By Judy Mae Magdato-Sajo
Local government units in Antique are organizing inspection teams in accordance with the implementation of the Safety Seal Certification Program, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
The teams shall inspect government buildings and business establishments in their respective areas of responsibility for the issuance of the safety seal certification. This is to ensure that agencies and private establishments comply with the Minimum Public Health Standards (MPHS) mandated by the Department of Health (DOH) and Inter-Agency Task Force (AITF)
The Safety Seal program is a collaborative effort between the DILG, the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Tourism (DOT), and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) that grants establishments a mark that must be prominently displayed as proof that they adhere to the MPHS.
Regional Focal Person Medel Espinosa explained that the DILG, as the issuing authority, will confer a Safety Seal on compliant government establishments such as the Provincial Capitol, municipal halls, and all other LGU facilities and buildings as stated in DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2021-053.
He added that the teams shall also inspect police camps and stations, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) offices and stations, provincial jails, barangay halls other barangay facilities, and all other public establishments not covered by the other issuing agencies.
Besides giving the Safety Seal certification to other private establishments in their areas, LGUs will also be in charge of conducting regular audits on those who had been awarded to verify that they are still following the required safety measures.
In an official statement, DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año said that establishments must require a health declaration and/or symptoms assessment and a non-contact temperature check performed on all employees, customers, and any individual who enters the premises. All who enter the establishment’s premises shall be enjoined to register with StaySafe.ph and, as applicable, an isolation area for symptomatic employees shall be provided by the same establishment.
The Safety Seal shall be valid for six months from the date of issuance, with the exception of tourism enterprises, which shall have a one-year validity period. An establishment should renew its certification one month before their Safety Seal expires.
Meanwhile, establishments that fail to meet the required safety and health requirements will have their Safety Seal certificates revoked. This shall only be reissued once they have again complied with the rules and criteria of the program.
