The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Eastern Visayas regional office has awarded its first health safety seal to a beverage plant here.
DOLE recognized on Tuesday the Coca-Cola Beverage Philippines, Inc. Tacloban plant for its compliance with minimum public health standards while running its business amid the pandemic.
“The seal will be helpful for the company in gaining the confidence of customers and employees for being compliant with the health standards,” DOLE regional director Henry John Jalbuena said in a press statement on Wednesday.
Key DOLE officials led by Jalbuena handed the seal to Joje Quezon, Tacloban plant manager of Coca-Cola, in simple rites at the firm’s processing plant in Fatima village.
The Safety Seal Certification Program aims to safely re-open the economy and affirm consumers and the public in general of the establishment’s compliance with the minimum public health standards.
It is a voluntary certification scheme that affirms that an establishment is compliant with the standards set by the government and uses or integrates its contact tracing with StaySafe.ph.
The minimum standards include putting up of screening or triage area; availability of handwashing stations; observance of physical distancing; ensuring adequate air exchange; setting disinfection protocols; wearing of face masks and shields; the establishment of a referral system for medical and psychosocial services; designation of safety officer; and provision of a facility for proper storage, collection, treatment, and disposal of used face masks and other infectious waste.
In a joint memorandum circular signed by different agencies, the labor department is tasked to issue the certification for establishments in the manufacturing, construction, utilities, information and communication, and warehousing industries.
Other government agencies authorized to issue the seal are the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Tourism, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the different local government units.
Jalbuena urged other establishments in the region to acquire the certification and help re-open the economy safely.
DOLE will also be awarding safety seals to three more firms in Baybay City – SC Global Food Products, Inc., SC Global Coco Products Inc., and Specialty Pulp Manufacturing Inc.
The safety seal with a six-month validity will be displayed at all entrance points of the establishment. DOLE may revoke the certification once there will be valid complaints on violations raised against the company
Source: Philippines News Agency