DTI issues Memorandum Circular on gradual reopening of sectors, as allowed by IATF under GCQ, MGCQ areas

MANILA—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) issued on 28 February 2021 Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 21-08, s. 2021 prescribing the recategorization of certain business activities from Category IV to Category III, which gradually reopens the operations of driving schools, traditional cinemas, museums, and tourist attractions, among others, under the General Community Quarantine (GCQ), pursuant to the earlier approval granted by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

“Following the earlier agreement at the IATF, DTI issued the circular that will guide the implementation of a safe and gradual reopening of more businesses and economic activities. This is part of our mandate to ensure that as more businesses reopen to provide more jobs and sources of income for our countrymen, the strict health protocols are enforced," said Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.

With the reopening and the recategorization of businesses, the MC stipulated the maximum operational capacity and recognized the oversight function of the appropriate regulatory agency and the local government units (LGUs) where they may be located. Thus, it allows the appropriate agency, the LGUs, and the Department of Health (DOH) to develop additional guidelines that will ensure an effective health protocol system as these sectors are gradually reopened.

"There is shared objective in restoring economic activities while keeping the health protocol fully enforced, to prevent unnecessary surge of COVID-19 cases. This has been the working formula in previous reopening of economic sectors to bring back jobs,” the trade chief said.

Under the MC, Libraries, Museums, Cultural Centers, Meetings and Conventions, and Limited Tourist attractions and Video games arcades are allowed to operate at a maximum of 50% under GCQ and 75% under Modified GCQ (MGCQ). Meanwhile, Traditional Cinemas are allowed to operate only at a maximum of 25% in GCQ and 50% in MGCQ areas, subject to additional implementing guidelines from DOH and the LGUs.

Limited Social Events will be restricted to 30% in GCQ and 50% in MGCQ areas. Both categories must be held at accredited establishments of the Department of Tourism (DOT) and are subject to DTI-DOT Joint MC 2021-001 or the Amended Guidelines Governing the Conduct of Essential Meetings and Social Events in Areas Under GCQ.

The full list of establishments can be viewed through this link: http://bit.ly/DTI_MC21-08

The MC also states that the expansion of the aforementioned business establishments or activities under Category IV in GCQ and MGCQ areas are subject to compliance with the minimum public health and safety standards and protocols and relevant issuances released by the DTI, DOH, DOT, and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

To ensure the compliance of business establishments, the DTI, through the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) and Regional or Provincial Offices, will continue its strict compliance monitoring through its post-audit mechanism. Inspection by DOLE, DOH, and the LGU’s Health Office may also be conducted at any time. In addition, the general public may also course their feedback and complaints through the DTI Consumer Care Hotline 1-384 or 1-DTI.

“The past year proved to be very challenging as we were faced with unprecedented situations that demanded extraordinary responses, but it was also a time for growth and collaboration. Through the continued partnership of government agencies and with the strict adherence of our countrymen to health and safety protocols, we will continue to see signs of recovery," Sec. Lopez said.

"As we move forward this year, we will continue this momentum and adopt a whole-of-nation and whole-of-society approach towards safely and gradually reopening our economy."

The Circular will take effect on 05 March 2021, upon its publication and filing with the University of the Philippines Law Center.

The All-New Honda PCX160

Tanauan City, Batangas – March 01,2021 – As motorcycles become more and more essential in solving Filipinos' commuting needs, Honda Philippines Inc. (HPI), the No.1 motorcycle manufacturer in the country, officially announced the most awaited scooter - The All-New PCX160.

Bringing elegance and superiority to the next level, The All-New PCX160 lets Filipino riders to stand out on the road and ride with pride with its all-new premium and elegant design, improved driving performance with comfortable and spacious riding, and the latest technology and security features.

The All-New PCX160 promises to make Filipinos' riding experience go to the next level. Powered by a new engine with “eSP+ or Enhanced Smart Power Plus”, the driving performance is improved by increasing the engine displacement to 157cc and applying a 4-Valve, Single Overhead Cam, Liquid-Cooled mechanism. It also gives riders a potent combination of engine power and performance with a 11.8kW@ 8,500rpm and a highly efficient 45.1 Km/L fuel consumption.

It is equipped with advanced and exciting features such as a new LED headlight with position light and taillights design, giving it a fresher look, a hazard lamp, new wheel design and bigger tubeless tires for a better handling and more comfortable ride, twin shock rear suspension for smooth rides, and a new and wider digital meter panel for improved information visibility.

It is also fitted out with an Idling Stop System (ISS) to avoid wasteful fuel consumption, an upgraded USB type power outlet for convenient gadget charging, and Smart Key with Anti-Theft Alarm and Answer Back System for better motorcycle security, a 30-liter utility box which gives riders bigger storage space, and an 8-liter fuel tank capacity for longer and more enjoyable journeys.

Along with its innovative features and sophisticated design, HPI ensures that the comfort and safety of riders comes first. The All-New PCX160 has two brake variations, namely, the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) type and the Combi-Brake System (CBS) type. Both variants are equipped with front and rear disc brakes.

