THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is asking capital markets institutions to fix employee requirements to be exempted from the Luzon-wide quarantine.
In a notice on its website, the SEC said companies engaged in the capital markets must write to it a letter requesting an identification card or its equivalent certification for their employees.
These companies must submit a certified list of employees who will be going out during the quarantine period. The employees must have a copy of their certificate of employment or engagement. The requirement covers outsourced jobs such as drivers.
The certification must state that a company is adopting procedures to maintain social distancing in the office and in the vehicles used to transport workers. It must specify the transportation arrangement and say that employees are aware of the safety measures being implemented.
The certification must be signed by the company president and/or any authorized responsible officer, and sent via e-mail to msrd_covid19@sec.gov.ph addressed to SEC Chairperson Emilio B. Aquino.
While the files are being processed, companies are advised to tell their employees to always bring with them their SEC-issued certification, company ID, company-issued certificate of employment, and a copy of Resolution No. 13 by the Inter Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF). These may be presented to law enforcement authorities if the need arises.
Luzon is under enhanced community quarantine until midnight of April 13 to limit the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). During the period, the general public is required to follow strict home quarantine, with the exemption of some like those working in capital markets.
The SEC notice is in line with IATF Resolution No. 13, which requires agencies with jurisdiction over those exempted from the home quarantine to issue IATF accreditation IDs. — Denise A. Valdez
