Weekly Update
AHK News

WRAP-UP: 1st week in Enhanced Community Quarantine - Work and Travel Advisory

20.03.2020

DISCLAIMER
The following updates are based on various proclamations as of 06:00 pm, 20 March 2020. Please note that the Chamber shall have no liability for the accuracy of the provided information and changes after the time of publication are probable. 


To wrap up the first week in Enhanced Community Quarantine with multiple announcements and advisories, please see a summary as guide below. We also encourage you to check the communications from Municipality and Barangay level regularly.

Accreditation of Skeletal Workforces for Critical Services 

All government agencies in the executive branch are directed to issue accreditation orders to identify their respective skeletal workforces for critical services operating during the quarantine in Luzon. Skeletal workforces may use official agency vehicles to transport staff within the same city. 

Critical Services include: 

  • Manufacturing of Food and Essential Products, Medicine and Medical Supplies (Food, Essential and Hygiene Products, Medicines and Vitamins, Medical Products);   
  • Retail Establishments (Groceries, Convenience Stores, Pharmacies) 

Other covered enterprises: 

  • Export-oriented companies such as Manufacturing firms and BPOs 

Additionally, the Department of Trade and Industry accepts applications for Inter-Agency Task Force-approved ID cards for the company’s skeletal workforce. Kindly accomplish the prescribed form thru this link and send to the following email addresses:

MANUFACTURING: Board of Investments (BOI)

Executive Director: Ma. Corazon H. Dichosa

Email: manufacturers@dti.gov.ph

RETAIL: DTI-Consumer Protection Group (DTI-CPG)

  • Ms. Angeli Ann Solis
  • Ms. Maria Lorena Yanga

Email: retailers@fti.gov.ph

LOGISTICS SERVICES: DTI-Supply Chain and Logistics Managment Division (DTI-SCLMD)

  • Mr. Jonathan Cabaltera
  • Ms. Wea Bohol
  • Ms. Berlin Mabuna

Email: logistics@dti.gov.ph

Download the Inter-Agency Task Force ID Template Here

Cargo and Delivery Operations 

The Philippine National Police is instructed to allow the movement of all types of cargoes, subject to its authority to conduct inspection procedures in checkpoints. For this purpose, Memorandum Circular No. 07, issued on March 17, 2020, by the Department of Agriculture is hereby adopted. Delivery services transporting food, medicine, and other basic needs shall be allowed to operate during the quarantine period.

Export-oriented Enterprises: Manufacturing and Business Process Outsourcing 

Export-oriented establishments can operate with a skeletal workforce provided that strict social distancing is observed.  

Companies in this category are further allowed to transfer necessary equipment to facilitate work from home and to make arrangements with hotels for basic lodging until March 20, 2020. To accomplish these purposes, personnel shall be allowed to travel, subject to presentation of proof of employment, address of employer and residence.

Capital Markets 

Capital markets including but not limited to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Securities and Exchange Commission, Philippine Stock Exchange, Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corporation, Philippine Security Settlement Corporation, and Philippine Depository and Trust Corporation are allowed to operate effective March 18, 2020 subject to qualification of establishing skeletal workforces in respective establishments.

Emergency Employment Program 

The Department of Labor and Employment is authorized to accredit skeletal workforce to facilitate the implementation of a PHP 180-million emergency employment program (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers or TUPAD).

Transportation for Health and Emergency Frontline Workers 

The Department of Transportation in coordination with Local Government Units, and upon consultation with the Department of Health shall develop a point-to-point transport services system for public and private health workers, and volunteers of the Philippine Red Cross and the World Health Organization. 
  

International Travel and Visa Advisory

Foreign nationals, balikbayans, and OFWs shall be allowed to leave the Philippines at any time through Luzon international ports during the quarantine period. Departing passengers should present proof of international travel itinerary schedule within 24 hours before the departure and may be accompanied by not more than one 1 person. 

The government has further suspended the issuance of Visas for Temporary Visitors or Tourists who are planning to enter the country. The suspension takes effect starting March 22, 2020. However, previously issued long-term visas remain valid for visa holders already in the country. Please note that the information is subject to change.

Hotel Operations

Hotels and similar establishments shall not be allowed to operate. The exemptions are: Foreign guests with existing booking accommodations as of March 17, 2020; Guests with existing long-term leases and; Employees from exempted establishments under the provisions of the March 16, 2020, Memorandum. No new booking accommodations shall be permitted. Hotel operations shall be limited to the provision of basic lodging to guests. 
  

Media Accreditation 

The provisional period of 72 hours granted to media personnel to continue operating in Luzon is extended until March 21, 2020. Thereafter, only media outfits with Inter-Agency Task Force accreditation IDs issued by the Presidential Communications Operations Office may be exempted from the strict home quarantine requirement. 

Emergency Operations Center 

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases in the Philippines shall establish and operate an Emergency Operations Center at the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council Operations Center, at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. 

Click Here to find the official guidelines and memos announced