Prescribing Guidelines for Additional Business Activities Allowed to Operate to Ensure the Steady Supply of Basic Necessities and Essential Commodities, Supplementing Memorandum Circular 20-08 s. 2020

March 31, 2020

DTI MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 011-20

 

WHEREAS, DTI issued Memorandum Circular No. 20-08 s. 2020, which identified the business activities allowed to operate while Luzon is under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ);

WHEREAS, there is a need to allow the operation of other economic activities such as manufacturing and distribution of products that are part of the supply chain of the permitted business activities under MC No. 20-08 s. 2020, including but not limited to raw materials, packaging materials, and other critical inputs;

WHEREAS, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases approved the recommendation of DTI to allow: (1) the full operation of those engaged in the manufacture of medicines, medical supplies, devices, and equipment, including but not limited to suppliers of inputs, packaging, and distribution, under IATF Resolution No. 15 dated 24 March 2020 and (2) operation of establishments involved in the production, manufacturing, packaging, processing, and distribution of food at a maximum of fifty percent (50%) of their respective workforces, unless the supply level of a basic food product warrants a higher capacity, under IATF Resolution No. 16 dated 27 March 2020;

NOW THEREFORE, foregoing premises considered, these supplemental guidelines to MC No. 20-08 s. 2020 are hereby provided:

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

2. Establishments may operate at a maximum of fifty percent (50%) of their respective workforces, unless the supply level of such product warrants a higher capacity, in which case, the DTI is authorized to approve the increase of workforce capacity temporarily. Given the urgent need to increase the supply level of critical medical devices such as PPEs, surgical mask, the operations thereof can be at full capacity.

3. The increase in the manpower requirement shall be subject to the strict implementation of social distancing, good hygiene and infection control measures.

4. Businesses permitted to operate are strongly encouraged to provide temporary accommodations and shuttle services within the vicinity, for workers to limit their movement.

5. The policy on unhampered movement of cargoes and workers of the above permitted economic activities is hereby reiterated. As emphasized by President Rodrigo Duterte on 19 March 2020, the same is a national policy to be implemented in all Local Government Units (LGUs) nationwide. CAIHTE

Copy of this Memorandum Circular shall be presented to the Department of Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police, and LGUs in quarantine control points for strict implementation by all concerned.

(SGD.) RAMON M. LOPEZSecretary