The Quezon City government has discovered 70 construction projects violating health and safety protocols aimed at controlling the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

A surprise inspection conducted by the Department of Building Official (DBO) also showed that seven of these projects have recorded positive cases of the virus.

“We have issued Cease and Desist Orders for the immediate stoppage of construction activities of these non-compliant projects,” Dale Perral said, adding that the city has slapped the violators with administrative fines and other applicable penalties.

The construction sites violated Department Order 39 of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), or the safety guidelines for the implementation of infrastructure projects, and the safe workplace guidelines of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

QC said they also violated the DBO and City Engineering Department (CED) joint memorandum or the revised construction guidelines under modified enhanced community quarantine for construction infrastructure projects in the city.

Perral said they observed the absence of designated safety officers and missing personal records and health reports of personnel, which are necessary for contact tracing.

“We will allow them to resume their on-site construction activities as soon as they have completed the 14-day quarantine protocol and passed the city’s assessments,” he said.

Mayor Joy Belmonte, meanwhile, reiterated that all establishments in the city, especially big construction sites, should follow health protocols to protect their employees and nearby communities.

“We understand that granting workers medical leave to isolate have significant economic costs but so would major outbreaks. We appeal to everyone to cooperate in stopping Covid-19 transmission in the city,” Belmonte said. (PNA)