THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has urged private establishments to apply for a safety certification to confirm their compliance with minimum public health standards set by the government.
In a statement, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said businesses bearing the safety seal assure that they are practicing the minimum health protocols, such as social distancing and the use of a contact-tracing application, particularly the StaySafe.PH application, among others.
StaySafe.PH is the country’s official health condition reporting, contact tracing, and social distancing system authorized by the Interagency Task Force on Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases and the National Task Force Against Covid-19.
Bello said the safety seal initiative is vital in the national goal of safely reopening the economy.
DOLE will issue the certification for establishments in the manufacturing, construction, utilities, information and communication, and warehousing industries.
Other designated issuing authorities are the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Tourism, Department of Interior and Local Governance, Philippine National Police, and the different local government units.
Labor Assistant Secretary and Bureau of Working Conditions Director Ma. Teresita Cucueco earlier said the safety seal will also boost worker’s confidence in the safety at their workplace.
To ensure strict and continual compliance to health protocols, the certification will only be valid for six months from the date of its issuance—except for tourism establishments, which certifications are valid for a year—and have to be renewed a month before expiration.
Establishments who wish to apply for the safety seal certification may visit SAFETY SEAL CERTIFICATION or inquire via the DOLE Hotline 1349.