BALANGA CITY, Philippines, May 27 (PIA) - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Bataan recorded 35 new registered businesses since the province was placed under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ).

DTI Bataan Information Officer Teresita Magtanong revealed that they assisted 9 businesses for name renewal while 27 entrepreneurs have newly-registered small business. These were all recorded from May 18 to 26.

"When we resumed our office operations, clients visited us and we were able to help new business owners for the name registration of their sari-sari store, grocery, auto-parts shop, gas and other types of businesses," Magtanong disclosed today during a virtual press conference with the local media.

Since May 18, Magtanong said they adopted the skeleton workforce, wherein all employees have their own schedule of physically reporting to work.

"All divisions are well-represented. We have personnel in our Business Development Division, Consumer Protection Division and Office of the Provincial Director so we can cater to the needs of clients who will physically visit are office," she said.

To ensure that DTI employees and clients are safe from possible threats posed by the coronavirus disease, Magtanong stressed they strictly observe safety standards during office operations.

"We are following the safety protocols for clients during office hours such as sanitizing before entering the office, mandatory wearing of face mask inside, and practicing of social distancing. We only allow three clients at a time inside the office," she furthered.

Bataan residents who will seek services of DTI such as business registration may visit their office every Monday to Friday, from 8am to 5pm.

DTI-Bataan is located at 3rd Floor Criselda Marie Building, Capitol Road, Barangay San Jose, Balanga City.

DTI's 10 Negosyo Centers across the province will resume office operations once Bataan is placed under General Community Quarantine to accommodate more clients from far-flung areas. (CLJD/MJSD-PIA 3)