SAFETY SEAL. DTI officials led by its Cebu director Rosa Mae Quiñanola hands over safety seal certification to two branches of Isuzu in Cebu on Wednesday (March 2, 2022) at the DTI-Cebu provincial office. To ensure continuous observance of health protocols, the DTI-Cebu issued a total of 159 new certifications since May 2021 and 22 renewals approved since December 2021. (Photo courtesy of DTI-Cebu)
CEBU CITY – As Cebu province is put under Alert Level 2, the Department of Trade and Industry continues to issue safety seal certification to establishments to ensure compliance with the minimum health protocols against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
DTI-Cebu provincial director Rosa Mae Quiñanola said establishments need to continue with the protocols as they intend to operate under the lower quarantine restrictions near to the new normal.
“The safety seal certification program is voluntary, which means that this is not a requirement for the business establishments to operate continuously. Although we are under Alert Level 2 classification of the IATF, we highly encourage them to boost the confidence of their target consumers,” Quiñanola said in a statement on Wednesday.
Under Alert Level 2, establishments are allowed only up to 70-percent capacity of customers while wearing of face mask, physical distancing, hand-sanitizing, and disinfection are still required.
DTI-Cebu, along with the DTI-7’s Consumer Protection Division led by Ines Cajegas, awarded a certification each to the Isuzu Cebu and Isuzu Cebu South in a simple program at the DTI Cebu provincial office.
Based on DTI records, there are a total of 159 new certifications issued since May 2021 and 33 renewal certifications approved since December 2021.
According to the DTI-7, each safety seal has a validity of six months from the date of issuance.
“After the said period, the concerned establishments may apply for a renewal, which shall be granted based on their continued compliance with the eligibility requirements,” the DTI-Cebu statement said.
Business establishments that applied for the certification include groceries, supermarkets, membership shopping clubs, convenience stores, construction supply, and hardware stores, logistics service providers (outlets), barbershops, salons, and service and repair shops. (PNA)
