Dahil nalalapit na ang Banal na buwan ng Ramadhan umaapaw ang mga nagpapakita ng kabutihan sa bahagi ng mga mananampalataya sa relihiyong Islam kabilang na rito si Department of Trade and industry Undersecretary Abdulgani M. Macatoman na nagdonate ng kanyang tatlong buwang sahod para makadagdag sa pambili ng mga foodpacks na maitutulong sa mga frontliners at kanilang pamilya ngayong may COVID-19 pandemic.
Bahagi ng pananampalatayang Islam ang pagtulong at pagbibigay sa kapwa at maging kapatid sa pananampalataya o hindi, naniniwala silang tunay na kalugod lugod sa paningin ng Dakilang Lumikha (Allah SWT) ang gawaing ito na kapag may pagkakataon ay hindi dapat pinalalampas.
Sa kabila ng marami na ring mga pinuno buhat sa ehekutibo at lehislatura, mga Mayor, Congressman at senador ang katulad ni Macatoman na nagdonate ng kanilang sweldo para magamit pandagdag sa gastusin ng gobyerno, isang maka Diyos at makatao pa ring pagpapamalas ito ng mabuting ugali na dapat sundan hindi lang ng mga lider ng gobyerno kundi ng karaniwang Muslim na pinagkalooban ng sobrang biyaya ng Allah SWT.///abdul malik bin ismail, 09333816694, abdulmalikbinismail@gmail.com
30 March 2020 DTI, BatStateU join forces to provide frontliners protection against COVID-19
As the number of COVID-19 cases increases in the country, there is also an increasingly growing concern about the lack of personal protective equipment for our frontline workers. Thus, the Department of Trade and Industry – Regional Operations Group (DTI-ROG), spearheaded by Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona, in collaboration with the Labspace for Innovation Knowledge-Honing and Application (LIKHA) FabLab of the Batangas State University (BatStateU), is producing face shields using 3D printed face bands and acetate films for health workers who are in the frontline against the dreaded pandemic virus.
“DTI is not only committed to ensure efficient delivery of business development services and to enforce consumer protection and education in the countryside, but also, is more devoted to be of help during this pandemic crisis. Kaya naman naisip namin na gamitin ang ilang mga ipinamahaging Shared Service Facilities (SSF) equipment sa bansa, katuwang ang mga MSMEs at ilang state universities and colleges, upang lumikha ng mas maraming face masks at face shields para sa ating mga kababayan, lalong na sa mga bayani natin ngayon na humaharap sa mapeligrosong epidemya,” said Usec. Lantayona.
The LIKHA FabLab is a Shared Service Facility funded by the DTI, where business enterprises engaged in top industries in the CALABARZON region, such as furniture-related processes and electronics, can converge with designers to create and develop models and make prototypes for mass production. It is a digital fabrication that enables collaboration and promotes transparency among designers and modellers aided by computer-controlled machines. Stored digital design using the sophisticated technology provides an array of services to make the whole furniture design. Moreover, the manufacturing team takes care of the detailed designs, analysis, documentation, and fabrication.
“The supply of additional protective face shields is our way of solving the problem in the lack of PPE for our frontliners,” said LIKHA FabLab Center Head Engr. Louie Villaverde.
According to Engr. Villaverde, they already donated 130 face shields to Batangas Medical Center. They are also planning to provide more by producing 30-40 face shields a day to different hospitals in Batangas, then later to to the hospitals in the entire CALABARZON and soon, to other frontline workers nationwide.
Engr. Villaverde noted that for now, they are in need of additional materials. Any donations or supplies of raw materials will be of great help. “We are in the position to help others. Kahit maliit o malaki, ito ay tulong pa rin,” said Engr. Villaverde.
The Center for Technopreneurship and Innovation of the Batangas State University is accepting raw materials for fabrication of face shields:
Acetate or PVC Sheets, Size A4
Rubber Bands (natura)
3D Printer Filament (PLA-type fro Ultimaker)
ABS Sheet and Acetate for Vacuum Forming Machine
Here are some suppliers that you can contact directly as it will be difficult for the FabLab to accept monetary donations:
Puzzlebox (3D Printer Supplier)
Mr. Clark Merano, 09663383175
ES Print Media, Inc. (ABS and Acetate)
Mr. Ron Mariano, 09177129190
Donations may be sent to Batangas State University, Pablo Borbon Main II, Alangilan, Batangas City.
