Rappler's latest stories on DTI
Over half of MSMEs stopped operations due to coronavirus lockdown
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez says almost 53% or about 525,000 out of the total 998,342 MSMEs in the country bear the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic
DTI sets 30-day grace period for residential, commercial rent
Lessors found guilty of refusing to provide the 30-day grace period face imprisonment of not less than two months or a fine of not less than P10,000, or both
DTI orders groceries to limit number of shoppers
The Department of Trade and Industry says there should only be one person for every square meter of free space in a store to reduce the risk of getting the novel coronavirus
‘How can the couple kiss?’ Gov’t says postpone weddings during virus lockdown
‘What is one month’s postponement for love?’ asks Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles
DTI to informal workers: Sell outside of Metro Manila in the meantime
'I-encourage na lang natin sila na either magregister sila or 'do'n na lang sila sa lugar nanggagaling, 'wag na pumasok sa Metro Manila,' says Trade Secretary Mon Lopez
'Customer not always right': Alcohol hoarders should be sent out of stores, says DTI
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez reminds supermarkets and store owners to strictly implement the limit of 2 bottles of rubbing alcohol per customer
Hoarding, overpricing would lead to criminal charges, warns DTI
Some individuals are buying medical supplies in bulk and selling them online at ridiculously high prices
DTI orders nationwide price freeze amid coronavirus emergency
Retailers are not allowed to raise prices of basic goods for 60 days
Gov't sets price freeze for kerosene, LPG until March 24
The price freeze comes as coronavirus cases rise in the Philippines
City officials, groups inspect Christmas lights sold in Cagayan de Oro malls
A team of inspectors from City Hall, the City Price Coordinating Council, and business and consumer groups visit 6 malls for the first round of inspection
Future of gov't transactions? Valenzuela City launches online permit system
Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian says he is willing to share the 'Paspas Permit' system with other LGUs for free
Missing deadlines can land you in jail, an ex-DTI director’s case shows
Procrastination in liquidating his cash advances and in filing an appeal seals the fate of a former government official
DTI urges South Korean firms to import more Philippine goods
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez hopes more Philippine agricultural products will be exported to South Korea following the buying mission of the Korea Importers Association
DTI to craft program to boost e-vehicle investments
The Department of Trade and Industry gears up to strengthen the Philippines' e-vehicle industry as it seeks to seal a free trade agreement with South Korea, a manufacturing powerhouse
PH-China sea row not affecting fisheries sector – DTI chief
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez also says there's no need to raise the Recto Bank incident during the ASEAN Summit in Bangkok where country leaders are expected to discuss a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea
DTI expects $5 billion in signed deals from Duterte's Japan trip
The Department of Trade and Industry also says the deals could generate around 80,000 jobs for Filipinos
DTI calls for suspension of alleged Chinese-only food park in Las Piñas
The Department of Trade and Industry conducts a surprise inspection of China Food City and finds that the stalls there lack proper permits
Weak demand, U.S.-China trade war hamper Philippines' top export
Exports of electronics and electronic parts decline in March 2019 partly due to poor demand, which is seen to continue for the rest of the year
DTI defends higher SRPs for some goods
The Department of Trade and Industry says it protects consumers and at the same time 'negotiates with manufacturers on the most reasonable price adjustments,' if needed
DTI suggests removing rice SRPs as prices go down
With rice prices as low as P32 per kilo, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez says suggested retail prices for the staple are no longer needed. But it is up to the Department of Agriculture to decide.
