Prices, Supplies, and Logistics

Question from Email: Good day. I am edison daplas a residence of quezon city, a farm owner located in nueva ecija. This coming July 2, 2020 magpatanim na ko palay. I need to be there to supervise it. Actually during the land preparation I was not able to supervise it and did not put organic fertilizers before tilling since i was not able to travel due to difficulty in getting a travel pass. I went to our barangay two weeks ago and just only today I am texted that my schedule for medical exams will be today at 1pm. Hopefully after I get my medical certificate and submit it to pnp for travel pass will get it immediately. Do really farm owners everytime they will go to their farm will get a travel pass? Since im not only in rice production business I also into gamefowl production business which I have to monitor it frequently specially our vaccination program.

Answer: (June 26, 2020)

Philippine National Police spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac told the Inquirer on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 that the sender belongs to the list of Authorized Person Outside of Residence since he is involved in food production. Thus, the sender does not need a travel authority, according to Banac. But Banac also said that it helps that the sender brings with him a medical certificate as “reference” anytime it is needed. 

Source: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1282350/travel-authority-not-needed-for-workers-of-essential-establishments-dilg/

Question from Email: I currently reside in Malolos, Bulacan and have a small grocery store in Navotas city. What documents do I need to present at check points in order to get to my place of business? Also, One of my suppliers is still unable to make deliveries from Pangasinan to Metro Manila. Can I get an employee go to Pangasinan to pick up stocks to be sold at my store in Navotas? What documents would he/she need?

Answer: (June 1, 2020)

Grocery stores are among the establishments allowed to operate during general community quarantine. For your business, you can apply for a RapidPass for you and the other employees of your company. Please click this link (https://dict.gov.ph/rapidpass/) to download the form and read the instructions for applying. This can be used by your employee to purchase stocks from Pangasinan. However, the Department of Trade and Industry has said that company IDs and permits of your business are enough to present at checkpoints so for any issue encountered by authorized personnel of qualified establishments at checkpoints, you may immediately report at 09266126728 (COVID Rapid Response Team or 09560916570 (DTI Command Center). Interior Secretary Eduardo Año also clarified on May 28 that workers in industries allowed to operate need only their company IDs and employment papers to be allowed passage in checkpoints. The IDs and work documents would serve as the worker’s “travel authority.”

Sources: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1282841/employees-need-only-work-docs-id-to-pass-thru; https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2020/05may/20200515-omnibus-guidelines-on-the-implementation-of-community-quarantine-in-the-philippines.pdf ; https://dict.gov.ph/rapidpass/ and https://www.dti.gov.ph/advisories/advisory-updates-on-iatf-ids/

Question from Email: I have a small homemade food business. Ingredients are getting harder to come by in our city. Is it possible for me to travel to other cities to get ingredients and materials? If so, what are the requirements? I’ve recently registered the business name with DTI. My application for rapid pass has no reply yet.

Answer: (May 26, 2020)

The government has continued to ease restrictions on areas under enhanced community quarantine and modified enhanced community quarantine. Under Resolution No. 38, the latest guidelines issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, movement within and across areas placed under any quarantine classification is allowed for anyone crossing borders for work that is permitted in the worker’s destination and residence. Since you are engaged in the food business, which is allowed in any quarantine zone, you may travel provided that you have documents that show proof of your business (such as business permit, company ID, etc.) when you are flagged down at checkpoints. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1280045/govt-eases-more-restrictions

Sources: https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2020/05may/20200522-IATF-RESOLUTION-NO-38.pdf and https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1275358/ban-on-public-transport-stays-in-mecq-areas

Question from Email: Ano po ang guidelines sa car loans? Kasi tinawagan ako ng bank, wala daw akong penalties pero may interest daw na P4,500 every month. Narinig ko sa News sa TV na cancel ang mga loans including penalty at interest. Ang sabi sa akin ng bangko ay guidelines daw ng Bangko Sentral ang pagsingil nila ng interest. Ano po ba ang tama?

Answer: (May 22, 2020)

According to the implementing rules and regulations of Section 4 (aa) of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, payments of loans, including interests and other charges, are given a grace period during the duration of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), so borrowers can only be charged after the ECQ is lifted. What is prohibited under the law is the accumulation of additional charges, such as interest or penalties, for not paying your loans during the ECQ. If the P4,500 is your monthly amortization, then the bank is well within its rights to charge you. If the P4,500 is an accrued interest that was unpaid prior to the ECQ, the bank may still charge you for it. You have the option to pay accrued interests either on a staggered basis or in full after the grace period. You may also pay only the loans and interests that fell during the ECQ once the grace period is over. You may check this guide by the Securities and Exchange Commission for more information: https://www.sec.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/2020FAQs_IRR-of-Section-4aa-of-the-Bayanihan-Act-and-Applicable-IATF-Resolutions-25-APRIL-2020.pdf and https://www.covid19.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/DOF-IRR.pdf

Question from Email: Nag-resume na kami ng operations ng aming kompanya (manufacturing/retail). Karamihan sa aming mga suppliers ay may PICK-UP only policy ngayong MECQ sa Metro Manila. Papayagan ba kami makapagbyahe at makapag-pickup, or kailangan ng special permit mula sa mga otoridad (IATF/DTI/SEC/etc)?

