The Department of Trade and Industry clarifies that Metro Manila can still import goods from neighboring cities and provinces to sustain the supply in Metro Manila.
This statement by the DTI undersecretary, Ruth Castelo, was prompted by the announcement of President Rodrigo Duterte to have a month-long "community quarantine" in Metro Manila to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. This community quarantine halts the city's residents to travel in and out of the region, beginning March 15 until April 14, 2020.
"The goods can still come to Metro Manila para masiguradong stable pa rin ang supply natin dito," Castelo told radio station, DZMM. She adds that DTI is working closely with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and local government units to ensure necessities will be supplied to Metro Manila Residents.
One of the points President Rodrigo Duterte made during his televised press conference on March 12 mentions that, "All manufacturing, retail, and service establishments shall remain in operation during the same period, provided that strict social distancing measures are observed."
In a report by ABS-CBN News, Castelo mentions that DTI will then need supermarkets to replenish goods and practice social distancing inside the stores. She says, "'Yung social distancing kailangan i-practice pa rin ng mga supermarkets at any given time. Pwede naman 'yon lalo na't we are in a place of a public health emergency."
There are many questions about the community quarantine that remain unanswered, but thankfully, more detailed guidelines for deliveries transporting goods and basic necessities to Metro Manila is currently in the works in line with the Metro Manila-wide community quarantine.
