The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) continues to work to assure the people with enough food and medicines at the right prices as the country battles the COVID-19 pandemic.

In coordination with other government agencies, the DTI has come up with several measures and initiatives ensuring business operations and unrestricted movement of cargo and personnel to safeguard the welfare of the public, among others:

1. Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 20-12, s. 2020: Guidelines on the Concessions on Residential Rents; Commercial Rents of MSMEs provides Filipinos and businesses, particularly MSMEs, economic relief during the COVID-19 public health emergency. This MC grants a minimum of 30-day grace period for residential and commercial rents falling due within the period of the ECQ without incurring interests, penalties, fees, and other charges.
   
   
2. Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 20-01, s. 2020: Adoption of Processes for the Expedited Release of Refrigerated Containers and Dry Vans During the Period of Enhanced Community Quarantine aims to ease port congestions resulting from the work stoppage of logistics companies amid the ECQ period. This JAO stipulates the rules on facilitating importation documentary requirements, declaring abandonment of cargo, expediting customs clearance and streamlining the process of applying for import permits and clearances online.
   
   
3.  Php 2.52 billion remittance. In the spirit of the Bayanihan Act, DTI-attached agencies will remit to the Bureau of Treasury some Php 2.52 billion. The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) will remit PHP2 billion; Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC), PHP300 million; and National Development Company (NDC), PHP220 million.
   
   
4.  10,000 PPEs. Member-companies of the Confederation of Wearable Exporters of the Philippines (CONWEP) produce personal protective equipment (PPEs) for healthcare workers amid the country’s fight against Covid-19. The cooperative is producing laboratory gowns, jumpsuits, and face masks.
   
   
5. Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 2020-02, s. 2020: Guidelines on the Operations and Incentives of Covered Enterprises Engaged in the Manufacture, Importation, and Distribution of Certain Products, and for other Purposes, Pursuant to Republic Act No. 11469, otherwise known as “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act” liberalizes the grant of incentives for the manufacture or importation of critical or needed equipment of supplies, including healthcare equipment and supplies. The importation of these equipment and supplies shall be exempt from import duties, taxes, and other fees.
   
   
6. 10 million face masks from MedTecs. In collaboration with DTI, Medtecs International Corp., the lone local manufacturer of face masks from Bataan, has committed to increase its production to meet surging demand brought about by the rising COVID-19 cases in the country. The initial volume will be distributed to health workers and frontliners of DOH and Red Cross.
   
   
7. Procurement and full delivery of 2M face masks by PITC to DOH. With the order from DTI, PITC sourced masks from overseas to augment the supply. The supplies were secured amidst the shortage of masks due to the global demand.
   
   
8. 2.5 million masks and 1,000 ventilators. In partnership with DTI, the New Kinpo Group’s Philippine subsidiary, Cal-Comp Philippines, intends to produce 2.5 million pieces of medical-grade face masks and 1,000 ventilators every month solely for Philippine market in light of the current COVID-19 crisis. New Kinpo Group CEO Simon Shen said a big portion of their production will be donated to Philippine hospitals and agencies in the frontlines serving in the medical and civic fronts.
   
   
9. Memorandum Circulars 20-07 and 20-10, s. 2020 on anti-hoarding and anti-panic buying leading to the arrest of hundreds of violators. This campaign is in cooperation with the PNP-CIDG and NBI.
   
   
10. Memorandum Circular 20-09, s. 2020: Pagpapahalaga sa Mga Senior Citizens enjoins all supermarkets, groceries, pharmacies and drugstores and other authorized businesses to prioritize senior citizens in purchasing their needs such as food and medicines.
    
    
11. 80-90% production capacity and 45-day inventory for manufacturers of raw materials. The DTI assures the public of sufficient supply of food and raw materials amid the extended Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) period with manufacturers of basic necessities operating at an 80-90% capacity.
    
    
12. Memorandum Circular no. 20-15: Extension of Operating Hours for Retail Establishments Authorized to Operate During the Enhanced Community Quarantine ensures that covered establishments are able to serve the needs of more customers. It covers all supermarkets, groceries, agri-fisheries stores, public markets, pharmaceutical and drugstores, and retailers of basic necessities and prime commodities, essential goods and medical products.

Updated as of: 17 April 2020