Davao City monitors businesses on health protocol compliance
Davao City monitors businesses on health protocol compliance
DAVAO CITY, July 8 (PIA) – The City Government continues to monitor all business establishments which are allowed to operate under the modified general community quarantine to make sure that the health protocols are followed to control the spread of the COVID-19 infection.
Lorna Mandin, one of the leaders of the Covid-19 Task Force and head of the Integrated Gender and Development Division of the City Government observed many call centers and restaurants visited comply with the health protocols required from them.
She saw that there were a few corrections needed but many restaurants and business process outsourcing follow the needed prevention and protection practices to ensure that their clients and employees’ health is protected amidst the global pandemic of COVID-19.
Mandin detected many call centers came up with pantries per floor to avoid the crowding of employees while one business process outsourcing has situated its clinic on the first floor to ensure immediate medical check-up of employees with high temperature.
“During the visit, they have many questions inquiring the government on the health protocols,”she said.
Mandin said the local government is concerned with the air flow within the establishments, the signage on the floor conveying social distancing and calibrated temperature scanners.
She acknowledged that many BPOs which gave out back-to-work kits to their call center agents containing face masks and alcohol.
“No signage on the floor and the calibrated thermometer are the minor deficiencies we have noticed and they have promised to comply,” Mandin said.
She also said that two BPOs have also closed down especially the small ones since the enhanced community quarantine.
Mandin also noticed that many call center agents find comfort in the work-from- home arrangement, while there are complaints on poor connectivity.
She also learned that there are managements of business process outsourcing which expressed difficulties of adding more expenses in their operation like shuttle service for call center agents, meals and work-from-home arrangement, but noticed that their clients multiplied due to their prompt service.
Mandin bared that based on the surveys conducted by restaurants, many customers prefer to eat at home.
She said business establishments also want to be certain that they would not lose so much in their operational expenses.
Mandin stressed the city government ensures that as it allows more business to open, health protocols must be followed.
“The public must be aware that the health protocols are for everyone to follow,” she said.
Mandin also pointed out that every resident needs to follow and set good example in complying with the health protocols.
Based on the IATF guidelines, unnecessary conversation while cooking among workers is not allowed.
“It is the new culture that we have to adopt, though as Filipinos, we are fond of talking aloud while working,” Mandin said. (PIA XI-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)