And then it happened! The first case of COVID-19 was discovered in the Philippines and the President called for a lockdown. Just before this unexpected global pandemic, manufacturers and retailers were both caught unaware of this global phenomena and supply of supermarket items were snapped up immediately a panicky market.  The President had declared the whole of Luzon to be under an Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), a total lockdown of all establishments beginning 16 March 2020. Exempted were hospitals, drugstores/pharmacies and food retailers specifically supermarkets. Smaller forms of food retail shops had to close too for lack of supply as employees of manufacturing concerns could not enter for work (no public transport) and no deliveries could be made to these smaller stores. Supermarkets on the other hand had to be resourceful in sourcing its goods during this perios. The good Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry, Ramon Lopez went to Malacañang on 23 March 2020 but found few staff present and he eventually found his way to Welcome Supermart run by PAGASA President STC in Quezon City. Photo shows DTI Sec. together with STC and PAGASA Secretariat Jenny Lopez and a second one when they remembered social distancing! The Secretary took the opportunity to make his rounds and check on supplies of supermarkets as these were running low a week after lockdown was declared.