EOC, contractors to jointly address COVID-19 infection

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Emergency Operation Center and the Cebu Contractors Association have agreed to meet halfway in addressing the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in construction sites.

EOC deputy chief implementer and Councilor Joel Garganera said the city government will do the contact tracing and shoulder the expenses for testing of construction workers. The contractors, on the other hand, will bear the expenses for food and isolation cost of those workers affected by the lockdown of bunk house or staff house.  

The Department of Labor and Employment has issued advisory no.18 series of 2020 wherein employers, including contractors or subcontractors in the private sector, shall shoulder the cost of COVID-19 prevention and control measures such as but not limited to testing, disinfection facilities, hand sanitizers, personal protective equipment like mask, signage, proper orientation and training of workers.

In the case of contracts for construction projects and for security, janitorial and other services, the cost of COVID-19 prevention and control measures shall be “borne by the principals or clients of the construction/service contractor”.  Workers should not be charged anything.

Labor officers will be out to provide assistance and facilitate all employers, contractors and even sub-contractors in complying COVID-19 workplace prevention and control along with the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Health, and the Department of Public Works and Highways.

The contractors association has asked for EOC’s assistance in requesting the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the City Traffic Office to allow the use of dump trucks in transporting their workers to and from the construction sites owing to limited public transportation.

Garganera assured the contractors to act on the request to also protect other public commuters.

It was also agreed during the meeting that the contractors will have their own Health Infection and Prevention Control Officer (HIPCO) for proper coordination with the EOC. — FPL (FREEMAN)