DTI expands list of items allowed for delivery during ECQ

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said Saturday it has expanded the items which allowed to be delivered in areas under enhanced community quarantine, such as Metro Manila, and most of the areas in Luzon.

Only food and other essential items such as disinfectants, medical supplies, and other basic necessities were allowed for delivery during the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine from March 17 to April 30.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said that with the extension of the ECQ in Metro Manila and other high-risk places all over the country until May 15, the government recognized that the need for so-called “next essentials” will arise.

“Even under the ECQ, we have expanded items that can be delivered,” Lopez said during the Laging Handa public briefing.

“Since nag-extend po ang ECQ, we recognize that many of our kababayans will be needing more items beyond the essentials, so we are going to the next essentials,” he said.

“In other words, ‘yung mga dati hong food and other disinfectants [lang]. Now, we have included hardware products, pet food and veterinary products as well as clothing and accessories pati na rin po housewares, pati na rin po appliances  dahil kailangang i-repair or palitan ang kanilang mga appliance, ay ina-allow po sa delivery mode,” Lopez said. —Ted Cordero/LBG, GMA News