Members of the Metro Clark Advisory Council (MCAC) recently signed a resolution reaffirming their commitment in working together to stop the spread of COVID – 19 in Clark Freeport and its surrounding communities.
Officials and members of MCAC passed the MCAC Resolution No. 2 series of 2021, which strengthens their unified approach in managing COVID-19 in the Metro Clark areas.
Clark Development Corporation (CDC) President and CEO Manuel R. Gaerlan serves as the chairman of the council with Mabalacat City Mayor Crisostomo Garbo as Co-Chairman. Other members of the MCAC include Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin, Jr., Porac Mayor Jaime Capil, Capas Tarlac Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan and Bamban Tarlac Mayor Jose Antonio Feliciano.
According to the resolution, the state-owned corporation and the surrounding Local Government Units (LGUs) will enhance their coordination to guarantee that COVID-positive workers among locator firms in this Freeport are reported promptly and appropriately.
The CDC Health and Sanitation Division (HSD) should also notify the concerned LGU where the COVID positive employee resides and coordinate the in-zone cases to the city or municipal health officials of the concerned LGU. Contact tracing efforts on the part of LGUs should also be intensified.
Under the resolution, MCAC officials underscored the responsibility of Clark locators to ensure the welfare of their employees. CDC and the members of the council also encouraged the locators to take responsibility for the swab test of their infected employees and close contacts.
As encouraged by the National Inter-Agency Task Force (NIATF) and provincial executive orders of Pampanga and Tarlac, both the CDC and MCAC shall strengthen the necessary stringent preventive measures in Metro Clark areas. These include the existing safety protocols that are being observed in workplaces and transportation facilities such as wearing of face masks and face shields as well as social distancing, among others.
The adoption of alternative work arrangements for workers should also be strictly implemented in order to control workplace transmission of the virus.
Clark locators must also enforce 50% onsite and 50% offsite or Work From Home (WFH) work arrangements in their company. (CDC Communications Division)
