4 establishments get safety seal

CEBU, Philippines —  Four establishments in Cebu have been awarded with a safety seal certificate by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-7), Department of Health (DOH-7), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-7), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG-7), and Department of Tourism (DOT-7) for their compliance to the minimum health and safety standards amid the pandemic.

The awarding of safety seal certificate is an inter-agency initiative of the government to stop the surge of COVID-19 and ensure business establishments’ compliance to health protocols.

The awardees were Cebu Link Joint Venture for its Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) project, Bai Hotel in Mandaue City, Bruno’s Barbers branch in SM City Cebu, and The Market Place at Robinsons Galleria Cebu in Cebu City.

 According to the DOLE-DOH-DILG-DOT-DTI joint memorandum circular NO. 21-01 series of 2021, the program aims to assure the consumers and the public in general of establishments’ compliance with the minimum public health standards set by the government. 

  The safety seal certification is a voluntary certification scheme that affirms that an establishment is compliant with the minimum public health standards set by the government and uses or integrates its contact tracing with StaySafe.ph.

 DOLE-7 information officer Luchel Taniza said that the awarding of the safety seal yesterday was just a beginning as more establishments will be given such certificates provided it complies with the minimum public health standards.

 DTI-7 regional director Ma. Elena Arbon said they are awarding the safety seals to business establishments for the safely re-opening of the economy and to re-establish consumer confidence.

 DOLE-7 regional director Salome Siaton also said that when an establishment gets the seal, it would tell the people, the workers, and the clients that it is safe for them to go out, visit and work in this company.

 Meanwhile, other branches of The Market Place, Robinsons Supermarkets, Robinsons Easymart and Shopwise were also cited during the said ceremony and received their DTI Gold ‘Bagwis’ Seal of Excellence Award.

It can be recalled that DTI-Cebu has granted the “Gold Bagwis” seal to 30 department stores, supermarkets, and service and repair shops in recognition of their efforts to uphold the rights and welfare of consumers and the practice of responsible business amid the pandemic.

 Just recently, two Metro Retail Stores in the Visayas region-- Metro Colon and Metro Ayala Center Cebu--also received the said award.

 The award is the highest category that recognizes both establishments’ compliance with the DTI’s fair trade laws, efficiency in customer relations and operational management, excellence in social commitment and responsibility, and adherence to quality management standards.

  Both stores received the certifications for the Supermarket, Department Store, and Appliance Center categories. Since 2018, the company has received a total of 25 Gold Bagwis awards.

DTI-Cebu has previously extended the validity of the Gold Bagwis Awards to Toyota Mandaue (Cebu City, South and North), SM City Cebu Supermarket, Savemore Market (Mactan, Basak, Maribago, EMall, Maguikay, Parkmall and Canduman), Belmont Industrial Tool Center, Super Shopping Market (Cebu and JCenter Mall), and Robinsons Supermarket (Banilad, Cebu-Fuente and Talisay).

DTI-7 said that other retail establishments like specialty stores, hardware stores and appliance centers may also vie for Bagwis Awards and are encouraged to apply for this annual awarding to safeguard interests of consumers and to foster fair business practices. — Jean Salgados, Siliman University intern, FPL (FREEMAN)