PH to get $10B in deals, investments from Duterte's China visit – DTI
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez says more than 20,000 jobs are expected to be created by deals to be signed on the sidelines of President Rodrigo Duterte's participation at the second Belt and Road Forum in Beijing
Philippines, South Korea to pursue free trade agreement
(UPDATED) If the deal pushes through, it would be the Philippines' second economic partnership, after the one with Japan
Philippines eyes better ease of doing business ranking
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez says the Philippines is aiming for a ranking higher than 95th, after accomplishing 33 out of 43 planned reforms
Lopez: Philippines assured of preferential market access to UK post-Brexit
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez says the Philippines received the assurance from UK officials in several high-level dialogues over the last two months
DTI seeks to grow halal trade
Aside from catering to some 11 million Muslim Filipinos, local halal businesses should have more exposure to Muslim-majority countries, says the Department of Trade and Industry
El Niño to have minimal effects on inflation – NEDA
Socioeconomic Planning Assistant Secretary Mercedita Sombilla says planting and harvesting may be delayed, but there would be no major impact on rice production
Philippines secures $1.24 billion in investment pledges from Japan
Japan, being one of the Philippines' strongest trade partners, would help generate 16,000 jobs if these investments push through
DTI seeks Dutch shipbuilding firm investment
While the Damen group has partnerships with local firms, it is currently not a player in the Philippines' shipbuilding industry
DTI, antitrust body to strengthen market competition in new partnership
The long-overdue partnership is expected to produce studies scrutinizing the competitiveness of various industries
Nearly 80,000 jobs available in Labor Day fairs – DOLE
(UPDATED) More than 800 employers will participate in job fairs to be held across the Philippines on May 1
DTI's Lopez, Hyundai face plunder, estafa complaint
(UPDATED) The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption accuses Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez of favoring Hyundai, which the group claims should not have been given P1.1 billion in tax exemptions
Malacañang on NFA rice shortage: More stocks on the way
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque says the National Food Authority Council has not approved the importation of 250,000 metric tons of rice because about 325,000 metric tons will arrive 'within the month'
Existing stocks of sweetened drinks exempt from new tax rates – DTI
The Department of Trade and Industry also eyes freezing prices of sugar-sweetened beverages until the middle of January
No more expiry dates for gift checks after Duterte signs new law
The Gift Check Act also prohibits issuers from refusing to honor the unused value, credit, or balance stored in the GCs
Gov't turns over 500 houses to Marawi residents
Officials also report on the ongoing efforts to bring back livelihood and jobs in Marawi City
Startups, investors meet at the ASEAN Slingshot
DTI leads the biggest government-initiated startup event in the Philippines and the ASEAN region
What I can't understand about the Whang-od controversy
'The fact is that Whang Od came to Manila to do what she actually does every day – except during harvest time, as I was told – in Buscalan: commodifying her culture.'
Whang-od's family urges public: 'Stop the negativity'
'Ang masasabi ko lang, sana nandoon sila sa event para alam nila. Hindi tayo sana mapanghusga,' says Grace Palicas, Apo Whang-od's grandniece
Whang-od's nephew: 'She enjoyed the Manila visit but...'
Whang-od's nephew Jayvee Franz Paclay Sabawil says the centenarian tattoo artist should have been allowed to conduct the live sessions inside a private room instead of a platform in the exhibit area
Whang-od not 'exploited,' says Manila FAME organizers
Manila FAME organizers fly in Kalinga tattoo artist Apo Whang Od to Manila to endorse her nomination to the National Living Treasure Awards
Whang-od at Manila FAME: Marginal notes on a damaged culture
'I was thrilled to see that she finally met Coco Martin. I thought it was also nice that she was invited to come over – but I didn't realize she would be put to work'
VIRAL: Was Whang-od exploited at Manila FAME?
(UPDATED) For netizens, having the centenarian tattoo artist from Buscalan, Kalinga, work at the trade fair in Metro Manila is a blatant act of exploitation and commodification of her culture
Global unemployment reaches over 200 million – ILO
The rise in global unemployment happens as small and medium enterprises face stagnation
Law banning expiration dates on gift certificates eyed by Christmas
Under the proposed measure, senior citizens and persons with disabilities will continue to enjoy discounts on purchases, as provided by the law, using GCs
DTI-ARMM launches social enterprise in poorest of the poor region
DTI-ARMM Secretary Anwar Malang says he wants to promote programs that will be sustainable given the current situation in the region
Marawi: Where military rules and LGUs take a backseat
It s been the longest martial law period for any area in Mindanao in more than 3 decades How are local executives and civilians coping?
PH aims to be among top 20 most competitive countries by 2020
The Philippines currently ranks 99th out of 190 countries in terms of ease of doing business according to the World Bank Group s International Finance Corporation
FACT-CHECK: Aguirre uses old photo to tag opposition lawmakers in Marawi crisis
The photo of the alleged plotters turns out to have been taken in 2015 at the Iloilo Airport and not weeks before the Maute crisis erupted
Trade, tourism chiefs downplay impact of martial law in Mindanao
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez says the isolated incident that prompted the declaration of martial law in Mindanao will not counter the country s growth momentum
Gov't, private sector team up to help Mindanao tribe earn a living
The Department of Trade and Industry and the Aboitiz Foundation work together with the Matigsalug tribe of Mindanao to help them earn a living through their own products