Answer: (May 21, 2020)

At dahil pinayagan na ang operasyon ng inyong negosyo sa ilalim ng modified enhanced community quarantine, ang pagdedeliber ng inyong supplies o produkto ay pinapayagan na rin. Maaari ninyong ipakita ang iyong company ID, business permit at iba pang mga dokumento na nagpapatunay na ang inyong negosyo ay ilan sa mga establisimyento na pinayagan ng gobyerno na mag-operate. Kikilalanin ito sa dadaanang mga checkpoints kung ang inyong mga empleyado ay hindi nakakuha ng Rapid Pass QR code system o ID na inisyu ng Inter-Agency Task Force-COVID-19.

Source: https://www.dti.gov.ph/advisories/advisory-updates-on-iatf-ids/

Question from Email: I have a small dormitory in Manila and was thinking to accredit this as an accredited quarantine facility for stranded seafarers. Can you send me the guideline or direct me to the right person?

Answer: (April 21, 2020)

The IATF has tasked the LGUs to find appropriate properties and set up coronavirus quarantine facilities in their areas. You may want to get in touch with the Office of the Mayor of Manila. You may call the Manila Emergency Operation Center Hotline (MEOC) at 8926-2385 and 8926-2386; 8527-5174; 0961-062-7013; and the DOH COVID-19 Hotline at (02)8-651-7800 local 1149-1150

Sources: https://www.covid19.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/LAGING-HANDA-PRESS-BRIEFING-March-31-2020.pdf and https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1244209/good-samaritan-offering-private-facility-as-quarantine-area-for-pasigthe

Question from Email: I’m wondering if I am still able to receive a package of prescription medicine (urgently needed), mailed from America through Philpost during this enhanced quarantine? If not, is there any alternative service available to accomplish this?

Answer: (April 14, 2020)

As early as three weeks ago, the Inter-Agency on the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF) said that personnel operating cargo vehicles and delivery service vehicles for food, drinking water, medicine and other basic necessities are among those exempted from the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine. So this means companies offering delivery services are open for business but are limiting their operations to handling essential goods.Federal Express (FedEx) is open for business but it said on its website that it was implementing a temporary surcharge on all FedEx international parcel and freight shipments beginning April 6, 2020. Also open is LBC Express Inc., with the company saying on its Facebook page last March 16, 2020 that “many of our branches remain operational” whether cargo and money remittances.

Sources: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1246653/iatf-lays-down-news-requirements-exemptions-to-luzon-wide-lockdown and https://www.fedex.com/en-ph/home/html

Question from Email: Is international mail still being processed and sent out of the Philippines? For both packages and letters.

Answer: (April 14, 2020)

Based on the April 4, 2020 advisory of the government-run Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost), it resumed its operations “only for domestic acceptance and delivery of postal items.” “Outgoing mails or those to be sent abroad will be suspended until further service,” PHLPost said. So this answers your question whether international mails are still working.In this case, it is not. PHLPost suspended its service in Luzon when the government imposed an enhanced community quarantine to stop the spread of Covid-19.

Source: https://www.phlpost.gov.ph/advisory.php?id=82

Question from Email: We have an online food delivery business. For bigger orders that cannot be carried by our service provider (Lalamove), we would like to use our private car na lang sana. What are the documents required in checkpoints?

Answer: (April 12, 2020)

Delivery services, whether in-house or outsource, transporting food, medicine or other basic necessities are allowed to operate during the period of enhanced community quarantine. If you were not able to apply for Rapid Pass QR code system or ID issued by Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF)-COVID-19, a basic company ID will be honored at checkpoints. You may also bring additional proof of business such as your business’ registration. For any issue encountered by authorized personnel of qualified establishments at Checkpoints, please immediately report at 09266126728 (COVID Rapid Response Team or 09560916570 (DTI Command Center).

Sources: https://pna.gov.ph/articles/1097416 and https://www.dti.gov.ph/advisories/advisory-updates-on-iatf-ids/

Question from Email: Meron ba sa Pilipinas na nagmamanufacture ng PPE?

