Pasig Imposes No-Hoarding Ordinance, Mandaluyong Offers Free Transport To Health Workers

[UPDATE, March 20, 11:56 a.m.] The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) released a memorandum circular on Thursday, February 19, 2020, against hoarding and panic-buying during the enhanced community quarantine, reports GMA News.

In the memo, the Trade department has set a limit on the number of items a consumer can purchase. The quantity should be enough to meet their needs for a maximum of seven days.

The following are the products and the quantity allowed per transaction:

• 70% solution antiseptic or disinfectant alcohol: 2 pieces, regardless of volume
• Hand sanitizer: 2 pieces, regardless of size
• Disinfecting liquids: 2 pieces, regardless of size
• Bath soap: 2 pieces, regardless of size
• Toilet paper: 10 pieces (if sold per roll) or 1 pack (if sold as pack)
• Face mask: 5 pieces surgical mask (any type or brand); 5 pieces N95 mask (any type or brand)
• Locally produced instant noodles: 5 pieces per type, per brand
• Locally produced canned sardines: 5 cans per type, per brand (regular size); three cans per type, per brand (big size)
• Canned regular milk: 5 cans per type, per brand (small size); 2 cans per type, per brand (other sizes)
• Powdered milk in sachet: 2 bundles per brand
• Instant coffee in sachet: 2 bundles per brand
• Mineral water: 10 bottles any brand (small), 8 bottles any brand (medium), 5 bottles any brand (large), 2 bottles any brand (extra large)
• Loaf bread: 4 packs any kind any brand (half loaf); 2 packs any kind, any brand (whole loaf)

Retailers are advised to post notices "in conspicuous places within their outlets advising consumers of the quantity of basic necessities that they are allowed to purchase," according to DTI.

Those who violate the anti-hoarding and panic-buying circular will be fined between Php5,000 and Php2,000,000 and imprisonment of not less than five years, but not more than 15 years, said the DTI.

Original story follows

The enhanced community quarantine has effectively corralled citizens in their homes to reduce the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but with the suspension of work and public transport, it has also caused fear and worry to Filipinos, especially those who rely on their daily wages. Thankfully, the different local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila have stepped up and have come up with various measures to make the quarantine period easier for all its residents .

Valenzuela and Pasig City impose a no-hoarding ordinance

In his televised speech yesterday, March 16, 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte urged the public to stop panic buying. Agriculture Secretary William Dar also assured previously that there is enough supply of food for Metro Manila residents for the duration of the 30-day community quarantine.

To ensure that this is followed by constituents, Mayor Vico Sotto passed an “Anti-Panic Buying and Anti-Hoarding Ordinance,” setting a limit on the quantity and kind of food that individuals and businesses can purchase in a day. For example, individuals are only allowed to buy 1 bottle of alcohol more than 500 ml, 2 bottles of 500 ml alcohols or a maximum of three bottles for 300 ml alcohols. Businesses (retailer, sari-sari store, restaurants, hotels, etc) can buy up to 5 bottles of alcohol more than 500 ml, 10 bottles of less than 500 ml, and 15 bottles of 300 ml alcohols.

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Violators will be penalized and fined up to Php3,000 with 8 hours of community service, according to a photo uploaded on the Mayor’s official Facebook page. Establishments who violate the ordinance will also have their business/mayor’s permit revoked or will be subject to closure.

In his post, Mayor Vico thanked the Valenzuela City government for providing an example for Pasig City’s ordinance. Valenzuela passed their ordinance on March 13, 2020, following the announcement of the community quarantine.

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Mayor Vico Sotto allows tricycles for public transport

Mayor Vico also addressed the need for public transport for frontline health workers and those who work for essential services. There are also emergencies that only tricycles can get to.

“Ginagamit natin ang mga sasakyan ng lungsod para sa #LibrengSakay pero kulang na kulang ito. Our risk assessment shows that we CANNOT completely ban tricycles at this point,” Mayor Vico writes on his Facebook page.

He adds, “Dahil dito, sa ngayon ay pinapayagan ko ang limitadong pagbiyahe ng mga tricycle sa loob ng Pasig, subject to TORO guidelines such as limited passengers. Paalala lang din na ang puwede lang sumakay ay ang mga exempted sa quarantine.”

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Mandaluyong and Marikina provide transport and shuttle services to health workers

We’ve heard of the plight of our frontliners, and so our LGUs are working hard to ensure that they are cared for during the quarantine period. According to the Mandaluyong City Public Information Office, the city government will provide “shuttle services to all medical personnel and frontliners during the enhanced community quarantine.”

“Mandaluyong City government is working on providing housing provision in condominiums for non-resident government medical staff and personnel working in the city,” it added.

In the same vein, Marikina City Mayor Marcy Teodoro offered “Libreng Sakay,” to frontliners and residents who wish to go out of their homes and purchase food and medical supplies for their families. In a Facebook post by the Marikina City Public Information Office, they cited the various pick-up points and routes that the vehicles will take. They expect more routes to be added in the coming days.

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Cainta offers 6,000 food stubs for 30 days

The Municipality of Cainta will have a 30-day feeding program for its constituents, spearheaded by Mayor Kit Nieto. In his personal Facebook account, Mayor Nieto shared that he plans to start the program by Thursday, March 19, 2020 at 5 p.m. and it will occur simultaneously for every barangay.

“May food stubs akong ilalatag na i-da-download ko sa mga barangay,” he wrote. “Six thousand [na] tao muna ang target ko pakainin araw-araw. Sasagarin ko kung ano ang pondo natin… ‘yung diskresyon sa pamimigay ay ibibigay ko na sa mga kapitan. Ang munisipyo ang gagastos.”

The mayor plans to prioritize those whose work were suspended. “Unahin na natin ang mga talagang natigil sa trabaho at walang source para sa pagkain kung hindi makakapasok. ‘Yung medyo may stock, baka pwedeng ibalato na natin sa talagang wala,” he said.

He urged those who will participate in the feeding program to bring their own plates and utensils. “Walang plastic o disposable plates. Iwas basura. [Tapos] malinis. Huwag kayong mag-alala. Matatapos din ito. Kaysa tayo [ang] tapusin nito,” he wrote.

Read up on the enhanced community quarantine here and what it means for your family. What other measures are your LGUs doing to make the enhanced community quarantine easier for everyone? Share it with us in the comments!

This article was updated on March 20, 2020 at 11:56 a.m.

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