With the imposed enhanced community quarantine, one of the means directed towards controlling the spread of the dreaded COVID-19 in the country, everyone has been forced to stay put and stay home. Yet, just because you are at home and isolated doesn’t mean you have to let your guard down and stay complacent. On the contrary, those at home can do their share by doing small things with significant impact; steps that are quite basic and easy to do.For one, keeping your home clean and disinfected can help prevent the spread of infection at home. Frequently-touched surfaces and objects, once contaminated, play some important role in the transmission of disease, especially as COVD-19 is spread from person to person either when we cough or sneeze or through droplets.Therefore, keeping these surfaces in our home properly disinfected and not just clean is an important step and one of the most essential things we should be doing right now.Cleaning has the ability to physically remove organic matter such as dirt and germs. This is then best followed up by using a potent household disinfectant because while a surface may appear clean, it can still very much be host to illness-causing germs. This becomes ever more apparent as studies from the New England Journal of Medicine have shown that the COVID-19 virus can live for several hours to days in aerosols and on surfaces.
So, which frequently-touched surfaces should be regularly disinfected with a household disinfectant? Those often shared by members of the household like doorknobs, light switches, countertops, faucets, and the like. Kitchen surfaces for example can harbor foodborne bacteria as well as bacteria transferred from humans and other items. Likewise, phones, remotes, and laptop keyboards are also potential bacteria carriers.Not to be missed out as well is the bathroom, where showers, toilets, and counters together with bathroom mats have to be disinfected too. In the bedroom, a disinfecting spray is well-suited for mattresses and pillows.Above all these, do not forget of course to wash one’s hands with soap for minimum 20 seconds thoroughly.So do keep in mind these tips—simple but very important steps one can and should undertake to keep everyone at home—and outside—healthy and safe.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Finance (DOF) push for greater support in the manufacture and importation of essential products during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) by granting incentives through the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 20-02, series of 2020 issued on 1 April 2020.
Under Republic Act No. 11469, otherwise known as “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act,” DTI and DOF are authorized to liberalize the grant of incentives for the manufacture and importation of critical equipment or supplies.
In order to achieve this, the two agencies shall ensure the availability of essential goods and require businesses to prioritize contracts, subject to fair and reasonable terms, for materials and services needed by the government in its campaign against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The importation of these goods shall be exempt from import duties, taxes, and other fees.
“We need to ensure that the disruptions in the supply chain are minimized, as well as give enterprises a reprieve from commonly imposed taxes,” said Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.
“We will help our manufacturers, especially those partnering with medical institutions and hospitals, procure or produce these essential goods at reduced costs by providing them with tax breaks during this global health crisis,” said Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III.
Sec. Dominguez added, “This is the least the Duterte administration could do to help our healthcare front-liners win the battle against COVID-19 by ensuring their access to personal protective equipment (PPEs) and other necessities to protect themselves and to medicines and medical supplies to treat their patients."
The Trade Secretary also mentioned that this was the government's way of showing gratitude for the cooperation of enterprises despite the restricted movement and conditions imposed during the quarantine period.
The JMC covers the production and manufacture of medicines identified critical by the Department of Health (DOH), medical equipment and devices, personal protective equipment, surgical equipment and supplies, as well as laboratory equipment and its reagents.
It also applies to the support and maintenance for the following: bit.ly/DTIDOFJMC2002
The JMC likewise covers raw materials and packaging materials exclusively used for the production of the above-mentioned products.
Among the provisions of the RA 11469 is for the government to collaborate with the private sector and other stakeholders to deliver these measures and programs quickly and efficiently.
Sec. Dominguez assured that the Bureau of Customs (BOC) will be able to assist in the timely release of the imports of raw materials, packaging, and articles required in the supply chain of production.
“We urge our partners in the private sector for their continued understanding on the importance of the unimpeded production and importation of these essential products," said Sec. Lopez.
Meanwhile, Sec. Dominguez said, "We thank these manufacturers, institutions, and hospitals that continue to innovate and produce essential goods to help save Filipino lives in the face of the pandemic."
With the continued cooperation of the private sector and other involved agencies, DTI and DOF remain optimistic in minimizing the spread of the virus and its long-term impact on the local economy.
The JMC shall remain in effect only during the effectivity of RA 11469.
MANILA – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) released Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 20-12, Series of 2020 on 4 April 2020 granting a 30-day grace period for residential rent as well as a similar grace period for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with their commercial rent during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) period in Luzon.
“To provide economic relief to Filipinos and MSMEs during the COVID-19 public health emergency, DTI is implementing these guidelines to ensure their survival during the ECQ, as well as to help brace them afterwards,” said Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.
Following Republic Act (RA) No. 11469, or the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act,” DTI will enforce a 30-day grace period for commercial rents that fall within the duration of ECQ to give respite to MSMEs that have temporarily ceased operations. These enterprises will also not incur interest, penalties, fees, and other charges under the grace period. Similarly, DTI will ensure that a minimum of 30 days grace period shall be granted for residential rent that fall due within the ECQ under the same terms.
Under the MC, the grace period will be determined as 30 calendar days following the last due date of the rent during the ECQ. Cumulative amount of rents that need to be paid within the ECQ must be amortized equally in the six months following the end of the said period. This can be added to the rent owed for succeeding months without interest, penalties, fees, and charges.
On the other hand, lessors are not obligated to refund residential and commercial rents already paid by lessees during the ECQ. However, lessors must grant a minimum of a 30-day grace period from the next due date of residential and commercial rents without interests and other penalties as well.
Likewise, the MC calls on lessors of MSMEs to extend their generosity, if possible, the following: total or partial waiving of commercial rents due during the ECQ; granting a reprieve or discounted amount of commercial rents due after the ECQ; opening renegotiation of the Lease Term Agreements with lessees; and using other ways to mitigate the impact of the ECQ for MSMEs.
More importantly, the trade chief emphasized that there should be no eviction for failure to pay residential or commercial rent due within a 30-day period after the lifting of the ECQ.
“No Filipinos should lose their residence during the ECQ period. Moreover, the importance of MSMEs in jumpstarting our economy once the ECQ has been lifted cannot be understated,” Sec Lopez said.
“Through these measures, we ensure that our fellow Filipinos have a future after the ECQ with homes that they can live in and through jobs and employment provided by our MSMEs,” Sec. Lopez added.
Complaints of violations of the MC can be brought to DTI in person or electronically by emailing the agency, either through the Fair Trade and Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) through FTEB@dti.gov.ph or with the regional offices. Lessors who violate these guidelines will need to answer the Notices of Violations (NOVs) issued by DTI.
As provided under RA 11469, lessors that are found guilty of refusing to provide the 30-day grace period to lessees shall be penalized with imprisonment of not less than two months or a fine of not less than Php 10,000, or both.
