DAVAO CITY – The regional and provincial offices of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) across region 11 have strengthened their monitoring of dine-in restaurants, barbershops and salons, retailers, and other establishments allowed to operate during the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) and Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ). This is to ensure that they have been complying with the prescribed guidelines, especially when operating under the new normal.
The monitoring activities are anchored on the following issuances:
- DTI-DOLE Interim Guidelines on Workplace Prevention and Control of COVID-19;
- Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 20-28, series of 2020, which sets the minimum health protocol to be followed by salons and barbershops;
- MC 20-37, Series of 2020 or the Guidelines on the Implementation of Minimum Health Protocols for Dine-In Services by Restaurants and Fastfood establishments;
- Joint Memorandum Circular 20-04A which was issued by DTI and DOLE;
- MC No. 20-52 “Increasing the allowable operational capacity of certain business establishments or activities under Categories II and III under General Community Quarantine;
- MC No. 20-53, Series of 2020 Prescribing the Recategorization of Travel Agencies, Tour Operators, Reservation Service, and Related activities from Category IV to Category III; and
- MC No. 20-55 “Easing Control Measures in Malls and Commercial Centers upon Strict Implementation of the Seven Commandments”.
As of 25 November, a total of 1,378 business establishments have already been monitored across the region. This is composed of 633 dine-in restaurants, 288 barbershops and salons, and 457 other establishments.
The bulk of the working places monitored were in Davao Occidental at 316, followed by Davao Oriental at 312, next is Davao de Oro at 261, Davao City at 248, Davao del Norte at 155, and Davao del Sur at 86. Workplaces with partial compliance were advised to institute corrective measures to ensure adherence to the minimum health protocols.
DTI-Region 11 Director Maria Belenda Q. Ambi affirmed that such activities aimed to apprise businesses, both their owners and employees, and the general public of the pertinent guidelines issued by the government. She pointed out that monitoring is being done mainly for the health and safety of everyone.
She also said that this serves as an opportunity for them to rectify promptly the infractions raised. Strict compliance with the basic health protocols must be observed.
“Our office is not all about penalizing violators. We are here to assist them and improve their operations as well. It is always our goal to enable businesses while we continuously protect our consumers,” she said.
Ambi advised all Dabawenyos to heed the call of the government to stay at home and follow minimum standards of health protocols to fight the widespread COVID-19.♦
Date of Release: 23 December 2020