Ample supply of goods assured amid quarantine

– Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said giant food manufacturers assured that there is an adequate supply of their products in the market during the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.

Lopez made the statement after the Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. (PAMPI) claimed that they anticipate a “severe shortage of goods by mid-April” because of the restrictions at checkpoints.

“Shortage is not true. They are producing every day. All food companies are allowed to produce every day and cargoes [are] allowed to move unhampered,” he told reporters in a text message.

Lopez added that the glitches in implementation at checkpoints since the quarantine was imposed on March 17 prompted the PAMPI to write his office.

“The manufacturer has inventories in their warehouse, in their distributors, and in the supermarkets up to the sari-sari and convenience stores, which if you add up can be around one and a halfto two-month inventory,” the trade chief said.

San Miguel Corp. said its facilities can manufacture 1.96 million kilograms of fresh meats, 524,000 kilograms of processed meats, and 2.11 million kilograms of flour and baked goods.

Canned goods producer Century Pacific Food Inc. also assured the DTI that they have enough raw materials and ingredients to continue its manufacturing operations.

On Friday, DTI amended its previous memorandum circular, now allowingCM all types of cargoes to moveMY within, to and from the is-CY land of Luzon.

“No discretion in decision making at checkpoints that will result in different treatments. So, all cargoes are allowed,” Lopez said. (PNA)