DTI wants 100% capacity in malls, other business, sectors under GCQ

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is pushing to open up the economy further amid the COVID-19 pandemic as it proposes to let several businesses to operate at full capacity under general community quarantine (GCQ).

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said that several sectors operating at 50% capacity under GCQ will be recommended to be allowed up to 100%.

“Ngayon isina-suggest natin pwede nang i-100%. Anyway ito ‘yung mga safe na mga trabaho at wala tayong nakikitang transmission dito dahil mahigpit pa rin ang minimum health standard enforcement natin,” Lopez said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV on Tuesday.

The Trade chief said the following will be proposed to operate by up to 100% capacity:

• Financial services such money exchange, insurance, lending companies, pension funding
• Legal and accounting
• Management consultancy
• Architecture and engineering activities
• Science and research and development
• Advertising
• market research
• Computer programming
• Publishing and printing
• Film, music, and TV production
• Recruitment and placement agencies for overseas employment
• Photography services
• Fashion, industrial, graphic, interior design
• Wholesale and retail trade of motor vehicles

“Mga tindahan sa mall na dati naka 50% [like] hardware, clothing, bookstore, etc... So lahat ng nasa mall na ni-limit ng 50% puwede na ring mag-operate ng 100%,” Lopez said.

The Cabinet official said the proposal is aimed at increasing the number of workers allowed to report to work, therefore further reopening the economy.

“Sa mga nasa opisina naman puwede pa rin ang work from home,” Lopez said.

For food establishments’ dine-in services, the Trade chief said it is up to the local government units how many percent increase in capacity they will allow.

“We leave it to [the] mayors. We leave it to them kung gaano kalaki ang ii-increase nila sa operating capacity anywhere from 50 to 100% hanggang kaya nung physical distancing,” Lopez said.

The DTI is also suggesting to extend the operating hours of dine-in services beyond the curfew period to allow those in graveyard shift to have somewhere to eat. — RSJ, GMA News