GOVERNMENT agencies in areas under Alert Level 2 are already allowed to accommodate 80 percent of their workforce on-site, according to a memorandum issued by Malacañang last December 17.
President Duterte has placed the entire country Alert Level 2 until December 31.
Memorandum Circular 93, signed by Executive Secretary on authority of President Duterte, said government offices are now fully operational.
Under MC 93, an 80 percent on-site workforce is already permitted in government agencies located in areas under Alert Level 2.
An on-site workforce of 60 percent is allowed in areas under Alert Level 3 and 40 percent in Alert Level 4 areas.
In areas under Alert Level 5, a skeleton workforce on-site shall be maintained while the remainder of the personnel will be under alternative work arrangements.
Personnel assigned to work off-site shall be subject to alternative work arrangements as approved by the head of agency in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations issued by the Civil Service Commission.
The memorandum stated that in case a greater on-site capacity is required, the agencies concerned shall provide health and emergency frontline services, laboratory and testing services, border control, or other critical services, in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations issued by the CSC.
In the same memorandum, it was noted that some government agencies and instrumentalities have allowed a small proportion of their total workforce on-site, adversely affecting their delivery of public service.
“There is a need to balance health considerations and the continuous delivery of public services, regardless of the alert level system prevailing in a particular area,” the memorandum read.
The memorandum mandates on-site workforce to strictly observe social distancing requirements and other minimum public health standards.
It also “strongly urged” the offices in the legislative and judicial branches of government, the independent constitutional commissions and bodies, and local government units to adopt the provisions of the memorandum.
