The Safety Seal Certification was awarded to the Puerto Princesa City Government on August 9. According to City Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Director Eufracio “Bob” Forones who also leads the DILG Inspection & Certification Team, the Safety Seal is in accordance with the National IATF mandate that government instrumentalities have a mechanism to implement the minimum public health standard among the public. and private establishments.
He said the inspection and certification team in private establishments consists of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Tourism (DOT), and LGU- the Business Permits & Licensing Office. For LGUs, the inspection and certification team consists of DILG, Philippine National Police (PNP), and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
“Lubos akong humahanga at nagagalak, sa ating observation ay hindi lamang yung basic compliance sa safety seal ang aming nakita, marami po kaming nakita na mga good & best practices na worth replicating sa ibang mga LGU.” Director Forones.
Forones mentioned the following best practices: stay safe applications and QR are not only at the main entrance but every office has it; some offices have a COVID-19 Bulletin Board where co-workers are updated on information regarding COVID-19; others have their own isolation room in their office, oximeter, sanitizing box that sanitizes documents entering the office; blood pressure monitoring; Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) Access Control at doors, and more.
Director Forones added that it is good to see that the City Government’s compliance goes beyond what the safety seal requires. He said this is just proof of the smooth and efficient operation of the local government in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic. This ensures the safety and protection of the people who enters the City Hall Building.
In relation to this, Mayor Lucilo Bayron said that it shows that the City Government is compliant with the minimum public health standard. He added that this compliance by the LGU of Puerto Princesa sets a good example because the LGU will issue the Safety Seal to establishments such as malls and shopping centers.
“Papaano tayo magbibigay ng safety seal sa mga mall kung tayo ay walang safety seal?” he stressed.
The Safety Seal was signed by the DILG Inspection & Certification Team by City DILG Dir. Forones, City PNP Dir. PCOL Serio Vivar, and City Fire Director CINSP Nilo Caabay. After signing, Mayor Bayron and Vice Mayor Maria Nancy Socrates formally accepted the Safety Seal.