(L-R) HR Dep’t Manager Ohwie S. Talosig, Admin Manager Atty. Florelyn P. Munoz, Resident Manager Eric S. Andal PhD, RD Nathaniel V. Lacambra CESO III, OIC-ARD Atty. Anthony A. Wooden, Jr.

Baguio City, Benguet – DOLE-CAR Regional Director Nathaniel V. Lacambra CESO III hands over the Safety Seal Certification to Eric S. Andal PhD., Resident Manager of Itogon Suyoc Resources Incorporated, last 21 March 2022 after a short meeting with company officials. Its Safety Seal Certification affirms to the general public that the establishment is compliant with the minimum public health standards and integrates its contact tracing with StaySafe.ph.

Inspected by DOLE Baguio-Benguet Field Office Senior LEO Jose R. Gamad, Jr., the Itogon-Suyoc Resources, Inc. (ISRI) is the first mining company from the entire region to receive a the Safety Seal Accreditation. ISRI is the assignee-company in 2002 of all mining assets of the former Itogon-Suyoc Mines, Inc. (ISMI), which consists of the Sangilo Mine in Itogon and the Suyoc Mine in Mankayan, both located in Benguet Province, and the Benit Claim in Labo, Camarines Norte.

As the program is a voluntary measure which aims to assure the general public of the establishment’s compliance with the government’s minimum health standards, it likewise requires the presence of valid business permits or franchise.

The program encourages the adoption of the StaySafe.ph application to strengthen the digital contact tracing initiative of the government and to effectively contain the spread of the Covid-19 thereby safely reopening the economy.

Under the DOLE-DOH-DILG-DOT-DTI Joint Memorandum Circular No. 21-01 Series of 2021, or the Implementing Guidelines of the Safety Seal Certification Program, in the enforcement of the Minimum Public Health Standards (MPHS) the following, if applicable, are inspected:

a) Putting up of Screening or Triage area at different points-of-entry;
b) Availability of handwashing stations with appropriate supplies;
c) Observance of physical distancing or spacing;
d) Ensure adequate air exchange in enclosed (indoor) areas as cited in DOLE Department Order No. 224-21 or the Guidelines on Ventilation for Workplaces and Public Transport to Prevent and Control the Spread of COVID-19;
e) Disinfection protocol in accordance with DOH Department Memorandum No.
2020-0157 and 0157-A or the Guidelines on Cleaning and Disinfection in
Various Settings as an Infection Prevention and Control Measure Against
COVID-19 and Cleaning and Disinfection of Environmental Surfaces in the
Context of COVID-19 by the World Health Organization (WHO);
f) Wearing of facemasks especially in enclosed places and wearing of other protective outer garments as warranted;
g) Establishment of a referral system for medical and psychosocial services;
h) Designation of Safety Officer who shall coordinate with the appropriate bodies for confirmed COVID-19 cases, undertake or assist in contact tracing, monitor the status of quarantined or isolated employees; and implement return to work policies; and
i) Facility for proper storage, collection, treatment, and disposal of used facemasks and other infectious waste.

Under the Supplemental Guidelines Relative to the Implementing Guidelines of the Safety Seal Certification Program, the Safety Officer shall be in-charge of the enforcement of minimum health standards in their respective establishments and workplaces.

Further, within three months from the effectivity of the Supplemental Guidelines, designated Safety Officers must comply with the training requirement or qualifications as provided by the DOLE Dep’t Order No. 198-18 series of 2018 or the “Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 11058 Entitled An ACt Strengthening Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Standards and Providing Penalties and Violations Thereof”.

The seal shall indicate the Issuing Authority, Date of Issuance, and Safety Seal Number. Issuing Authorities shall keep a record of establishments issued with the Safety Seal, which can be provided in printed or digital form.

The Safety Seal shall be valid for six (6) months from the date of issuance, and shall be renewable subject to the continued compliance with the eligibility requirements.

The Inter agency task force created under Executive Order No. 168, series of 2014 adopted the staysafe.ph as the official digital contact tracing application of the government and instituted the safety seal certification program to ensure compliance with the minimum public health standards.

end//Daryll Ponard