STO. TOMAS -- The effect of community quarantine may not be all bad as pottery makers from this municipality enjoyed an increase in sales during the said period, according to Mayor Gloria "Ninang" Ronquillo.
Ronquillo said an increase of about 80 percent in the sales of clay pots was recorded by manufacturers and sellers from this town, especially when the lockdown was gradually eased.
She cited the trend in home gardening nowadays as the reason behind the surge in the sales of the town's famous product.
"Many people have been into home gardening lately as seen on social media, maybe to ease the boredom caused by the lockdown. Due to this, many enthusiasts and online sellers who buy in bulk have been traveling to our municipality to purchase pots made by Tomasians," Ronquillo said.
It is known to many that pottery making is one of the biggest industries of this town, in which products are exported to different countries.
Ronquillo said the trend has been helpful to many Tomasians employed by the industry in coping up with the negative effects of lockdown.
Despite the benefit of the influx of buyers, the lady mayor said the local government and police are still implementing security measures to prevent the entry of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in the town.
As of Tuesday evening, July 14, 2020, data from the local government showed that the are zero active cases of Covid-19 in the municipality.
"Although it is beneficial, we still have to be extra careful to ensure the safety of our kabalens. We advise and continuously monitor our pottery makers to implement the required health protocols among the workers and buyers," she said.