BUSINESS establishments that will reopen in Mandaue City during the community quarantine period are required to secure a Special Permit to Operate (SPTO) through the city’s Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO).

Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) president Steven Yu said this is to keep track of the movements in the business sector.

“The primary purpose of the SPTO is to monitor the movement of people in the business sector. The MCCI, together with the Mandaue Investment Promotion Action Center will come up with a suggested template for the Workplace Health Contingency Plan, with proper consultation with the appropriate authorities,” Yu said.

Because of the Covid-19 outbreak, new normal workplace guidelines are being crafted to prevent workers and clients from contracting the novel coronavirus in preparation for the reopening of the local economy on June 1.

“Workplace health standards will be the ‘crux’ of the safety and health protocols of the businesses. This is the sure-fire positive outcome of this pandemic,” Yu said in a press briefing of the Project Balik Buhay.

However, Yu said companies are free to come up with their own workplace health contingency plans as long as it conforms to the guidelines set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, the Department of Health, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Labor and Employment and the local government units.

The Mayor’s SPTO will be emailed to the applicant and shall be printed and posted in a conspicuous place subject to post audit. Permit application is free of charge.

Moreover, all business establishments that remained open during the enhanced community quarantine are likewise covered and are mandated to apply for the SPTO and submit the required documents.

From ‘green’ to ‘healthy’

Meanwhile, Yu, who is part of the Green Building Board of Mandaue City, is proposing to rename the board to “Healthy Building Board.”

“Moving forward, we will not just go for green buildings but healthy buildings. Healthy buildings will not only focus on reducing carbon footprints and global warming, it will go much further which will produce results such as increasing life expectancy and improving the quality of life,” he said. “The new health standards will revamp our priorities and will make people value living with families. There will be an inertia towards the home.”