DTI says 94.7% of NCR establishments complying with health protocols

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said Tuesday that most business establishments in the National Capital Region (NCR) are complying with the government-mandated minimum health protocols against COVID-19’s spread.

In a statement, the DTI, citing the first quarter 2021 report of its Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB), said that 94.7% of the business firms and establishments in the NCR are compliant with minimum health protocols.

Out of the 1,077 inspected business establishments in the NCR, the Trade department said, 931 were found to be compliant with the minimum health protocols, while another 89 complied with a Request for Corrective Action (RCA) :within prescribed time."

Of the remaining RCAs issued to non-compliant business establishments, 46 were endorsed to local government units (LGUs) for further action and investigation, and 11 are awaiting corrective actions.

The DTI said non-conforming establishments were found to be lacking the mandatory contact tracing and/or health declaration forms and thermal scanner upon entry; some of the firm’s personnel were not properly wearing their face masks and face shields while on duty; and several customers were not following at least one-meter physical distancing.  

In response to the recent reverting of NCR and its nearby provinces from general community quarantine (GCQ) to enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and because of the rising COVID-19 cases in the stated area coverage, the DTI said it continued its intensified monitoring activities on compliance with health protocols in Metro Manila.

“By protecting our workers, our customers, and ourselves from the virus, we are also protecting and restoring our economy consciously,” said Trade Undersecretary Ruth Castelo of Consumer Protection Group.

Castelo added that as the pandemic continues to have a significant disruptive effect in the economy and its people, a minor lapse such as non-compliance with health protocols could greatly contribute to the negative impact of the health turmoil on the country. 

Even under a stricter quarantine directives, the DTI-FTEB said its “front liners” from Surveillance and Monitoring Division (SMD), Product Standards Monitoring Division (PSMD), and Enforcement Division (ED) assure to continually do the inspection of NCR firms and establishments on compliance to minimum health protocols to help fight the war against COVID-19.

To report business establishments that are not following the government directive on health protocols, call the 1-DTI (1-384) Hotline or send an email to consumercare@dti.gov.ph, it said. — BM, GMA News