Answer: (March 25, 2020)

There are manufacturers of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the Philippines. In February, a Bataan manufacturer has committed to supplying P2 million face masks per month to the government. However, there has been a shortage of PPE since the surge of COVID-19 cases, with hospitals appealing for PPE. The World Health Organization donated 2,000 kilos of PPE to the Department of Health on March 13 and last March 20, the Philippines accepted thousands of PPE from China.

Sources: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1093105 https://globalnation.inquirer.net/186225/ph-govt-oks-acceptance-of-chinas-ppe-testing-kits-donation-vs-covid-19#ixzz6HfurERiL and https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1242616/hospitals-appeal-for-face-masks#ixzz6Hg0k8Iyn

Question from Viber: What are the DTI-approved prices for masks (surgical, N95), latex gloves, and other PPE?

Answer: (March 25, 2020)

The Department of Health has imposed a price freeze on emergency medicines and medical supplies. In the DOH circular, prices of N95 masks should range only from P45 to P105; disposable face masks should be priced at P1.10 to P8; ethyl alcohol (60ml) should be priced at P17.25 to 25.50; ethyl alcohol (250ml) should be priced at P36.75 to P41.75 and ethyl alcohol (500ml) should be priced at P61 to P74.25. A pair of sterile gloves (sizes 6.5-8) should be priced at P18 to P21, while a box of 50 pairs (sizes 6.5-8) should be priced at P295 to P450. The Food and Drug Administration has also set a price range on medical supplies sold online.

You can check the online prices set here:

https://ww2.fda.gov.ph/attachments/article/659011/FDA%20Circular%20No.2020-005.pdf and https://www.fda.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/FDA-Circular-No.2020-005-A.pdf

Question from FB Live: May nag momonitor po ba sa pagpapatupad ng price freeze? Dito po sa Bacoor, Cavite, 50 percent ang itinaas ng presyo ng mga pagkain gaya ng isa, baboy, manok at gulay.

Answer: (March 23, 2020)

Following President Duterte’s declaration of a nationwide state of calamity, government agencies imposed a price freeze on basic goods for the next 60 days. Basic goods under the jurisdiction of the DTI include canned fish and other marine products, locally manufactured instant noodles, bottled water, bread, processed milk, coffee, candles, laundry soap, detergent, and salt. The DA covers basic agricultural goods such as rice, corn, cooking oil, fresh, dried and other marine products, fresh eggs, fresh pork, beef and poultry meat, fresh milk, fresh vegetables, root crops, sugar, and fresh fruits. Essential drugs are under the DOH while firewood and charcoal are under DENR.

These are the DA’s suggested retail prices for the following agricultural commodities on a per kilogram basis: pork (P190), chicken (P130), sugar (P45), cage-cultured bangus (P162), pond-cultured tilapia (P120), imported galunggong (P130), imported garlic (P70), local garlic (P120), and imported red onion (P95). Business establishments found to have violated the price freeze shall be imposed with a fine amounting to P5,000.00 up to P1 million and/or imprisonment for a period of one year up to 10 years.

Consumers can report business establishments that sell basic necessities beyond the price freeze by calling the One-DTI (1-384) Hotline or sending an email to [email protected].

Sources: https://www.dti.gov.ph/news/dti-nationwide-price-freeze-on-basic-necessities-in-effect-amid-covid-19-emergency/ and https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1245362/60-day-price-freeze-covers-agri-products-basic-goods-meds#ixzz6HOFPRinG

Question from FB Live: Government said that local couriers are allowed, but with no flights available to the provinces, how do you make delivery of goods (esp medicines, PPE) more efficient since we expect more cases of COVID in the provinces? What cargo flights are now operating since PAL and Cebu Pac already cancelled their flights?

Answer: (March 19, 2020)

According to the expanded quarantine guidelines, cargoes within, to and from Luzon will not be hampered. Thus, delivery of goods to provinces outside Metro Manila will operate as usual. Land, air and sea travel for official business are allowed, including the delivery of medical supplies.

Source: https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2020/03mar/20200316-MEMORANDUM-FROM-ES-RRD.pdf.

PAL will continue to operate cargo flights between Manila and Cebu They are also eyeing the Manila-Davao route. Cebu Pacific will continue cargo services between Manila and Mindanao.

Link: https://business.inquirer.net/293083/airlines-keep-planes-flying-for-essential-cargo-amid-covid-19-restrictions

CebGo’s dedicated cargo service continues to operate (Manila to Mindanao). In addition, LBC continues to operate but there are branches that are currently closed. List of closures are published on their FB page: https://www.facebook.com/LBCExpress/.