LGU Baguio, several offices received safety seal certificate
The local government unit (LGU), Baguio city hall and several offices were awarded the safety seal certification during last Monday’s regular flag raising ceremonies.
It was handed over by Department of Interior Local Government (DILG) City Director Evelyn Trinidad, Baguio Fire Chief Jessie Annasiw, Baguio City Police Office head Glen Lonogan; and received by Congressman Mark Go, Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Vice-Mayor Faustino Olowan and members of the city council present.
The Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) male and female facilities, City Library, City Building and Architect’s Office and the Irisan fire station were also accorded their respective safety seals.
As of Nov. 29, 46 barangays were found MPHS-compliant, with 35 and 47 being prepared for inspection.
A safety seal posted in an establishment or a facility building confirms compliance to minimum public health standards (MPHS) as to the control of Covid-19, and is continuously monitored. It could be revoked once violations are verified.
In April 2021, a joint memorandum circular was issued for the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Health (DoH), Department of Tourism (DOT) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to spearhead inspections and monitoring for the issuance of safety seals to compliant facilities.
Among the requirements for inspection are: the presence of a contact tracing (CT) application, which may be Staysafe, or a manual CT; a temperature or thermal scanner at the entrance; a health declaration sheet for employees and clients; an isolation area for symptomatic employees; Covid-19 emergency and hotlines posted in a conspicuous area.
The presence of handwashing stations with soaps, sanitizers and hand drying equipment or supplies; personnel-in-charge for monitoring and maintaining social distancing and ensuring compliance to health protocols; adequate air exchange in enclosed areas; and regular disinfection is also required for the issuance of a safety seal.
Personnel, employees, clients and visitors’ use of face mask especially in enclosed areas, referral system for medical and psychosocial services and designated safety officers with specific functions and storage for collection, treatment and disposal of infectious wastes including used facemasks should also be complied with.
For business establishments, once they are awarded safety seals, additional guests/customers/clients could be accommodated in addition to mandated numbers as to quarantine or alert level, as imposed by the LGU or Inter Agency Task Force.
Business establishments wanting to self-assess and apply for a safety seal may contact the Permits and Licensing Division, City Mayor’s Office at 619-3184. – Julie G. Fianza
