Following the declaration of Proclamation No. 922 placing the entire Metro Manila under a lockdown from 15 March 2020 to 14 April 2020 followed by another proclamation placing the entire Luzon into an Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) with the rising cases of COVID-19 infection, DTI-PAB remains devoted and resolute in its commitment in delivering unhampered services to Filipinos in facing one of today’s global crises. In spite the uncertainties in our current state, DTI-PAB remains true to its promise in delivering “Serbisyong Higit pa sa Inaasahan” to all our clients.
DTI-PAB fully supports the action of the government in mitigating the effects of the ECQ. On 16 March 2020, the government adopted the work from home (WFH) scheme after initially implementing a shifting schedule to allow employees to work from the comforts of their home and avoid the risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In order not to cease operations, PAB followed the WFH process in response to the proclamation.
Information technology allows flexibility in transforming a home environment as we shift our remote work stations and operate as small units in performing our work. These small units interconnect when divisions hold online meetings or as a whole when the head calls for a general online meeting using applications like Google hangouts or the Department’s official Microsoft Applications like Microsoft Teams.
Advisories are being disseminated through emails and posting in the PAB website to clients and stakeholders informing them of the temporarily postponement of all accreditation assessments, witness audits and other activities. All communications related to PAB accreditation services are also coursed through the use of email (pab@dti.gov.ph) ensuring that queries will be answered during the quarantine period. Client and stakeholders may also visit the PAB website at www.dti.gov.ph/pab for more detailed information and other announcements. The PAB website is also continuously updating to provide relevant and correct information related to accreditation to the community.
While it was initially overwhelming, there are benefits of working from home as it allows employees to be flexible in their work hours making them more productive and creative in finding solutions in making the new normal work to their advantage. Working from home is also economical as we do not deal with the cost of transportation and other expenses associated with daily commute. Perhaps, the welcome benefit of this arrangement is it affords employees with time to be with their families giving us a taste of work life balance. While it was imposed on the employees unintentionally, WFH arrangement might be worth looking into at this time of shared work spaces, virtual reality, eco-friendly alternative, and other technology-based solutions. This gives us a taste of these options and prepares us for future emergency scenarios.
DTI has been closely monitoring how the bureaus cope with this temporary set-up in making sure that basic services provided by the Department are not paralyzed. The proclamation triggered the implementation of a nationwide price freeze to ensure availability and continuous supply of goods in the market through the support and efforts of the valiant front liners of the different sectors of the society. Citizens must also do their part by following protocols set by the government like imposing self-quarantine if symptoms appear or they came from international travel to countries with COVID-19 cases; instilling self-discipline to stay home and not roam around to avoid the spread of the virus and giving the correct information to avoid panic.
May our spirit remain strong and unwavering as we face the pandemic crisis and the government be committed in serving the country in this difficult time.
Release Date: 27 March 2020