“We are strongly supporting the effort and initiative of LIKHA in developing innovative and effective solutions to help in combatting COVID-19. As we, in the DTI, work alongside with LIKHA, we are urging everyone, especially in the CALABARZON, to support their very important work,” DTI 4-A Director Marilou Toledo said.
31 March 2020
CLARIFICATORY STATEMENT OF DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY SECRETARY RAMON M. LOPEZ
ON MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 20-09,
“PAGPAPAHALAGA SA MGA SENIOR CITIZENS”
On 28 March 2020, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) issued Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 20-09 entitled, Pagpapahalaga sa mga Senior Citizens, heeding to the call of the elderly to be given priority when purchasing basic necessities and other essentials in retail stores and other similar establishments.
DTI recognizes that the senior citizens are among those who are highly vulnerable to contract the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). It is for this reason that the National Government strongly encourages senior citizens to stay home.
However, the Department also acknowledges that there are senior citizens who are living alone and are given no choice but to secure personal provisions such as food, medicines, and other basic necessities and essential items for themselves. These are the senior citizens that
MC 20-09 intends to serve. Through this policy issuance, we are requiring the business establishments to provide them with assistance and give due preference to ensure that they secure their needs quickly, thus making their stay outside their homes kept at the absolute minimum.
This is the true essence and intent of Pagpapahalaga sa mga Senior Citizens. DTI did not issue this to encourage or incentivize senior citizens to go out. They came to us with their concerns and we listened. DTI will never put their lives at risk.
Through this clarification, we hope for the full cooperation of all concerned institutions in taking good care of our senior citizens
2 April 2020
JAO to prevent looming port congestion; facilitate release of food, medicines, PPEs
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in coordination with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), the Bureau of Customs (BOC), the Department of Finance (DOF), and the Department of Agriculture (DA), among others, agreed to create a policy that will decongest the ports of Manila and help bring food, medicine, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) into the country during the COVID-19 quarantine.
The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases had earlier ordered the PPA to clear the ports of overstaying containers in order to make way for incoming cargoes needed by the government in its campaign against the coronavirus.
“We have discussed this in previous IATF meetings and will soon issue a resolution on this. We are currently finalizing a Joint Administrative Order with PPA, BOC, DOF, DA, and other involved agencies to expedite the withdrawal of overstaying containers,” said Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.
In the proposed JAO, all overstaying cargoes that remain beyond thirty (30) days from discharge are required to be withdrawn within five (5) days from the effectivity date of the administrative order. Otherwise, cargoes will be considered abandoned.
Priority processing shall also be given to arriving cargoes, particularly food, medicine, medical and basic necessities. Containers scheduled to arrive after the issuance of the JAO must be withdrawn within ten (10) days from discharge. Otherwise, they shall also be declared abandoned.
Furthermore, appropriate penalties shall be imposed by the PPA to ensure that consignees and importers withdraw the cargo within the window provided. All refrigerated containers must be pulled out within seven (7) days, except chilled cargoes which are given five (5) days from the issuance of the JAO. Unclaimed reefers are granted a three-day grace period, and after which are declared as abandoned goods.
Upon publication, the JAO shall remain in effect until the state of public health emergency is lifted, subject to changes as may be instructed by the Office of the President.
“This is very important because port congestion creates disruptions in our supply chain. It will hinder the flow of goods and cause delays in the delivery of cargo, which will then affect the prices of goods in the market. It creates a domino effect,” Sec. Lopez explained.
“We also need to free up space in our container yards to accommodate the arrival of cargoes containing food items, medicines, and protective equipment for our front liners,” he added.
PPA General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago earlier warned of a possible shutdown of the Port of Manila if cargo owners and consignees ignored calls to withdraw cleared, ready-for-delivery, and overstaying cargoes.
“We have repeatedly reminded consignees and importers to pullout their cargoes to lessen the congestion in our ports,” said Sec. Lopez.
At present, the yard utilization at the Manila international ports, composed of the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) and the Manila South Harbor, are almost at maximum capacity due to the idle movement of cleared cargoes containing perishables such as food, medicines, and other essentials following the declaration of the Luzon-wide Enhanced Community Quarantine.
The PPA has temporarily authorized the immediate and accelerated transfer of all overstaying foreign containers cleared for delivery or withdrawal to maintain the efficiency and productivity of the MICT.