The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) continue to monitor various private establishments to ensure compliance with the interim guidelines on workplace prevention and control of coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

In a statement Tuesday, DOLE-Region 9 head Roy Buenafe said since June 15 to date, the monitoring team has already visited a total of 930 establishments across the region.

Buenafe said recent developments compelled both agencies to focus on fishing and canning companies due to the industry’s large number of workers and its contribution to the local economy.

Home to more than a dozen canning factories and fishing firms, the city has earned the moniker as the sardine capital of the Philippines.

Buenafe said with the issuance of the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 2020-04 or the “DTI and DOLE Supplemental Guidelines on Workplace Prevention and Control of Covid-19” on August 14 this year, the monitoring will also focus on the additional provisions in the JMC.

In a recent visit to one of the local canning firms, Buenafe emphasized the wearing of face shields, together with face masks, when interacting with colleagues and visitors.

He said the removal of face shields is only allowed when not interacting with other individuals or when the demands of the work or occupational safety and health of employees so require.

“We always emphasize the strict observance of these protocols as these will have a great impact on the battle against Covid-19. In the long-term, these efforts will safeguard the health and well-being of employees thereby increasing productivity,” he said.

He said the guidelines are issued to assist private institutions that are allowed to operate during the quarantine period in developing the minimum health protocols and standards in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In particular, the DOLE official said the guidelines aim to increase the workers’ physical and mental resilience; reduce Covid-19 transmission; minimize contact rate; and reduce the risk of Covid-19 infection. (PNA)