DTI Ensures Unhampered Movement of Cargo and Transit of Personnel of Operating Establishments

“Movement of all food and non-food cargoes within, to, and from Luzon shall be unhampered, and if subjected to random inspection, shall not be delayed. Transit of personnel of all establishments allowed to operate shall likewise be permitted,” says the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in its latest issuance, Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 20-06.

The MC covers enterprises engaged in the manufacture of all food and essential products, medicine, and medical supplies such as, but not limited to, soap and detergents, diapers, feminine hygiene products, tissue, wipes, and toilet papers, disinfectants, medicines and vitamins; medical personal protective equipment, gloves, and masks.

This includes the distribution and logistics to support manufacturing activities, including cargo handling, warehousing, trucking, and port operations.

Retail establishments such as supermarkets, groceries, hypermarkets, convenience stores, and pharmacies and drug stores, and the Export and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies are likewise included in the said issuance.

While the MC ensures the smooth and unimpeded movement of all cargoes in the Luzon area, when stopped at any checkpoint for random inspection, the cargo manifest or delivery receipt indicating the destination, nature, and quantity of the loaded goods/cargoes must be presented for them not be delayed.

Transit of personnel of these operating enterprises and establishments shall likewise be allowed in all checkpoints upon presentation of a valid company-issued identification card, proof of residence, or certificate of employment. To further facilitate this, by 22 March 2020, an official IATF ID duly issued by the DTI will be presented at the checkpoints instead of the usual identification requirements.

To apply for the IATF ID, qualified enterprises and establishments covered by MC 20-06 may download and fill-out the template from the DTI website, www.dti.gov.ph/iatfid/, and submit to the following contact points:

CONTACT PERSONS	EMAIL
MANUFACTURING Board of Investments (BOI) Executive Director Ma. Corazon H. Dichosa	manufacturers@dti.gov.ph
RETAIL DTI-Consumer Protection Group (CPG) Ms. Angeli Ann Solis Ms. Maria Lorena A. Yanga	retailers@dti.gov.ph
LOGISTICS SERVICES DTI-Supply Chain and Logistics Management Division (SCLMD) Mr. Jonathan Cabaltera Ms. Wea Bohol Ms. Berlin Mabuna	logistics@dti.gov.ph

Meanwhile, operations of Export and BPO companies on a skeletal workforce will be allowed provided that, they observe strict social distancing measures and provide temporary lodging and shuttle service to those assigned as skeletal personnel.

Arrangement with hotels for accommodation of employees of export-oriented and BPO companies and transfer of necessary equipment such as, but not limited to, desktop computers and laptops for those working from home will be permitted until 20 March 2020, unless extended.

“We completely understand the plight of the enterprises and establishments, and their people. The government is doing everything it can to facilitate the most reasonable arrangements while adhering to the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Luzon for the smooth delivery of basic essential goods and services to the people in this time of emergency,” says DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez.

Copies of MC 20-06 were furnished to the Philippine National Police and local government units for proper implementation.