Safety seal inspection yields approvals, reinspection
More business establishments in the city have requested for inspection from the City Safety Seal composite team, to confirm compliance to the use of the StaySafe.ph digital application, minimum public health standards (MPHS), and to be awarded a safety seal.
The MPHS and StaySafe application of a big business establishment, tea and café services, restaurants, department stores, phone and bookstores, laundry, bank and money exchange were scrutinized lately by the safety seal composite inspection team.
From 190 inquiries and 186 request for inspection during the first week of September; by mid-month, there are now 200 requests for the Safety Seal inspection.
A total of 184 establishments have been inspected since July, 136 have been approved, 11 for inspection, 48 for re-inspection, and 5 referred to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), as of Sept. 14.
The approved safety seals are in effect for six months with regular monitoring, or feedback from customers and patrons, with renewal to be done within a month before expiration.
As to guidelines issued by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) the safety seal is granted at to no cost to the establishment and is prominently displayed in the business establishments’ entrance.
The safety seal is expected to increase customer confidence in the venue with compliance to MPHS; the clients’ or customers’ and employees or service crew’s wearing of face masks and shield, use of temperature-taking implements, handwashing facilities, and contact tracing through the StaySafe or an equivalent manual implement. The Staysafe application functions in a no-touch CT, health condition reporting, Quick Response (QR) code scanning digital logbook and social distancing features.
The establishment’s isolation corner/area and contact tracing capabilities among employees are also clarified during rounds of inspection.
The composite inspection team led by Permits and Licensing Division, City Mayor’s Office (PLD-CMO) head Allan Abayao was created through Executive Order 77, series of 2021 issued July 1 by Mayor Benjamin Magalong, with members including personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP), health services (HSO), disaster risk reduction management (DRRMO), public information offices (PIO) and other officials as maybe assigned.
To acquire a safety seal, the establishment needs to comply with a DILG-issued checklist with requirements such as having a valid business/mayor’s permit; use of StaySafe.ph or any contact tracing tool, and health declaration sheets in convenient areas; a temperature or thermal scanner to assess employees, clients and visitors; an isolation area for identified symptomatic individuals; Covid-19 emergency hotlines displayed in conspicuous areas.
Physical barriers for social distancing, and a health monitoring and compliance officer-in-charge should ensure proper coordination with health authorities for referral to isolation facilities for mild cases or hospitals for severe and critical care cases. Said officer should also monitor status of employees who are quarantined or isolated and implement return-to-work policies.
Adequate ventilation for air exchange in enclosed area, disinfection protocols, and personnel compliance to MPHS such as wearing of face mask and shield, and social distancing specially in enclosed areas should always be practiced.
A storage facility for proper collection, treatment and disposal of used facemask and other infectious wastes should be in the facility, it was also stated in the checklist. In case of deficiencies or violations, an inspection or correction should be made and a reassessment by the team is done before approval, revocation of reinstatement of a seal.
Guidelines for implementation were jointly issued by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), DILG, Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Transportation (DoTr).
The safety team also conducts inspection of night establishments, wherein on Sept 10 and 11, with personnel from the PLD, POSD, BCPO and Health Services Office (HSO); 27 establishments were inspected with all having the appropriate business documents, 3 being compliant with the safety seal implement and 24 closed during inspection. There were no closures implemented for the said round of inspection.
Inquiries as to the Safety seal issuance may be coursed through tel. no. 619-3184, Permits and Licensing Division, City Mayors Office. – Julie G. Fianza, 17.Sept.2021
