All cargoes must pass unhampered, DTI stresses in memo

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reiterated that the movement of “all types of cargoes” should be “unhampered” during the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine.

DTI Memorandum Circular No. 20-06 dated March 19 and signed by Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez identified “covered enterprises and establishments and their personnel” that may operate during the quarantine period.

Provision II of the circular said: “The movement of ALL types of cargoes (food & non-food) within, to and from the entire Luzon SHALL BE UNHAMPERED.”

Cargoes subject to random inspection (with cargo before delivery or empties after delivery) should not face delays if the truck driver can present the cargo manifest or delivery receipt indicating destination, nature, and quantity of the loaded goods/cargoes, the circular added.

The staff of those moving cargoes should also be allowed to pass through control/checkpoints.

Enterprises also covered by the circular, and which are thus exempt from the quarantine travel restrictions, are:

• Manufacturing of Food and Essential Products, Medicines and Medical Supplies
  • All food
  • Essential and hygiene products
    • Soap and detergents
    • Diapers, feminine hygiene products, tissue, wipes/and toilet papers
    • Disinfectants
  • Medicines and Vitamins
  • Medical Products
    • PPEs
    • Masks, gloves
    • Others

Under this section included are the distribution and logistics to support manufacturing activities, including cargo handling, warehousing, trucking and port operations.

• Rental Establishments (Groceries, supermarkets, conveniemnce stores, pharmacies and drug stores)
• Export and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Companies

The circular supplements the Memorandum of the Executive Secretary dated March 16 that has placed the entire Luzon region under enhanced community quarantine from March 17 to April 13.

Lopez, in a press conference on March 18, admitted there may have been different interpretations by personnel manning control/check points regarding the movement of cargoes, amid many reports of truckers not being allowed to pass through, especially during the first day of implementation.

He said it was agreed in a meeting on March 17 that cargoes should be allowed to pass unhampered, and to facilitate passage, only random checking may be implemented.

Under MC 20-06, covered enterprises and establishments should operate with skeletal workforce, ensure safety protocols and social distancing in their respective workplaces.

Establishments are also encouraged to implement alternative work arrangements such as work-from-home For the skeletal workforce, establishments are encouraged to provide shuttle services or temporary accommodation to the employees.

The skeletal workforce of covered enterprises and establishments will be permitted to enter and exit quality control points upon presentation of any of the following:

• Valid company identification card
• Proof of residence (for when going home)
• Certificate of employment

To further facilitate transit of personnel of covered enterprises and establishments, an official IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases) ID will be issued by DTI that will be presented at checkpoints starting March 22, unless extended.

Export and BPO companies are allowed to continue operations with a skeletal workforce subject to strict observance of social distancing measures and provision of temporary accommodation arrangements or shuttle services within the immediate vicinity of the workplace. Where applicable, WFH arrangements should be encouraged.

MC 20-06 should be presented to the Philippine National Police and local government units in control/check points for implementation.

Aside from DTI, the Department of Local and Interior Government in a memorandum dated March 17 ordered local government units and the Philippine National Police to designate a special lane in major thoroughfares for transporting essential goods and personnel. – Roumina Pablo

Screengrab from RTV Malacanang’s online livestream