Most NCR firms followed COVID-19 protocols in ’21

The majority of the 5,300 businesses in the National Capital Region (NCR) monitored by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) complied with COVID-19 safety protocols last year.

The DTI’s Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) said in a statement on Friday that it inspected 5,267 firms last year. Out of this, 4,121, or close to 80 percent, followed the government’s minimum public health standards (MPHS).

Meanwhile, DTI-FTEB said it issued 1,146 requests for corrective action (RCA) to noncompliant business establishments, of which 590 complied within the prescribed time, while 292 were endorsed to local governments for further action and investigation.

“Majority of the observed noncompliance of the firms are the lack of mandatory contact tracing and/or health declaration forms, thermal scanners, floor markings for the observance of physical distancing, and the regular service maintenance schedule of the firms’ air conditioning units,” the statement read.

Ruth Castelo, undersecretary of the DTI-Consumer Protection Group (CPG), said health protocols must be strictly followed to allow businesses to continue operating safely amid a protracted pandemic and the emergence of new and more contagious variants such as Omicron.

“This 2022, let us continue to be proactive and adhere to our health protocols to ensure the utmost protection of the health of the Filipino consumers, traders and workers,” Castelo said.

“The DTI assures the consumers and the public that together with the other Government Agencies, FTEB will continue to strengthen its monitoring and implementation of MPHS on business establishments,” added Ronnel Abrenica, assistant secretary of DTI–CPG.