The Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB) remains COVID-free. More than two months after the first COVID-19 case was reported in the province of Bataan, the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) was among the very first to announce and has continued to strengthen its efforts to prevent the spread of the deadly pandemic.
The process has not been easy, but it is evident that the guidelines laid out through the FAB Memorandum Circulars have been effective and successful. The AFAB-Incident Management Team (AFAB-IMT) continues to monitor and coordinate with the FAB Registered Enterprises (FREs).
Among the guidelines being strictly enforced, not only in the FREs but in all establishments within the FAB, include safety protocols such as regular hand washing or disinfection, wearing of face masks, 1-meter social distancing, and routine disinfection.
Ninety-five (95) FREs were required to temporarily suspend operations due to the implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) on 17 March 2020.
However, thirty-four (34) of the said FREs were able to re-open and operate due to exemptions stated by guidelines of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).
As part of the protocol, the AFAB-IMT constantly inspects the operating FREs. Point-to-point shuttle services, strict social distancing at the workplace, and provision of onsite or near-site accommodations are among the additional requirements for FREs.
Companies who fail to abide by the set prerequisites are advised to temporarily stop operations until requirements are met.
In addition, all covered enterprises must also submit a list of employees to report for work as well as their information details to ensure that the proposed number of workers fits the workspace area with physical distancing implemented and that workers are verified residents within approved areas.
Moreover, employees and officials of enterprises travelling out of town and the country are subjected to strict monitoring and restrictions. In full cooperation, they voluntarily disclose the details and information of their travels, further ensuring the safety of their workers and the community. In said cases, the AFAB-IMT requires individuals who traveled outside Bataan to complete a 14-day home quarantine following the directive of the IATF-EID.
Importantly, the AFAB employees also have religiously adhered to the same guidelines. Since the implementation of the ECQ, the AFAB has adopted alternative work arrangements for its employees and only frontliners have reported for work to continuously be of service to the public.
Now that the province of Bataan, including the FAB, is under the MECQ, the set protocols against COVID-19 are still continuously followed. As work in offices resume on allowed skeleton workforce, everyone is still encouraged to remain cautious.
The AFAB is genuinely grateful for the patience and cooperation of all FAB Enterprises and FAB workers. The AFAB also extends its appreciation and gratitude to the Provincial Government of Bataan (PGB), Mariveles Local Government Unit (LGU), private and government agencies, as well as individuals who have gone out of their way unselfishly to ensure the security and safety of the FAB community.
AFAB hopes that, with everybody continuously working together, its community will become stronger together in the fight against COVID-19. WE stand together, WE rise together. WE are FAB.