CAVITE—Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez emphasized the importance of greater coordination between national and local government units, especially on the actual implementation of the government’s anti-COVID programs to limit the transmission of COVID-19 and save the lives of Filipinos. The Coordinated Operations to Defeat Epidemic (CODE) Team met with Governor Jonvic Remulla and all the City Mayors of the Province of Cavite on 13 August 2020.

Sec. Lopez, together with National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 Deputy Chief Implementer and Testing Czar Secretary Vivencio Dizon, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, NTF Treatment Czar and DOH Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega, and NTF Contact Tracing Czar and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong led the national agencies in the meeting with local leaders. The trade chief also used this opportunity to present the strengthened workplace health protocols.

During the latter part of the visit, washable and reusable non-medical grade face masks were also distributed to vulnerable sectors in the province. This initiative was assisted by the office of Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go and is line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to strictly enforce minimum health standards in local communities and ensure that indigents also have the necessary health protection against COVID-19. END

DTI spot-checks prices, supply of Face Shields in Bambang

Following the pronouncement of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) where commuters on public transportation will be mandated to wear face shields aside from face masks effective August 15, 2020, the Department of Trade and Industry’s Consumer Protection Group Undersecretary Ruth B. Castelo conducts spot-check monitoring activity on the prices and supply of face shields in Bambang, Manila.

While the Department of Health (DOH) is the agency on top of face shields, Undersecretary Castelo says that DTI will always be on the ground to support DOH in ensuring reasonable prices of medical devices amid the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic through its monitoring and enforcement arm, the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB).

The DOH issued Department Memorandum Circular (DMC) No. 2020-0345 that sets the SRP of face shields to P26.00 – P50.00. The Health Department clarifies that this only applies to basic non-medical grade face shields for community use. Another issuance will be released for medical grade face shields.

DTI reported that out of all the monitored establishments, some sell face shields ranging from P28.00 to P70.00 while other establishments already ran out of stock.

As to supplies, DTI noted that other establishments enforce purchase of limit for ten (10) pieces per person to ensure enough supply for every consumer.

“The Department encourages the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) face shields as long as it will serve the same purpose wherein materials are made of plastic, acetate, or soft drinks bottles made of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) plastics.” Undersecretary Castelo underscores.

Moreover, DTI heightens its consumer protection through its assistance to the DOH on monitoring such medical devices to prevent unscrupulous businesses from illegal acts of price manipulation and unconscionable sales acts and practices pursuant to Republic Act (RA)7581 or the Price Act and RA 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines.

For more information, consumers may visit the DTI website at www.dti.gov.ph or may call Consumer Care Hotline at DTI (1-384) or email at consumercare@dti.gov.ph for questions and or clarifications. END

RIZAL—President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his promise to start giving away face masks to indigent families. Led by Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, the Office of the President, the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Health (DOH) Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) joined the Ceremonial Launch and Community Distribution of Face Masks to beneficiaries from Rizal Province. The launch was joined by Rizal Governor Rebecca Ynares and the mayors of cities and municipalities in Rizal. The event was in keeping with the desire of the President to help ensure that the indigents will also have the necessary health protection against COVID-19 and in an effort to keep low the rate of transmission.

Twenty (20) million non-medical grade reusable and washable face masks that follow the specifications set by the World Health Organization (WHO) were provided to vulnerable sectors that include households with senior citizens, pregnant women, special health conditions, and those part of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). END