Quantity restrictions lifted on grocery items

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has lifted the quantity limits for the sale and purchase of essential products, except for alcohol, sanitizers, disinfecting liquids and face masks.

In its Memorandum Circular 20-36 issued last Monday, the DTI lifted the caps imposed for the sale and purchase of bath soap, toilet paper, instant noodles, canned sardines, canned milk, powdered milk, instant coffee, mineral water, bread loaf, wet wipes, detergent soap, toothpaste, mouthwash, canned pork, canned beef, cooking oil, soy sauce, vinegar, fish sauce and dried fish.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez explained yesterday that the limits were lifted after the DTI “managed a healthy inventory for these items, which range from two weeks to a month and a half.”

He said the caps were set during the enhanced community quarantine amid reports of hoarding and profiteering. The caps were also meant to prevent any unreasonable increase in prices of basic necessities, as well as ensure availability of the products.

The DTI circular also eased the cap in the sale or purchase of disinfecting alcohol, hand sanitizers and disinfecting liquids to allow a person to buy up to five bottles for sizes one liter or below, and three bottles for quantities of more than a liter.

Previously, a customer is only allowed to buy two bottles of alcohol, hand sanitizer and disinfecting liquids – regardless of size.

As for the N95 and N88 face masks, the new purchase limit is one box of 50 pieces. The DTI previously set the cap at five pieces for both types of masks.

“In view of the declared state of public health emergency, this memorandum circular shall be effective immediately upon its filing and publication with the Office of the National Administrative Register of the UP Law Center,” the DTI memo read in part.