Regular plenary sessions will be suspended and all congressional offices closed in the House of Representatives during the enforcement of the Enhanced Community Quarantine from August 6 to 21, the legislative chamber has announced.
In a memorandum released Monday, August 2, Secretary General Mark Llandro “Dong” L. Mendoza disclosed that office hours in the Lower House will be limited from 8 am to 5 pm on August 3 and 4 while plenary sessions will be restricted to three hours, from 2 pm to 5 pm.
Mendoza said the restricted work schedule has been scheduled as part of the health and safety regulations to protect House members, employees and the general public from the effects of the current surge in COVID-19 cases.
The House official said committee meetings will have to be held strictly “via videoconferencing only.”
“Only Secretariat personnel with extremely essential tasks shall be allowed to report physically to the office,” Mendoza said as he reminded those who will work to undergo antigen testing.
He added: “Should there be available vaccines, CONGVAX shall proceed and concerned individuals shall be notified accordingly.”
Meanwhile, the former Batangas lawmaker disclosed that offices of attached agencies of the Lower House are advised to adopt a lean workforce during the ECQ.