DTI assures enough food supply amid extended quarantine

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez has assured the public of enough food supply amid the extension of the enhanced community quarantine due to COVID-19 until May 15.

Lopez said food production business, as well as those who make products for hygienic purposes such as shampoo, rubbing alcohol, and soap have remained and will remain open for business during the extended quarantine period to ensure enough supply.

“Iyong canned sardines, instant noodles, gatas…marami pong supply sa grocery. Huwag pong magpapanic, kasi napakadami po nating pagkain at supply,” Lopez said in a taped briefing aired on Friday.

Likewise, the DTI chief said that groceries and other essential businesses will be manned with enough workers amid the quarantine period.

“Naka 50% na po ang workforce nila, hindi na skeletal workforce na 30% lang. Minsan nga more than 50% pa ang workforce kaya ang production rate natin ay 80 to 100%,” Lopez pointed out.

“Iyong inventory natin ng goods, sapat for more than two weeks. Iyong material naman na ipo-produce pa ay good for 45 days. Kaya marami po tayong pagkain,” he added.

In addition, Lopez said at least 10 manufacturing companies have agreed to repurpose and make essentials for health workers and COVID-19 patients such as face masks, ventilators, and personal protective equipment sets instead.

As for farmers and fisherfolks, Lopez said they can continue working during the quarantine period as they provide food.

“Ang mga farmers po tuloy tuloy lang ang pagtatanim. Puwede rin pong mangisda, kasi food production po iyan eh,” he said in a separate interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

With the quarantine period extended, Lopez also reminded owners of residential and commercial units for rent, public utility companies, as well as banks that the temporary non-collection of fees/dues covers due dates until May 15 in accordance to the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act.

The DTI chief, however, conceded that the scheme to pay the accumulated dues on bank/car loans can vary, depending on the discretion of the concerned bank.

The merits of reopening of laundry shops to serve the health care workers, on the other hand, will still be discussed by the Inter-Agency Task Force by Monday.

Luzon has been under enhanced community quarantine since March 16 to prevent COVID-19 transmission. This measure banned mass transport, prohibited mass gathering and imposed curfew hours, resulting in work stoppages in many industries.

The government was supposed to lift the COVID-19 quarantine on April 12. It was extended to April 30 to give the government more time to establish quarantine facilities for confirmed and suspected COVID-19 cases before ultimately extending it to May 15.

The Philippines has recorded over 6,900 COVID-19 cases thus far.—AOL, GMA News