Disinfection suspends gov’t work

Malacañang is not leaving anything to chance as authorities conducted disinfection measures in the Palace to ensure that President Rodrigo Duterte remains safe from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The disinfection procedures were carried out on Thursday in the main Palace and other offices to prevent the virus’ spread among government officials and employees working there.

“It’s up to the medical team if they will allow employees to enter,” said Col. Jesus Durante, Presidential Security Group chief.

Authorities said the disinfection procedures will use water-soluble and environment-friendly disinfectant, with the activity to be done regularly.

Several finance offices including the Department of Finance (DOF), the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Government Service Insurance
System and the Asian Development Bank also suspended operations on Thursday to have their premises disinfected.

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said he had ordered the disinfection of the New Executive Building’s offices.

“Work-from-home arrangements in accordance with the guidelines released by the Department of Labor and Employment and the Civil Service Commission may also be considered.

We will also plan for virtual press briefings to ensure that the regular briefings will not be disrupted,” Andanar said in a statement.

Aside from the DOF building in Manila, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III ordered all DOF-attached agencies to thoroughly disinfect their premises.

The BSP will be on lockdown for disinfection on Friday, the official added.

The Bureau of Customs’ offices have scheduled disinfection during the weekend, while the Bureau of Internal Revenue which opened on Thursday, will also disinfect its national office in Quezon City as well as regional and revenue district offices across the country.

Also on Thursday, the Department of Transportation doubled down on all sanitation measures across all transport hubs across the country as people continue to flock bus terminals and trains.

The metro’s three train lines—the Light Rail Transit Lines 1 and 2, and the Metro Rail Transit 3—are regularly scoured by disinfection teams after every loop trip.

Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has been conducting spot inspections in various terminals across the metro to check the maintenance and cleanliness of the terminal hubs.

LTFRB chair Martin Delgra III also reminded all public utility vehicle operators and drivers not only to wear masks and observe proper hygiene, but also to avoid overcrowding.

Violation of these rules would be considered a violation of the terms of their franchise, he warned.

In the maritime sector, the Philippine Ports Authority said it was maintaining its policy of no-disembarkation and vessel change-crew involving Filipinos, and was canceling all berthing privileges for vessels coming from countries highly infected with COVID-19.

Temporary isolation rooms and holding areas in ports were also put in place.