DTI expands list of allowed businesses during lockdown

The Department of Trade and Industry has allowed other members in the supply chain of essential products to operate during the lockdown, according to a circular dated last week.

Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez signed memorandum circular No. 20-11 allowing additional business activities to make sure that there is a steady supply of basic necessities and essential commodities.

“The operation of other economic activities in the supply chain of food and essential products, medicine and medical products, such as the production of raw and processed materials, packaging and other inputs, including the manufacturing and distribution thereof, shall be allowed,” it said.

The circular, which was dated March 31, also allows business establishments to have at most 50 percent of their workforce, unless the situation warrants a larger number of workers, in which case the company needs to get the DTI’s approval.

Physical distancing should still be implemented as well as good hygiene and infection control measures, it read. These companies are “encouraged” to provide temporary accommodation and transportation.

“The policy on unhampered movement of cargoes and workers of the permitted economic activities is hereby reiterated,” the circular read.

The document, however, still does not answer other problems faced by companies such as the disruption caused by checkpoints.

Some enterprises complain about having a smaller workforce, even smaller than the one allowed in the lockdown rules. This was due the problem on local governments implementing their own rules in checkpoints, which led to workers not getting to the plant because they were not allowed entry. INQ