A building that houses a Business Process Outsourcing business in Davao City. (PNA photo by Digna Banzon)
DAVAO CITY -- Some 55 Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) offices are complying with Mayor Sara Z. Duterte's directive to contain the spread of the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
In a statement on Friday, the Davao City BPO 2019 coronavirus disease Task Force (BPO Covid-19 TF) said the BPOs have transitioned to work from home arrangement, or onsite as long as they maintain a skeletal workforce with the provision for accommodation and shuttle services to their employees.
All of the compliant BPOs are registered under the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), the task force said.
Duterte's Executive Order 20 allows BPOs to continue operating as long as they reduce their workforce, observe social distancing in their premises, provide temporary accommodation arrangements within the vicinity of their offices, and provide their employees with shuttle service.
Failure to comply cannot comply with either of the two options would mean immediately closure, Duterte's order warns.
On top of these, the BPO Covid-19 TF said all BPOs are also required to submit detailed contingency plans "for reference and guidance during monitoring."
Meanwhile, the task force said 14 BPOs have indicated they will temporarily close during the community quarantine.
It said the task force will closely work with the BPO Association of Davao, the ICT Davao, and other industry players to ensure the smooth operations of their establishments during the quarantine. (PNA)
