Mayor Evelio Leonardia awards the city’s first Certificate of Safety Seal to SM City Bacolod that was accepted by mall manager George Jardiolin, assistant mall manager Julia Javellana, and marketing manager Nep Grandea, in the presence of city officials on Thursday, August 5.*City PIO photo 
Mayor Evelio Leonardia awards a COVID-19 safety seal to Ayala Malls Capitol Central in Bacolod City.*Ronnie Baldonado photo 
Mayor Evelio Leonardia awards a COVID-19 safety seal to Teleperformance, the first BPO in Bacolod City to receive one.*
The Bacolod City government awarded Safety Seal certificates to six business establishments Thursday, August 5.
The awarding ceremonies at the business establishments were led by Mayor Evelio Leonardia. He was accompanied by Councilor Carl Lopez, Bacolod Investment Board executive director George Zulueta, and Local Economic and Investment Promotions Officer-designate Jonah Javier, a press release from the Bacolod Public Information Office said.
Leonardia said, “This DILG scheme will identify outright what establishments are health protocols compliant and people will be guided accordingly. While this is voluntary, we encourage as many to apply because this is good for business as well as the public who will feel more secured.”
The business establishments awarded with a Safety Seal certificate were SM City Bacolod, Ayala Malls Capitol Central, Jollibee SM branch, Jollibee Lacson branch, McDonald’s Lacson branch, and Teleperformance.
Stela Rose Rayos, chair of the Safety Seal Committee, said more business establishments are scheduled to be awarded with the same certificates soon.
As of Thursday, there are 72 Bacolod business establishments applying for Safety Seal certificates, the press release said.
Based on online verification and on-site validation of the Inspection and Certification Team of the Safety Seal Committee, only 12 of the 72 companies have so far passed the validation, it added.
Of the 12 passers, six have been awarded the certificates Thursday.
Rayos said that the other 60 companies that have deficiencies in their documents can re-apply until they fully comply with the needed requirements.
For online applications, businesses may visit the Bacolod Permits Facebook page, the press release said.
Rayos said only business establishments with valid Mayor’s Permits (2021) are eligible to apply for a certificate of Safety Seal.
Those who are awarded with a Safety Seal certificate will be allowed an additional 10 percent beyond the prescribed on-site capacity, as per IATF Resolution no. 127-A series of 2021, she added.
The Safety Seal Certification Program (SSCP) is a certification scheme affirming that an establishment or public transportation unit has been inspected by the government and was found compliant with Minimum Public Health Standards (MPHS), is using or its contact tracing is integrated with StaySafe.ph, and the establishment or public transportation unit possesses the requisite business permits or franchise.
The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases adopted StaySafe.ph as the official digital contact tracing application of the government, and the institution of a SSCP to ensure compliance with MPHS especially in business establishments and major public places, in order to contain the spread of COVID-19 and prevent future surges.*