The Department of Trade and Industry – Zamboanga City Office (DTI-ZCO) and the Department of Labor and Employment – Regional Office 9 (DOLE-IX) through their respective authorized agents, jointly visited three (3) canned sardines factory in Zamboanga City last August 4, 2020. The visit was done to conduct on-site inspection and monitoring of the factories’ compliance to the DTI-DOLE Interim Guidelines on Workplace Prevention and Control of COVID-19 (IGWPCC).

Subjected to the inspection and monitoring were Mega Global Corporation in Cawit, Zamboanga City; Mega Global Corporation in Talisayan, Zamboanga City; and Aquatic Seafood Manufacturing Corporation in Recodo, Zamboanga City.

All three canning factories were found to have satisfactorily complied with the minimum health protocols as provided by the DTI-DOLE IGWPCC. All employees were found to be equipped with face masks, face shields or safety goggles and gloves. Disinfecting foot baths, alcohol and thermal scanners were visible in all entry and exit points.

The three factories were also found to be operating at 93% working capacity in compliance to the General Community Quarantine guidelines set by the DTI and the City Government of Zamboanga.

Ms. Grace DC. Aduca, Provincial Director of the DTI-ZCO, expressed her delight with the compliance of the said canning factories to the IGWPCC.

“It is good to know that both Mega Sardines and Aquatic Seafood have complied to the DTI-DOLE Interim Guidelines on Workplace Prevention and Control of COVID-19. We are very optimistic that they will continue to practice standard health protocols to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 in our locality”, Aduca said in an interview.

Aduca added, “We will also conduct on-site monitoring to other canning factories in the city. We are hopeful that all canning factories, as well as all other producers of food items and consumer goods, are compliant to the guidelines set forth by the DTI and DOLE, and the local government of Zamboanga City.” The IGWPCC was crafted by the DTI and DOLE pursuant Republic Act No. 11464, otherwise known as the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act. ♦

Date of Release: 7 August 2020