Amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Quezon City council wants private businesses and companies to submit their customer or crowd safety management plans adhering to stringent health protocols.
District 2 Councilor Mikey Belmonte said, “it is better than sorry.”
Belmonte, along with the other councilors, filed a resolution that would require all sales promotion permit applicants come up with such management plans to prevent the spread of COVID-19, especially amid the new COVID-19 strain.
“While we sincerely recognize all the efforts of small and large-scale enterprises to recover amid the pandemic and continue to support their employees, we also need to see to it that they will comply with all the necessary precautionary measures laid down by the Department of Health,” he said.
With the approval of the resolution, the Department of Trade and Industry, Food and Drug Administration, and the city’s Business Permits and Licensing Department would oblige permit applicants to include in their sales promotion mechanics in relation with the FDA Memorandum Circular No. 2013-028, the appropriate customer or safety management plans and procedures that would help minimize the risks of COVID-19 transmission among business employees and their consumers, too.
“The city government needs to be persistent in monitoring business activities to ensure the safety of the working men and women in Quezon City. We also want to guarantee that the customers who will be participating in these promotional pursuits are well-protected,” Belmonte said.
The additional requirement for the application of permit should be filed at least 30 days before the actual commencement of the sales promotion in conformity with the said memorandum circular.
“Of course, we cannot sacrifice public safety just to allow businesses to get back on their feet. The continuous spread of COVID-19 cases in the country – especially with a new strain — is more than enough for us to take the state policy to protect and promote the right to health of the people very seriously,” the District 2 councilor said.
Workers, employers and clients who would take part in the sales promotion campaigns should abide by the workplace and safety guidelines provided in the joint memorandum circular of the DTI and the Department of Labor and Employment, he said.
“The city government of Quezon City is firm with its decision to implement the mandated health protocols, most especially in the workplace. We want everyone to be able to go home to their families safe and healthy, despite the need to work or go out,” he added.