Quake-hit Ilocos Sur lifts work suspension

The 7-magnitude earthquake on Wednesday damaged the San Juan de Sahagun Church, including its octagonal four-story bell tower, in Candon City, Ilocos Sur. (Photo by Leoncio Balbin, Jr.)

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte—The provincial government of Ilocos Sur on Friday (July 29) lifted the suspension of work in the public and private sectors in the province, according to an executive order (EO) issued by Gov. Jeremias “Jerry” Singson.

Earlier, the provincial government declared work suspension following the 7-magnitude earthquake that struck many parts of Luzon on Wednesday.

Singson said the provincial disaster risk and reduction management council (PDRRMC) recommended the lifting of the work suspension on Friday after considering “collated reports” relating to the earthquake.

The governor added that it was already “imperative” to restore business activities and government transactions in the province for the “welfare of the public.”

In his EO, Singson noted that government agencies and private establishments may operate on a skeleton workforce from July 29 to 31, adding that their workplaces must have been certified as “physically fit” for work activities by the engineering offices of the local government units in the province.

Agencies, however, which provide health and emergency frontline services, disaster risk reduction and management, and other essential services are required to have a “greater on-site capacity.”

By Monday, August 1, all public and private offices shall be on one hundred percent on site capacity, Singson said.

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