MANILA - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reported Monday that more than 90 percent of monitored establishments in Metro Manila followed the minimum public health protocols in 2021. According to the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB), 4,925 out of 5,267 inspected business establishments have observed and followed minimum health standards to curb the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). The agency already issued requests for corrective action (RCA) to enterprises that did not comply with the implementation of public health standards. "However, 292 firms did not reply to the RCA within the prescribed time and were endorsed to local government units (LGUs) for further action and investigation. The remaining 50 firms will be subjected for endorsement to their concerned LGUs when compliance is deemed unsatisfactory within the prescribed time," the DTI said. It added the lack of mandatory contact tracing or health declaration forms, thermal scanners, floor markings, and regular service maintenance schedules for air condition units are the most common violation of establishments to the minimum health protocols. DTI Consumer Protection Group Undersecretary Ruth Castelo has reminded establishments to strictly follow the health standards prescribed by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to manage the safe operation of businesses amid the pandemic. "This 2022, let us continue to be proactive and adhere to our health protocols to ensure the utmost protection of the health of the Filipino consumers, traders, and workers," Castelo said. She added the department will continue to monitor the compliance of business establishments to minimum health standards by conducting on-the-spot checking regularly. (PNA) }