by Melanie Rapiz-Parel
ADMINISTRATOR/CEO Robert Victor G. Seares Jr. urged employees at the NTA Central Office (CO) to follow strictly safety and health measures, as required by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases.
The Administrator addressed the CO employees for the first time in a general assembly on September 7, following the four-week lockdown of the Central Office in Quezon City after some of its security officers tested positive of COVID-19, with one employee unable to survive the infection.
To ramp up efforts against COVID-19, the agency distributed free face masks, face shields, and vitamin C tablets sourced from donations and required the employees to undergo COVID-19 Rapid Antibody testing to see if one has already developed antibodies against the severe respiratory disease.
Seares said while the Top Management does its best to keep everyone safe, he will not cease in reminding the employees to follow health protocols for everyone’s protection, including their families, and advising them against downplaying the effect of infection.
He urged everyone’s cooperation and reminding them to sanitize their respective workplaces whenever necessary, to wear face mask and face shield while at work, and cleanse their hands with alcohol.
“If you are not feeling well, please stay at home and take a rest. Let us know if you are not feeling well, so we can act immediately,” he added.
He also discussed the plan to establish a COVID Response Management Plan for the agency, which will be composed of CO staff with medical background, who are willing to assist in enforcing health protocols, propose actions to maintain mental health well-being of staff, and serve as quick response team against infection.
The CO employees are currently reporting to the office in a skeleton workforce with the rest, in rotation, performing their tasks under a work-from-home setup, within the guidelines set by the Civil Service Commission.
At the start of the meeting, a music video produced by the Public Relations Office, was presented to lighten the mood and encourage everyone to conquer fear and be strong amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The administrator said the NTA family should be working together and heading forward for a new beginning. “One must not lose hope and maintain the ability to care for ourselves and one another,” he said.
The antigen testing was conducted by Dr. Salter Joseph B. Elizalde, resident Medical Officer, assisted by Gerald C. Guzman, Administrative Assistant I and a registered nurse.
