PH has Enough Food Supply Amid Extended ECQ – DTI Chief
DTI CHIEF – Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez said the country has enough food supply amid extended “enhanced community quarantine.”
Most of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases were recorded in Luzon. the Department of Health (DOH) said there are now 6,981 COVID-19 cases in the country.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte announced on Thursday, April 24, 2020, that the ECQ in National Captial Region (NCR) and several other areas is extended until May 15. It is extended in CALABARZON, Metro Manila, and Central Luzon.
The 75-year-old chief executive also accepted Inter-Agency task Force’s (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases’ recommendation to extend ECQ in Davao Provinces, Pangasinan, Cebu, Benguet, Panay, Mindoro, Catanduanes, and Albay. Meanwhile, the low-risk areas will be placed under ‘general community quarantine.’
Based on a report from GMA News, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez assured the residents who are affected by the ECQ that the government has enough food supply. He said personal hygiene and food production businesses are open amid the ECQ.
“Iyong canned sardines, instant noodles, gatas…marami pong supply sa grocery. Huwag pong magpapanic, kasi napakadami po nating pagkain at supply,” he said.
According to the report, essential and grocery businesses will be manned with enough employees during ECQ said the DTI chief. He said “naka 50% na po ang workforce nila, hindi na skeletal workforce na 30% lang. Minsan nga more than 50% pa ang workforce kaya ang production rate natin ay 80 to 100%.”
“Iyong inventory natin ng goods, sapat for more than two weeks. Iyong material naman na ipo-produce pa ay good for 45 days. Kaya marami po tayong pagkain,” he addded.
Based on the report, Ramon Lopez said the fisherfolks and farmers said they can work during ECQ. He also reminded the landlords not to collect fees until May 15.
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