Manila adopts skeletal workforce

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno yesterday ordered offices and departments of the city hall to adopt alternative work arrangements as Metro Manila reverted to the stricter modified enhanced community quarantine or MECQ beginning today.

Moreno signed Executive Order 34, directing city officials and employees to implement a skeletal workforce until Aug. 18.

“We have taken proactive measures in protecting the health and well-being of city employees to ensure the unhampered delivery of basic services to the people,” he said.

“Payroll officers and clerks are required to report to work to make sure that the salaries of officials and employees are released on time,” Moreno added.

PLM on lockdown

Meanwhile, Moreno approved the request of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) to place the university on lockdown amid the rising cases of coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19.

PLM personnel who have shown symptoms of the virus or interacted with COVID-19 patients would undergo 14-day quarantine during the lockdown.

“University officials are monitoring them and their close contacts as a precaution to prevent the spread of the virus,” PLM president Emmanuel Leyco said.

The PLM will adopt work-from-home arrangement, Leyco said.

He said the lockdown is also in response to the call of healthcare workers for a “timeout” after nearly five months of manning the frontlines in the fight against the pandemic.