Public works contractors warned of shutdown

Worker gets Covid in drinking session 

By Dexter See

BAGUIO CITY-- While government expanded Covid-19 testing in construction sites here, lab exam results might mean more than isolation of just a few workers.

City Administrator Bonifacio Dela Peña on Monday warned contractors of civil and public works in the city their ongoing projects will be stopped once any of their workers test positive for Covid-19.

 The warning comes in the heels of a report that a certain worker caught the disease in a drinking session with his fellows, using a “shot glass” passed from one person to another.

Dela Peña said, it will not only be the site where confirmed cases which will be closed. Closure orders shall likewise be issued over other work stations managed by the same contractor.

As condition for allowing works to resume when the city transitioned to Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ), the city government earlier mandated contractors to have their workers undergo medical checkup with the City Health Services Office (CHSO).

Workers diagnosed with tuberculosis, pneumonia and other heart problems were not allowed to work, their conditions considered comorbidities to Covid-19.

Of the more than 2,000- workers, some 13-percent were found with tuberculosis, pneumonia and heart conditions.

Dela Peña bared, the city will continue to require contractors to have their workers undergo the mandatory checkup, certifications issued by the CHSO a must for them to resume work.

To ensure the city’s intentions are not circumvented, the City Administrator added surprise inspections will be conducted by the city.

To date, he revealed, there are more than 100-private and public works projects already inspected by city officials on their compliance to health and safety standards.