The Philippine Economic Zona Authority (PEZA) will temporarily shift its transactions to online while conducting mass swab testing for all its personnel and disinfection of its offices amid the rising number of COVID-19 infections in Metro Manila.
In its latest memorandum circular, PEZA Director General Charito B. Plaza said the agency will implement full online transactions starting Friday, Jan. 7 until Jan. 14.
"While we remain devout in our sworn mandate, we also need to be part of the solution in mitigating the effects of this pandemic. This includes safeguarding the well-being of our workers and clients and avoiding close contacts or exposure to those either symptomatic or asymptomatic individuals," Plaza said in a statement on Thursday, Jan. 6.
According to Plaza, the temporary adoption of online transactions was to give way for thorough disinfection and sanitation of its head office in Pasay City and the mass COVID-19 testing for its employees including those in the other economic zones.
To ensure the safety of all ecozone workers, Plaza has also directed them to perform their duties under work-from-home scheme pending the result of their swab test.
"Prioritizing the safety of everyone is our utmost goal especially that we are on Alert level 3. Nevertheless, we continue to do our mandate in the alternative work schemes as this pandemic or new variant must not cripple us," Plaza noted.
The PEZA chief also assured its locators, registered- enterprises, and investors of unhampered coordination between Zone Administrators, Zone Managers, employees, and concerned government agencies even with the imposition of Alert Level 3 in the capital region.