The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) closed its central office in Pasay City on Monday to give way to “thorough” decontamination process after nine of its employees tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

“Please be advised that a thorough decontamination of the OWWA Central Office building will be conducted on 20 July 2020 to ensure a safe work environment free of contagion,” said Zenaida Ramos, officer-in-charge of the General Administrative Service, in an advisory on Monday.

Ramos advised all employees not to enter the OWWA Central Office premises on Monday while those staying at the office “are advised to go home”.

She said front line personnel assigned at the Operations Center and Repatriation Assistance Division “shall render duty on a skeletal schedule during this period”.

“Further, the teams scheduled on 20 July 2020 at the PITX and Airport terminals shall continue their operations,” the advisory added.

PRC suspends front line services

Meanwhile, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced on Sunday the temporary suspension of the front-line services of its Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) office in Pasay City from July 20 to 24.

This, after six PRC-PICC employees tested positive for Covid-19.

“The PRC Offices at the PICC will be closed on the said dates to facilitate disinfection of the said premises and to conduct contact tracing among affected personnel and clients,” the PRC said in advisory.
It said the six employees as well as those who have known exposure to them are “currently under strict home quarantine”.

“The Commission is strictly implementing all necessary health protocols, pursuant to and consistent with the directives and guidelines of the Department of Health to protect its clients and personnel,” it added.

To avoid disruption of services, PRC said it will continue to implement a work-from-home arrangement and shall address concerns and queries of the public through their email addresses provided in this link:  https://www.prc.gov.ph/public-assistance. (PNA)