Lifting the Quantity Limits of Products Set by the "Anti-Hoarding and Anti-Panic Buying" Memorandum Circulars

June 22, 2020

DTI MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 036-20

 

WHEREAS, on 08 March 2020, Presidential Proclamation No. 922, Series of 2020 was issued declaring a State of Public Health Emergency throughout the Philippines in view of the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19);

WHEREAS, on 19 March 2020, the Department of Trade and Industry issued Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 20-07, Series of 2020, directing retailers and consumers to limit the quantity of essential and vital goods that they sell and purchase, respectively, as an emergency measure to strictly ensure the availability of such products at reasonable prices for the duration of the declared State of Public Health Emergency;

WHEREAS, on 24 March 2020, Republic Act (RA) No. 11469 or the "Bayanihan to Heal as One Act" was approved, mandating for the enforcement of measures to protect the people from hoarding the supply, distribution and movement of food, hygiene and sanitation products, medicine and medical supplies, and other articles of prime necessity, whether imported or locally produced or manufactured;

WHEREAS, on 31 March 2020, MC No. 20-10 was issued supplementing MC No. 20-07, which further limited the retail quantity per transaction of additional products (regardless of brand and size) considered as vital and essential during the period of public health emergency;

WHEREAS, on 29 May 2020, the Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) Resolution No. 41 was issued, as approved by the President, relaxing the community quarantine classification in most areas throughout the country;

WHEREAS, the manufacturers and retailers of products covered by MC Nos. 20-07 and 20-10 assured the DTI that supply are sufficient to cover consumer demand during the period of community quarantine, and is confirmed through regular monitoring activities. The recurrence of hoarding by businesses and panic buying by consumers is no longer a threat;

WHEREAS, there is a need to invigorate and restore the economic activities and allow businesses a fair return of their investments while balancing the health of the people;

WHEREFORE, foregoing considered, this Memorandum Circular is hereby issued for the information and guidance of those concerned. CAIHTE

SECTION 1. Lifting of Quantity Limits. — Save for the products under Section 3 hereof, the quantity limits set for the sale and purchase of products listed in MC No. 20-07 and No. 20-10 is lifted.

SECTION 2. Exceptions to Lifting of Quantity Limits. — The quantity limits set forth under MC Nos. 20-07 and 20-25 for the following products are hereby amended as follows —

 

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

 

SECTION 3. Repealing Clause. — The provisions of MC No. 20-07, MC No. 20-10 and MC No. 20-25, all series of 2020 that are inconsistent herewith are hereby amended accordingly.

SECTION 4. Separability. — The provisions of this MC are declared to be separable and if any provision or the application thereof is held invalid or unconstitutional, the validity of other provisions shall not be affected.

SECTION 5. Effectivity. — In view of the declared state of public health emergency, this Memorandum Circular shall be effective immediately upon its filing and publication with the Office of the National Administrative Register (ONAR) of the U.P. Law Center.

Issued this 22nd day of June 2020 in Makati City, Philippines.

Approved:

(SGD.) RAMON M. LOPEZSecretary