MANILA -- (UPDATED) A handful of restaurateurs gathered online on Thursday to share how they have been preparing to reopen their dine-in services on June 15.

• Dine-in bahagyang papayagan sa mga lugar na naka-GCQ mula Hunyo 15

Jackson Go, CEO of Vikings Group, assured customers that they can still enjoy their eat-all-you-can offerings even as self-serve stations have been discouraged under the "new normal."

"Ang ginawa namin sa buffet, instead na 'yung customer ang kukuha ng pagkain, we will just serve all the food. The food is still prepared in the kitchen, but the customer cannot touch the food since the counters are now separated and covered," Go said in a webinar organized by Go Negosyo as he shared Vikings' video on safety protocols.

"We have over 100 kinds of food that they can choose from," he added. "And later on, we will also have the smartphone ordering so they will scan the bar code and view the menu from their phone or tablet, so they can see the picture also. They will order, then the food will be delivered to their table."

Stella Co Sy, vice president for business development of Viva International Food and Restaurants, said she will personally ensure on Monday that safety protocols are in place as diners enjoy their meal.

The brands handled by Viva are Botejyu, Paper Moon Cafe, Pepi Cubano, and Wing Zone.

"For our restaurants, we will have a group of waiters na sila lang ang servers, and another na sila lang ang busser," she said. "One way in, one way out... para kapag tapos na 'yung plato na nakainan, sila (second group) ang kukuha ng plates."

Chef Edward Bugia, who is head of F&B for MFT Group of Companies and the co-owner of the Pino Group of restaurants, on the other hand, said they have been focusing on ensuring that health and safety measures are in place among their staff.

"We follow one simple rule -- it's the oxygen mask rule sa airplane... Check yourself first. So ganun ang ginagawa namin. We want to equip our staff first with the best safety protocols, procedures, and equipment," he said, stressing the importance of complying with the government's new guidelines for restaurants.

Bugia also encouraged future customers to communicate with them online or via phone so they can create a "unique" dining experience for them.

"Call us and... we will customize the experience for you. [We could have a] small table na naka-set aside from everyone, and 'yung acrylic [barrier] maybe sa gilid lang. We have to adjust to our customers if we want them back, but still within the safety standards that we have all agreed on," he said.

Spanky Hizon Enriquez, editor-in-chief of Let's Eat of The Philippine Star, for his part, said he has been acting as a "cheerleader" as he promotes restaurants amid the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The past two days kumakain kami sa restaurants... Nagda-dry run kami... Sa umpisa nakakakaba talaga kasi marami sa atin tatlong buwan nang 'di lumalabas ng bahay. Pero makikita mo 'yung social distancing, sumusunod sila talaga," he said.

"Siyempre you have to be safe... [always] imagine you're a carrier. But enjoy the experience," he added.