Mayor Isko Moreno (second from right) and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna (second from left) are joined by (from left) DILG Usec Jonathan Malaya, Robinson Malls General Manager Arlene Magtibay, EVP Faraday Go and DTI Sec. Ramon Lopez in giving the seal of safety to the said mall. Photo by JERRY S. TAN
Isko: Safety seal in malls raises consumer confidence
MANILA Mayor Isko Moreno led the ceremonial installation of the Safety Seal certification at the entrance of Robinson’s Place in Ermita, Manila and the kick-off of the mass vaccination in one of four ‘mega-sites’ or malls, on top of the 18 schools already being used, in preparation for the inoculation of the A4 category which includes workers.
The said mall is the first to get one in the city, indicating that the establishment is compliant with COVID-19 health protocols.
“It is very important to pursue economic growth. Paano natin palalakasin muli ang negosyo kung ang mamimili ay walang kumpiyansa. And the best way to raise consumer confidence is to show that people who are serving in this setting are all safe and vaccinated,” Moreno said.
With the granting of the said seal to establishments, Moreno said consumer confidence will be raised that the establishment they are entering are safe.
“Tataas ang kumpiyansa ng taong lumabas muli as long as he or she is allowed to go out at bumili ng mga kakailanganin niya at dun gugulong na muli ang komersyo…itong programa ng pagbibigay ng pagkilala sa mga responsableng negosyante ay senyales ng pagbibigay ng kapanatagan ng kaoolooban sa mamamayan na pwede na kayo magpunta anytime,” he said.
Moreno added: “Congrats to the first mall in the city to receive. Alam n’yo mahirap makuha ang selyo na ‘yan. Di po ‘yan nabibili sa Mercury Drug. Napakahirap dahil marami kang alutintuning susundin bilang responsableng nagnenegosyo. I hope others will follow suit.
The mayor assured members of the business sector that he and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna will continue to be there for them, finding ways to ensure that doing business in the city of Manila will always be safe and hassle-free.
“May gobyerno sa Maynila. Kami ni Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna sa Maynila, kaagapay nyo kami sa araw-araw na pamumuhay,” he said. Moreno was joined by DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez, DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya and Manila Police District Drector PBGen. Leo Francisco and Manila permits bureau director Levy Facundo.
The Safety Seal program is a joint effort of the DILG, Department of Health (DOH), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Tourism (DOT) and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). It grants establishments a Safety Seal to be conspicuously displayed following an inspection by the DILG and local government units (LGUs).
Under the program, LGUs are to inspect and grant the Safety Seal to all public and private establishments like malls; wet markets; other retail stores; restaurants outside hotels and resorts; fast food stores; eateries; coffee shops; banks; money changers; pawnshops; remittance centers; car wash; laundry service centers; art galleries; libraries; museums; zoo; sports centers; tutorial, testing, and review centers; gyms; spas; cinemas; arcades; and, all other private establishments.
The Safety Seal bears a green check with the sentence “We follow safety & health protocols against COVID-19” printed on it. It also indicates the Issuing Authority, Date of Issuance, Safety Seal Number, and a QR code placed on the seal as a safeguard against counterfeits. It must also be verifiable with the Issuing Authority or the government agency or instrumentality with the authority to issue the certification and award the Safety Seal.