The ABS variant adopts disc brakes for the front and rear for optimal braking performance. And it is also equipped with a Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC). The ABS and HSTC are perfectly combined to ensure rider’s safety: HSTC controls safety on wheel traction, while ABS provides safety rebound to prevent braking lock-up. The All-New PCX160 ABS variant comes in two premium colors choose from, namely, the Asteroid Black Metallic and the Pearl Fadeless White, and has a suggested retail price of Php133,900.

On the other hand, the CBS variant is combined with front and rear disc brakes, letting riders achieve smoother operation and better handling while braking. It also comes in two premium color variants such as the Matte Dim Gray Metallic and the Pearl Fadeless White with a suggested retail price of Php115,900.

"At Honda Philippines, we want to impact the lives of all Filipinos with our motorcycles. We believe The All-New PCX160 will do just that. After all, what we want is to contribute to the creation of a better, new normal," HPI President Susumu Mitsuishi said.

The All-New Honda PCX160 will be available at all Honda dealerships nationwide on May 2021. It is only one of Honda's vast array of motorcycles made to improve every Filipino’s riding experience. It is in line with the company's "ONE DREAM" campaign, which aims to fulfill every Filipino's dream through the joy of mobility.

Explore more from Honda and its wide array of motorcycles. For more details about Honda products and promos, visit our website at www.hondaph.com and follow us on Facebook, Honda Philippines, Inc., and Instagram, @hondaph_mc. You can also contact us through our landline number, (02)-8581-6700 to 6799, and mobile number, 0917-884-6632.

How GrabPay Makes Your Daily Transactions More Rewarding

In today’s digital world, consumers are spoiled with options. When you want to watch your favorite movies or programs, there’s an endless list of available on-demand video services to keep you entertained for days on end. When you want to relax and enjoy music, the options are likewise, quite impressive.

When paying for your transactions, however, there is one mobile wallet that allows you secure access to a world of shopping possibilities, while you earn amazing rewards and perks. Eat, drink, shop, and travel till your heart’s content using GrabPay, the in-app wallet of everyday everything app Grab.

Here are some of the reasons why you would want to check out GrabPay:

GrabRewards & Savings

GrabPay lets you earn points that you can earn and redeem for discounts, products, or services through GrabRewards. Depending on your membership level, you can earn 2.5 to 10 reward points for every P100 transaction. The more you shop and spend with GrabPay, the more points you earn that allow you to redeem discounts or give you access to special deals such as a 3-month free subscription to Spotify Premium for first-time Spotify premium users. Throughout the year, you can expect even more impressive freebies when you use GrabPay to shop or pay.

More Shopping Options

You can use GrabPay not just for your Grab-related transactions. You can use it to shop for virtually anything. And with the GrabPay Card, your own virtual Mastercard, you can shop at millions of online merchants worldwide, local e-commerce such as Lazada and Shopee, including paying for your music and streaming subscriptions and app store purchases. More stores means more chances to get amazing discounts and rewards!

GrabPay - through its QR-scanning payment feature, is currently accepted across thousands of establishments nationwide ranging from malls (SM Supermalls, SM Department Store, SM supermarkets, SM Parking, Ace Hardware), fashion, beauty, and wellness retailers (H&M, Uniqlo, Watsons, Healthy Options), cafes and restaurants (Starbucks, Wildflour, Pink’s, Conti’s, Toby’s Estates), and many more.

GrabPay has also enabled secure and seamless cashless online payments checkout across thousands of websites including Zalora, BeautyMNL, Shein, SM Malls via Call to Deliver, Shop SM, Power Mac, and Taxumo.

Waived Transfer Fees

Signing up to GrabPay is easy, breezy. Even better, you can do bank transfers via InstaPay as much as you want, and you can do it without additional fees until at least March 31. Users can transfer money from GrabPay to any local bank and e-wallet for free and in real time. They can cash in for free by linking their BPI and UnionBank accounts (BDO coming soon!) directly within the Grab app or with cash at 7-11, SM Business Centers, and additional payment center stores. This is in support of the call by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’s effort to promote cashless payments and financial inclusion.

Safety Within Reach

GrabPay also has superior security settings to ensure that you can use it anytime, anywhere without worries. The wallet is supported by a 24-hour customer experience team so you can seek help anytime you need. As an added security feature, GrabPay employs automated rules, AI machine-learning models, and teams of risk analysts to detect, analyze and guard against suspicious activities. GrabPay wallets are also equipped with Grab PIN and biometric authentication that must be entered prior to any changes on device and location, updates to user’s profile information, transferring to banks, and additional activities that could compromise the user

Truly, having a mobile wallet to pay for your transactions is simply not enough. With its impressive array of features and attributes, GrabPay offers all the convenience and functionality of a reliable wallet. It also offers its customers more reasons to enjoy their shopping experience and other transactions.


About Grab

Grab is the leading super app platform in Southeast Asia, providing everyday services that matter to consumers. Today, the Grab app has been downloaded onto over 214 million mobile devices, giving users access to millions of drivers, merchants, and agents. Grab offers a wide range of on-demand services in the region, including mobility, food, package and grocery delivery services, mobile payments, and financial services across 397 cities in eight countries.
(www.grab.com)