PB pushes for self-regulation of business establishments

CEBU, Philippines —  To help the business establishments recover from the ill-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cebu Provincial Board has urged the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) to allow self-regulation among restaurants, dining, food and beverages establishments, hotels, resorts, and outdoor tourism activities.

“ …(they) must be allowed to accept/entertain customers/patrons, on their own discretion, even beyond the allowable capacities, so long as they can manage and ensure that strict implementation of health protocols are in place and that their customers/patrons are safe and protected,” a resolution authored by PB Member Glenn Anthony Soco reads.

According to Soco, business establishments must implement more safety designs and practices within their premises should they opt to accommodate more customers.

This way, Soco said, establishments can cope up with the changing quarantine classification that has affected not only their operation but also their sales.

Allowing business establishments to self-regulate would help them “to revert to their former normal operations regardless of quarantine classification while strictly following the health protocols within their establishment, secure the necessary compliance and permits in order to save their businesses, protect their investments, ensure livelihood for their workers, and ultimately, help revive the economy.”

The ever changing quarantine classification has pushed businesses to suffer from additional expenses in order to comply with the government’s mandate. — FPL  (FREEMAN)