DILG issues 59,139 safety seals

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has issued almost 60,000 safety seal certificates to public establishments that are compliant with health standards.

Latest data showed that a total of 59,139 safety seal certifications have been issued by the DILG and local government units (LGUs) nationwide.

Almost 100,000 applications for safety seals have been received by the DILG and LGUs. Many remain pending and some 8,107 applications were denied.

DILG spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said the department, which certifies compliance of national and local government agencies, has denied 7,653 applications.

Malaya said that government offices must be the first to strictly comply with its own regulations to protect the public.

“We make sure all requirements are followed and documents submitted by agencies are complete to prevent comments that the safety seal is not being followed,” he said in a virtual briefing yesterday.

Most government offices failed to address some engineering issues such as lack of ventilation and distancing requirements needed for the safety seal.

While application for a safety seal is not mandatory, Malaya said this could help boost consumer confidence for public establishments, especially for businesses.

“Let me emphasize the benefit, the safety seal adds another 10 percent capacity depending on the alert level. In Metro Manila, the issuance allows us to go beyond by 10 percent. This is a big help for the business,” he said.

Malaya said the government did not deem it necessary to make the safety seal a mandatory standard for all businesses as this may prove to be an additional burden, especially for those already struggling with the pandemic.

“The concept of the safety seal was never a mandatory issuance or requirement. If made mandatory, it would be an additional burden to business establishments and to the reopening of the economy. This is a badge of honor, to increase consumer confidence and help with the economic recovery,” he said.