The city council passed Resolution 600, s. 2021 requesting employers in the private and public sector in Baguio to shoulder the whole, or portion, the cost of Covid-19 test/s for unvaccinated employees.
The appeal is in relation to Executive Order 159, s. 2021 of Mayor Benjamin Magalong on new health protocols pursuant to Resolution 148-B of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
EO 159 requires unvaccinated employees in the public and private sector who are required to work on-site to undergo Covid-19 testing at least once every two weeks, until such time they get vaccinated and with option to choose from swab test or antigen test at their own expense.
The council said the EO’s intent to protect the public is noble but it is also challenging to require those who are unvaccinated to undergo regular tests considering the economic crisis. The council said the tests are an added expense on the part of affected employees.
On the other hand, the council said employers should consider paying the cost of testing because this will not only benefit their employees, but could also help their businesses, apart from the fact they have a moral obligation to their employees.
In Resolution 595, the council authorized the mayor to sign a memorandum of agreement with Pagcor Chair and Chief Executive Officer Andrea Domingo where the former will accept, in behalf of the city government P50 million financial grant for the construction of two multi-purpose barangay complex and covered courts in Bayan Park Village and in Engineers’ Hill.
Both complexes may be used by the host barangays and their districts.
In Resolution 591, the city council expressed its gratitude to the India Business Forum Philippines Association, Inc. (IBFPAI)for donating a motorcycle, assorted medicines, and medical supplies for the city’s health programs and activities.
In the resolution, the council acknowledged that several pioneer businesses in Baguio were owned by Indians.
Many of Indian descent have settled in the city and for decades,have been participating and helping in socio-economic programs and activities of the city, including donating for the Covid-19 response.
The association, through its presidentDileep Kumar Tiwari, committed during the recent flag raising program at the City Hall that their other members are considering to open their branches in the city to provide more employment to residents.
The body also commended in separate resolutions entities and personalities who brought pride and honor to the city.
They are Frank Cimatu for winning the 20th Madrigal-Gonzales Best First Book Award for Filipino with his poetry collection entitled, “Ang Mga Prusisyong Dumaan sa Unang Bangungot” through a virtual program held last Nov. 26; Josephine Kigis Bay-ed of the City Health Services Office for her “2021 Outstanding Professional of the Year (Midwifery) Award” given by the Professional Regulations Commission, Cherish Ivy P. Fabricante, Baltazar R. Dela Trinidad and Precious Anne Gwynneth S. Azcueta for ranking 2nd, 5th and 10th, in the September Licensure Examination for Teachers-secondary level; and the University of Baguio and Saint Louis University for ranking 7th and 8th, among the top performing schools in the September LET-secondary level.
Other commendees are Angelica Joyce Gaw, Justin Kobe Macario, and Janna Oliva and their coaches for winning in the online edition of the 2021 World Taekwondo (poomsae) Open Challenge 3 by the World Martial Arts Committee; and Elmer Manlapaz, Don Lee Aliga, Billy Joel Valenzuela and Crismanuel Delfin and coach Ruth Ann Lavarias for winning in the online edition of the 2021 International Martial Arts Contest by the World Martial Arts Union.
April 16, 2024
