The province of Aklan is currently placed under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), hence implementation of infrastructure projects particularly under the “Build, Build, Build” program of the government have partially resumed.
District Engineer Noel L. Fuentebella said they will resume the implementation of 59 infrastructure projects under Fiscal Year 2020 Infra Program such as roads, drainage systems, flood/water control projects, slope protection structures, evacuation centers, water systems and multi-purpose buildings in various towns in the province.
Fuentebella stressed that the resumption of the projects is in line with Department Order No. 39, series of 2020 issued by Secretary Mark A. Villar.
The order (Revised Construction Safety Guidelines for the Implementation of Infrastructure Projects during the COVID-19 Public Health Crisis) allows public and private construction projects, subject to strict compliance with the construction safety guidelines.
“A meeting with our section chiefs, project engineers and project inspectors thru video conferencing was held to discuss the safety guidelines for the implementation of projects in the province amid the COVID-19 public health crisis,” Fuentebella said.
“Personnel who will undertake construction activities shall undergo the 14-day quarantine before deployment or shall undergo the COVID-19 test as prescribed by the Department of Health (DOH) and Food and Drugs Administration (FDA).”
He further emphasized that only workers 21 to 59 years old without compromised immune system, comorbidities or other health risks will be allowed to work.
“We also required our contractors to provide disinfection facilities at their respective project sites for the safety of their worker,” he added.
Moreover, Fuentebella said that safe quarters for board and lodging should be provided by the contractors to their workers, strictly following the physical distancing and proper hygiene. They (contractors) should also provide their in-house workers with food, potable water, disinfectants and hand soaps.
“We will require the contractors to ensure that their workers shall be housed to their respective quarters for the entire duration of the project, particularly to areas under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified general community quarantine (MGCQ). In case there is a need for the worker to leave the quarter during the duration of the project, they will undergo the ‘prior to deployment’ procedure at every instance of their re-entry,” he stressed.
“Work activities will be strictly monitored by the Safety Officer to ensure worker’s compliance to safety protocols,” he added. (DPWH-6/RPAIO)
