Waste collectors get PPE from EMB-7

CEBU, Philippines — The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) in Central Visayas has recently donated personal protective equipment (PPE) to garbage collectors in the cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu.

The bureau donated 30 units of double cartridged respirators (NP306), 30 single units of cartidged respirators (NP305), 104 pairs of highgrade, heavy duty and reusable safety gloves, and 1,500 pairs of disposable safety gloves.

Cindylyn Pepito, chief of EMB- Environmental Education and Information Unit, said the agency considered the waste collectors as environmental frontliners, whose health has become at risk due to the COVID-19.

“We also donated food packs, water dispensers and refillable water containers (amo irefill personally every another day), vitamins and snacks to some checkpoint areas within Mandaue City,” she said.

Pepito said EMB-7 also donated 30 single cartridges respirators and nitrile safety gloves.

“So far mao pa na ang naabot namo nga supplies. We will distribute  more if maabtan lain PPE,” said Pepito when asked if the agency would also distribute PPE to garbage collectors in other local government units.

Meanwhile, Cebu Port Authority (CPA) General Manager Leonilo Miole expressed his appreciation to the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines and other law enforcement officers and border control guards for allowing passage of all Cebu port frontliners and stakeholders, including cargo owners, shippers and consignees to ensure that cargo and supply chain remain unhampered amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

To recall, the CPA chief executive officer requested all law enforcement officers assigned at checkpoints or at borders to allow the entry of CPA employees upon presentation of their CPA IDs and/or Certificate of Employment to be able to report to their respective areas of assignment in CPA ports and offices in the province.

“This is to give due credit and appreciation to our patriotic and courageous enforcement officers manning our borders for allowing CPA frontliners to perform essential functions at the port,” said Miole in a statement.

He further thanked all law enforcement agencies for recognizing the importance of the smooth flow of cargoes in and out of ports.

Miole assured that port frontliners and skeletal workforce continue to follow and implement stringent security and health measures in seaports consistent with the protocols set by the Department of Health to minimize risk of COVID-19 transmission via ports.  KQD (FREEMAN)