PSC creates health and safety committee amidst COVID-19 pandemic

The PSC just formed a health and safety committee in time for the COVID-19 pandemic. Jess Escaros/PNA (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--The PSC moved to open a new health and safety committee in time for the continuous strive against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following an online board meeting on Tuesday, PSC chairman Butch Ramirez formally created the said committee "in accordance with the occupational and health safety standards for public sector issued by the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases) and DILG" as per a statement.

The panel, which will begin its business on May 22, will be led by Executive Director Merly Ibay with Deputy Executive Directors Dennis Rivera and Guillermo Iroy and Chief of Staff Marc Velasco as deputies.

Also, the PSC moved to procure personal protection equipment, masks, and disinfection supplies ahead of the implementation of a modified enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila starting on Saturday.

Earlier Tuesday, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque announced that the said province has been placed under MECQ, a slightly relaxed version of the regular ECQ, that will run until May 31 along with Laguna and Cebu City.

The said procurement is also part of PSC's early preparations should the government place Metro Manila under a general community quarantine by June 1.

In line with the possible relaxing of more lockdown measures, the PSC is also in the process of making a framework for the reintroduction of physical and sporting activities along with DOH.

Meanwhile, the PSC also assured that the providing of allowances for athletes and coaches will still continue even if they have been stalled for a long period due to COVID-19, which infected 11,350 Filipinos as of 4 p.m. Tuesday.

In another matter, the four PSC commissioners, Mon Fernandez, Celia Kiram, Charles Maxey, and Arnold Agustin, said that they will "continue to carryout their oversight functions on the grassroots and NSA's."

Finally, the PSC board also batted for improvements in the IT setup so that they can communicate better even if they are stuck at their homes.

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