The Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. said it fully supports the Department Trade and Industry’s proposal to allow more businesses to operate at their rated capacity to expedite economic recovery.
“While we recognize that there are risks associated with opening up more businesses, we believe that Secretary [Ramon] Lopez’s proposal will be more beneficial to our economy and to our people in the long run for as long as the standard protocols for COVID-19 prevention are strictly observed,” said PAMPI president Felix Tiukinhoy Jr.
Tiukinhoy said the prolonged lockdown would not drive the coronavirus away “but it will certainly drive millions more of our workforce out of jobs.”
There are businesses whose employees do not work in close proximity to each other or interact closely with each other, he said.
“Hence, we support Secretary Lopez’s call for such businesses to be allowed to operate at full capacity. We also call on our consumers to be more conscious and disciplined in observing prescribed health and sanitation rules to help speed up resolution of this pandemic,” Tiukinhoy said.
The DTI earlier called for the full reopening of the remaining sectors that have not yet opened or are partially opened.
“We are proposing to reopen the economy safely, with same degree of enforcement and minimum health standard. It can still be GCQ, and just reopen other sectors under Category III from 50 percent operating capacity to 100 percent,” said DTI Lopez.
Category III industries include legal/accounting; financial services; management consultancy; architecture and engineering; science and research and development; advertising and market research; computer programming; publishing and printing; film/music/TV production; recruitment and placement agencies for overseas employment; photography services; wholesale/retail trade services; and repair of motor vehicles motorcycles and bicycles.
Others are malls/commercial centers; hardware; clothing and accessories; bookstores; baby and infant care supplies; pet care supplies; IT Communications and electronic equipment; flower jewelry stores; music and toy stores; art galleries; firearms and ammunition trading which are subject to PNP regulation; and public and private construction projects.
