The Department of Trade and Industry (DT) Region 4A issued Safety Seal Certifications to seven Puregold branches in Batangas: New Market, Batangas City; Calicanto, Batangas City; Lipa City; Rosario; San Juan; City of Sto. Tomas; and Tanauan on 23 June 2021.
The Safety Seal Certification Program is an Inter-Agency Task Force’s (IATF) response to assure the public of establishments’ compliance with minimum public health standards and encourage the adoption of the StaySafe.ph digital contact tracing application to strengthen the contact tracing initiative of the government so that the economy may be safely reopened.
“Safety Seal is only voluntary. This is not mandatory for continued operation. However, we would like to encourage business establishments to acquire this seal because through this, we, as consumers, and the employees in these establishments are guaranteed that we are safe and protected from COVID-19,” said DTI-Region 4A Director Marilou Q. Toledo.
The DTI is the issuing authority of the seal for groceries, supermarkets, membership shopping clubs, convenience stores, construction supply/hardware stores, logistics service providers, barbershops, salons, and service and repair shops. The Safety Seal is free; it is renewable and valid for six months from the date of issuance.
According to DTI-Batangas Officer-in-Charge-Provincial Director Leila M. Cabreros, applicants need to submit a valid Mayor’s permit, compliance with minimum public health standards, and registration with StaySafe.ph to obtain the seal. If the establishment is found non-compliant, the establishment shall be issued with a Notice to Explain (NTE). Failure to comply with the protocols in question in the NTE shall result in the revocation of the Safety Seal.
Meanwhile, Puregold Price Club, Inc. Regional Manager Rita Bianca C. Tacorda promised that these branches will continue to be compliant to keep their certifications.
“I would like to commend the efforts of establishments like Puregold to provide unparalleled service while having customer safety in mind. This certainly speaks volumes about your commitment to making safe and excellent service to your customers,” delivered by Mr. Erick Anthony A. Sanohan as representative of Batangas City Mayor Beverly Rose A. Dimacuha in her congratulatory message.
To apply for the Safety Seal, visit https://www.dti.gov.ph/safetyseal/ and secure a Safety Seal checklist and perform self-assessment. Submit the accomplished checklist and wait for the scheduled inspection.♦
Date of Release: 30 June 2021