DTI CHIEF, EXPERTS FRAME ‘NEW NORMAL’ IN BIZ, LIFESTYLES

WHAT’S the new normal in business operations in the lockdown aftermath? It’s the enforcement of social distancing, mandatory wearing of face masks, setting up of sanitation stations, taking of body temperature and provision of nutrients, said the country’s trade and industry chief. And, for academic scholars, the new normal in lifestyle would entail a focus on the “essentials” that were forgotten pre-covid-19, but were rudely foisted on the public psyche by the pandemic: the need for fresh, nutritious food; a healthy work-life balance, among others. Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez on Thursday said firms will be required to emulate the health measures practiced among leading exporters. These protocols, he explained, will be the new normal in business operations, as the government prepares guidelines for the country’s post-quarantine scenario. “Minimum health standards—such as strict social distancing, wearing of face masks, presence of sanitation stations, taking of body temperature and provision of vitamins— must always be observed in work and public places,” Lopez said in a statement. He shared his views as the nation awaited President Duterte’s decision on whether to lift or extend a second time the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine that began March 17 in the race to stop the transmission of Covid-19; or, as suggested by most experts he consulted, to order a modified or selective lockdown that keeps the restrictions on areas with high infection rates while unshackling geographical areas or sectors with minimal or no cases.

According to Lopez, in a post-lockdown regime, firms will be mandated to conduct their own Covid-19 testing among their labor force, as well as provide nearby accommodations and shuttle services. They will also be encouraged to do work-fromhome arrangements and will be required to get health care and insurance, as these protocols will minimize the health risks of their workers.

“We need to have a new way of doing business to ensure that our significant gains during the ECQ [enhanced community quarantine] and the collective efforts in flattening the curve will not be put to waste once ECQ is fully lifted,” Lopez added.

Businessmen’s push

THE private sector has been pushing for the modification of the Luzon-wide ECQ scheduled to expire on April 30. For Lopez, the decision on the fate of the lockdown—whether to lift, modify or extend it—should never be a decision of lives or livelihood, as the two can be preserved for as long as firms enforce the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the virus.

“It is accepted that health takes primacy over the economy, but there is no dichotomy between the two if we take precautionary measures when we do business and work with other people to minimize any health risk in a post-ecq environment,” the trade chief argued.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recognized the interventions implemented by numerous sectors to ensure the safety and well-being of their workers. The export sector, for instance, is providing not only accommodation and shuttle services for employees, but also vitamins and medicines, as well as routine health checkup.

Exporters have also been distributing face masks and digital thermometers to workers for free, and setting up ambulances, isolation tents and clinics within their facilities.

State agencies are working out a new set of guidelines on the minimum health standards that should be followed in all of business operations. This will be crucial in the nearing aftermath of the ECQ to prevent a possible second wave of Covid-19 infections.

As of Thursday, there were 6,981 confirmed cases of the respiratory illness in the Philippines, with 722 recovered patients and 462 deaths.

In a related development, the Confederation of Wearable Exporters of the Philippines (Conwep) on Wednesday turned over the first batch of personal protective equipment (PPES) made by its members for health workers, who are at the forefront in the combat against Covid-19. The first 10,000 PPES will be used by medical staff of the Philippine General Hospital.

Conwep is collaborating with the government in making 300,000 PPES that would address the country’s deficient supply.

According to Lopez, the partnership between the government and the private sector “aims to develop our country’s capacity to produce medical-grade PPE.” In the long term, this should meet the local demand for medical supplies throughout the pandemic and beyond.

“There is really a need to create local manufacturing capacities to reduce import dependence, especially at a time when there is also a global shortage of critical medical supplies like PPES and masks,” Lopez said, stressing “self-reliance is key to our strategy.”

Life after pandemic

BESIDES Lopez, academicians are also framing a post-lockdown or even post-pandemic scenario.

In an online seminar organized by the Registered Financial Planners (RFP), Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Policy Brief, Ateneo Center for Economic Research and Development (Acerd) Director Alvin P. Ang said the pandemic has forced people, including Filipinos, to live for the essentials.

“Living for the essentials,” Ang said, means greater focus on keeping healthy and making life simple to allow Filipinos to work and play both in the physical and virtual worlds.

“The most likely scenario after April 30 is the ECQ will be lifted gradually,” Ang said.

“The following will continue to be observed: no gathering of more than 10 people; physical distancing; wearing masks when going out; waiting time (in public places); working from home; and living for the essentials,” he explained.

These essentials, Ang said, included fresh and processed food; medicines and vitamins; basic health services, because Filipinos will also need medical services other than to treat Covid-19; and wearing protective accessories such as masks and gloves.

He added that business-process outsourcing will remain because of the need to observe physical distancing while the threat of acquiring diseases will keep the demand high for cleaning materials such as soaps and detergents.

Ang also said financial, power, water and Internet services will also be in high demand as well as analog and digital entertainment that can help prevent “cabin fever” for those working from home.

Further, Ang said basic mobility will be in high demand to ensure that Filipinos will be able to get their basic food and non-food needs as well as logistics to allow Filipinos to have their essentials delivered to them.

These essentials will give birth or further develop nascent industries. Ang said investing or tailor-fitting businesses to address these essential can spell success for those who will take a risk.

Businesses that will “boom” post Covid-19 include digital marketing services such as website development and social-media presence; apps development; business-process outsourcing; and basic skills learning services offered online, except those skills that require physical presence like carpentry.

He added that businesses linked to health and imaginative logistics and online selling or moving markets will thrive in a post Covid-19 world.

Ang also said research businesses will thrive because of the need for data; telemedicine, including mental and emotional health; and other businesses that would cater to the essentials.

“Invest on assets—companies, people and resources that will remain intact despite the crisis,” Ang said. “Industries such as travel, tourism, leisure and physical entertainment have less potential in a no-contact environment. Focus on those related to necessities and the new normal.”

Earlier, ADMU economists said the government should “set aside its growth targets” and private firms should also set aside their profit targets for the year.

The priority at this time should be to ensure adequate health/medical services as well as the full protection of health workers. There is also a need to prioritize the provision of social protection to vulnerable households and individuals as well as address the economic and social costs of enhanced community quarantine.

The economists also said an economic stimulus to boost the economy would not be useful given the current state of the pandemic.