The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) plans to establish its own COVID-19 testing facilities to contain spread of the pandemic in economic zones.
The agency said it is eyeing the facilities in its four public economic zones: Baguio City, Pampanga, Cavite and Mactan.
“We are currently coordinating with the Department of Health for this program. We plan to provide both the rapid test kits and the PCR test on the said facilities so that the companies will have a choice on either of the methods,” PEZA director general Charito Plaza said in a statement.
In addition, PEZA is looking to construct dormitories/housing facilities in its four public ecozones and provide shuttle services for use of locators.
“This will not only be used for emergencies but, in coping with the locators’ losses during the crisis. We are encouraging the private ecozone operators to do the same to ensure the investors of a safe and secured Philippine ecozones,” the director general said.
PEZA earlier adopted various measures to support its locators while ensuring health and quarantine requirements are complied with to contain spread of the pandemic.
These measures include allowing companies to implement work-from-home arrangements for up to 70% of the workforce; easing of submission of requirements; extension of validity of certificates; deferment of payments; and giving grace period for old unpaid accounts.
Currently there are 4,542 PEZA locator companies nationwide, 60% of which are fully operational under varying levels of community quarantine.
”PEZA implemented economic stimulus (measures) and adjustments to its existing policies to assist and support the rehabilitation and business continuity plans of the export enterprises,” Plaza said.
According to a nationwide survey of PEZA companies covering 2,440 respondents for the April 13 to 30 period, 40 companies were fully operational while 1,382 had a skeletal force or adopted a work-from-home scheme.
Around 1,018 companies were not operational or had no production.
Plaza said the agency allowed companies to operate on condition that they comply with PEZA directives and guidelines set by the Inter-agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
The directives include the implementation of strict social distancing measures, disinfection of premises, thermal scanning, and distribution of sanitation tents, alcohols, masks, and hand sanitizers.
