HOTEL INDUSTRY associations are mixed on the possible reimposition of the face mask mandate in the Philippines amid the surge in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks.     

Eugene T. Yap, Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines (HRAP) president, on Monday said the group is hoping of “not much mask requirement.”    

“We hope that there will be not much mask requirement, but I think we now leave it to the establishment,” Mr. Yap said during a press conference of the Philippine Furniture Furnishings Market (PFFM) launch.  

Mr. Yap said that mask wearing is still important, especially in the food service sector.   

“Right now, I can see the mask is still an important part especially in food serving areas. Many areas, if it is outdoor, you will encounter it less. But mostly in food service area, that will still be very prevalent and very required,” he said.   

The Health department recently said that the government may reimpose the mandatory wearing of face masks following a spike in COVID positivity rate.

On May 2, the Health department said that local COVID-19 cases rose 42% to 637 average daily cases during the April 24 to 30 period compared to the 450 average daily cases from April 17 to 23.    

Benito C. Bengzon Jr., Philippine Hotel Owners Association, Inc. (PHOA) executive director, said that member hotels have always observed “strict guidelines” set by the government.   

“On the part of the hotels, it is fairly simple, we follow the guidelines issued by the government… The minimum public health standards have always been in place, and we will abide by the guidelines provided by the government,” he said.   

Meanwhile, Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) Chairman Paul A. Santos said shop owners can still require their respective workers to wear a mask.   

“We can impose that on our employees because these are workplace safety rules. We can certainly do that. We cannot impose similar standards on our customers,” Mr. Santos said.   

“While the government may want to recommend that everybody can relax masking, it’s still up to the individual retailer,” he added.    

The PFFM exhibition, set from July 5 to 7 at the SMX Convention Center in Manila, will feature the latest trends on home furniture, outdoor furniture, office and commercial furniture, home décor, and lifestyle products.    

Some of the participating countries include China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. The PFFM is projected to attract at least 8,000 trade visitors.   

PFFM is organized by the Malaysia-based organizer Derrisen Sdn Bhd in partnership with various local associations such as the HRAP, PHOA, PRA, Association of Purchasing Managers of Hotels and Restaurants of the Philippines. Subdivision and Housing Developers Association, and the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

ISUZU Philippines Corp. (IPC) has issued a recall for 2,273 units consisting of its D-MAX pick-up truck and mu-X sport utility vehicle models as a precautionary measure following an issue with its lower second steering shaft bolt.   

The IPC said in an April 27 advisory posted on the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) site that 1,579 units of the mu-X and 694 units of the D-MAX under the production period 2020 to October 2022 are covered by the special service campaign, which will involve the re-tightening of the lower second steering shaft bolt.    

“The lower second steering shaft bolt of these vehicles may have been tightened below the specified torque value. Given the road conditions in the Philippines, it may possibly loosen over time,” the IPC said.    

“With this, IPC has the initiative of implementing this service campaign activity to inspect and re-tighten to meet the required torque valve as a precautionary measure,” it added.   

The inspection and repair of the affected vehicles under the service campaign will be free of charge.    

“Kindly note that not all Isuzu mu-X and Isuzu D-MAZ are affected by this service campaign. We will issue a notification letter to the concerned vehicle owners through registered mail for their information. This service campaign will be announced nationwide,” the car manufacturer added. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave 

THE SUBIC-CLARK-TARLAC Expressway (SCTEX) recorded a 45.9% year-on-year increase in its toll revenue in 2022 to P3.26 billion on the back of resurging local travel, according to state-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).  

The BCDA, the owner and builder of SCTEX, said in a statement on Monday that last year’s toll revenue was its “highest revenue record by far,” exceeding the P2.6 billion collected in 2019 and the P2.23 billion logged in 2021.  

According to the government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC), the surge in toll revenue is due to the higher number of daily traffic following the easing of pandemic-related border restrictions in 2021 and the uninterrupted serviceability of the major road network.  

The BCDA said its average daily traffic rose 25.8% to 70,894 in 2022 from 56,362 in 2021. The 2022 level also breached the pre-pandemic level average daily traffic of 70,538 in 2019.   

“As more people go on ‘revenge travel’ and more business operations return back to normal, we saw an increase in traffic volume in SCTEX. The BCDA is optimistic that this trend will be sustained as we continue to bounce back from the pandemic,” BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Aileen R. Zosa said.   

The surge in traffic and toll revenues from SCTEX’s operations in 2022 also increased the concession fees received by the BCDA from its operations and maintenance partner NLEX Corp.  

“Last year, the BCDA’s share in SCTEX’s revenues stood at P1.63 billion, 58.83% higher than the 2021 level of P1.03 billion. Cumulatively, concession fees collected from NLEX Corp. reached P7.8 billion since 2008,” the GOCC said.   

“The concession fees collected by BCDA enabled the government to cover its debt payments to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which provided the financing support for the construction of the expressway amounting to JP¥59.04 billion,” it added.   

The 93.7-kilometer SCTEX connects the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone, the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, and the Central Techno Park in Tarlac.   

The BCDA is mandated to assist in strengthening the Armed Forces of the Philippines as well as establishing new cities. The GOCC is also engaged in public-private partnerships to improve public infrastructure such as tollways, airports, seaports, and major real estate developments. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave 

THE DEPARTMENT of Trade and Industry (DTI) has seized almost P3 million worth of uncertified vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products and novel tobacco items in the National Capital Region as part of its enforcement operations.   

In a statement on Monday, the DTI said it seized 9,695 units of the uncertified items worth P2.99 million after the agency’s Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) visited 390 physical stores from Feb. 9 to 26.    

“Prior to physical inspection, the DTI has conducted surveillance operations. With this, 121 firms were found compliant, while 106 stores were either closed or no longer selling vape products. However, violations were seen among 163 firms, and they were required to submit a written explanation,” the DTI said.    

The DTI added that the FTEB’s online monitoring unit reported 16,290 non-compliant online vape stores while only 86 online stores were deemed compliant following its monitoring efforts.    

“Through these combined efforts, there are already 56 formal charges filed against violators of Republic Act (RA) No. 11900 or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act and its implementing rules and regulations (IRR). A case has also been filed against one of the largest e-commerce platforms in the country,” the DTI said.    

Under RA 11900 and its implementing rules and regulations, the sale or distribution of vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products to or by persons under eighteen years of age is illegal.    

According to the DTI, the routine inspections are part of Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual’s directive to tighten monitoring over the violations of firms and shops under RA 11900.    

SUGAR
Meanwhile, the DTI said in a separate statement that it is “closely monitoring” the prices and availability of refined sugar.   

Last year, the government sought the assistance of various supermarkets to lower sugar prices following supply issues.   

“I have already instructed our monitoring teams, led by Trade Undersecretary Ruth B. Castelo to regularly conduct price monitoring of sugar in selected supermarkets,” Mr. Pascual said.    

“We continuously work with other government agencies, especially the Department of Agriculture, to temper the impacts of inflation toward Filipino consumers and enable them to have access to affordable basic necessities and prime commodities,” he added. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave