SM City Marilao and SM City Baliwag earn PH’s official Safety Seal in the province of Bulacan.

“The safety seal is everything to us because it affirms our commitment to safe malling and our strict compliance to safety and health protocols set by the government” shares SM City Marilao Assistant Mall Manager Engr. Janette Aguilera.

According to Marilao Municipal Administrator Wilfredo Diaz, PH’s Safety Seal is granted to building and establishments that are compliant with the Minimum Public Health Standards (MPHS), including the adoption and use of accredited contact tracing app. He also added that the initiative is part of the government’s efforts to stop the surge of COVID19 while assuring people that the said establishment is safe.

Marilao Licensing Officer Martin Armando Cruz explains that PH’s Safety Seal certification program is a Joint Memorandum Circular 21-01 (JMC 21-01) signed by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Tourism (DOT), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Health (DOH). Implementing guidelines of the Safety Seal Program requires enforcement of Minimum Public Health Standards (MPHS) such as health declaration and non-contact temperature check on all individual who enters the premises, using of accredited contact tracing app/system, availability of handwashing stations and sanitizers, observance of physical distancing and good ventilation in enclosed areas. Proper wearing of facemask and faceshields as well as regular disinfection and sanitation of high-touch surfaces are also among other requirements.

After thorough onsite assessment and evaluation, safety seal tags for both SM City Marilao and SM City Baliwag were issued by representatives from the Local Government and Business Permit and Licensing Offices (BPLO) of each town.

“We are happy that all our efforts were recognized. With the “Safety Seal”, we hope to increase people’s confidence in visiting our malls as health, safety, and well-being of our shoppers and employees always remain to be our top priority” says SM City Baliwag Mall Manager Rodora Tolentino.

The SM malls in Marilao and Baliwag are among the first recipients of Safety Seal in Bulacan.

Members of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) last April 23 have encouraged consumers to patronize business establishments with Safety Seals.