BAGUIO CITY – Not only business establishments in the city are required to be checked for the issuance of the safety seal application, which is a voluntary certification scheme that affirms that an establishment is compliant with the minimum public health standards (MPHS)
With the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) as lead agency, city offices shall also undergo self-assessment and inspection anytime by the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
According to Safety Seal Team chair for LGU Baguio, Permits and Licensing Division head Allan Abayao, the move is pursuant to Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Department of Health (DOH)-DILG-Department of Tourism (DOT)-Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Joint Memorandum Circular 21-01, series of 2021.
The checklist given which should be complied with, includes;
- The use of the StaySafe.ph; any contact tracing tool, or the use of a manual contact tracing which may be considered at the moment;
- A thermal scanner to assess employees and clients, and the availability of a health declaration sheet;
- An isolation area for identified symptomatic employees;
- Barangay Health Emergency Response Team (BHERTs) and emergency hotlines in conspicuous areas;
- Handwashing stations with soap, hand drying equipment or supplies for clients, or employees;
- Physical barriers in enclosed areas to maintain social distancing;
- Proper ventilation or adequate air exchange;
- Compliance to disinfection protocol, or cleaning and disinfection as control measure against Covid-19;
- Regular disinfection in the establishment in compliance to the World Health Organization;
- The use of personnel, employees, clients and visitors of face masks and shields specially in enclosed places;
- Established referral system for medical and psychosocial services;
- Availability of a designated Safety officer for coordination and referral to isolation facilities, or to health facilities; contact tracing; monitoring of isolated and quarantined employees; and implementation of return to work policies; and
- Availability of storage facility for proper collection, treatment and disposal of used facemasks and other infectious wastes.
Observations during the inspection shall determine the issuance of a seal or for re-inspection, if there are defects or deficiencies noted.
The matter was taken up during the last management committee meeting, with the approval of inspection by Mayor Benjamin Magalong, City Administrator Bonifacio dela Pena and concurrence of all department heads present.
The city’s business establishments undergo inspection and safety seal certification, thus the city government’s need to do so too, Engr. Dela Pena said. – Julie G. Fianza
