Situation in the Philippines - received from our partners

This is to update you on the current situation here in the Philippines with regards to our fight against COVID -19. Right at this moment, there is already 193 cases here.  Number of death climbed to 14. On the evening of Monday, March 16, our President Duterte declared the whole Luzon Island under enhanced community quarantine.  Staying at home will be strictly implemented. Offices are closed except those working in the medical field, food related work, bank (but limited), police and military, groceries and supermarkets (limited). All public transportations are suspended. You are only allowed to go outside if you are going to buy food, seeking for medical treatment and if going to work. If you don’t have your own vehicle, local government will provide. Curfew from 8pm-5am is also being imposed.

Right now, we are working from our homes.

Then last night, whole Region XI (Davao Region) has also declared lockdown effective today.  And starting midnight of March 19, all vehicles travelling outside this region will be allowed but entering into will be prohibited.

Our worry is, since our raw materials are coming from outside, that is Region XII, there is high possibility that our trucks and (suppliers’) will get hold somewhere and will not be allowed to enter our Region until the lockdown period ends.

We will continue monitoring the situation. We don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow.

The situation here is getting harder everyday. Movement is very limited. I know most of you can relate.

I can’t imagine that we will reach the point that if the situation gets worse, we are afraid that our operation will stop and we will force to shut down the plant. We need to follow the directives of our Government. After all, this is for the welfare of our people.

Right at this moment, the possibility is very high. Until when?  we don’t know.

As I’ve said, we will continue monitoring the situation