The government said online and cross-border barter for commercial transactions not covered by an existing executive order (EO) is prohibited.
Secretary Ramon Lopez of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said while there is no clear prohibition on local barter, these must be regulated and registered if these are for business.
Lopez also clarified barter for personal transactions are not required to register.
He added DTI will study if there is a need to come up with rules covering online barter outside the three areas allowed by the EO.
Under EO 64, which also established the Mindanao Barter Council that is tasked to supervise and coordinate barter activities in the Philippines, barter trade is allowed only in Siasi and Jolo, Sulu and Bonggao,Tawi Tawi.
Lopez said barter is the world’s oldest form of trade and is regulated.
“Outside those areas, barter trading across borders is not allowed. It is illegal… if done in other areas, or if done online and cross border and as a regular business, in the course of trade and not registered not taxed,” he added.
Online barter, he said, must be subject to tax if it is being done in the course of trade or business.
He said like any online business, those which earn below P250,000 in a year is exempt from paying income tax. Those with gross sales of less than P3 million are exempt from paying value-added tax.
Meanwhile, the DTI may extend the operating hours of restaurants up to 11 p.m.
Lopez said the agency has asked local governments to extend their curfew hours up to 12 midnight to allow restaurants operate longer.
This would enable the restaurants to earn more and more workers to report for work.
But Lopez noted establishments will still have to follow strict health and safety protocols and observe maximum allowable capacities in their areas.
For areas in general community quarantine (GCQ), operating capacity will be raised to 50 percent by July 21 from the current 30 percent.
Those in modified GCQ areas, capacity is hiked to 75 percent from the present 50 percent.
Apart from strict social distancing, frequent sanitation of hands and wearing of mask (when not eating), and better exhaust system (for air conditioned), restaurants are being encouraged to put up clear view acrylic dividers measuring 18-inch high and install air purifiers as an option. – Irma Isip
