PS-DBM closes offices for 10 days due to surge in COVID-19 cases

MANILA, Philippines — In the midst of a Congressional inquiry on alleged irregularities in pandemic response-related purchases, the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) has closed its offices for 10 days due to a surge in COVID-19 infections among its personnel.

In an Aug. 27 advisory, the PS-DBM said it locked down its facilities in Paco and San Miguel, Manila since Friday due to 82 active coronavirus cases confirmed following RT-PCR testing on all employees.

The PS-DBM said the lockdown will go on until Sept. 5, such that its regular operations will resume on Sept. 6.

The agency said it will conduct more tests, contact tracing, as well as disinfection of its premises while offices were closed.

Just last Thursday, Aug. 26, PS-DBM also suspended work in the afternoon to disinfect their offices due to some workers’ positive COVID-19 tests.

The PS-DBM had also suspended the operations of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System or PhilGEPS, an online one-stop shop for provision of public goods and services.

“Please be informed that PS-DBM is adopting alternative work arrangements to ensure operational continuity. We encourage all our client-agencies to utilize digital platforms and reach us through our official online communication channels for the processing of their transactions. All walk-in visits are prohibited during this period,” it said.

The PS-DBM said its accounting, inspection as well as warehouse and delivery divisions will deploy employees who tested negative into a skeleton workforce.

/MUF