On 19 March 2020, DTI Sec. Ramon Lopez called an emergency digital meeting with the top food retailers (top left, clockwise) Robinsons, Ayala Malls, Metro Gaisano, Mercury Drug, (not in pic) PAGASA, et.al. to assess the supply situation amidst panic buying especially for disinfectants rubbing alcohol, face masks, soaps and the like. It did not help that LGUs, factories kept open (and housing/feeding their employees in their quarters), charitable institutions and civic foundations were licking the supermarkets dry of food and hygienic sanitizers.