong Kong; Japan; and the US also grew in February, albeit more modestly. These countries made up 57.3% of all Philippine merchandise exports in the review period.

The Philippines was also in the five countries among 11 Asian trade-oriented economies with positive YTD growth. The country ranked 3rd in YTD and 9th in year-on-year (YOY) exports.

However, the stellar performer was Vietnam, which posted a 50% YOY export growth, according to Bloomberg, it can be attributed to shipments of new Samsung S20 phones.

On the other hand, Chinese exports declined the most at 17.3% in February, while it is battling with the COVID-19 pandemic.

In another development, the DTI-EMB is conducting an online survey to PH exporters on the "Impact of COVID on Your Export Business". The survey seeks to learn and understand the impact of COVID-19 on the exporters' businesses, with the results to be used as basis for a data-driven recovery plan to be crafted by DTI-EMB for the Philippine export sector.