Free parking for health workers in Cebu City

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government has waived the parking fees for health and medical workers in city-operated parking facilities for the duration of the state of general community quarantine.

Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella has issued executive order (EO) 63, which covers employees of the Department of Health (DOH), DOH hospitals, hospitals of Local Government Units, and Cebu City Health Department; Private health workers such as, but not limited to, medical professionals, hospital administrative staff and aides from private health facilities, as well as their service providers; health workers and volunteers of the Philippine Red Cross and the World Health Organization.

To avail of the free parking, the health workers must present their identification cards issued by their respective companies to the parking aides.

Biz contingency measures

Meanwhile, export-oriented industries and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) firms are called on to implement business contingency measures in light of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Labella has also issued EO No. 62 for outsourcing firms and export industries during the month-long general community quarantine.

Under the EO, the establishments and export-oriented industrial shall remain operational given that strict social distancing measures are observed and the personnel are provided with appropriate temporary accommodating arrangements.

“The Cebu City government has recognized the vital contributions of the BPO, KPO, and export-oriented industries to the economy, thus, these establishments are authorized to continue their operations during the state of general community quarantine and even within the curfew schedule,” the EO reads.

This is to ensure that business contingency measures are adopted by these establishments to prevent the spread of COVID-19, said Labella.

Under Section 1 of the EO, BPOs, KPOs and export-oriented industries are directed to submit and implement business contingency measures on or before 11:59 of March 29, 2020.

Under Section 1 of the EO, BPOs, KPOs and export-oriented industries are directed to submit and implement business contingency measures on or before 11:59 of March 29, 2020.

The EO provides that the contingency measure may include temporary accommodation and transportation of employees within two kilometer radius from the workplace, and ensure that employees who work within the premises are provided with basic supplies in their respective pantries.

Labella said the city government will provide the necessary assistance like free transportation to these establishments.

Labella’s EO is in consonance with Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea’s memorandum dated March 16. KQD (FREEMAN)