Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar announced the partial resumption of the ‘Build, Build, Build’ projects.
For areas under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), Villar said construction workers accredited by the DPWH “will be allowed to work on quarantine and isolation facilities, health facilities, emergency and maintenance works, flood control and other disaster risk reduction and rehabilitation works.”
“On areas under the general community quarantine (GCQ), private and public construction projects will be allowed to resume following compliance to the construction safety guidelines prescribed for the implementation of infrastructure projects during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) public health crisis,” the public works chief added.
“Only persons from 21 to 59 years of age shall be allowed to be included in the workforce.”
Villar said only workers aged 21 to 59 and without pre-existing health conditions, such as, but not limited to, immunodeficiency, comorbidities, or other health risks shall be allowed to be included in the workforce.
“Prior to deployment, construction personnel shall be required to undergo COVID-19 test, as may be prescribed by DOH, and retested as the need arises,” he said.
“The head of the concerned Implementing Office (IO) shall issue construction quarantine pass (QP) to the individual qualified personnel of the concessionaires, contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers, clearly stating the identification, designation, nature of work, validity and destination,” Villar added.
He said the concessionaires, contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers shall provide for their personnel the necessary welfare facilities and amenities, such as employees’ quarters for board and lodging, ensuring compliance to social distancing, proper hygiene, etc.
“Employees shall be housed in their respective quarters for the entire duration of the project covered by the ECQ and GCQ.”
“Employees shall be housed in their respective quarters for the entire duration of the project covered by the ECQ and GCQ. Otherwise, “Prior to Deployment” procedures shall be conducted at every instance of re-entry,” Villar said.
“Errands to be conducted outside the construction site premises shall be kept to a minimum. Number of personnel running errands shall be limited and shall be properly disinfected and closely monitored for symptoms within 14 days upon re-entry,” he added.
Villar said work activities shall be under daily strict monitoring by the Safety Officer at site to ensure compliance to safety standards and quarantine protocols.
He stressed daily monitoring of the pre and post work health conditions of workers shall be mandatory.
“Personnel with manifestations or symptoms relative to COVID-19 shall be immediately isolated and quarantined for 14 days and if necessary, brought to the nearest DOH covid-19 treatment facility under strict confidentiality and privacy,” Villar added.
For government construction projects, he said personal records of all personnel necessary for contact tracing shall be submitted by the concessionaires, contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers to the DPWH IO and shall be resubmitted and updated monthly, or as the need arises.