A TOTAL of 43,332 public and private establishments have already been issued with their Safety Seal Certifications as of 1 October 2021, according to the Safety Seal Technical Working Group (TWG).
The high number was attained through the joint efforts of the Department of Health (DOH), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Tourism (DOT), and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
The Safety Seal Certification program indicates the compliance of establishments to the minimum public health standards (MPHS) set by the government.
Businesses nationwide are already adopting the Safety Seal to assure the public that safe health protocols are put in place in their establishments amid the various quarantine restrictions.
Since its implementation in May 2021, a total of 85,731 applications were received by the issuing agencies as reported by the Safety Seal TWG. About 50.54 percent or 43,332 applications were approved while 11.50 percent or 9,858 applications were either denied or referred to the appropriate agency. The remaining percentage represents those that are still in the inspection process.
DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez said the certification program is beneficial to the country’s recovering economy as it boosts the confidence of consumers in going out and patronizing business in the new normal with the assurance that a business establishment is compliant with health protocols.
The trade chief encouraged more businesses to adopt the seal as an effective measure in curbing the spread of the COVID-19 virus. “Businesses can do their share in the fight against the pandemic and create a healthy space for consumers to transact their purchases and for employees to gainfully and safely earn a living,” Lopez added.
DILG Secretary Eduardo Año, on the other hand, told owners of establishments, especially those in areas under strict quarantine restrictions, to take this time to apply for a Safety Seal. “Applying for a Safety Seal is not mandatory. However, business establishments are highly encouraged to apply since this will also help them attract customers which eventually lead to increased sales and profit,” he said.
“The implementation of the Safety Seal Program is a very laudable initiative that highly reinforces our country’s response to combat COVID-19. As we gradually reopen our economy, it is important to ensure that our people are safe, and adherence to Minimum Public Health Standards is one vital key to this aspect,” said DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III.
Likewise, the DOT reaches out to tourism establishment owners to take this step. “The Safety Seal certification program bodes well with the DOT’s priority to ensure the health and safety of both tourists and tourism workers. That being said, I am encouraging all tourism establishments to apply for a Safety Seal, strictly comply with the health and safety guidelines, and have all their employees vaccinated. Let us continue to make travel fun and safe for all,” said DOT Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat.
“I commend and congratulate the establishments that have taken the lead in securing their Safety Seal certifications. This will build confidence that their respective companies are committed to ensuring the health and safety of their stakeholders and workers,” said DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III.
(PHOTO CREDIT: pna.gov.ph)