The Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) has extended the physical closure of its offices in Quezon City until Jan. 19 due to the “disturbing” increase in the number of employees infected with COVID-19.
In a memorandum circular issued by Ombudsman Samuel R. Martires, skeleton workforce will be implemented starting Jan. 20 in the Public Assistance Bureau; Central Records Division; CREMEB-Luzon, CREMEB-MOLEO; OSP Records Office; Finance and Management Information Office; General Administrative Office; Management Information System Service; and Human Resource and Management Division.
Martires said members of the skeleton workforce should have no COVID-19 symptoms and should be physical present from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Those not reporting onsite will continue to work from home subject to civil service rules, he said.
Members of the skeleton workforce “should have negative RT-PCR or antigen testing result (if testing were undertaken), and were not exposed to COVID-19 exposed person within 10 days prior to reporting to office,” his circular stated.
The circular also stated that “the filing of pleadings, motions, affidavits, and relevant documents before OMB, Quezon City should be deemed interrupted and the period of filing begins to run Jan.20, 2022.”
For applicants of OMB clearances, they may still deposit their applications at drop boxes at OMB, Quezon City entrance gate or send it to OMB’s email at: [email protected].
Martires said the COVID-19 booster shot inoculation at OMB, Quezon City will still push through on Jan. 12 and 13.
Only employees and members of their household who have no symptoms and included in the listing will be allowed to take the booster shot.
“Those who were listed but cannot avail of the booster shot vaccination due to COVID-19 symptoms, exposure to COVID-19 infected person, and positive results for RT-PCR or antigen testing may coordinate with the Safety and Health Committee for the new schedule of their booster shot vaccination,” Martires also said.