Business Encouraged to Get Safety Seal for Public Confidence

Business establishments in the Philippines are urged to acquire the new safety seal from the government to assure clients and customers that they are complying with health protocols set against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said Wednesday private companies bearing the safety seal assure that they are practicing the minimum health protocols.

Minimum health protocols for businesses to follow include the maintaining social distancing for customers, the use Staysafe.PH, the country’s official contact-tracing application authorized by the Inter-agency Task Force on Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases and the National Task Force Against COVID-19, and the mandatory wearing of face masks and face shields.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said in a statement that the safety seal ultimately assures workers and customers that a place is safe and will continue to be safe in the event of the total reopening of the economy.

“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,” the labor chief said.

He added that while the application for the seal is voluntary, business are still highly encouraged to acquire it.

“While the application is voluntary, I highly encourage our private business owners to seek for the safety certification,” he added.

The safety seal will be free of charge to acquire so long as the business establishment is able to submit needed requirements.

Certifications will be issues for certain industries only such as the construction, information and communication, manufacturing, utilities, and the warehousing industry in the country.

The said certification will be issued by the Department of Labor and Employment.

Moreover, the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Tourism, Philippine National Police, and local government units are also designated as issuing authorities for certifications.

The safety seal certifications will only be valid for six months from the date of its issuance, with the exception of the tourism industry establishments, which will enjoy a one year certification.

Renewal for the safety seal must be done a month before its expiry. (GFB)