(Contributed photo)
MANILA – Business establishments are urged to apply for a safety certification to confirm their compliance with the government’s minimum public health standards.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said Wednesday private companies bearing the safety seal assure that they are practicing the minimum health protocols.
This includes social distancing and the use of a contact-tracing application, particularly the StaySafe.PH application, among others.
StaySafe.PH is the country’s official health condition reporting, contact tracing, and social distancing system authorized by the Interagency Task Force on Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases and the National Task Force Against Covid-19.
“With the safety seal certification program in place, we are assuring the public, especially our workers, that they are safe and protected outside their homes, even if we allow our economy to fully reopen,” Bello said in a statement.
“While the application is voluntary, I highly encourage our private business owners to seek for the safety certification to help increase public confidence,” Bello added.
He said obtaining the safety seal is free of charge.
The DOLE will issue the certification for establishments in the manufacturing, construction, utilities, information and communication, and warehousing industries.
Other designated issuing authorities are the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Tourism, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police, and the local government units.
To ensure strict and continual compliance to health protocols, the certification will only be valid for six months from the date of its issuance—except for tourism establishments, which certifications are valid for a year—and has to be renewed a month before expiration.
Establishments who wish to apply for the safety seal certification may inquire via the DOLE hotline 1349. (PNA)
