DTI Monitors the COVID-19 Protocols Set for Resumed Enterprises in ZamPen

To curtail the transmission of the COVID-19 spread as businesses resumed operations in Zamboanga Peninsula, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) guarantee that the employers and workers properly observe the precautionary health measures in the workplace.

DTI-IX OIC-Regional Director Ceferino Rubio joined the DOLE and local government units (LGUs) in the series of region-wide monitoring of barbershops, salons, dine-in and fast food restaurants which were allowed to resume operations last June 7, 2020.

Initial findings on the inspection conducted among the establishments include the presence of waiting area outside the establishment, foot bath, temperature check and disinfection upon entrance for both employees and clients; filling out of health checklist for employees, safe distancing of 1 to 1.5 meters among employees and clients, and use of PPE for employees.

Rubio stressed that post-audit will also be carried out to focus on the mandatory protocols which shall serve as the basis to issue an outright warning to the establishment on the first instance of violation. Upon receipt, the concerned DTI Office shall forward the individual reports of erring establishments to the proper LGU for appropriate enforcement and monitoring procedures. The concerned office is also expected to recommend to the proper LGU: a.) temporary closure of the establishment should the LGU still find the establishment unable to comply within the following day, and b.) erring establishments may only resume operations once proven able to comply the mandatory protocols.

DTI Region 9 continuously conducts the monitoring in the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay and the cities of Zamboanga and Isabela. Monitoring covers those establishments that are already allowed to operate during GCQ for Zamboanga City and MGCQ for the rest of the region.

However, Rubio also stressed that the following establishments are not yet allowed to operate during GCQ: gyms, fitness studios and sports facilities, entertainment, business, politically, and or sports related mass gatherings, libraries, archives, museums, gambling and betting activities, travel agency, tour operators, reservation services, and activities of membership organizations.

To date, DTI IX has already reached and inspected 350 establishments, in which 267 establishments has 183% compliance and 83 establishments with partial compliance.