CEBU CITY – Three construction projects in this city have received their safety seal certificates from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

DOLE-7 Director Salome Siaton on Thursday said she personally awarded the certificates on Wednesday at the MDC Solinea Tower Project, Cebu Business Park (CBP), which is home to the city’s residential and commercial buildings.

Awardees include The Alcoves located on Luzon Avenue in CBP; Avida Towers Riala Tower 4 located at JM Del Mar corner India Street, IT Park; and Solinea Tower 4 located on Negros Road, CBP, all of which are projects of the Makati Development Corp. (MDC).

Speaking before the awardees, Siaton underscored the importance and value of a safety seal certificate.

“The issuance of a Safety Seal Certificate is proof that you are not only compliant with the Occupational Safety and Health Standards but also with the Minimum Public Health Standards,” the labor official was quoted as saying in a statement.

Being issued with the certificate would demonstrate that all safety protocols especially the installation and institutionalization of a contact tracing application are in place in the workplace, Siaton said.

“With this, all your workers, clients and stakeholders will find it safe and secure to work and transact with you knowing that your contractors are also compliant with the law and with the minimum public health standards as provided for under the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry), DOT (Department of Tourism), the LGUs (local government units), and DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government) Joint Memorandum Circular No. 21-01, Series of 2021 or the Implementing Guidelines of the Safety Seal Certification Program,” she said, addressing the MDC.

The three construction projects are the latest additions to the pool of safety seal certificate awardees in Central Visayas.

“Being in the construction and a high-risk industry, they came in second to the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) Project by Cebu Link Joint Venture to have been issued with a Safety Seal Certificate,” Siaton noted.

Last June 23, DOLE, together with DTI, DOT, and DILG awarded the CCLEX and several other establishments falling under their respective jurisdiction with safety seal certificates.

Five days later, DOLE awarded some 13 Philippine Economic Zone Authority-Mactan Economic Zone registered export enterprises with the safety seals.

These certificates must be displayed at the main entrance of the concerned establishments and should be surrendered to the DOLE upon expiry or if they are revoked. (PNA)

By Carlo Lorenciana July 29, 2021, 1:40 pm