The unprecedented situation brought about by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic prompted the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) -7 to develop innovative practices to ensure the continued delivery of services to the public without compromising the health of its workforce.
The regional office, under the leadership of Director Leocadio Trovela, initiated the observance of hygienic measures to mitigate the spread of the virus and provide a safe working environment for its people.
Since the outbreak of the pandemic early this year and even prior to the implementation of the community quarantine protocols, Trovela has directed the regular checking of temperature of the employees using a thermal scanner.
It has also been the practice of the regional office to provide alcohol for each of its division and unit offices.
At the start of the outbreak, more alcohol and hand sanitizers were made available in the office, including the main entrance and for every floor.
When Cebu City where the regional office is located was placed under the Enhanced Community Quarantine, the DILG-7 has to limit the number of employees reporting for work and adopt alternative work arrangements.
Minimum health standards such as social distancing are also observed in addition to the existing sanitary practices.
Employees who are required to physically report to office are given free face masks, vitamins, and lunch every day.
The skeletal workforce are also provided with vehicular support daily, with the observance of physical distancing.
Both workers and walk-in clients are made to undergo foot bath before entering the office premises to prevent the transmission of virus.
The regional office also installed plastic barriers at the Emergency Operations Center for the protection of the duty officers and walk-in clients.
All DILG-7 employees are also reminded to stay healthy and boost their immune system.
Creating a safe working environment that protects its people and clients is in line with the commitment of DILG-7 to make sure that the continued rendering of service to the public remains unhampered amid this quandary./GML
