THE business sector in Cebu has assured that it is consistent in policing its own ranks, following the continued rise of Covid-19 cases in the city.
Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Felix Taguiam said the business community adhered to the guidelines set by the government agencies and the Project Balik Buhay.
“If there is someone who will test positive among their employees, they would close their establishment and disinfect it. The Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Labor and Employment have been doing spot site inspections of private establishments to check if they are following the workplace safety protocol,” he said.
In an online forum hosted by the Cebu (Covid-19) Citizens Initiative called “Living on with Covid,” Gen. Melquiades Feliciano, the Inter-Agency Task Force Deputy Implementer for Visayas, said they are going to restart their awareness program for employees and consumers.
The IATF had found out that there was breach of protocol noted in hotel parties, pungko-pungko places, and other eateries.
Feliciano said they also traced positive cases in banks and in information technology-business process management companies.
Virgilio Espeleta, chairperson of the Economic Development Committee of the Regional Development Council, said PBB developed a more stringent health protocol.
“There’s a need for owners and leaders to really shepherd their flock. The behavioral aspect of people complying should be pushed farther,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chester Lim, president of the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) Cebu Chapter, said they continue to remind businesses and consumers to observe health protocol in the course of running their businesses.
“As we all know, the Covid-19 cases in Cebu have significantly risen to reach the same number of admitted patients on June 16, 2020. This is very worrisome for Cebu as the
economy cannot recover if there will be another lockdown,” Lim said.
PRA Cebu Chapter said it is closely working together with the PBB to help in any way it can for establishments to continue opening the economy while following the mandated health and safety protocols. (JOB)