Bakers group appeal to community bakers: remain open

With some groceries and supermarkets running short of bread to display on its racks, a bakers' group is appealing to community bakers to keep their stores open during the enhanced community quarantine period.

Chito Chavez, Spokesperson of Panaderong Pilino said neighborhood bakeries should continue servicing customers during these times.

"Mag bukas po tayo at kung wala po tayong supply ng harina, gumawa po tayo ng paraan na tayo ay magkaroon ng supply ng harina."

He added that flour manufacturers have committed to supply flour. "Ang Philippine Association of Flour Millers po ay nagbigay ng assurance sa 'min na patuloy tayo paglilingkuran at bibigyan ng harina sa panahong ito. Ang presyo naman po walang problema ang supply."

Spokesperson Chito Chavez said, "mag bukas po tayo at kung wala po tayong supply ng harina gumawa po tayo ng paraan na tayo ay magkaroon ng supply ng harina. Ang philippine assoc. of flour millers po ay nagbigay ng assurance samin na patuloy tayong bibigyan ng harina." @gmanews

— Bernadette Reyes (@bernadettereyes) April 5, 2020

Some bread plants have limited production due to a number of factors against the increased demand for bread.  "Siguro yun mga mag su-supply diyan medyo naputol yung supply o mabilis ang turnover," Chavez explained. 

Since no price movement is expected on flour which is the main ingredient of bread, the group assured bread prices will remain stable.

"Sa ngayon wala at hindi antin pinaplano o hindi natin gustong gawin yan yung paggalaw ng presyo."

The DTI has imposed a price freeze on basic necessities and prime commodities including bread. Pinoy Tasty currently retails at P35 while Pinoy Pandesal is priced at P21.50. 

Aside from ensuring supply of food, Chavez said keeping neighborhood bakeries open may help curb the spread of the virus. "Hindi na kayo lalabas ng barangay ninyo, ng inyong kumunidad dahil may community quarantine." 

To keep both customers and employees safe, the group has encouraged the strict practice of social distancing in stores. According to Chavez, they are implementing a social distance of more than one meter per customer, and every customer must undergo temperature check before they are allowed entry in the store. 

Luzon has been on enhanced community quarantine since March 17 to help curb the spread of COVID-19.

On Sunday, DOH confirmed 152 more cases of COVID-19 bringing up the total number of cases in the Philippines to 3,246. — LA, GMA News