Supply of commodities enough even if ECQ is extended: DTI

An official of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) assured that the supply of manufactured basic commodities will be sufficient even if the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) is extended in Metro Manila and 4 neighboring provinces.

There was panic buying for supplies last Sunday, a day before the ECQ became effective in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal due to the continuous increase in new COVID-19 cases.

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But according to Trade Undersecretary Ireneo Vizmonte, the supply is sufficient even if the ECQ is extended to the so-called “NCR Plus” after April 4.

“Kaya po natin hiniling sa IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force) na payagan at 100 percnet ‘yong food manufacturer, gusto po natin masigurado na ang shelves po ng mga supermarket, public market, ‘yong tindahan po ay mayroon enough supply,” said Vizmonte in a Laging Handa public briefing.

Puregold area manager Carlo Rodriguez, on the other hand, advised that the public should only stock a one-week supply.

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“Puwede good for one and a half weeks pero ideally is one week,” said Rodriguez.

Because there’s a curfew starting at 6 p.m. on “NCR Plus,” Robinsons Supermarket is open only until the same time.

Also read: DOLE to give aid to workers affected by ECQ

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Supply of commodities enough even if ECQ is extended: DTI

Meanwhile, Puregold and SM Supermarkets are open until 5 p.m.

Apart from groceries, hardware stores, pharmacies, and banks are also open in malls.

According to the Bank of the Philippine Islands, they are open from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Banco de Oro is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

He said the operation of laundry shops and water refilling stations will also continue because they are also essential.

Meanwhile, about 22.9 million poor Filipino workers affected by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro  and neighboring provinces will receive financial assistance from the government, according to the Palace.

The funding will come from P23 billion in unspent money from Bayanihan to Recover As One-Act.

Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal were subjected to the ECQ from this Monday to April 4 due to the increasing number of new COVID-19 cases.