ZAMBOANGA CITY—DTI Region 9 OIC-Regional Director Ceferino J. Rubio reassured the public that DTI Region 9 along with its partner-agencies has been actively monitoring various establishments region-wide since the resumption of their operations. This after the National Inter Agency Task Force has approved the downgrading of community quarantines of the provinces from Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) to Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ), except for Zamboanga City from Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) to General Community Quarantine (GCQ) on 16 May 2020 which will take effect until 30 June 2020.
Rubio said that to date, DTI Region 9 along with other agencies has already carried out these gains: no. of establishments monitored-411; % of operating capacity adopted-50%; no. of establishments with 100% compliance-308 and no. of establishments with partial compliance-103%. Establishments monitored are grocery stores, convenience stores, department stores, pharmacies, public markets, salons, barbershops, restaurants and fast food establishments. Initial findings on the protocols carried out include 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 (overall, and/or face mask) for employees.
The monitoring team composed of officials and representatives of Department of Health (DOH), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Tourism (DOT), Local Government Unit (LGU) through their Business Processing and Licensing Office (BPLO), Health Office (C/MHO), Engineering Office (C/MEO) and Planning and Development Office (C/MPDO).
Rubio further stressed that the DTI-DOLE interim guidelines emphasize on these protocols: preventive /control measures before entry to buildings or workplaces, preventive/control measures inside the workplace; Health Protocol Indicators – minimizing contact rate, IEC (Information, Education and Communication) strategies, cost for implementing COVID 19 prevention program/plan, and reporting and referral system.
Apart from the interim guidelines, the team is guided by the DTI issued circular and order: Memorandum Circular 20-37 also known as the Guidelines on the Implementation of Minimum Health Protocols for Dine-in Services by Restaurants and Fast Food Establishments and the Memorandum Circular 20-1242 also known as the Post Audit on Monitoring on the Compliance of Barbershops, Dine-in Food Establishments with prevailing IATF and DTI issued guidelines.
The monitoring will continue to be conducted as long as the community quarantine is still in effect throughout the region. ARD Al-Zamir I. Lipae also urges all establishments to ensure that the minimum health protocols are complied with to ensure the prevention of COVID-19. ♦
Date of Release: 25 June 2020