To ensure the health and safety of all personnel and to prevent/contain the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Port Management Office of Misamis Oriental/Cagayan de Oro through its Engineering Services Division has issued an Advisory to all project managers, project engineers, and contractors, suspending the construction works until the termination of General Community Quarantine (GCQ) imposed in the Province of Misamis Oriental on 15 May 2020.
In view of the extension of the implementation of Enhanced Community Quarantine in high-risk areas and GCQ in the rest of the country, the Department of Works and Highways (DPWH) also issued the Construction Safety Guidelines for the implementation of infrastructure projects during this health crisis (http://www.dpwh.gov.ph/dpwh/sites/default/files/issuances/DO_35_s2020%20updated2.pdf). The DPWH’s Department Order No. 35, series of 2020 highlighted the types of infrastructure projects that may be implemented during the quarantine period. These include quarantine and health facilities and other projects related to the basic human needs such as food production, energy, communications, among others.
The said Construction Safety Guidelines stipulated the health protocols and preventive measures that construction personnel are mandated to adhere during the implementation of essential construction projects for the safety of all amid the COVID-19 threat, such as but not limited to: compliance to social distancing, provision of hand soaps, disinfection of equipment and hand tools every after use, and restriction of non-essential personnel or visitors in the construction sites. A construction quarantine pass shall also be issued by the concerned implementing office to the qualified personnel of the contractors, subcontractors, and concessionaires after undergoing health screening.
