ANGELES City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. has ordered the immediate RT-PCR testing of all employees of VXI Global Solutions in SM City Clark.

Lazatin also ordered the firm to observe stricter and proper health protocols against Covid-19, including flexible working arrangements and proper social distancing.

He said the swab testing must be shouldered by the company.

This came after the City Government on April 15, 2021, through the Business Permit and Licensing Division (BPLD) and Angeles City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (ACDRRMO), temporarily shut down the VXI Global Solutions for having 27 Covid-19 cases — eight are from Angeles City, while 19 from other towns and cities in the province.

On April 10, the City Government shut down the third floor of VXI Building 6 for disinfection, contact tracing and RT-PCR testing of all its employees.

However, complaints were received by the City Government that only few employees were subjected to RT-PCR contrary to the city’s directive.

Lazatin has also issued a stern warning to all Business Process Outsourcing (companies operating in the city to regularly conduct free swab tests for all their workers.

Lazatin also reiterated the importance of strict coordination between the City Government in reporting any establishments' Covid-19 situation.

"In this time of pandemic, let us not compromise more the safety and health of our community. Kung ano po ang ipinapatupad ng siyudad, sundin po natin. We will not tolerate any act of ignorance," Lazatin said.