ZAMBOANGA CITY--The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has recorded an increase in the registration of online businesses here amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
DTI provincial director Grace Aduca said Wednesday that 605 online businesses have already registered since January this year, compared to the 155 during the same period last year.
Aduca said most of the online businesses were registered in March following the imposition of community quarantine due to the Covid-19, including those engaged in selling plants, food items, clothes, and other household items.
“Most of the registered online businesses are on food,” she noted, adding that online business have flourished, as customers avoid crowded places and the hassle of long queues as well as the risk of Covid-19 infection.
Aduca said most of the online sellers either let their clients pick up the goods at a designated area or deliver them to the buyers.
Online businesses can register with DTI by visiting its offices or online through the agency’s website, www.dti.gov.ph, she said, adding that payment for registration are as follows: barangay level, PHP230; city level, PHP530; regional, PHP1,030; and national, PHP2,030.
The DTI official also encouraged those engaged in online business to register with the agency to avail of related government programs and assistance. (PNA)
