The government has allowed construction projects to resume under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in place over Metro Manila, Laguna and several Central Luzon provinces.
The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development released guidelines and requirements for the resumption of real estate business and construction operations in a Facebook post on May 15.
Human Settlements chief Eduardo del Rosario thanked the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) for permitting construction work and real estate activities to resume, saying “This will greatly benefit the millions of Filipino workers who have temporarily lost their jobs and sources of income since the start of the ECQ (enhanced community quarantine).”
The guidelines apply to all developers and others who are into real estate development, construction and related businesses.
Aside from the usual wearing of face mask, checking of body temperature, worksite disinfection and physical distancing, the guidelines also include the conduct of rapid tests, adoption of hygienic on-site or near-site quarters, granting of assistance to workers who become coronavirus disease (Covid-19) positive while employed, and the provision of group health or self-insurance coverage.
Developers are required to send a letter of intent to restart housing projects to regional offices. (Jojo Mangahis)