More than 20,000 workers have returned to their posts in a total of 361 locators here since quarantine restrictions started to ease.

The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) said more locators in the Freeport are getting back on track.
“Workers are happy to return to work as they start to adapt to the ‘new normal’ amid the challenges being faced due to coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19),” the CDC said in a statement on Monday.

Blue Manansala, an employee of La Forge Designs, Inc., is grateful that his company is now back in operation but at the same time, expressed fear because the Covid-19 threat is still there.

“Masaya at may pagkatakot din. Masaya kami kasi may paraan na ulit para mag-operate na ang company at kumita na mga tao. May takot kasi hindi naman nawala ang virus. Pero susundin lang dapat ang mga safety protocols para ensure ang safety naming lahat (I’m happy and frightened at the same time. We are happy because there is a way again for the company to operate and for the people to earn. We have fears because the virus has not disappeared. But we have to follow the safety protocols to ensure the safety of all),” he said.

Manansala, however, said workers have to embrace the changes happening during this time.

La Forge Designs, Inc. is engaged in manufacturing of lighting fixtures exported to various countries across the globe.

“Kailangan tanggapin ang lahat ng pagbabago and kailangan din ito para buhayin ang pamilya. Mahirap sa umpisa pero kailangan pag-aralan ang pagsunod sa mga protocols sa new normal (We need to accept all the changes and these are needed to support the family. It is difficult in the beginning but there is a need to learn how to comply with the protocols in the new normal),” he said.

For other workers in La Forge, returning to work is important to support their families, he said.
Manansala said workers are very much willing to observe the protocols imposed by the CDC, which are helpful to ensure their safety inside their workplaces.

“Naniniwala ako na ginagawa naman lahat ng CDC ang kaya nila para mapatupad ng maayos ang mga safety protocols simula noong ECQ period hanggang ngayon (I believe that the CDC is doing all things that it can to implement the safety protocols properly since the ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine) period until now),” he said.

Out of almost 200 employees in La Forge, 100 have been reporting to work since May 16. (PNA)